March of the Penguins (Widescreen Edition)

 

 

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I have long been an admirer of penguins, so when this film was released in the cinema, my friends variously and collectively rushed to inform me of the film. I went to see it, and was amazed.

The plot of the film is extraordinarily simple - the film follows the Emperor Penguins of Antarctica during their annual mating and rearing cycle. It is framed from start to finish in terms of the march - the march from the sea to the mating spot, the march to return to the sea for food, the march again for rearing the young, and the march again finally to return to the sea.

There is a great deal of humour and grace; penguins are gentle beings, vulnerable to predators and to the hazards of the winter - despite being fashioned for some of the coldest climates on earth, they nonetheless require warmth, particularly for their eggs and the hatchlings. In the severe cold and far-below-zero windchills, many do not make it, and the one negative side of the film for me was a somewhat constant lingering on this downside. While it is a part of nature, it still becomes a bit more tragic in the cycle of the film than it needs to be. As this is billed as a family film, I worried that some of the children viewing might be more emotionally upset at this than they needed to be.

Still, the details presented are fascinating, and it is a true testament to filmmaking that these shots and images were captured as dramatically, humourously, gracefully and beautifully as they were.

This film has 'Academy Award' written all over it, in many categories. Cinematography, musical score, directing, documentary - these are only some of the categories in which this film is likely to get a nod. Morgan Freeman never appears on camera, but gives a wonderful reading as the narrator of this visual feast, adding subtle emphasis that never detracts and often adds to the tale in the English-language version of this film.

Director Luc Jacquet and cinematographers, Laurent Chalet and Jerome Maison have produced a masterpiece that transcends language barriers (indeed, there is no native human language for Antarctica). A French team, they have translated this film into many languages around the world, as people everywhere will find something with which they can relate.

Perhaps the most skillful part of the filming was to make Antarctica seem so varied in texture and place; on a continent covered with ice and snow, one still gets the sense of the length of the journey, the beauty inherent in the surroundings, and the dangers involved for the penguins.

Through the credits, one gets to see the film crew in some light-hearted scenes with curious penguins. These are expanded upon in the DVD version, with many more scenes of penguins swimming, diving and feeding in truly remarkable filming. There is also a Warner Brothers short animation as a bonus. The audio track can be done in English or Spanish (French is also available as subtitles) - because of the nature of this film, overdubbing in different languages is in no way a detraction.

The Oscar winner for Best Documentary, March of the Penguins actually earned more at the box office (to the tune of over 77 million dollars) than four of the five movies nominated for Best Picture. It may be a wildlife documentary, but it is definitely a theatrical experience. With its gorgeous cinematography and impeccable narration by the acclaimed Morgan Freeman, it can't help but impress, but the stars of the show are the Emperor Penguins of Antarctica, truly one of the most amazing species of animals on the planet. These aren't just little guys in tuxedoes who waddle around and sometimes fall down for our amusement; these are incredibly sensitive, intelligent creatures who truly reveal the wonders of Creation in the form of their uniquely challenging lives. Anyone who says that animals have no souls hasn't looked into the eyes of a single animal; emotions that some consider uniquely human are revealed for all to see in March of the Penguins.

It's no surprise that life on the Antarctic continent is a rather harsh affair, but it's amazing to see just how hard life truly is for the Emperor Penguin. It would seem, though, that this is the way they want it. Every autumn, hundreds and hundreds of these creatures leave their ocean homes to trek no less than seventy miles to their ancient breeding ground far inside the Antarctic interior. Once they arrive, the males and females form up in monogamous pairs. Once an egg is laid, the female and male take part in an elaborate dance by which the egg is transferred from the female to the male. Each precious egg can only survive mere moments in the harsh Antarctic cold, so the transfer process must be done efficiently - there is only one try. Not all transfers are successful, and even Mr. Magoo could clearly see the pain and sorrow etched on the faces of both mates as they look down upon their lost egg. All of the males who have secured their eggs then bid goodbye to their mates, as the females return the dozens of miles back to the ocean to feed so that they can return and sustain their young after birth. Huddled together in the freezing cold, instinctively shifting position from time to time to allow everyone some time inside the warmer inner circle, the males wait over the course of four winter months - no food, nothing but fallen snow to abate their thirst, and trying not to freeze to death. After the eggs begin to hatch, they must work harder than ever to keep their young warm and wait for the return of the females and the food they will provide. After the happy reunions of those who have survived, the fathers then set off on the trek back to the water, leaving the females to raise the young, protect them from the harsh conditions, predators, and sometimes one another (as some females who lose their chicks try to steal those of other mothers), and prepare them for their own life journeys.

As amazing as it sounds, you have to see it to truly appreciate it. It almost makes you ashamed to be a human being. So many men and women treat procreation as a lark or a mistake that can be "fixed," thousands of deadbeat dads refuse to support their children, and far too many mothers and fathers take no responsibility for raising their children, seemingly not caring one thing about them. How different we are from the Emperor Penguins, who routinely suffer almost unimaginable hardships in order to sustain their species. There is a tremendous amount for viewers to learn about Emperor Penguins in this masterpiece of a documentary, but I daresay there may even be more for us to learn from these noble creatures - they are more human than far too many men and women who are human in name only.

(This review was originally written on December 5th, 2005, and Amazon failed to transfer it to this new version of the same film.)

Every once in a while, a movie is made that is quite good in the sense that it is above the average quality of releases, but garners so much mass attention that it is praised well beyond what it deserves. It is definitely the case that, compared to the usual drivel that Hollywood cynically aims at "dumb-ographics," this is deserving of far greater attention. However, compared to the many great movies, some from Hollywood and many independently made, this picture's mediocrity runs the risk of turning potential new audiences (who are either unable or unwilling to see independent film) off of the cinematic world beyond Hollywood, since they expect to see something really great -- among the best of what independent media has produced all year -- when it is really just alright.

This hype is not the fault of the makers of the film, but the quality of it is. Simply put, this documentary about the penguin life cycle too self-consciously tries to be cute. Through heavy edits and a narration by Morgan Freeman, the story feels forced, downright manipulative, and unnatural -- much like an old episode of Lorne Greene's "New Wilderness." It was sweet but not very touching.

Now, "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill" has a similar point -- to explain how "human" a certain group of birds are. Yet it does this with much more success. The drama is far more genuine, as the emotions come from the people involved with the birds and their interpretations of the birds' moods. Also, the impressive footage serves to honestly and subtly accentuate the story. "Wild Parrots" is easily the best documentary of the year (about humans and/or animals).

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5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing
I am not a fan of documentaries but all I can say is that from the momemt it begins, you are absolutely captivated. You will be amazed, happy, learn alot and even cry.. Read more

Published on May 29 2008 by Francesca Pitruzzello

5.0 out of 5 stars fascinating look at the Emperor Penguin of Antartica
this documentary is a great look at the life of the Emperor
Penguins,who live in Antarctica,which is said to be the harshest
climate on the planet. Read more

Published on Feb 1 2008 by falcon

5.0 out of 5 stars The Long March Of The Penguins
INTRODUCTION:First of all let me tell you that im not a fan of documentaries but i loved penguins.The documentary shows how penguins are courageous animal and how tough their life... Read more

Published on Nov 9 2007 by Tommy Morais

5.0 out of 5 stars A documentary and a work of art
An absolutely astonishing piece film that works both as compelling and involving documentary and ravishes he eye with its artful compositions and photography. Breathtaking.

Published on Oct 9 2006 by Trevor Street

5.0 out of 5 stars THE URGE TO MERGE...
This is a fascinating and visually stunning documentary, narrated by the mellifluent Morgan Freeman. Read more

Published on July 24 2006 by Lawyeraau

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming and educational film
This acclaimed documentary follows penguins in Antarctica over a nine-month period, beginning with a grueling, 70-mile march to their ancestral breeding ground. Read more

Published on Jun 15 2006 by Kona

5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishing!
I have long been an admirer of penguins, so when this film was released in the cinema, my friends variously and collectively rushed to inform me of the film. Read more

Published on Feb 1 2006 by FrKurt Messick

5.0 out of 5 stars Mother Nature writes the best plots!
The photography is raw but beautiful. The Antarctica is displayed in all of it hard beauty. The life of a penguin and its dedication to its life's purpose, awe inspiring. Read more

Published on Jan 5 2006 by Dawn

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb viewing
Since there are several reviews I won't go into any details. However, the film is excellent. I have seen it twice and will see it again.

Published on Jan 5 2006

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!
You must watch this film to believe it. Definitely, one of the best documentaries I have seen in a long time. Morgan Freeman does a wonderful job as narrator as well. Read more

Published on Jan 4 2006

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