“The Human Body: The Brain” (1968) is a color, instructional film by Coronet Films made in collaboration with J. Langdon Taylor, Ph.D. Associate professor of biology Wayne State University. Coronet Films was a leading producer and distributor of many American documentary shorts shown in public schools, mostly in the 16mm format, from the 1940s through the 1980s. This film was part of a larger series of films of the same nature that articulate the functions of human anatomy. This particular installment follows the story of high school student Arnie as he studies for his upcoming test on the human brain in order to inform the viewer about this important organ.
Opening credits (0:10). Young man, Arnie, sleeps deeply in messy room, sheets tangled, papers strewn on desk (0:31). Example of rhythmic electrical waves of sleeping person overlaid footage of Arnie’s forehead (1:00). Electrical wave pattern changes as Arnie nears consciousness, changes again as alarm clock goes off (1:23). 3-D model of human head with skull removed to reveal brain, close-up of thin transparent inner membrane and tough outer membrane between brain and skull (2:05). Close-up of veins supplying nutrients and oxygen to the brain (2:45). Camera zooms out to reveal actual human brain laid against blue background (3:00). Brain sliced in half to reveal center of the brain: forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain (3:09). Close-up of Arnie’s notes for biology exam, hand drawn diagram of forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain – Arnie studies notes over breakfast in retro-style kitchen (3:32). 3-D model overturned to reveal underside of brain, nerves that connect body to brain and control involuntary body processes (4:00). Hindbrain controlling muscle function to allowing chewing and swallowing: X-ray profile image of human skull and jaw as it chews food, food moving along through the esophagus into the stomach (4:28). X-ray of chest shows lungs and heart pumping blood throughout body (5:13). 3-D model of brain: the optic nerve, nerves that control muscles of eyes, facial muscles, and balance and hearing nerves highlighted (5:27). Hypothalamus controls appetite – Arnie wipes face with napkin and gathers notes to head off to school (6:10). Arnie walks to school in suburban neighborhood, perhaps grey 1965 Chevrolet Nova drives by, Arnie runs towards honk of school bus (6:37). Scientists kneels down near cages and takes out experimental animal – black cat with damage to cerebellum in hindbrain moves without coordination in muscles (7:42). Close-up of human cerebellum (8:09). High schools students sit at desks in rows, teacher writes questions about brain function on blackboard, Arnie rushes into class (8:19). Cerebral cortex on 3-D model, towel used to emphasize that this part of brain is convoluted (8:40). Hands point to myelin (white matter) in the 3-D brain model then thalamus (gray matter) (9:30). Role of thalamus: Aerial view of Arnie taking test at desk, accidentally bumps elbow (9:57). Hypothalamus in the 3-D brain model: close-up of questions on the black board (10:18). Surgeons and nurses in green scrubs in operating room performing brain surgery (10:43). Part of brain that controls voluntary muscles of the body – split screen with 3-D model and Arnie in gym clothes moving his ankle, thigh, torso, hand, arm, neck and head (11:08). Green colored liquid poured onto spoon, water poured into glass, soda poured into glass – clips then played of Arnie’s reaction to each liquid based on memory which are dictated by central cortex (12:34). Text on screen “pleasant tasting soft drink” followed by image of text (13:38). Room of perhaps IBM 729 tape drives (14:15). Illustration of RNA chain, illustration of stimulus changing structure of chain, new protein molecule appears (14:34). Individual neurons within the cortex under microscope (15:12). Two scientists work in white lab coats inside a lab (15:28).
