Reviewed by Ian Mowll
There are some films that inform, some that entertain, and a few that leave you looking at the world differently. Underland is one of those films.
This film is based on Robert Macfarlane’s acclaimed book Underland: A Deep Time Journey, The documentary takes us beneath the surface of the Earth into places that most of us will never visit. Yet, paradoxically, it brings us closer to understanding our place in the living world.
Robert Macfarlane is a wonderful writer about Nature. He has a remarkable gift for weaving together landscape, history, science and myth, revealing deeper layers of meaning in the natural world. While the book is rich and rewarding, I found that the film added a new dimension to its themes. Seeing these underground places on screen created a powerful sense of presence and connection.
The documentary explores three very different underland environments. We journey through an immense drainage system in the United States, venture into caves in Mexico containing ancient ancestral markings, and visit a scientific research project investigating dark matter.
The film asks us to consider what is hidden, forgotten or overlooked. Beneath our feet are traces of our ancestors, mysteries still waiting to be understood, and vast systems that sustain life. The underland becomes more than a physical place; it is also a metaphor for memory, time and our search for meaning.
Although not overtly spiritual, the film resonates strongly with themes that many GreenSpirit readers will recognise. It encourages a sense of belonging within the Earth rather than standing apart from it. It reminds us of the interconnectedness of all life and invites us to reflect on deep time – the immense timescales through which landscapes, species and human cultures have evolved.
What stayed with me after watching Underland was a profound sense of awe. Awe at the beauty and complexity of our planet, awe at human curiosity and exploration, and awe at the many mysteries that remain. In a world often dominated by surface-level distractions, this film invites us to slow down and look deeper.
Whether you have read Macfarlane’s book or are coming to the story for the first time, Underland is well worth watching. It offers not only stunning imagery and fascinating discoveries, but also an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with the Earth and our place within its unfolding story.
You can find out more about the film, including screening information, on the Underland website: https://www.underlandfilm.com/.