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Sea Urchins poster

Sea Urchins

Les Oursins

1954 · 0h 11m · Documentary · France

Underwater photography, magnified close-ups, and film through microscope present the sea urchin, a complex creature. We see their mouth and five teeth close and open. After injecting one with gelatin, the shell is removed and we see the muscle structure, digestive tube, and reproductive organs. Magnified stems reveal suction cups; stems lengthen and contract allowing the sea urchin to move. We see microscopic calcareous stems; at their ends are jaws with various uses. Cilia everywhere are in constant motion, stirring up water and debris. African music on the soundtrack suggests a shuffle dance.

Directed by
Jean Painlevé, Geneviève Hamon
6.1Smart score

The TMDB rating, pulled toward the movie average (6.03) as if it had 82 extra average votes. Few votes means more pull.

TMDB6.3

20 TMDB votes · IMDb page

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Connected through the crew

Blood of the Beasts1949 · Writer Jean PainlevéThe Vampire1945 · Director Jean PainlevéThe Sea Horse1935 · Director Jean Painlevé, Writer Jean PainlevéHyas and Stenorhynchus1929 · Director Jean PainlevéSea Urchins1929 · Director Jean PainlevéVoyage to the Sky1937 · Director Jean PainlevéThe Love Life of an Octopus1967 · Director Jean Painlevé, Director Geneviève HamonThe Fourth Dimension1936 · Director Jean PainlevéDaphnia1928 · Director Jean PainlevéLiquid Crystals1978 · Director Jean PainlevéThe Octopus1928 · Director Jean PainlevéBluebeard1936 · Director Jean Painlevé

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Best Documentary Movies of the 1950sBest Documentary Movies of All Time