Darwin's Brave New World: Publish and Be Damned
After Darwin publishes his radical theory of evolution, he and his allies must engage in a public battle for the future of science.
After labouring in secret for 20 years, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution is almost trumped by the work of an obscure young naturalist, Alfred Russel Wallace. Shocked that someone else is drawing the same conclusions, Darwin knows that he must publish and publicise his work without delay. He releases On the Origin of Species to great acclaim – but also comes under attack. Darwin’s chief allies, Joseph Hooker and Thomas Huxley, help him fight against the reactionary forces of the Church and the scientific establishment. At stake is the future of science and the battle climaxes with the legendary 1860 evolutionary debate at Oxford.
A Screen Australia National Documentary Program. A ScreenWorld and Ferns Productions production. Produced in association with the NSW Film and Television Office and the ABC with the assistance of the Canadian Television Fund and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Made in association with History Television (UK) and ZDF in co-operation with ARTE. An Australia–Canada Co-production.
© NFSA, ScreenWorld, Ferns Productions, Screen NSW.