A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough

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A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough

2026

1h 17m

Documentary

Kids & Family

Nature

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9 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

This intimate documentary blends the remarkable story of David Attenborough’s first encounter with the baby gorilla Pablo with a deep dive into how Pablo’s direct descendants are doing today in the mountains of Rwanda. Weaving together contemporary and archival footage of the gorilla group and narrated by Attenborough— including excerpts from his 1978 journals — A Gorilla Story is packed with extraordinary gorilla behavior never filmed before.

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John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

Apr 23

The tale doesn’t need any artificial twists. They occur naturally. There’s character development. Foreshadowing. The implication that aberrant personality disorders might not be the exclusive purview of humans.

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Stuart Heritage

Guardian

Apr 21

5/5

A Gorilla Story is a much starrier affair than its predecessor, but its conceit is fascinating: after all this time, how are those same gorillas doing?

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Carol Midgley

The Times (UK)

Apr 20

It is a conservation success story and a love letter to the gorilla, told beautifully by the undisputed silverback of natural history broadcasting.

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John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

1d

63/100

Engaging enough, occasionally emotional, and anchored by one of the most comforting voices ever recorded

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Callie Hanna

FandomWire

May 12

7/10

When A Gorilla Story simply allows its subject matter to be without forcefully prescribing character or stakes onto them, it's great.

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Lael Loewenstein

FilmWeek (LAist)

May 7

The cinematography is just extraordinary.

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Suhair B

@Masepoes9 6d

The heartwarming narration of the GOAT David Attenborough paired with extraordinary cinematography.He also gives an new insight on how humans view gorillas

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David H

@DavidHHH May 6

Fabulous. Love the mix of his classic Life on Earth footage, diaries from the time, the continuing story of that group of gorillas and their mountain. All in his own inimitable commentary. How can this guy still be setting the bar after more than 70 years on the job? What a hero!

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Michael D

@MichaelX May 4

In what may well be Sir David Attenborough’s final nature documentary, in that he turns 100 this month, "A Gorilla Story" is among the most extraordinary things I’ve ever seen filmed. I was awed throughout. It’s Attenborough at his most personal, returning to the mountain gorillas of Rwanda he first encountered nearly 50 years ago on "Life on Earth", tracing their descendants across generations. As always, his dulcet tones make everything seem more remarkable; here, though, there’s an added layer of tenderness. The film reveals gorilla culture as rich, layered, and deeply human: the social bonds, the grief, the politics. It is gorgeously shot, perfectly paced, and a much-needed balm amid the darkness of the current moment. He speaks generously of Dian Fossey, so "Gorillas in the Mist" is now queued up, marking another tick on my Sigourney Weaver list.

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Lukas P

@lukaspippos May 3

I just love David Attenborough. The way he can tell a story is truly amazing. If theres any documentary on Earth about animals, I only want to hear it from him.

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Jo M.

@Idgie Apr 26

This is a beautiful, life-affirming film. You will be so glad you watched it. To the Pablo Group & David my love and gratitude.

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Per S

@RT83737705 Apr 23

An emotional David Attenborough gives us the story about the Pablo Group, for him a very special Mountain Gorilla family - in a presentation manner only he can, and as always with some amazing footage.

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James Reed

Director

Callum Webster

Director

David Attenborough

Self

James Reed

Screenwriter

Callum Webster

Screenwriter

Alastair Fothergill

Producer

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Synopsis

This intimate documentary blends the remarkable story of David Attenborough’s first encounter with the baby gorilla Pablo with a deep dive into how Pablo’s direct descendants are doing today in the mountains of Rwanda. Weaving together contemporary and archival footage of the gorilla group and narrated by Attenborough— including excerpts from his 1978 journals — A Gorilla Story is packed with extraordinary gorilla behavior never filmed before.

Director: James Reed, Callum Webster
Producer: Alastair Fothergill
Screenwriter: James Reed, Callum Webster
Distributor: Netflix
Genre: Documentary, Kids & Family, Nature
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 17, 2026
Runtime: 1h 17m