Life before birth.

Ground-breaking photography and scanning techniques provide a fascinating insight into the development of a human foetus within the womb. Roger McGough narrates an original poem to accompany the images. The film shows the first crucial moments in the evolution of life from the first heart beat to the birth of the senses and the opening of the eyes. However, much of the imagery is created by the use of models made in wax and cast in silicone rubber as it would be impossible for the cameras to invade the amniotic sack to the extent the programme might appear to show. In two of the seven key stages of foetal development (4 and 7 months) when the foetus starts swallowing and dreaming, computer-generated images are also used. Nevertheless it is a compelling and beautiful film.