Encyclopædia Britannica Films

"Army Ants: A Study of Social Behavior" explores the complex social structures and behaviors of nomadic tropical army ants, which have evolved over 50 million years. The film details the organization of their colonies, consisting of a queen and thousands of workers, and illustrates their intricate foraging strategies during raids. Observations highlight the ants' ability to communicate through chemical trails, their unique nesting behaviors, and the dynamics of their reproductive cycles. The study emphasizes the importance of both field observations and laboratory experiments in understanding these fascinating insects.

Marty, a "good boy," experiments with marijuana and experiences "profound mental and emotional disturbances." As in all anti-drug films of this vintage, marijuana leads straight to "H," and Marty's decline continues until he is busted, rehabbed and reformed. Drug Addiction's stilted view of the urban drug culture and unrealistic portrayals of stoned slackers make it entertaining viewing today. It belongs to that little-known "second wave" of anti-drug films, the postwar scare stories about middle-class kids overcome by junkiedom. What this wave of films reveals is that drugs were an issue for white adolescents long before the psychedelic Sixties, and that the official response to the threat expressed a general, not specifically targeted paranoia.

Life of a teenage outsider: what makes him that way and how his anger flares into violence.

Casting her devious filth hex on pig farmers, house painters, and football-playing children, The Dirt Witch delights in making everyone as unclean as herself, until one day a young girl takes pity on her and instructs the soiled sorceress in the ways of hygiene. Produced by the Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation as part of their “Joy of Growing” series of educational shorts for elementary grade children.

Encyclopedia Britannica: the best repository of knowledge we have.

An introduction to Walt Whitman, American poet, essayist, and journalist. A world poet-a latter-day successor to Homer, Virgil, Dante, and Shakespeare.

Every year, on June 27th, in a small village in New England, inhabited by no more than 300 people, a lottery is held in which a family is chosen as part of a ritual to ensure a good harvest.

An educational film about the nervous system produced by Encyclopædia Britannica Films, an educational film production company in the 20th century owned by Encyclopædia Britannica Inc.

Educational film about exclusion and anger meant to be shown in classrooms, with a discussion afterwards.

Dr. Heidegger invites four of his respected friends to try out the elixir of youth.

Dramatization short on British romantic poet John Keats.

a close look at shoes

Bartleby, an enigmatic man who calmly refuses to carry out his duties, is introduced in this period dramatization of Melville’s haunting story as a scrivener in a 1969 film production of Encyclopedia Britannica Educational Corporation.

A sea captain harbors a mysterious swimmer who comes aboard at night. From the story by Joseph Conrad.

In this quiet, naturalistic dramatic short, six-year old Sarah grapples with understanding mortality after the sudden death of her older brother, David. With the help of her family, she gradually learns how to process his passing and cope with her grief. Written, produced, and directed by Jackie Rivet-River, this short film for Encyclopaedia Britannica Films was awarded the Silver Hugo prize at the Chicago International Film Festival, as well as 12 additional awards internationally.

This educational documentary describes the political, social, and religious conditions of sixteenth century Europe. It also Interprets the reforms of Martin Luther as a part and/of these conditions as indications of future trends.

A visually experimental adaptation of the classic Frank Stockton short story.

A story of a circus clown with a toothache dramatizes the need for proper dental care. The dentist's work of repairing the cavity is demonstrated. For elementary grades. Part of the "Joy of Growing" series.

This Bip pantomime deals with his visit to a skating rink. Featuring Marcel Marceau.

Actor Pat Morita hosts three animated stories. Part of the Britannica series of animated films.