Hunters of the Deep

...captures the iridescence and opulence of an inexplicably beautiful universe... -- Pauline Kael, 5001 Nights at the Movies. One of the first diving documentaries made in the U.S., Hunters of the Deep thrilled film festival audiences upon its release in 1954. A glimpse at the amazing world under the water that few ever get to see, it was compiled from 25,000 feet of film shot by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography over a 3-year period. Daring deep sea divers brave the depths to catalog aquatic life on camera like never before or since, all the while fending off vicious attacks from bloodthirsty sharks. The film is narrated by Dan O' Herlihy, the same year he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in Robinson Crusoe (1954). He is remembered today for his memorable roles in Fail-Safe (1964), RoboCop (1987) and on the TV series Twin Peaks (1990-1991). Producer Tom Gries later turned to directing, garnering acclaim for Will Penny (1967), 100 Rifles (1969) and the Emmy Award-winning TV movie Helter Skelter (1976). Shooting locations for Hunters of the Deep included Guadalupe Island, near Baja California, Mexico; Santa Catalina Island and San Diego Harbor, CA; and the Bahamas.

PLUS: VINTAGE AQUATIC SHORT SUBJECTS!

• Undersea Life (1946)
• Shark on the Line (1949)
• Fighting Fish (1957)

• documentary