menu-home menu-films menu-people menu-oral-history menu-education menu-events menu-about
Corner Image
WildFilmHistory logo
WildFilmHistory » Home » Films » Mr Delaware and the Boxing Kangaroo

Mr Delaware and the Boxing Kangaroo  (1895)

Also known as: Das Boxende Känguruh
Full film

Premiering at the first public projection of motion pictures in Germany, Das Boxende Känguruh is one of the earliest examples of animal behaviour on screen.

A groundbreaking production, the captive marsupial is recorded boxing against Mr Delaware and, despite being intended for entertainment rather than as a scientific behaviour study, it revealed animal actions in a way that had never been seen before.

The contest, recorded by Max Skladanowsky against a white background at the Circus Busch, was a huge success and exposed the potential for future films concerning wildlife and natural history.

Copyright holder

Copyright Holder: British Film Institute (BFI)
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.bfi.org.uk

Film credits

Photography: Max Skladanowsky
Clips
Full film
Full film