The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos

G

2008

1h 17m

Documentary

List

75%

20 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

This lyrical documentary uses high-definition photography, narration by French actress Zabou Breitman and an elaborate score to illuminate the life cycle of one of the world's most awe-inspiring but least-understood creatures -- the flamingo. The titular mysteries explored in the film include the process through which flamingos, born black and white, attain their highly recognizable pink shade. The story of these majestic birds unfolds among the striking landscapes of Tanzania.

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Audience Member

It was nice & interesting to see the life cycle of the Crimson Wing Flamingoes in the wild

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Respectfully, 20-mins too long; Disney more tries to impress us w supposed wisdom of British-accented commentator than simply educating us about the incredible flamingo. Still, music is good. So, watch the first 30-mins, then turn off to do other things w your family.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Disneynature [independently] began with the "Mystery of the Flamingos" as revival to their previous lifeform series True-Life Adventures, and it is really a definition of first impression towards a newfound environmental mission and modernized fascination. Unlike the later projects with equal beauty in photography and surprisingly thematic commentary for level of understanding, this one is actually pure by being more factually based, riveted by Mariella Frostup's inspired narration, without interpretive storytelling taking a significant portion of the length just to have credibility inadvertently questioned. Also, out of all nature documentaries, the wondrous "Crimson Wing" surprises in another way by its closest displayed association to the certain delicately balanced concept of the circle of life while also similar to "March of the Penguins" in occurring perils. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Feel like I learned all the way a flamingo can die

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

04/14/20

Full Review

Audience Member

One thing you can be assured of if you see a Disneynature film is you will certainly be very entertained as well as stunned by the beautiful landscapes and terrific camerawork which is one of the main reasons why I am drawn to Disneynature. "The Crimson Wing" is certainly no exception. What never ceases to amaze me is how the production crews manage to get such amazing cameras shots of the animals in their natural habitat. Absolutely stunning in every sense of the word. The narration is also very well done (As is the case with all the Disneynature movies I have seen.). "The Crimson Wing" is basically a fun and entertaining movie. Pretty much all that needs to be said there.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Exceptional, a masterpiece of nature and Disney.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

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Matthew Aeberhard

Director

Leander Ward

Director

Zabou Breitman

Narrator

Mariella Frostrup

Narrator

Karoline Herfurth

Narrator

Melanie Finn

Screenwriter

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Empire Magazine

The script is more mystical than factual - the subtitle is Mystery Of The Flamingos - which can be cloying to those of us raised on Attenborough. But this is still a breathtakingly beautiful reflection on the fragile nature of life.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 25, 2009

Full Review

Derek Adams

Time Out

This one's a corker: the cinematography is exquisite; it's admirably devoid of any overt anthropomorphism; the narration, while a little too mythical in context, is informative.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 25, 2009

Full Review

Xan Brooks

Guardian

If the narration is sometimes laid on a little thick, there remains something fascinating about these curious, balletic creatures.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 25, 2009

Full Review

Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

It's so different and beautiful and the cinematography throughout is stunning.

Rated: A+

Apr 29, 2019

Full Review

Kevin Carr

7M Pictures

The imagery is great, and the colors are vibrant on the high definition television, but the scope of the film is a bit lacking.

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 9, 2013

Full Review

David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

From Disneynature comes this well-intentioned yet hopelessly underwhelming documentary...

Rated: 1.5/4

May 20, 2012

Full Review

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Synopsis

This lyrical documentary uses high-definition photography, narration by French actress Zabou Breitman and an elaborate score to illuminate the life cycle of one of the world's most awe-inspiring but least-understood creatures -- the flamingo. The titular mysteries explored in the film include the process through which flamingos, born black and white, attain their highly recognizable pink shade. The story of these majestic birds unfolds among the striking landscapes of Tanzania.

Director: Matthew Aeberhard, Leander Ward
Producer: Stephen Garrett
Screenwriter: Melanie Finn
Production Co: Disneynature
Rating: G
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 17m

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