Every March in the Antarctic, large numbers of penguins embark upon a dangerous quest to find the perfect mate and start a family.
The process begins with a long and difficult journey - the penguins will travel hundreds of miles across the continent by foot in freezing cold temperatures, brittle and icy winds and through deep, treacherous waters.
They will risk starvation and face attacks by dangerous predators, under the harshest conditions on earth, all in an attempt to find love.
Narrated by Morgan Freeman, this Oscar-winning documentary was also a surprise box-office hit. In retrospect, it is easy to see why. This story has everything: action, adventure, horror, comedy, loss and love.
Luc Jacquet’s film features stunning cinematography - from breathtaking wide angle shots of beautiful Antarctic landscapes, to the gorgeous details of the penguin’s plumage. This documentary is a privilege and a joy to watch.
According to the March of the Penguins website, this incredible journey has been undertaken since time began. It is hard, while watching, not to think about the impact of climate change. Emperor penguins are now under threat as a result of a dramatic decline in sea ice.
Honourable Mentions
March Of The Penguins is part of the environmental documentary collection of Documentary 7.
If you enjoyed this movie, I would also recommend:
Encounters at the End of the World
An Inconvenient Truth and An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth To Power
Before The Flood
Chasing Ice
Chasing Coral
Gasland
You can check out my reviews of these films here.
I would also like to include the following honourable mentions: 2040: Join The Regeneration, The Ivory Game, Anote’s Ark, Being The Change, The Island President, Climate Of Doubt and Switch.
Do you have any environmental documentaries that you would like to recommend? If so, do let us know in the comments section below or over on Twitter. You can find me @500DaysOfFilm.