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Reviews
The Human Zoo: Science's Dirty Secret (2009)
A Misleading, Biased 'Documentary'
Allegedly, the purpose of the film was to examine the early stages of anthropology with attention to the influence of Victorian-era world's fairs.
Instead, the science of anthropology in 1904 is ignored (there's only the focus on Human Zoos), and various bits and pieces from St. Louis provide a very confusing and odd perspective. The broader topic of human zoos is not examined; the film focuses (mostly) on a single individual experience (Ota Benga, an African pygmy). Then, various linkages (from Ota Benga to the Bronx Zoo to its director/author who wrote a book that was liked by Hitler) lead to a conclusion that the Victorian Fairs may have influenced (or even helped to cause?) the Nazi holocaust.
The experiences of the many groups of natives at the many various World's Fairs (and other places) is ignored, as is the fact that many of the natives that were brought to the fairs and exhibitions made profits from their display and sales, left when they wanted to, etc. The film also takes various oddball linkages and use them to come to a strange conclusion, in a very disorganized way (but perhaps that's the British way).
Though I offered the insight and expertise of myself (and others) to the filming/production team, they were not interested, but went on their own way to film items that supported their thesis and conclusion.
/s/ A member of the 1904 World's Fair Society, who has read MUCH about the Fair, and the various sciences in 1904.
The World's Greatest Fair (2004)
It was the GREATEST World's Fair of all !
Around the beginning of the 20th century during the Victorian Era and the Industrial Revolution, a series of World's Fairs were held in Europe and the United States. They displayed the latest inventions, manufacturing processes, agriculture advances, and brought together the peoples of the world to see the world--all in one location! The Victorian World's Fairs attracted millions of people, and reached an apex in 1904 in St. Louis at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
Scott and Bob produced a magnificent portrait of this amazing Fair, not by descriptions of the fantastic buildings and exhibits, but by telling numerous detailed and intimate stories about the Fair. The viewer will learn all about the Fair, including David Francis (the President of the Fair), the music, food, art, and people that at the Fair, the Pike (the mile of entertainment), the 1904 Olympics, and the great Ferris Wheel. Since the Fair reflected the culture of the times, there are stories about women and the only official woman photographer at the Fair, and the treatment of the minorities that were brought to the Fair as part of the young science of Anthropology. Stories about the transportation of the time include an automobile 'race' from New York to St. Louis, and the wreck of a train full of would-be Fair visitors.
Critically acclaimed, the movie was thoroughly researched and photographed, and features many famous St. Louis voices, including Mayor Slay and Stan Musial. Written with the help of many St. Louis World's Fair enthusiasts, it has shown to sold out audiences many times in St. Louis. This movie will interest anyone who is interested in history or entertainment of the early 1900s from beginning to end with it's variety and scenery.
Even though I was a "Fair Fan" and one of the lucky ones who got to help Bob and Scott, I learned many new things from this movie. You'll see that the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair truly was "The World's Greatest Fair".