Winged Migration (2001)

Documentary on the migratory patterns of birds, shot over the course of three years on all seven continents.

Directors:

Jacques Perrin, Jacques Cluzaud (co-director)

Writers:

Jean Dorst (collaboration), Stéphane Durand

Stars:

Jacques Perrin, Philippe Labro

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Philippe Labro	...	Narrator (English version)
Jacques Perrin	...	Narrator (voice)

Storyline

This documentary follows several species of migratory birds over a four year filming period. These birds travel several hundreds if not thousands of miles toward the equator in the autumn, and make the return journey to their higher latitude summer homes in the spring, always taking the same route, using the natural compasses of the universe, the stars, to find their way. Some species, like the arctic tern, even fly from pole to pole. These long and often torturous treks are a matter of survival, to live in a hospitable climate and find sources of food. With the exception of migratory penguins, travel over oceans is especially difficult as the birds have little refuge unless there is something floating on the water, such as a ship, on which to land. Otherwise they must continue flying until they reach land. Some will not survive the migration due to predators, including man, illness or injury. Although the migrations themselves are done as a community, once the birds reach their ...

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Plot Keywords:

aerial camera shot | migration | arctic | ocean | flight | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jacques Perrin says in his commentary that his team tried to include emperor penguins (Aptenodytes forsteri) in the film, but weather conditions interfered, so they had to be satisfied with king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) instead. Some years later, the makers of March of the Penguins (2005) succeeded in making an emperor penguin movie.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Narrator: The story of bird migration is the story of promise - a promise to return.

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Connections

Featured in Lost: Par Avion (2007)

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Soundtracks

Le Fil Bleu
(" The Blue Thread")
Music Composed and orchestrated by Bruno Coulais
(P) & © 2001 Galatée Films

User Reviews

A film of transcendent beauty

A film that's difficult to classify: part nature film, part documentary, part drama. And *completely* beautiful. The makers of this film used every imaginable flying and suspending machine in order to film birds wherever they went. From ultra-light planes to hot air balloons, to hang gliders the camera operators managed to capture what must be the most amazing shots of flying ever filmed. The crew travelled the world to follow birds in migration (and some in their native habitat).

My kids (ages 11 to 15) were transfixed.

To those who say this film lacks "action", I can only express my deep regret that they are so earth-bound as to be unable to let go and soar with some of nature's most wonderful creatures.

Details

Official Sites:

BAC Films (French) Official site [United States]

Country:

France Germany Switzerland Spain Italy

Language:

English French

Release Date:

29 August 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Winged Migration

Filming Locations:

Monument Valley, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

FRF160,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$33,128, 20 April 2003

Gross USA:

$11,689,053

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$34,128,314

Company Credits

Production Co:

Galatée Films, France 2 Cinéma, France 3 Cinéma

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min 81 min

Sound Mix:

DTS-ES Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1