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The title, March of the Penguins, basically refers to the long and arduous march(es) that both male and female penguins make over the Antarctic ice every year, as part of their breeding season.
The film itself was directed by Luc Jacquet, who spent a year in the Antarctic just to make ... Read review
March of the Penguinsinstantly qualifies as a wildlife classic, taking its place among ... more
other extraordinary films likeMicrocosmosandWinged Migration.French filmmaker Luc Jacquet and his devoted crew endured a full year of extreme conditions in Antarctic...
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March of the Penguinsinstantly qualifies as a wildlife classic, taking its place among ... more
other extraordinary films likeMicrocosmosandWinged Migration.French filmmaker Luc Jacquet and his devoted crew endured a full year of extreme conditions in Antarctic...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Based upon the 2006 Academy Award winning documentary, March of the Penguins DS for the ... more
Game Boy Advance retells the epic journey of the Emperor Penguins as they make their 70 mile journey to breed their young. Players help guide the Penguins past shifting ice sheets, through echoing ice caverns and underwater grottos, while avoiding ever present predators such as the Leopard Seal and the extreme cold.
Production Year: 2001 - Living World & Universe - Director: Jacques Perrin, Michel Debats, Guy Jarry, Jacques Cluzard - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal
Production Year: 1998 - Living World & Universe - Director: Joanna Sarsby - Original Language: English - Classification: Exempt - Starring: David Attenborough
Advantages: The most awesome documentary ever Disadvantages: not long enough
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The title, March of the Penguins, basically refers to the long and arduous march(es) that both male and female penguins make over the Antarctic ice every year, as part of their breeding season.
The film itself was directed by Luc Jacquet, who spent a year in the Antarctic just to make the film. Morgan Freeman provides the film voice over for the US (English) version of the film. It is a National Geographic publication ... ...whole idea of the Penguin March is simply amazing, and the fact that the directors spent an entire year in Antartica filming this, has made for a truly insightful, and spectacular documentary. Everywhere we see, penguins are on a walk, ye somehow they all manage to arrive at the same place at the same time in time for their massive gathering. It is hard not to be fascinated by their very unique waddle, and they reminded me of some upright seal, out ... more
I wanted to see this film when it came out last year, even though I seem to remember it only got average reviews. There was no way I was going to miss it on DVD and finally I have got to see it.
The title, March of the Penguins, basically refers to the long and arduous march(es) that both male and female penguins make over the Antarctic ice every year, as part of their breeding season.
The film itself was directed by Luc Jacquet, who spent a year in the Antarctic just to make the film. Morgan Freeman provides the film voice over for the US (English) version of the film. It is a National Geographic publication and so the photography is bound to be a treat.
I am sure when it came out, people were rating it as say 3/5 stars, however imdb has a rating of 7.9 stars over nearly 10000 votes however, so I would say it is popular with the majority. The Film itself won Best Documentary in the 2006 Academy awards and it did beat Brokebank Mountain in box office sales. And all that just for a documentary about Penguins?
But the fact is we DO like penguins. They are just very appealing to most of us, and this film was no exception. In fact it is one of the most moving, emotional short films (85 Minutes) I have ever watched.
The film, in a nutshell follows the journey of the Emperor Penguins over the ice every year, from the ocean (and food) to the deepest part of the ice, where it is safest to breed. But with penguins, it is the male who stays with the egg and keeps it warm during the development period, not the female.
The scenery and the photography used throughout this film are exceptional throughout and I was feeling speechless and emotional at the sheer scale, awe and depths of nature shown in this film. Although lost for words at time, the way in which nature drives the survival of these 30kg birds on the coldest, driest continent on earth is humbling and very spiritual.
Penguins, of course, can usually raise a smile with most people, and this film is no exception. From the early scenes I was reminded of little people, or little old men, waddling across the ice - 70 miles - both the males and the females - to their safe ground in preparation for mating. The scenery is, of course, spectacular and not something many of us will ever witness. It is also amazing how these penguins have a kind of homing device, so they can find their way to the safe ice, each year, without fail, despite the changes in the ice packs, which cause them to deviate.
The whole idea of the Penguin March is simply amazing, and the fact that the directors spent an entire year in Antartica filming this, has made for a truly insightful, and spectacular documentary. Everywhere we see, penguins are on a walk, ye somehow they all manage to arrive at the same place at the same time in time for their massive gathering. It is hard not to be fascinated by their very unique waddle, and they reminded me of some upright seal, out of water, when they walked, sometimes gliding on their bellies, but never able to reach the water, and the oceans, because of the hard ice under their feet. That ice, of course, is essential for the coming winter months, when this truly will be a survival of the fittest.
I like nature programs and I like penguins, but this show ensures that by the end of the 85 minutes the viewer has a fantastic understanding of the nature of penguins, in particular their monogamous nature (although with penguins it only lasts the year!) When thousands of them arrived at the breeding ground simultaneously, it reminded me of some huge speed dating event, where male and female penguins pick the partner they will mate with this year, and be loyal to for the next nine months.
The directors used music and voice over extremely effectively to portray what was happening. Slowing the music down emphasised the tenderness between the mating penguins, prior to their separation (for food), and reunion, with a new life and surviving a brutal winter.
This film is absolutely packed with Awwwww moments, for example, the penguin who left it too late to make his way across the ice to the breeding ground and who did not make it - one sole figure trying to survive, without food, in the blizzards. Although eggs are laid by the females, they are soon transferred to the males, which is a risky manoeuvre and sometimes the egg can be lost to the harsh temperatures, at great distress to the parents. (and the viewer..)
The fact that the penguins walk 70 miles to this safe place is miracle enough. What is even more amazing is that they have to KEEP doing it. The Male looks after the egg while the female walks all the way back to the sea, to gain some precious food, having lost 1/3rd of her body weight in laying the egg. Dad meanwhile goes without food for 125 days. Not all of them will survive either, some will fall asleep, in one of the many heart in the mouth moments in this documentary.
It left me speechless. It left me wondering Why something like this happens, why does nature do it? How do they cope and why, their sole reason for being on this earth is to make this walk and breed. And as the winter sets in the walk back is actually further than the walk there. And as soon as the light comes back the eggs hatch. It is like the little ones know.
There were so many funny moments too, inevitable when you are dealing with penguins, but to watch a penguin who seems unsure of his own feet is simply priceless.
How they got the close ups, I don't know but the moment of birth is simply magical and the music will play a large part in this once again. Often the mother may not have arrived home, and there might be a couple of desperate days when the father has to provide, despite the fact he has not eaten for months. Nature is bizarre
Finally the little ones are just so CUTE! Born bald and sheltered for quite a while, they have to learn to take their own first steps, and recognise their absent parents, as they come and go the 70 mile journey several times, even being left on their own, many of them not wanting their mum to leave. The shots of their first few days, and weeks, and months were some of the best in the film - the little face of the chick who was safe again was simply priceless. Unfortunately for a few, there are haunting times as mothers and fathers pine the chicks that do not survive
They are extraordinary and very special birds indeed.
There are three main extras with the DVD:
Firstly there is the very sweet, if old cartoon of Bugs Bunny and a penguin, called 8 ball Bunny, lasting about five minutes and is extremely funny as Bugs tries to help the lost and emotional Pen-Goo-In back to his home…at the South Pole! A very strange extra indeed!
Secondly, there is a National Geographics short film (20 minutes) on the Crittergram technology and how this was used with the penguin species to gain good footage and insight on how penguins behave, how they feed, and their group behavioural habits as well as some insight on the changing weather patterns and how this has effected their terrain
The main extra is the making of the show. Entitled Of Penguins and Men this shows how Luc Jacquet and the team spent one year on the ice, at the French base, close to the southern Magnetic pole, and how they struggled to make the film and how emotional it was for them, being so close to these breathtaking scenes. It is one hour long, and in particular I loved how the penguins would get up close to the cameras and inspect them - they were not afraid of man, which is a little strange.
I wanted to watch this with my friend, but he has been laid up not very well for the last few months so I am writing this for him instead :o( I found this quite an emotional film to watch, but one that could induce both laughter at the comical nature of penguins, and tears, as their little family units did not survive. It was extremely entertaining and educational, This film FAR exceeded my expectations, and I would give it 12/10 if I could. Watch it, and it is bound to make you shed a little tear :)
Runtime 85 minutes Unclassified £11.99 new from Amazon.
Advantages: penguins, penguins and more penguins! Disadvantages: only 85 minutes long
...habitat! So of course when March of the Penguins was released I knew it was a must-see film for me. Unfortunately, with two young children it is not easy to get out to the cinema so I knew I was going to have to wait until it came out on DVD. I was not disappointed!
Before starting on the review itself I feel I should say how wonderful I think it is that in this technological twenty-first century a film such as this should be such a success. There ... ...and we witness the final march of them all when the little chicks are led to the sea themselve to begin their own incredible journeys, staying at sea for five years before, as adults, embarking on their own march!
This is a truly incredible film and I feel it is impossible to do it justice. The filming is amazing ranging from vast panoramic shots demonstrating the size and wilderness of Antarctica to close ups where you can se every feather on a ...
kingfisher111 17.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of March Of The Penguins (DVD)
Advantages: Wonderful scenery, very factual, cute penguins Disadvantages: some sad moments
March of the Penguins is a film which I had been undecided about watching for quite some time. After finally buying it me and my hubby sat down last night to watch it. I was aware before the film began that it was more of a documentary but this did not bother me as I do occasionally like documentaries if they are on good subjects. The start of the film shows the amazing South Pole and the narration tells us that at one time people did live here as ... ...At Emperor Penguins march for days in single file with each taking turns to lead the way, unbeknown to us is how they remember the way as the ice is constantly changing to each year it is a completely different journey for them. When they arrive at their birth place they all huddle together to keep warm and await the female penguins who will begin their journey soon. The female penguins also begin their journey to their birth place which again takes ...
sewbizzie 06.02.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of March Of The Penguins (DVD)
Advantages: Fascinating look at penguins, well shot, bugs bunny cartoon! Disadvantages: The making of covers the same ground
...that's probably the reason why March Of The Penguins won the Oscar for Best Documentary and took a sizeable $70 million plus in the US alone.
The film documents the amazing mating rituals of the emperor penguin. Every year these penguins embark on a long walk in order to mate. Once at the mating ground the males will find a mate, an egg is spawned and for months both male and female will take turns incubating it under their skin. This alone is an ... ...Finally - March Of The Penguins is an excellent documentary about some amazing creatures. Seeing what they go through certainly puts some of our worries into perspective.
The DVD is available on online from all good DVD shops and some rubbish ones as well priced around £10.99 ...
utero 16.05.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of March Of The Penguins (DVD)
Advantages: Stunning scenary, excellent commentary Disadvantages: Is a little sad what with all the penguins getting killed
General
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This is a simple production of what must be one of nature's greatest feats and an example of sheer tenacity to survey and a commitment to parenting which humans should aspire to! Thousands of Emperor Penguins bravely trek the arduous 70 mile journey through some of the most hostile terrain in the world. Morgan Freeman narrates this Warner / National Geographic festival of stunning artic beauty.
As I watched the movie I was awed ... ...I saw what human avarice is slowly destroying with our over indulgent world wide consumerisation.
Freeman tells us a story; it is a story of deep love and the struggle to survive, as the handsomely beautiful Emperor's commence their journey to find a mate, through the hostile winter of the Antarctic South Pole, this quest by the penguins has been going on from before the time of the Pharaoh's.
We see a society in which the male penguins appear ...
bigfatdogs 18.04.2007 (27.04.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of March Of The Penguins (DVD)
Advantages: Some breathtaking images and interesting facts Disadvantages: Poorly edited, Morgan Freeman
Penguins are truly astonishing animals. They can thrive in harsher conditions than any other animal and are amazing to watch. And that's what makes this documentary such a huge disappointment. With a cast of one of the most fascinating species on earth, it still fails to impress.
Morgan Freeman quickly emerges as a terrible choice for narrator. As soon as you hear him speak you are reminded of all the other films in which he has been narrated and ... ...be anything other than a lead character.
The next major flaw of the film is the editing. During one scene where a Penguin is grieving we are shown a close up of a Penguin, not necessarily the same one, shaking its head. And this is a common trick used by the post-production team throughout; to illustrate the story with incongruous close-ups. There are also lots of random close-ups of natural ice landscapes that are not linkeed to the rest of the ...
MCFruitbat 05.09.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of March Of The Penguins (DVD)
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Reviews which might be of interest for "March Of The Penguins (DVD)"
Of Penguins And Men Featurette, National Geographics Crittercam Emperor Penguins Featurette, 8 Ball Bunny Cartoon, Theatrical Trailer
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Professional reviews
Review
Spectacular. (Daily Express, )
Stunning. (Film Review, )
Magnificent. (The Daily Star, )
DVD Description
Coming from a French director, Luc Jacquet, the miraculous MARCH OF THE PENGUINS would have to be a love story. And it is, in that it follows the mating rituals of the emperor penguin, one of the most resilient animals on earth. Each summer, after a nourishing period of deep-sea feeding, the penguins pop up onto the ice and begin their procession across the frozen tundra of Antarctica. Walking in single file, they are a sight to behold. Hundreds converge from every direction, moving instinctively toward their mating ground. Once there, they mingle and chatter until they find the perfect mate a monogamous match that will last a year, through the brutal winter and into the spring. During that time, the mother will birth an egg and then leave for the ocean to feed again. The father will stay to protect the egg through the freezing blizzards and pure darkness of winter, which would be deadly to practically any other species. Finally, with spring, the egg hatches and the baby penguins are born. Mothers return from the sea to reunite with their families and feed the starving newborns, while the fathers are finally relieved of their protective duties after months without food. The film is remarkable in its story, which is narrated by Morgan Freeman, whose dignified voice gives the penguins the grave admiration they deserve. But even more incredible is its photography, which shows the penguins hunting underwater, sliding on the ice, and in the midst of kissing. At one point the camera even zooms inside the mouth of a penguin as it regurgitates for its young. A story of love and more strikingly, survival, MARCH OF THE PENGUINS is any eye-opening and educational experience.
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