March of the Penguins

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March of the Penguins

G

Released Jun 24, 2005

1h 20m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

181 Reviews

81%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

At the end of each Antarctic summer, the emperor penguins of the South Pole journey to their traditional breeding grounds in a fascinating mating ritual that is captured in this documentary by intrepid filmmaker Luc Jacquet. The journey across frozen tundra proves to be the simplest part of the ritual, as after the egg is hatched, the female must delicately transfer it to the male and make her way back to the distant sea to nourish herself and bring back food to her newborn chick.

Critics Consensus

Only the most hardened soul won't be moved by this heartwarming doc.

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

Watch them march to the very extremes of extremis, though, and it's easy to feel awe. Life must beget life, whatever the cost.

Aug 5, 2013

Full Review

J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

Some of the eggs and chicks freeze, and the parents' cries are painful to hear (probably more for us than for them).

Aug 5, 2013

Full Review

Christy Lemire

Associated Press

French director Luc Jacquet and a team of incredibly brave (and heavily bundled) documentary filmmakers captured this complicated mating ritual with strikingly crisp photography that's both grand and intimate.

Aug 5, 2013

Full Review

Michael Clark

Epoch Times

Because of the cute factor, superb narrative choices, and stupendous photography, family audiences quickly forget they’re watching “artsy documentaries.”

Rated: 4.5/5

Sep 2, 2024

Full Review

Diana Tuova

Spotlight on Film

March of the Penguins is a magnificently-shot documentary, which is full of wonder, showcasing some of the most remarkable animals on Earth that have a truly unique relationship with their environment.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 4, 2024

Full Review

Debbie Lynn Elias

Behind The Lens

With sparse narration by Morgan Freeman, written by Jordan Roberts, and beauteous orchestrations led by conductor Jeff Schindler, Jacquet lets the magic of the penguins speak for itself.

Nov 13, 2019

Full Review

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Pantera O

"This is a story about love" Los pingüinos realizan una travesía por su supervivencia. Increíble. Espectacular. Memorable. Imágenes únicas de la increíble vjda de los pingüinos, con la narración ze Morgan Freeman. Utiliza el montaje y sonido para manipular la documentación, añadiendole dramatizmo a la narración. La maravilla de la naturaleza. Nos revela la hazaña de los pingüinos, y su comportamiento social, dejando maravillado a quien lo vea. Extraño ser un niño. ¿Que estas dispuesto a hacer por amor? Los vida de un pingüino es ruda. Técnica: 9.4 Expresión: 6.8 Efecto: 8.2 Experiencia: 7.6 Calificación: 8.0/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

Full Review

Di G

Amazing movie. Loved it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/23

Full Review

Shioka O

Wonderful documentation. Such an adorable and noble animal emperor penguin is. Dramatic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Thomas M

The best documentary movie ever made!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/26/22

Full Review

Tony S

Touching and beautiful showcase of an annual cycle of some the most unique animals on the planet. With their elaborate quirks and ability to adapt. And although you never see them, aside from the credits, the filming crew must be commended for sticking with them, it's really hard to imagine how difficult it must have been to film this ritual, in the weather, where even some of the penguins give out.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/05/21

Full Review

Audience Member

At best, it's nothing you cannot see on a typical PBS special, except on big screen. And as other critics have pointed out, the narration anthropomorphizes the penguins and compares them to humans, what with the romance between Mommy and Daddy and having to watch out for the villainous seals. Yes, animals have thoughts and emotions, but they are not humans. A more scientifically-based narration would have made a much better movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

Full Review

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Luc Jacquet

Director

Morgan Freeman

Narrator

Jordan Roberts

Writer

Yves Darondeau

Producer

Christophe Lioud

Producer

Emmanuel Priou

Producer

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Synopsis

At the end of each Antarctic summer, the emperor penguins of the South Pole journey to their traditional breeding grounds in a fascinating mating ritual that is captured in this documentary by intrepid filmmaker Luc Jacquet. The journey across frozen tundra proves to be the simplest part of the ritual, as after the egg is hatched, the female must delicately transfer it to the male and make her way back to the distant sea to nourish herself and bring back food to her newborn chick.

Director: Luc Jacquet
Producer: Yves Darondeau, Christophe Lioud, Emmanuel Priou
Screenwriter: Jordan Roberts
Distributor: Warner Independent, National Geographic
Production Co: Bonne Pioche Télévision, Buena Vista International [us]
Rating: G
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 24, 2005, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 15, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $77.4M
Runtime: 1h 20m
Sound Mix: Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.37:1)