The Film
The chemical elements personified by the poet Roger McGough. Using specially composed poetry and state of the art editing techniques, the poet changes his persona to reflect the unique properties of each element.
From solid to liquid, base metal to gold, alchemy to Priestley. McGough embarks on an extraordinary journey to a world inspired by Mendeleyev, Primo Levi and ‘stinks’ from the school chemistry lab.
Beginning with the original four Greek elements – fire, water and earth, and ending with how the periodic table was constructed, the film charts the evolution of chemistry. When Tom Lehrer wrote his ‘Element Song’ (which runs as a thread through the programme) in 1959, there were 102 elements. There are now known to be 109 and they’re still counting!
The Elements is a visual extravaganza using pyrotechnics, innovative special effects (such as the monastery scene, filmed through a heat haze on Super 8), the most complex motion control camera in Europe and state-of-the-art digital editing.