Le Monde du silence
(The Silent World)

France (1956): Documentary

The Silent World is based on the best-selling book of the same name by famed oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Set on board -- and below -- the good ship Calypso during an exploratory expedition, this feature-length documentary was codirected by Cousteau and Louis Malle, whose first film this was. (Cousteau selected Malle for this assingment immediately upon the latter's graduation from film school). Highlights include a shark attack on the carcass of a whale, and the discovery of a wrecked, sunken vessel. After winning adulation and awards at the Cannes Film Festival, Le monde du silence went on to claim an Academy Award^®. Much of the breathtaking underwater camerawork was photographed personally by Louis Malle, who thereafter confined his filmmaking activities to dry land. (Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide)

 View a from this film on YouTube.com.

1 nomination, 1 Award