In this rare and cerebral work, Jean Painlevé explores the mathematical and biological dynamics of competition in nature. Using diagrams, animation, and real footage, the film illustrates predator-prey relationships, population growth models, and ecological balance through the lens of scientific abstraction. Departing from his more poetic underwater films, The Struggle for Survival reveals Painlevé’s interest in theoretical biology and the invisible structures that govern life. It is a pioneering blend of science education, visual experimentation, and early mathematical modeling.