Cherry Kearton was a farmer’s son from Yorkshire and a keen amateur naturalist. He and his brother Richard developed pioneering techniques in order to capture images of wildlife; they used ladders, special tripods and hides made from dead animals.
Cherry later cultivated his skills with the moving image. Although his first pictures of wild birds were essentially ‘moving stills’ he went on to develop as a story teller, filming elaborate sequences and making feature films for cinema audiences in the UK and the US.
Later in his career Kearton narrated and starred in his own movies. He became an international celebrity and was known for his skills as a showman. Kearton’s mission was to obtain the first moving images of certain wild animals, particularly from Africa. His work was hugely popular and also influential.
This programme includes interviews with Sir David Attenborough and Chris Packham; both recognise Kearton’s enormous contribution to wildlife film-making.
First broadcast: Friday 14 Jan 2005 on BBC FOUR
Nation On Film in more depth:
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - About the series
Production team
This BBC/Open University series delves into Britain’s past to look at the country’s history as captured on film over the last 100 years. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - About the series
Film and society
BBC
Fred Davies explores the interfaces between cinema, culture and history. Read more : Film and society
Behind the camera
Used with permission
When you use film as a historical source, explains Douglas Allen, you must first understand the person behind the camera. Read more : Behind the camera
Film Archives
Used with permission
A listing of British and Irish film archives Read more : Film Archives
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Shooting The War: A VE Day Special
BBC
A special edition of the BBC/OU series Nation on Film, Shooting the War, marks the 60th anniversary of VE Day. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Shooting The War: A VE Day Special
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Flying With Cobham
BBC
‘Flying with Cobham’ is the story of one trail-blazing pilot in the 1920s and his mission to get the British public airborne, as part of... Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Flying With Cobham
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Package Holidays
Production team
Exploring the emergence of package holidays, as part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on Film. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Package Holidays
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Selling Cars
BBC
A story of how film sold the car before the days of television advertising, part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on Film. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Selling Cars
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - The Ramsden Collection
BBC
‘The Ramsden Collection’ examines a newly-discovered collection of amateur films from Yorkshire, as part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on Film. Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - The Ramsden Collection
OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Women's Football
Production team
'Women's Football' tells the story of how the rise and fall of women’s football was captured on film, part of the BBC/OU's series Nation on... Read more : OU on the BBC: Nation On Film - Women's Football
First and second series of Nation On Film
BBC
Visit bbc.co.uk for full details of the first and second series, and a vast library of film footage for you explore. Read more : First and second series of Nation On Film
![A suitcase [Image: Photos.com]](/openlearn/files/ole/imported/4328/weekendguide_progfront.jpg)
![Polling Station signage [Image: kagey b under CC-BY-NC-ND licence]](/openlearn/files/ole/ole_images/places/general-urban-scenes/polling-station-sign/polling station sign_0_0.jpg)
Be the first to post a comment.
Login or Register to post comments