The NFB is committed to respecting your privacy

We use cookies to ensure that our site works efficiently, as well as for advertising purposes.

If you do not wish to have your information used in this way, you can modify your browser settings before continuing your visit.

Learn more
Skip to content Accessibility
New release
Coming 
None

Five Billion Years

1981 7 min
Leaving soon

This superbly animated science film traces the evolution of North America from the Earth's geophysical beginnings, through the genesis of the first living organisms, right up to the arrival of humans. Radiant colors and smooth-flowing animation evoke sizzling lava rivers, oceans bursting with life, and freezing ice ages. The film provides an excellent view of the time frame within which these remarkable events took place and highlights the fact that, relatively speaking, we are newcomers to Planet Earth.

This content is not available for free viewing in your location.
Your rental expires on
None
You've already purchased this film.
Download it from My purchases.
Not available
Share
Five Billion Years

Details

This superbly animated science film traces the evolution of North America from the Earth's geophysical beginnings, through the genesis of the first living organisms, right up to the arrival of humans. Radiant colors and smooth-flowing animation evoke sizzling lava rivers, oceans bursting with life, and freezing ice ages. The film provides an excellent view of the time frame within which these remarkable events took place and highlights the fact that, relatively speaking, we are newcomers to Planet Earth.

  • director
    Joyce Borenstein
  • animation
    Joyce Borenstein
  • producer
    David Verrall
  • editing
    David Verrall
  • executive producer
    Derek Lamb
  • script
    William Kuhns
  • sound
    Louis Hone
  • re-recording
    Adrian Croll
  • narrator
    Kathleen Fee
  • music
    Normand Roger

Enjoy the NFB experience on your favourite device

Education

Ages 13 to 17
School subjects
This short film can be used as a starting point for a lesson. Students can play a quiz game made up of questions on the timeline of the appearance of different life forms on Earth. You can also help them discover how old our planet is now, and when the first humans came to North America.
Five Billion Years
Purchase options
Also available