CREATURES FANTASTIC
Spirits of the Forest
Narrated by Zoe Wanamaker
BBC Wild Vision for Dorling Kindersley and Discovery Channel
Produced and Directed: Andrew Graham-Brown
This film examines the mythology and wisdom surrounding temperate forests, including the creatures that lurk within.
“The deep forest. Dark, even in the daylight. A place that casts a spell of terror on anyone who dares visit its interior. Lurking within – witches, giants. The very roots of trees come to life and encircle the unwary. Some say that even the forest’s damp air is the breath of a demon, whose slimy jaws lie in wait to swallow its prey. What is it about the forest that stirs the human imagination? Is the forest the dwelling place of fantastic spirits? Are the trees more alive than they look?”
Forests probably first arose in the Carboniferous age, around 100 million years ago. The primeval forest would have been vast, dark and dense. No wonder early humans exploring it began to imagine spirits of the forest. The strange shapes and perfumes perhaps inspired them to imagine he was in the presence of gods and demons. Throughout mythology, people have wondered about nature’s seasonal cycle, fearing that there may be a time when spring never comes and winter lasts forever.
CREATURES FANTASTIC
Werewolves
Narrated by Zoe Wanamaker
Creatures Fantastic is a powerful, evocative series which presents a unique view of dragons, werewolves, vampires, mermaids and a host of other legendary creatures and beliefs. With exceptional storytelling, compelling and fearful tales from all over the world are brought to life through beautifully crafted scenes. Dramatic reconstructions are achieved by special studio and locating filming and enhanced by state-of-the-art computer graphics.
The series unravels a fascination shared by writers, artists and scientists. Viewers of all ages will make surprising discoveries about the relevance of myth and legend in today's society. From the banks of the Nile, the castles of Transylvania to the skyscrapers of Hong Kong, stories are told of fabulous creatures, some remote and exotic, some lurking close by. Creatures Fantastic is exhilarating and informative, providing a journey through the dark, mysterious caverns of the imagination. Up until the nineteenth century, werewolves were often blamed for violent attacks and rapes perpetrated by humans.
This instalment of CREATURES FANTASTIC that was shown on The Discovery Channel and The Arts Channel, traces the legend of the werewolf and its relation to our perceptions of man-as-animal. It features the 17th century plague years, the story of Little Red Ridinghood, the dreams of Sigmud Freud's 'The Wolf Man', and asks whether a form of mental illness called 'lycanthrophy' is the root of our belief in werewolves.
CREDITS
Producer/Director: Andrew Graham-Brown
Executive Producer: Michael Waterhouse