DOWNE: Creation movie shows origins of Charles Darwin book

THIS year has been a Charles Darwin fest for visitors to the village of Downe.

His bicentenary in February led to an exhibition Uncovering Origins being opened at his former family home, Down House.

Next month is the 150th anniversary of the publication of his most famous work, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life.

And filmgoers can now watch Creation in cinemas, a movie about the world-renowned scientist and how his evolutionary book came together.

It tells of a global revolution played out in the confines of the village, Darwin’s passionate marriage torn apart by the most provocative idea in history — evolution — and a theory saved from extinction by the logic of a child.

Paul Bettany talks to the animals in Creation, a new film chronicling the life of Charles Darwin

Much of the film is set in Down House and some of the scenes were filmed at the property, where Darwin lived with his family for 40 years.

A spokesman for English Heritage, which now owns the property, said: “Obviously Creation the film is set within the walls of Down House and it charts Darwin’s struggle personally and professionally to finish his great work, so we are very excited.

“We feel sure once people have seen the film they will want to see the real thing.”

Darwin stayed in the George and Dragon in Downe High Street when he was looking to buy somewhere in the village and asked the regulars whether they thought Down House would be a good place to live.

The pub’s current landlord says Creation has already had a big effect on the village.

Jamie Newman (above) said: “It’s been a year where every time there is something in the media about Darwin there is an increase in the number of visitors to the area.

“Charles Darwin and his staff used to have their Christmas club in the pub.”

Creation is based on a book by Charles Darwin’s great-great-grandson, Randal Keynes (below).

It was originally titled Annie’s Box but has been renamed with the release of the film.

Mr Keynes was inspired to write the book after discovering a child’s writing case in an old family chest of drawers.

The case belonged to Annie, the daughter of Charles and Emma Darwin who died at the age of 10.

It contained mementos kept by her parents after her death.

These included notes recording the progress of Annie’s illness and Charles Darwin’s unpublished letters.

Mr Keynes said: “The film uses my book but it does not follow it exactly “One part was filmed at Down House and I was very glad they were able to do it because it connects the film with the house.”