Watch To Be Alive!

To Be Alive! is a 1964 documentary film that explores the relationship between humans and technology. The film is narrated by Richard Burton and features Robert Fields as the lead character. The movie is divided into several sections, each exploring a specific aspect of the human-technology relationship. The first section, titled "The Miracle of Life," introduces the viewer to the wonder of the human body and the processes that keep it alive. We see footage of babies being born, and learn about the complex systems that allow us to breathe, eat, and move.

The second section of the film, "The Five Senses," focuses on how we use technology to enhance and supplement our senses. We see examples of people using hearing aids, prosthetic limbs, and Braille to overcome disabilities and lead fulfilling lives.

The third section, "The Communication Explosion," looks at the impact of technology on the way we communicate. We see footage of early computers and televisions, and hear from experts who predict that these technologies will revolutionize the way we work, learn, and interact with each other.

The fourth section, "The Future Is Now," explores some of the more futuristic technologies that were being developed in the 1960s. We see examples of robots, space exploration, and advances in medicine that were once thought impossible.

Throughout the film, Fields serves as a sort of everyman character, representing the audience's point of view. He asks questions and expresses wonder and amazement at the things he sees. At one point, he even becomes a test subject in an experiment that shows how the brain can be trained to accept new sensory inputs.

To Be Alive! features a blend of documentary-style footage and dramatizations. We see both real people and actors portraying different scenarios, from a blind man using a cane to a surgeon using a new technology to save a patient's life. The film is also notable for its use of innovative camera techniques, such as split screen and slow motion, to convey the impact of technology on our lives.

Overall, To Be Alive! is a fascinating look at how technology was perceived in the 1960s. The film is both optimistic and cautionary, painting a picture of a world in which humans and machines coexist and work together. It's a thought-provoking glimpse into a time when the possibilities of technology seemed endless.