What with Natalie Portman's sensational swanning about on screen in Darren Aronofsky's psychological ballet thriller, it seems like a great time to look back at the best swans from Hollywood past. Except, well, there aren't many. Why has the swan been so maligned in the world of film? No idea. There are more than enough geese to go around the place. And don't get me started on the flipping ducks.

Still, there are some swans around who didn't fail completely at film PR. Like the Soviet swans from the 1962 Russian animation based on the fairytale The Wild Swans. But let's face it: this is just an excuse to watch that bit from Hot Fuzz again.

So, here are cinema's top swans. And I'm using the term "swan" very loosely.

Hot Fuzz - Escaped Swan

"Can you describe it to me?" "It's about two foot tall. Long slender neck. Orange and black bill." "Anything else?" "Well, it's a swan." 

The Wild Swans - Soviet Swan

Based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale of the same name, this wonderfully dated animation sees a princess trying to rescue her 11 brothers who have been turned into swan by an evil queen. Odd. But not as trippy as the Soviet version of Winnie the Pooh. Which is amazing.

The Swan Princess - Swan in Disguise

You can't beat the old "Help! I've been turned into a swan!" trick for picking up men. If you can, then Disney haven't done it since this 1994 cartoon starring John Cleese and some actress called Michelle Nicastro - who was none other than the singing voice of Callisto on Xena: Warrior Princess. FACT.

The Ugly Duckling - Rejected Swan

Elizabeth Swann - Pirate Swan

Keira Knightley ain't no swan: she's a lady (ya, rly). She can't break a man's arm with her wings, but she can smash Mackenzie Crook and his mate in the face with a bedpan. That's got to be worth something.

Jim Carrey - Not a Swan