La pieuvre (1928) : distribution, intrigue et streaming

Released in 1928, La pieuvre is a notable film directed by Jean Painlevé.

What it’s about. An octopus slithers over objects on land—a doll, a skull—then oozes along the shore into the sea. It secretes its ink. The camera follows it along rocks into deeper water, watching closely as it breathes. Its eye is closed then open. Simple titles, in French and German, suggest what to watch. The octopus alternates the use of breathing tubes on either side. It changes color as cells on its skin contract or dilate. Extreme magnification helps us see these changes. Two struggle, one dies. On shore, fishermen catch them and put them in pails. A single tentacle still has life. Back in the sea, two octopi attack a crab. Soon only a couple of crab legs are visible in the mouth of the victor.

How it landed. With an audience score of 6.5/10, La pieuvre has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response.

Where to watch. In États-Unis you can stream it on Criterion Channel. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch La pieuvre page.