Homo Sapiens 1900

If this film was rated in the United States it would probably be an R. There are several long nude shots with no cited reason for them. I guess they are "art" shots!?! This film seems more appropriate for some film festival, not general distribution, as is currently going on with it being offered on Netflix. Eugenics does have an appropriately distasteful reputation, but this doesn't justify the exploitative use of the human body.

If you want to know more about the history of eugenics google it or look on Wikipedia. The interesting thing is that everybody was into eugenics around the turn of the last century. Nearly every important or celebrated person of the time believed that genetics completely determined the fate of individuals and races. The shape of faces, heads, hands, and bodies were supposed to be important indicators of a person's character. Labeling of people and classes was rampant.

This documentary is more black than white, not only because of the very dark period in history it portrays, but also because of the excessive use of stills, instead of moving pictures. It is very well done, but I feel it should have been still more interesting if it hadn't been so slow. I understand that the director would like us to have time for thought while seeing it, but it's definitely too slow. Anyway, see it if you've got the chance, as it painstakingly explains the views of respected doctors and scientists about race. The most chilling scene is a clip from "The Black Stork" from 1917.

The makers of this snooze fest were able to take fascinating material and make it almost impossible to watch. The narrator has a bland boring voice, the music is repetitive and the format used is unimaginative.

This film is about the history of the eugenics movement. This was an organized effort by doctors, social scientists and the government to control who breeds and who doesn't in order to strengthen the herd,...I mean 'human race'. Not surprisingly, various prejudices and hatreds were used in forming these ideals--so that THOSE sort of people don't continue breeding like rats! The ideals sound reasonable...if you're breeding dogs or snakes! I was eager to see "Homo Sapiens 1900". Yet, the film turned out to be terribly made--even though the subject matter is compelling. Much of it is because of the insipid narration--dull, without much feeling and stilted. Additionally, while I liked all the vintage footage, having folks TODAY talking about the eugenics movement and discussing their feelings would have made the film lots better. But with your only companion being the very dull narrator, good luck staying awake with this one!