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The Gorilla Hunt

Name: The Gorilla Hunt
Director: Ben Burbridge
Released: 1926
Duration: 65 min

Representation Score

0.3/10

Minimal

1926

Passed

Director

Ben Burbridge

Runtime

65 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Gorilla Hunt is a period-specific documentary that records colonial-era exploration. Its narrative structure centers on the mastery of nature and the centralization of scientific authority within Western powers like the Smithsonian and the Belgian Government. Since the film focuses on a male-led expedition to capture primates, it lacks meaningful representation of underrepresented identities. The emphasis is on the acquisition of natural resources by Western explorers, leaving little room for diverse social perspectives. Ultimately, the film serves as a historical artifact of 1920s expansionism rather than a work of social commentary or inclusive storytelling.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Gorilla Hunt have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any LGBTQ+ characters or non-cisgender identities. It focuses solely on the zoological documentation of primates.

How does The Gorilla Hunt portray gender?

Minimal

The narrative emphasizes male dominance, with ability to act centered around a male-led expeditionary team. The story reinforces the 1920s hierarchy by focusing on male explorers.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Gorilla Hunt?

Limited

The film highlights Western ability to act and the acquisition of specimens, with no mention of indigenous participants or non-Western perspectives.

How does The Gorilla Hunt represent religion and culture?

Minimal

The work reflects early 20th-century Western expansionism, emphasizing the triumph of the expedition and the strengthening of Western scientific institutions.

Does The Gorilla Hunt include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no information regarding the portrayal of individuals with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Provides a historical record of early 20th-century zoological expeditions and specimen collection.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of indigenous participation or non-Western perspectives.
Reinforces colonial-era hierarchies and male-dominated power structures.
Provides no visibility for LGBTQ+ or neurodivergent identities.

Official Synopsis

Mr. Burbridge's party slew three giant gorillas, one weighing something like 450 pounds. Two of these were sent to the Belgian Government and one to the Smithsonian Institution. The explorer also brought away with him three young gorillas, one of which weighed 125 pounds and put up a good battle before he surrendered. Mr. Burbridge shows some amusing scenes with these animals, one of them being that of a young gorilla who insists on getting tangled up in a drum of film. (cont. http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B04E5D7143CEE3ABC4C52DFB467838D639EDE)

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