Structure Of A Grasshopper (silent, 1930s)

Year Published: 1930s

Complete Record: In this silent 1930s nature film, the daily life and dramatic survival of grasshoppers are observed with a blend of documentary realism and surreal imagery. A grasshopper is seen drinking from a pool of water surrounded by rocks and sticks before climbing atop a tall branch, where it feeds and rests. Close-ups emphasize its movements, including a moment when it raises its rear and expels waste. Intercut with this is a kaleidoscopic, dreamlike sequence of a woman sipping from a cup, offering a visual echo of the insect's stillness. The peaceful tone shifts when a praying mantis attempts to eat a struggling frog and a lizard snaps up a grasshopper from a plant. Throughout, various grasshoppers cling to branches, hide beneath twigs, or explore the pond’s edge. The film captures the fragile beauty and constant peril of insect life with an unusual mix of poetic imagery and natural science. Email us at footage@avgeeks.com if you have questions about the footage and are interested in using it in your project.