Imagine this: You’re sitting in a dark, air-conditioned theater, surrounded by strangers, munching on popcorn, and sipping on a cold drink. The lights dim, the movie starts, and suddenly you’re transported to another world. You’re witnessing breathtaking landscapes, marveling at majestic creatures, and feeling the thrill of adventure. That’s the power of movies - they can take us on a journey, both literally and metaphorically, and make us appreciate the world in a whole new way.
One of the most awe-inspiring aspects of nature is its ability to evoke a sense of wonder and amazement in us. The sheer scale and diversity of thenatural world is mind-boggling, and it’s hard not to feel small and insignificant when confronted with its beauty. From soaring mountains to cascading waterfalls, from dense forests to sprawling deserts, nature has it all, and it’s no wonder that filmmakers often use it as a backdrop to tell their stories.
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Cinematography is the art of capturing moving images on camera, and it’s an essential element of filmmaking. Good cinematography can transport us to another world, evoke emotions, and even change the way we see things. When it comes to movies that make you appreciate nature, cinematography plays a crucial role. From sweeping aerial shots to close-ups of tiny creatures, from time-lapse sequences to slow-motion footage, the way nature is captured on film can be as stunning as the subject itself.
Sometimes, the cinematography can be so beautiful that it makes you wonder how you’ve never noticed the world around you before. You might find yourself looking at a flower or a tree in a new way, noticing details you’ve never seen before. You might feel a newfound appreciation for the natural world and a desire to explore it more. That’s the power of movies that make you appreciate nature - they can inspire us to look at the world with fresh eyes and a sense of wonder.
In this list, we’ll take a look at some of the best movies that make you appreciate nature. Whether you’re a nature lover or simply looking for somecinematic inspiration, these films are sure to take your breath away. Get ready to explore the natural world like never before!
11The Tree of Life (2011)
The Tree of Lifeis not your typical nature movie. Instead of using nature as a backdrop, it explores the relationship between nature and spirituality, and how the two are intertwined. The film follows the lives of a family in 1950s Texas, with a focus on the relationship between a father and his two sons. But the film also delves into the origins of the universe, the evolution of life on Earth, and the meaning of existence.
Visually, the film is a work of art. Director Terrence Malick uses stunning cinematography to capture the beauty of nature, from the grandeur of the cosmos to the intricacies of a butterfly’s wings. The film also features a powerful score and a stellar cast, including Brad Pitt and Jessica Chastain.The Tree of Lifeis a philosophical and emotional journey that will make you appreciate the complexity and beauty of the natural world.
10A Good Year (2006)
A Good Yearmay not be the first film that comes to mind when you think of nature movies, but it’s a charming and visually stunning film that celebrates the beauty of the French countryside. The film follows a successful London banker who inherits a vineyard in Provence and decides to leave his city life behind to live there. As he learns to appreciate the simple pleasures of life and reconnects with his past, he also falls in love with a local woman.
The film features gorgeous shots of the vineyard and the surrounding landscapes, including the lavender fields of Provence. The natural elements, such as the sun-drenched hills and the rustic stone houses, are as much characters in the story as the human ones. The film also boasts a great soundtrack and a delightful performance by Russell Crowe.A Good Yearis a feel-good movie that will make you want to pack your bags and move to the French countryside.
9The Sound of Music (1965)
If you’re looking for a classic movie that celebrates the beauty of nature, look no further thanThe Sound of Music. This timeless musical tells the story of a nun-turned-governess who falls in love with the widowed father of seven children in Austria. The movie features stunning scenery of the Austrian Alps, where the family often goes on hikes and picnics.
The lush green hills, crystal clear lakes, and snow-capped mountains provide a picturesque backdrop for the heartwarming story. From the opening scene of Julie Andrews twirling on a mountaintop to the final shot of the family hiking over the hills,The Sound of Musicwill make you appreciate the natural beauty of Austria and inspire you to take a hike in the great outdoors.
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8Life Of Pi (2012)
Life of Piis a visually stunning adventure movie that takes place mostly on a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. The movie follows the story of Pi,a young Indian boywho is stranded at sea with a Bengal tiger after a shipwreck. The movie explores themes of survival, spirituality, and the relationship between humans and animals. The ocean is a prominent feature throughout the movie, and director Ang Lee does an excellent job of capturing its power and majesty.
From the shimmering blue waters to the stormy waves, the ocean serves as both a beautiful and dangerous force of nature. The movie also featuresscenes of bioluminescent planktonand a breathtaking island that is home to meerkats.Life of Piwill make you appreciate the vastness of the ocean and the wonders that lie beneath its surface.
7127 Hours (2010)
127 Hoursis a true story of a man who gets trapped in a canyon in Utah while canyoneering and must resort to drastic measures to survive. The movie is a harrowing tale of survival and the human spirit, but it’s also a celebration of the beauty of nature. The canyon in which the story takes place is a stunning natural wonder, with towering cliffs, rushing waterfalls, and narrow canyons.
The movie features stunning cinematography that captures the beauty of the canyon, as well as the danger it poses to the protagonist. The use of time-lapse photography is particularly effective in showing the passage of time and the changing light of the canyon.127 Hourswill make you appreciate the beauty of the natural world and the importance of respecting its power.
6Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Grab your camel and get ready to journey through the Arabian desert in this classic epic adventure film. Set during World War I,Lawrence of Arabiatells the story of T.E. Lawrence, a British officer who becomes a liaison between the Arab tribes and the British army. Along the way, Lawrence discovers the beauty and brutality of the desert landscape and the complex politics of the region.
The film is a visual masterpiece, with stunning shots of thevast desert landscapesand the intricate details of the Bedouin culture. The characters are well-developed, especially the enigmatic T.E. Lawrence, played brilliantly by Peter O’Toole. The film’s exploration of the relationship between humans and nature is particularly noteworthy, as Lawrence finds himself drawn to the desert and its people in a way that goes beyond political alliances.
5Arrival (2016)
What would happen if aliens suddenly appeared on Earth? That’s the question at the heart ofArrival, a science-fiction film that explores the complexity of communication and the power of language. Linguist Louise Banks, played by Amy Adams, is tasked with deciphering the language of the mysterious extraterrestrial visitors in order to prevent a global catastrophe.
As Louise delves deeper into the aliens' language, she begins to have vivid dreams that blur the line between reality and imagination. The film’s exploration of time, memory, and perception is intertwined with its depiction of nature, particularly the striking images of thealien spacecraft hoveringover the landscape. The cinematography is breathtaking, with sweeping aerial shots and intimate close-ups that capture the wonder and terror of encountering the unknown.
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4Okja (2017)
Get ready for a heartwarming and heart-wrenching adventure withOkja, a film about a young girl named Mija who befriends a genetically-engineered super-pig named Okja. When the corporation that created Okja comes to take her away, Mija sets out on a mission to rescue her beloved companion.
The film’s portrayal of the relationship between humans and animals is both touching and thought-provoking, as Mija and Okja’s bond is put to the test in a world where corporate greed and animal welfare collide. The visuals are stunning, particularly the scenes set in the lush Korean countryside where Mija and Okja live. The film’s use of nature as a metaphor for the struggle between the individual and the system is particularly effective, as Mija and Okja’s journey takes them from the idyllic countryside to the concrete jungle of Seoul.
3The Revenant (2015)
Picture this: you’re deep in the wilderness, surrounded by towering trees, jagged mountains, and icy rivers. It’s the 1820s, and you’re a fur trapper, fighting for survival in a brutal and unforgiving landscape. That’s the world ofThe Revenant, a gripping adventure film that showcases the power and beauty of nature in all its glory.
Based on a true story,The Revenantfollows Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio), a skilled trapper who is left for dead after a bear attack. But instead of giving up, Glass summons all his strength and determination to survive and seek revenge on those who betrayed him. Along the way, he battles freezing temperatures, hungry wolves, and treacherous terrain, all while experiencing visions of his past and his Native American wife.
What makesThe Revenantstand out is its stunning cinematography, which captures the natural elements in all their majesty. From the breathtaking landscapes to the immersive sound design, every aspect of the film is designed to transport you to another world. And while the story isintense and sometimes brutal, it ultimately celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the power of nature to both challenge and inspire us.
2Into the Wild (2007)
What would happen if you decided to leave society behind and venture into the wilderness, armed with nothing but your wits and a backpack? Such isInto the Wild, a thought-provoking drama that explores the relationship between humans and nature in a unique and unconventional way. The movie tells the story of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), a young man who left everything behind to explore the Alaskan wilderness, Into the Wild is a character-driven film that focuses on McCandless’s journey of self-discovery.
Into the Wildlays major emphasis on the philosophical and spiritual aspects of nature. The film challenges us to think about our relationship with the natural world and the ways in which we can find meaning and purpose in our lives. The stunning scenery and immersive sound design add to the film’s meditative and introspective tone, making it a must-see for anyone who has ever been drawn to the beauty and power of the great outdoors.
