Sky Above and Mud Beneath
Le ciel et la boue
“Men of the space age meet men of the stone age.”
Synopsis
In September, 1959, six Europeans leave Cook's Bay on the southern coast of Dutch New Guinea, now West Papua or Irian Jaya, to trek north to the far side of the island. The journey (450 miles, as a crow flies) across unmapped territory took seven months; three Muyu porters died. Near both coasts, the expedition met villagers who invited them to observe rituals and live with them. In the interior, all villagers kept them at bay, and they depended on air lifts from Hollandia for food and supplies. They climbed above 10,000 feet, built 14 bridges, and fought leeches and malaria. The narrator focuses on describing Stone Age savages, headhunters, and cannibals.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
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Official TrailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2025-09-03
Release History & Theatrical Window
Cannes Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
June 21, 1962
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
- Screenplay & Story
- Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
- Original Title
- Le ciel et la boue
- Country of Origin
- France
- Spoken Languages
- French
- Runtime
- 1h 32m
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
Georges Arnstam
Arthur Cohn, René Lafuite
Department Leadership Roster
Arthur Cohn
Producer
René Lafuite
Producer
Georges Arnstam
Editor
Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
Director
Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau
Writer
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sky Above and Mud Beneath
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Sky Above and Mud Beneath about?
In September, 1959, six Europeans leave Cook's Bay on the southern coast of Dutch New Guinea, now West Papua or Irian Jaya, to trek north to the far side of the island. The journey (450 miles, as a crow flies) across unmapped territory took seven months; three Muyu porters died. Near both coasts, the expedition met villagers who invited them to observe rituals and live with them. In the interior, all villagers kept them at bay, and they depended on air lifts from Hollandia for food and supplies. They climbed above 10,000 feet, built 14 bridges, and fought leeches and malaria. The narrator focuses on describing Stone Age savages, headhunters, and cannibals.
Who directed Sky Above and Mud Beneath?
Sky Above and Mud Beneath was directed by Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau.
Who stars in Sky Above and Mud Beneath?
The principal cast of Sky Above and Mud Beneath includes Not specified.
When was Sky Above and Mud Beneath released and how long is it?
Sky Above and Mud Beneath was released in 1961 with a total runtime of 1h 32m.