Official Movie Website Theatrical Release 07/08/05 Home Video 11/29/05 MPAA Rating G Running Time 1 hour 20 minutes Genre Education/General Interest, Nature/Wildlife Director Luc Jacquet Cast Narrated by Morgan Freeman Studio Warner Independent |
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
Synopsis
Each winter, alone in the pitiless ice deserts of
Antarctica, deep in the most inhospitable
terrain on Earth, a truly remarkable journey
takes place as it has done for millennia.
Emperor penguins in their thousands abandon
the deep blue security of their ocean home and
clamber onto the frozen ice to begin their long
journey into a region so bleak, so extreme, it
supports no other wildlife at this time of year.
In single file, the penguins march blinded by
blizzards, buffeted by gale force winds.
Resolute, indomitable, driven by the
overpowering urge to reproduce, to assure the
survival of the species.
Guided by instinct, by the otherworldly radiance
of the Southern Cross, they head unerringly for
their traditional breeding ground where - after
a ritual courtship of intricate dances and
delicate maneuvering, accompanied by a
cacophony of ecstatic song - they will pair off
into monogamous couples and mate.
Each winter, alone in the pitiless ice deserts of
Antarctica, deep in the most inhospitable
terrain on Earth, a truly remarkable journey
takes place as it has done for millennia.
Emperor penguins in their thousands abandon
the deep blue security of their ocean home and
clamber onto the frozen ice to begin their long
journey into a region so bleak, so extreme, it
supports no other wildlife at this time of year.
In single file, the penguins march blinded by
blizzards, buffeted by gale force winds.
Resolute, indomitable, driven by the
overpowering urge to reproduce, to assure the
survival of the species.
Guided by instinct, by the otherworldly radiance
of the Southern Cross, they head unerringly for
their traditional breeding ground where - after
a ritual courtship of intricate dances and
delicate maneuvering, accompanied by a
cacophony of ecstatic song - they will pair off
into monogamous couples and mate.
The days grow shorter, the weather ever more bitter. The females remain long enough only to lay a
single egg. Once this is accomplished, exhausted by weeks without nourishment, they begin their
return journey across the ice-field to the fish-filled seas. The journey is hazardous, and rapacious
leopard seals a predatory threat. The male emperors are left behind to guard and hatch the precious
eggs, which they cradle at all times on top of their feet. Subjected to subzero temperatures and the
terrible trials of the polar winter, they too face great dangers.
After two long months during which the males eat nothing, the eggs begin to hatch. Once they have
emerged into their ghostly white new world, the chicks can not survive for long on their fathers' limited
food reserves. If their mothers are late returning from the ocean with food, the newly-hatched young
will die.
Once the families are reunited, the roles reverse, the mothers remaining with their new young while
their mates head, exhausted and starved, for the sea, and food. While the adults fish, the chicks face
the ever-present threat of attack by prowling giant petrels. As the weather grows warmer and the ice
floes finally begin to crack and melt, the adults will repeat their arduous journey countless times,
marching many hundreds of miles over some of the most treacherous territory on Earth, until the
chicks are ready to take their first faltering dive into the deep blue waters of the Antarctic.--©Warner
Independent Films
single egg. Once this is accomplished, exhausted by weeks without nourishment, they begin their
return journey across the ice-field to the fish-filled seas. The journey is hazardous, and rapacious
leopard seals a predatory threat. The male emperors are left behind to guard and hatch the precious
eggs, which they cradle at all times on top of their feet. Subjected to subzero temperatures and the
terrible trials of the polar winter, they too face great dangers.
After two long months during which the males eat nothing, the eggs begin to hatch. Once they have
emerged into their ghostly white new world, the chicks can not survive for long on their fathers' limited
food reserves. If their mothers are late returning from the ocean with food, the newly-hatched young
will die.
Once the families are reunited, the roles reverse, the mothers remaining with their new young while
their mates head, exhausted and starved, for the sea, and food. While the adults fish, the chicks face
the ever-present threat of attack by prowling giant petrels. As the weather grows warmer and the ice
floes finally begin to crack and melt, the adults will repeat their arduous journey countless times,
marching many hundreds of miles over some of the most treacherous territory on Earth, until the
chicks are ready to take their first faltering dive into the deep blue waters of the Antarctic.--©Warner
Independent Films
Brenda
Take the whole family and see The March of the Penguins. I can't say enough good things
about this movie. Sure to be nominated for Best Documentary.
Take the whole family and see The March of the Penguins. I can't say enough good things
about this movie. Sure to be nominated for Best Documentary.
© 2003 St. Louis Movie Review Weekly. All rights reserved, except where indicated.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
All movie titles, pictures, etc...are the property of their respective studios.
| ST. LOUIS MOVIE REVIEW WEEKLY |
DVD Details
DVD Features
Region (unknown)
Keep Case
Full Frame
Audio
Dolby Surround 5.1 English
Dolby Surround 5.1 Spanish
Additional Release Material
Documentaries CRITTERCAM :
EMPEROR PENGUINS: penguin
diving and feeding
Documentary OF MEN AND
PENGUINS: The incredible
filmmaking process of the movie
8 BALL BUNNY: A classic WB
animated short with Bugs Bunny
and a penguin
DVD Features
Region (unknown)
Keep Case
Full Frame
Audio
Dolby Surround 5.1 English
Dolby Surround 5.1 Spanish
Additional Release Material
Documentaries CRITTERCAM :
EMPEROR PENGUINS: penguin
diving and feeding
Documentary OF MEN AND
PENGUINS: The incredible
filmmaking process of the movie
8 BALL BUNNY: A classic WB
animated short with Bugs Bunny
and a penguin