Winged Migration

G

Released Apr 18, 2003

1h 31m

Documentary

List

95%

Tomatometer

132 Reviews

87%

Audience Score

5,000+ Ratings

This documentary presents an epic portrait of winter bird migration. Filmed on all seven continents over four years, the footage is brought together into one portrait of a journey that's uniformly arduous for all kinds of different birds. Rather than concentrating on statistics and facts, the film near-wordlessly portrays the sheer physical effort demanded of the birds on their disparate routes. Along the way, we see the many dangers they face, from man-made waste to a group of hungry crabs.

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Critics Consensus

A marvel to watch.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

As pretty and light as a feather on the wind.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 29, 2010

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2006

Full Review

Steven D. Greydanus

Decent Films

In the tradition of the also nearly wordless Atlantis and Microcosmos… educational voiceover narration is superfluous: It's enough simply to see.

Rated: A-

Dec 26, 2003

Full Review

Ryan Cracknell

Movie Views

Jacques Perrin's spectacular documentary takes observation a step further as he literally seems to take flight with flocks of birds as they make their annual migration.

Dec 23, 2010

Full Review

Jamie Gillies

Apollo Guide

Filmed with exceptional care and remarkable photographic ingenuity, no other nature documentary is as personal and as close-up as this one to the peculiarities of birds.

Rated: 80/100

Oct 17, 2009

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Craftily edited and staged, but still works as an entertaining, and visually stunning documentary.

Apr 29, 2009

Full Review

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Audience Member

Still a very good documentary about one of the longest living animals on earth French director Jacques Perrin narrates the daily cycle of birds filmed on several continents around the world A bird's annual migration is a promise to fly and hopefully return home It's a fight for life and facing danger from bad weather to hunters to man-made waste to crabs Here we witness the sheer physical effort for different species of birds such as geese, ducks, herons to common miniature ones to fly away, lay their eggs, and come back Some birds fly night and day in order to make it towards their destination They have no barriers and get to travel all over yet they still have to be aware of many obstacles like predators or vehicles, sadly some of the birds will fall by the wayside It's also fascinating how certain species are built the way they walk, run, even perform mating rituals This documentary is beautifully filmed, nicely edited, gorgeous to look at, and it gives the viewer an insight of these animals' journey to travel the skies The music is also majestically composed and the aerial imagery is enough to make you believe you're flying with them Naturalists and documentary fans will love this The combination of soaring views and exotic locations make for quite a great-looking film Some parts hard to watch but worth the journey

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/18/24

Full Review

Connor S

Breathtaking footage resulting in a magical story.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

Kyle M

One of those documentaries that are just as fascinating and appealing as the subject, with this one being purely observant without any structured narrative resulting in beautiful photography giving a heightened experience to solidify the perfected approach. Based on its presentation, it was most likely a worthwhile theatrical experience – and maybe still is if rejuvenated projections allow the chance. (B+)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

spectacular footage!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/01/18

Full Review

Audience Member

beautifully photographed and beautifully filmed there's a large lag in between the footage of the flying birds and the narration, this whole thing could've been a silent film and it still would've flown birds are the most magnificent creatures in the world and it's fascinating to witness their yearly migration to the south, not only that but they can sense the earth's magnetic field much like a compass it's a rough journey braving harsh weather, predators, and environmental challenges caused by mankind almost every type of fowl you can imagine is here from geese to loons to parrots to cranes to penguins to puffins not only are the animals pretty to look at but the flying scenes are shot phenomenally-well, really gives you that sense of going with them whether we're seeing four migrations or more the natural cycle of a bird goes on anywhere in the world bird lovers and documentary-enthusiasts will love this one

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/22/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The filming and music was astounding. The view was like flying with the birds in person.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

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Jacques Perrin

Director

Jacques Perrin

Narrator

Jacques Cluzard

Co-Director

Michel Debats

Co-Director

Stéphane Durand

Writer

Jacques Perrin

Writer

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Synopsis

This documentary presents an epic portrait of winter bird migration. Filmed on all seven continents over four years, the footage is brought together into one portrait of a journey that's uniformly arduous for all kinds of different birds. Rather than concentrating on statistics and facts, the film near-wordlessly portrays the sheer physical effort demanded of the birds on their disparate routes. Along the way, we see the many dangers they face, from man-made waste to a group of hungry crabs.

Director: Jacques Perrin
Producer: Jean de Trégomain
Screenwriter: Stéphane Durand, Jacques Perrin, Francis Roux
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Bac Films
Rating: G
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 18, 2003, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.8M
Runtime: 1h 31m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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