The Private Life of the Gannets

The Private Life of the Gannets
Intertitle
Directed by	Julian Huxley
Written by	Ronald Lockley
Produced by	Alexander Korda
Starring	A. L. Alexander
Cinematography	Osmond Borradaile John Grierson
Music by	Muir Mathieson
Production company	London Film Productions
Release date	1934 (1934)
Running time	10 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

The Private Life of the Gannets is a 1934 British short documentary film, directed by Julian Huxley, about a colony of Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) on the small rocky island of Grassholm, off the coast of Wales. It received a special mention at the 3rd Venice International Film Festival in 1935 and won the Best Short Subject (One-Reel) at the 10th Academy Awards in 1938.^[1] The title was chosen by producer Alexander Korda as a reference to The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933),^[2] his breakthrough film of the previous year.

The "truly landmark film," provides, according to WildFilmHistory, "an absorbing and atmospheric account," by combining "close-up, slow motion and aerial shots." This "groundbreaking footage ... shot with the support of the Royal Navy ... reveals the incredible private lives of these birds as they squabble over territory, perform spectacular dives and regurgitate fish for their young." The production was headed by renowned biologist Julian Huxley, who enlisted "some of the top figures in the British scientific and cinematic world" for what "is classed by many as the world's first natural history documentary, its thorough and academic approach a stark contrast to the expedition format of its predecessors." "A comprehensive insight into a fascinating creature," it was the first wildlife film to receive an Academy Award.^[2]

• The Private Life of the Gannets at IMDb
• The Private Life of the Gannets at the BFI's Screenonline
• The short film The Private Life of the Gannets is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.