‘Fear is good’: my scary subterranean journey into Underland, the film of Robert Macfarlane’s dazzling book
Why it matters: It reveals hidden ecosystems, sparking urgency for subterranean conservation and awe‑inspiring adventure.
- Robert Macfarlane’s travelogue provides the narrative backbone, framing subterranean spaces as both ecological wonder and cultural myth (source: book and film interviews).
- Filmmaker (the film’s director) translates the book’s lyrical prose into immersive cinema, using high‑speed cameras and drone footage to capture the claustrophobic beauty of places like Goatchurch Cavern in Somerset.
- Las Vegas storm drains and Yucatán caves serve as contrasting set‑pieces, highlighting how urban infrastructure and ancient geology coexist in the global underground tapestry.
- Cultural trend: Critics note the film taps into a broader appetite for “hidden world” storytelling, echoing the popularity of shows like “Dark” and “The Deep” that explore unseen ecosystems.
- Audience impact: Early screenings suggest viewers feel a mix of awe and unease, reinforcing the film’s tagline that “fear is good” for deepening our connection to the planet’s underbelly.
Robert Macfarlane’s bestseller “Underland” is being turned into a visually daring film that plunges viewers into hidden underground realms—from Las Vegas storm drains to the Yucatán’s crystal caves—showcasing humanity’s growing fascination with the unseen world beneath our feet.
