Focus: A Film Review (1948-1949)

214 FOCUS Nevertheless, it conscientiously presents and gets across quite well some aspects of the cycle, e.g., the fact that plants build up organic Nitrogen compounds, that these may later be eaten by animals and that animal wastes restore Nitrogen to the soil. The part played by Leguminous crops is just touched upon, and one regrets that this is not brought home by the presentation of some familiar plants, like Clover, with a close-up of the root nodules. The formation of Nitrogen compounds in the atmosphere during a thunderstorm is not made clear. The children are left with the impression that rain is the effective agent ! (Suitable for Secondary Schools, Age : 14-16.) Amoeba. Sound Film. 1 reel. L.C.C. Film Library 55; G.B. Film Library F561. Hire: 7/6 first day, 2/6 sub. days. Mute version FM561 : 4/6 + 1/6. A very good idea of the ceaseless activity associated with protoplasm, an idea difficult to convey, is given by this film. It is a deceptively simple film, presenting in an easily intelligible way all the essential facts of the structure and activities of Amoeba. The flowing of the protoplasm, the thrusting out and withdrawal of pseudopodia, the pursuit and ingestion of prey, the working of the contractile vacuole — all these processes are clearly shown and explained by a helpful commentary. The microphotography is excellent. Effective use of diagrams depicts the process of binary fission and shows why Amoeba is potentially “immortal”. A very good teaching film. (Suitable for Grammar Schools, 14-18.) Atmospheric Pressure. Silent Film. 1 reel. L.C.C. Film Library 623. This film is useful for revision purposes for it covers many aspects of the subject. The principle of the vacuum cleaner is clearly shown by diagrams and all the “classical” experiments which illustrate Atmospheric Pressure are introduced. Great interest and excitement are aroused by the Magdeburg Hemispheres Experiment. This compensates for the rather tedious exposition of the use of the barograph and the effect of altitude on pressure. The relationship between temperature and pressure is more simply shown and the explanation of land and sea breezes is good. The film would be much improved by the addition of a sound-track. (Suitable for Secondary Schools : 12-15.) GEOGRAPHY The Oasis. Silent Film. 1 reel. 15 mins. L.C.C. Film Library 524. G.B. Film Library EGS.A3. Hire : 3/6 first day, 1/6 sub. days. This contains good desert scenes showing that the desert is not a sandy plain but has mountainous areas. The dependence of desert life on the springs of water found there is emphasised, and the development of quite large settlements near the water supply is shown. There are scenes showing the occupations of the people, pastoral occupations (the keeping of sheep and goats), the growth of fruit with irrigation, and various crafts (weaving, making of pottery, etc.). There are pictures showing desert transport with good scenes of the camel caravan. (Suitability : 13+.) II Brazil. Silent Film. 1 reel. 15 mins. L.C.C. Film Library 532. Wallace Heaton 3278. Hire : 3/6 first day, 1 / sub. days. This contains good pictures of the i n Amazon forests showing the dense » vegetation, undergrowth, and monkeys, !f birds and reptiles found in the forest. There are good river scenes showing how the Amazon is used for transport. fv Settlement is shown varying from the 'n primitive native huts to the modern ® port of Manaos. The occupation of rubber collecting is shown in detail : the tapping of rubber i trees, the primitive method of smoking the rubber and the transport of the balls I : of rubber by canoe to the trading post. The film is interesting and a very good teaching film. (Suitability : 12 onwards.) The next number will be devoted to> History films and strips.