As the sticker on the front of the movie jacket states, this depiction of the environmental and social issues created by the onslaught of cane toads in Australia has a definite Monty Python spin. Although I am concerned about the damage to the Australia natural resources caused by the opportunistic toads, I enjoyed the movie primarily because it was so funny. A bit of tongue-in-cheek Bristish approach, but extremely effective. For one, a good part of the movie is filmed from the perspective of the over-sized toad. Literally. You're looking at people's feet, car tires, homes from the eye level and location of the toad. The music choices were also very supportive, as well as the players in the film, who are so varied and straight in their presentations that you can't help but be drawn into their lives. Flashes of the shower scene from Psycho come to mind as a tenor singing about cane toads draws hopping toads to his safe (?) haven. I was so intrigued I checked out the director, Mark Lewis, who also has a film on the natural history of chickens. Gotta' get it!
20 Reviews
The Cane Mutiny!!
Anonymous_Maxine5 June 2003
The unnatural history of the introduction of cane toads into Australia is a hilarious documentary about what is certainly one of the most foolish of history's human attempts at changing their environment for their own advantage. It is almost sickening to consider the sheer numbers of these hideous creatures that were crawling all over north eastern Australia, as well as the absolute, unfiltered stupidity that led to their being brought into Australia in the first place. There does not appear to have been much more thought put into their introduction onto the continent other than they share part of the name of the pests that they were brought to eradicate.
I doubt very much, for example, that anyone looked much deeper into the nature (most importantly the feeding and mating habits) of the cane toads before they were brought over. Mating habits is something that most certainly should have been investigated, as the cane toad's sex drive is proven to be so strong that they are willing and able to attempt to mate with everything from a shoe to a human hand to a squashed and VERY dead cane toad. It's almost as though the people who brought these things into Australia said `CANE toads, CANE grubs. Of COURSE!!'
From the frightening shot of the little girl early in the documentary lovingly playing with one of the ridiculously unattractive toads to the other little girl playing with one of the ridiculously unattractive creatures near the end of the documentary, Cane Toads is a testament to the sheer extent of the human capacity for stupidity. It's amazing to me how friendly some people became with the creatures, which seem to be some of the most resilient creatures on earth, due to their ability to eat just about anything smaller than themselves and their almost total lack of any predators (except, of course, for the speeding tires of fed up Australians). Resilience, however, does not equal aesthetic appeal, as the cane toads are some of the most repulsive creatures I've ever seen.
Cane Toads takes a natural approach to looking at an environment plagued by a pest that was destroying a certain crop, and then takes a strange turn when it introduces the fact that humans introduced another pest in hopes of reducing the problem but succeeded only in greatly increasing them. It's an extremely unusual documentary, and it shows the perspectives on what I can't escape calling some of the more backwards specimens of the human species. Definitely an entertaining documentary, just remember that one of the natural rules of life requires that you do not look at a cane toad while you're eating. I only tell you this because I wish someone had told ME that before I watched the movie!
I doubt very much, for example, that anyone looked much deeper into the nature (most importantly the feeding and mating habits) of the cane toads before they were brought over. Mating habits is something that most certainly should have been investigated, as the cane toad's sex drive is proven to be so strong that they are willing and able to attempt to mate with everything from a shoe to a human hand to a squashed and VERY dead cane toad. It's almost as though the people who brought these things into Australia said `CANE toads, CANE grubs. Of COURSE!!'
From the frightening shot of the little girl early in the documentary lovingly playing with one of the ridiculously unattractive toads to the other little girl playing with one of the ridiculously unattractive creatures near the end of the documentary, Cane Toads is a testament to the sheer extent of the human capacity for stupidity. It's amazing to me how friendly some people became with the creatures, which seem to be some of the most resilient creatures on earth, due to their ability to eat just about anything smaller than themselves and their almost total lack of any predators (except, of course, for the speeding tires of fed up Australians). Resilience, however, does not equal aesthetic appeal, as the cane toads are some of the most repulsive creatures I've ever seen.
Cane Toads takes a natural approach to looking at an environment plagued by a pest that was destroying a certain crop, and then takes a strange turn when it introduces the fact that humans introduced another pest in hopes of reducing the problem but succeeded only in greatly increasing them. It's an extremely unusual documentary, and it shows the perspectives on what I can't escape calling some of the more backwards specimens of the human species. Definitely an entertaining documentary, just remember that one of the natural rules of life requires that you do not look at a cane toad while you're eating. I only tell you this because I wish someone had told ME that before I watched the movie!
Packs a punch
gbill-7487710 December 2023
"When you look at our imports, what we brought into Australia, this must have been a great country long before the white man came to the joint. We brought in foxes and hares and then to cap it all off, we bring this monstrous thing called a toad in."
Great footage of these fascinating creatures breeding and eating, informative, and another tale of mankind mucking around with the natural order of things without proper consideration, to disastrous effect. The hubris of believing in the simple fix prescribed by entomologist Raquel Dexter at a conference in Puerto Rico in 1932 to help the sugar cane industry, and the long-lasting consequences, are depressing to consider. It's also ironic that the cane beetle problem was not addressed in the slightest in this importation of a new species, and was later handled with pesticide. While it's interesting that many of the residents of Queensland view the toads as friends and live harmoniously with them (like Elvie Grieg, that elderly woman who feeds them and says that if anyone tried to hurt one around her, there "would be a lot of noise, and they would realize I wasn't a lady"), the clear-eyed views of others, pointing out that native species die off from the deadly toxins emitted by the toads, is sobering. As predicted, the situation has gotten worse in the 35 years since this film was made. This one packs a punch in its 49 minutes.
Great footage of these fascinating creatures breeding and eating, informative, and another tale of mankind mucking around with the natural order of things without proper consideration, to disastrous effect. The hubris of believing in the simple fix prescribed by entomologist Raquel Dexter at a conference in Puerto Rico in 1932 to help the sugar cane industry, and the long-lasting consequences, are depressing to consider. It's also ironic that the cane beetle problem was not addressed in the slightest in this importation of a new species, and was later handled with pesticide. While it's interesting that many of the residents of Queensland view the toads as friends and live harmoniously with them (like Elvie Grieg, that elderly woman who feeds them and says that if anyone tried to hurt one around her, there "would be a lot of noise, and they would realize I wasn't a lady"), the clear-eyed views of others, pointing out that native species die off from the deadly toxins emitted by the toads, is sobering. As predicted, the situation has gotten worse in the 35 years since this film was made. This one packs a punch in its 49 minutes.
A monument to human folly and eccentricity.
ncammack8 April 2003
"Cane Toads: An Unnatural History" still ranks as one of the funniest movies I've seen. Don't get me wrong: in Australia's tropical North, cane toads themselves are no laughing matter, especially among despairing conservationists. This short film stands as a memorial to human folly in importing the beast from Hawaii in the first place to deal with a sugarcane beetle which in the event it had zero impact on, preferring to lay waste to the local fauna instead. It is also a monument to human eccentricity - less about the despised, amazingly opportunistic cane toad than the reactions it has inspired among the human populace. I still treasure the memory of the local resident who wanted his town council to erect a memorial to the outstandingly ugly amphibian in the main street - presumably on the grounds that nobody could think of anything else worth memorialising there. (Inexplicably, his visionary proposal received scant support.) Overseas viewers may not appreciate that to other Australians, the movie's eccentric cast of characters came as no great surprise. North Queenslanders actually take some pride in being a little different. I'd like to think that the lesson has been learned, but the news that ravenous 400-lb carp are being released into a Texan lake in order to deal with a water weed infestation gives me no confidence.
Warning: not for the amphibicaly faint of heart
percy-1031 May 1999
Woah, population explosion of giant poison toads invades Austrailia! No, it's not a late-night 70's B sci-fi, it's real life eco-bizarrity complete with mad scientist wielding a v.w. bus. This is perhaps the funniest piece of celluloid ever to give you the shivers about the seemingly limitless expanse of human stupidity. It traces the history of the cane toad in Australia from the seemingly innocent introduction of forty individuals into an eastern pond to the hopping copulating frenzy that now covers something like a third of the country. This movie gives you the works; their life cycle complete with in depth look at their, shall we say, unique sex lives, a magnetically grotesque interview involving doll clothes, and charming soundtrack integrating late-night 70's B movie effects with bouncy bluegrass. (An extra treat for all you Crowed House fans will be Neil and Tim Finn's piece sung from the point of view of the great cane toad himself.) Some people keep them as pets, put out bowls of catfood, and toad-watch for pleasure, others hate them with a white hot rage. Hear the facts, see the toads, and decide which side of the fence is for you. Either way, nicely paced, scientifically interesting, and well shot; Cane Toads is a feindishly hilarious black comedy of documentary, sure to please.
The "Citizen Cane" on amphibian movies
hilld25 March 2003
BlakeSpot Reviews: Cane Toads: An Unnatural History
TimeForChillie28 July 2006
Cane Toads: An Unnatural History, 1988 6/10, 13th best movie of 1988, 93rd best of the 80's, 613th best overall This was actually a pretty decent movie. Apparently back in the 30s there was a huge problem in Austrailia with some bugs that ate sugar cane. They brought in cane toads from Hawiaii to eat them. The cane toads didn't eat those bugs, but they did eat everything else. And they soon spread over much of eastern Austrailia. Anyway the movie discusses how the movie effects the nation of Australia and the people that inhabit it. It introduces many interesting characters and lets them share their stories of how the cane toads have effected their lives. Now let me be honest with you for a second. If I had sat down and watched a two hour movie about cane toads, I probably would have gotten very bored, and in turn given this movie a bad review. However, this movie is not 2 hours long, it's actually only about 45 minutes long. Just enough time to get you interested, keep you interested, and than end. Was I doing back flips in my chair because I was having so much fun watching this movie? No, but it was still interesting, informative, and overall, a pretty good movie.
Excellent, informative and amusing
suzannebyrne26 January 2002
I have just seen this documentary again after a few years and realised that I had forgotten just how good it was.
The makers manage to provide us with an enormous amount of information in relation to cane toads in a short time, but do so in a way that is interesting, informative and amusing.
A wide range of people tell us the facts in relation to the introduction of the toads to Queensland, the good and bad points regarding toads and the alternative uses to which they have been put.
There are also people who tell us why they love and/or hate the toads (some particularly enjoying their by-products) and even people who talk about their mating habits (incorporating various bizarre examples).
A must see for anyone, whether interested in amphibians or not!
The makers manage to provide us with an enormous amount of information in relation to cane toads in a short time, but do so in a way that is interesting, informative and amusing.
A wide range of people tell us the facts in relation to the introduction of the toads to Queensland, the good and bad points regarding toads and the alternative uses to which they have been put.
There are also people who tell us why they love and/or hate the toads (some particularly enjoying their by-products) and even people who talk about their mating habits (incorporating various bizarre examples).
A must see for anyone, whether interested in amphibians or not!
The Folly of Man & Toads
daoldiges5 June 2018
This film about the introduction of a non-native toad species in Australia to help eliminate certain pests is not only interesting but quite humorous at the same time. It's really quite ridiculous, man that is, to put such a plan into place clearly without the forethought and research into all of the possible repercussions. Those poor, innocent toads!
An Insane, Hilarious, and Entertaining Doc
framptonhollis18 November 2015
"Cane Toads: An Unnatural History" is one of the funniest documentary films out there! At only 47 minutes, it is a quick, easy watch, and a great one, as well!
It's surprising how this Australian toad documentary manages to be funnier than a lot of comedies. It is unconventional, unbelievable, and really, really weird. There is one interviewee who actually abuses the cane toads' poison as a drug, and another who spends a lot of his time running cane toads over with his car! There are plenty of other strange interviewees that I don't want to spoil, but those are two of the wonderfully strange highlights.
There's also a lot of humor in the way the director Mark Lewis seems to portray these small toads as giant, monstrous beings in some scenes. He over exaggerates them to the point of (intentional) hilarity, and it really is wonderful.
The film is also surprisingly educational. Some of the less wacky interviewees seem to really know what they're talking about, and this film genuinely taught me quite a bit about this species of toads, while still keeping it all really entertaining and funny.
And, in the end, the film offers a fascinating portrait of how destructive humans can really be. But who really is the enemy? This documentary doesn't really take sides. It shows the negative impact of the crane toads, and the human's violent reaction. Whether the humans or the toads are the bad ones is up to the viewer, and what I took from this doc was that both are equally guilty of quite a bit of damage.
A truly excellent documentary film.
It's surprising how this Australian toad documentary manages to be funnier than a lot of comedies. It is unconventional, unbelievable, and really, really weird. There is one interviewee who actually abuses the cane toads' poison as a drug, and another who spends a lot of his time running cane toads over with his car! There are plenty of other strange interviewees that I don't want to spoil, but those are two of the wonderfully strange highlights.
There's also a lot of humor in the way the director Mark Lewis seems to portray these small toads as giant, monstrous beings in some scenes. He over exaggerates them to the point of (intentional) hilarity, and it really is wonderful.
The film is also surprisingly educational. Some of the less wacky interviewees seem to really know what they're talking about, and this film genuinely taught me quite a bit about this species of toads, while still keeping it all really entertaining and funny.
And, in the end, the film offers a fascinating portrait of how destructive humans can really be. But who really is the enemy? This documentary doesn't really take sides. It shows the negative impact of the crane toads, and the human's violent reaction. Whether the humans or the toads are the bad ones is up to the viewer, and what I took from this doc was that both are equally guilty of quite a bit of damage.
A truly excellent documentary film.
A lesson for future generations
Red-Barracuda7 September 2021
Cinematic masterpiece
o-25601-745099 March 2023
This is true Australian cinema. A deep and accurate look into the lives of the average aussie, and informative too, this film was a cited source for my highschool geography paper. I find myself quoting this film weekly, it made a lasting impression on me and is still an absolute joy to put on and watch with the family. I would also like to mention possibly the best part, it is available to watch for free on youtube. In this day and age where copyright ruins everything, this film serves as a beacon of hope for us pirates. Watching it now is so surreal, a true testament to how the ecosystems will improvise, adapt, and overcome all that we throw at it.
Comments from an amphibianaphile.
youroldpaljim30 March 2002
Fairly interesting documentary about the deliberate introduction of the Giant toad (Bufo marinus) or Cane toad as it is called here, into Australia and the ecological havoc it has wrought there. It seems years ago, scientists thought this toad would help control pests that were destroying Australia's sugar cane crop. The toads did little to control the pests that were destroying the sugar cane crops, but they did manage to survive and thrive, reproducing in great numbers. They have brought havoc on local wildlife ever since. This could serve as a future warning to any scientist who gets the brilliant idea of introducing a new species to area it is not native.
While I found this documentary interesting and fun to watch, as an amateur naturalist with an interest in amphibians, a lot of important information about this creature was left out. For example, the film states the toad was introduced from Hawaii into Australia. It never mentions that Cane toads were also introduced into Hawaii, and are not a native species there either (Hawaii has no native amphibians.) Bufo marinus is a native of Latin America. For the record: its natural range extends from Patagonia north, throughout much of South and Central America, into central Mexico, where its range extends through a narrow band into to Northern Mexico where the toads natural range just enters the United States in the Big Bend region of Texas. The film also doesn't mention these toads had little effect on pests destroying the sugar cane crop in Hawaii either. Nor does it mention they were introduced in Florida for the same reason, with little positive effect there as well. With this toads introduction being a failure in so many places, I was hoping this film would raise a few questions on just what was going on in the heads of all those scientists back in early 20th century who spread this creature all over the world.
While I found this documentary interesting and fun to watch, as an amateur naturalist with an interest in amphibians, a lot of important information about this creature was left out. For example, the film states the toad was introduced from Hawaii into Australia. It never mentions that Cane toads were also introduced into Hawaii, and are not a native species there either (Hawaii has no native amphibians.) Bufo marinus is a native of Latin America. For the record: its natural range extends from Patagonia north, throughout much of South and Central America, into central Mexico, where its range extends through a narrow band into to Northern Mexico where the toads natural range just enters the United States in the Big Bend region of Texas. The film also doesn't mention these toads had little effect on pests destroying the sugar cane crop in Hawaii either. Nor does it mention they were introduced in Florida for the same reason, with little positive effect there as well. With this toads introduction being a failure in so many places, I was hoping this film would raise a few questions on just what was going on in the heads of all those scientists back in early 20th century who spread this creature all over the world.
Great entertaining little film!
cyber_smoke5914 June 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Having an Aussie girlfriend (and me, a humble American) I am always looking into everything from the Land girt by sea. I stumbled upon this little film and also being an avid herp (reptile & amphibian) enthusiast I couldn't resist.
Holy Zombie Jesus, what a great film! It's funny enough to interest anyone and also contains some great information for the likes of me, someone that has a passion for our cold-blooded friends.
The people that are interviewed are just golden and vary wildly on how they feel about the toads. There's even some scientific information which I found very interesting but it's not boring in the least.
Great film, worth a look.
Holy Zombie Jesus, what a great film! It's funny enough to interest anyone and also contains some great information for the likes of me, someone that has a passion for our cold-blooded friends.
The people that are interviewed are just golden and vary wildly on how they feel about the toads. There's even some scientific information which I found very interesting but it's not boring in the least.
Great film, worth a look.
Humorous and fascinating!
turin20045 December 2004
I would have to say it was the cover of the movie case that prompted me to rent this little gem. After watching the first 10 minutes I was drawn in by the interesting history of Australia and the cane toad. 20 minutes later I was completely hooked with the crazy and sometimes grizzled nature of the Australian residents appearing in the film.
Then what started as a semi-National Geographic became a sort of weird comedy as the toad starts killing off other wildlife. One scene alone should be enough for any true fan of Godzilla-like movies with giant beasts as they show the cane toad consume a mouse! Beautiful. If you only see on or two humorous documentaries in your life, make sure this is one!
Then what started as a semi-National Geographic became a sort of weird comedy as the toad starts killing off other wildlife. One scene alone should be enough for any true fan of Godzilla-like movies with giant beasts as they show the cane toad consume a mouse! Beautiful. If you only see on or two humorous documentaries in your life, make sure this is one!
Bizarre documentary, almost horror comedy...
ivardale11 October 2009
This is a very strange film - the cane toads, not indigenous to Australia, are imported from Hawaii to eat the cane beetles in the 1930s. Things go wrong, a bit like they have with the Kamchatka crab from the sea of Japan, which was imported to Murmansk, and then took over the Norwegian coastline.
However, the film goes in and out of ridicule and playing on horror flicks, which makes it just a completely undefinable, and also very well worth watching! A real classic, I'd call it - should be in any collection of weird films.
I'd be interested in seeing what else this director has come up with!
However, the film goes in and out of ridicule and playing on horror flicks, which makes it just a completely undefinable, and also very well worth watching! A real classic, I'd call it - should be in any collection of weird films.
I'd be interested in seeing what else this director has come up with!
The Perfect Documentary
MrLister3520 April 2001
The way they gave the information was the most clever and intresting way I had ever seen. All the things that are good about a movie or documentary were in this documantary. It showed how the Cane Toads were unnaturally brought to Australia and how they flourished uncontrolibly. This was a very clever and interesting way of getting a point accross that will help either students in their learning, if people are intrested in this particular, or if you want a good laugh.
WHEN DO WE GET CANE TOADS II: THE QUICKENING?
eminges1 September 2002
I ignored this title for years at my local whacked-out video emporium. When I finally broke down and rented Cane Toads, for the first thirty or forty minutes I watched politely as Mark Lewis unfolded his little story of toads, Australians, and Holdens of every year, color, and condition swerving to avoid/hit one of God's little jokes on the open road. I mean, it's OK, but why has this thing been in print for a decade and a half?
Then about 2/3 of the way through I got the giggles. This is DESPERATELY messed up. If you hang out with any biology majors, Cane Toads is absolutely required reading. If you don't, just think how wrecked you'd have to stay on Foster's before you'd let your terminally cute four-year-daughter play Barbies with a creature from Hell itself that comes pre-loaded with 10cc of hallucinogenic toxins in its skin.
Cane Toads is what Fast, Cheap and Out of Control should have been. Proof that sometimes it's a lot more effective to speak quietly than yell.
Then about 2/3 of the way through I got the giggles. This is DESPERATELY messed up. If you hang out with any biology majors, Cane Toads is absolutely required reading. If you don't, just think how wrecked you'd have to stay on Foster's before you'd let your terminally cute four-year-daughter play Barbies with a creature from Hell itself that comes pre-loaded with 10cc of hallucinogenic toxins in its skin.
Cane Toads is what Fast, Cheap and Out of Control should have been. Proof that sometimes it's a lot more effective to speak quietly than yell.
Marvelous - hilarious and cautionary at the same time!
daveyo31 May 1999
This is a serious review of the ecologic trauma Queensland, Australia, has suffered after the scientifically foolish introduction of Cane Toads. And, it is a gut-busting look at people (Michael Moore style) talking about the Cane Toads with which they share their corner of the world. And, it is a pretty good parody of some sci-fi monster movies.
A total delight!
A total delight!
Why are people so violent?
t1hcsq29 July 2004
This documentary was very amusing. Mr. Lewis did an excellent job portraying Australia's sense of dry, offbeat humor, along with Australia's addiction to violent behavior. One thing I found interesting is that throughout the movie, there is a tone of violence. It doesn't seem bad however, because everyone (in the movie) seems to sort of accept it and is quite comfortable with it. I used to think that the U.S.A. was leading the charts with domestic violence problems. After watching this movie I looked up some statistics and found my assumption to be misleading. We've all seen the statistics on America's gun control problem. People are getting shot left and right. This is why I was led to believe that the U.S. had a problem in violence. I was also surprised to notice that there is a ban on firearms in Australia. Well, after looking at the U.S.'s domestic violence cases, I noticed that it is low in comparison to Australia. It turns out that Australians are thugs. They beat, rape and pillage each other senseless (the lack of sense was reflected very clearly by most of the people interviewed in this movie). They have the highest violence rate in the world. This was very clear to me as I watched people deliberately running over toads causing them to explode (laughing about it). Hiting toads with golf clubs (hoping to not get hit with poison in the process). Children playing with toads like they are rag dolls (parents being OK with it). Extracting toad poison and getting high off of it (damn junkies)! Officials telling people that "it is OK, toads are homophyllic, they like people." Should we blame this behavior on the Ozone hole? England used to ship criminals to Australia, could this be the root of such a violent society? Since the ban on firearms in Australia was enforced the cases of domestic violence has doubled. Would Australians be shooting each other if they had ready access to guns? It seems like a good solution for people in the U.S. It must be more civilized to shoot someone than to beat them stupid. If we ban firearms in the U.S. are people going to start beating and raping each other? Solving one problem seems to have aroused another problem. So then why should we care? Is this natural selection? Maybe human nature is human nature. You cannot change human nature, no matter how civilized you are. You can fool yourself into thinking you have control of a situation, you can fool yourself into thinking you can control 6 billion people. This is something that is out of control. There is no solution.
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