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The Cove

  • 2009
  • 12
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
8.4/10
52K
YOUR RATING
The Cove (2009)
Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renown dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.
Play trailer2:17
10 Videos
38 Photos
Crime DocumentaryNature DocumentaryBiographyCrimeDocumentaryHistory

Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renowned dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse a... Read allUsing state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renowned dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renowned dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.

  • Director
    • Louie Psihoyos
  • Writer
    • Mark Monroe
  • Stars
    • Richard O'Barry
    • Louie Psihoyos
    • Hardy Jones
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.4/10
    52K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Louie Psihoyos
    • Writer
      • Mark Monroe
    • Stars
      • Richard O'Barry
      • Louie Psihoyos
      • Hardy Jones
    • 161User reviews
    • 175Critic reviews
    • 84Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 39 wins & 18 nominations total

    Videos10

    The Cove -- Final Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 2:17
    The Cove -- Final Theatrical Trailer
    The Cove: Trailer
    Trailer 2:00
    The Cove: Trailer
    The Cove: Trailer
    Trailer 2:00
    The Cove: Trailer
    The Cove: The Rock Cams
    Clip 3:32
    The Cove: The Rock Cams
    The Cove: The Sound
    Clip 1:05
    The Cove: The Sound
    The Cove: Creating The Team
    Clip 2:47
    The Cove: Creating The Team
    The Cove: Dolphins Worst Nightmare
    Clip 0:46
    The Cove: Dolphins Worst Nightmare

    Photos38

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    Top cast50

    Edit
    Richard O'Barry
    Richard O'Barry
    • Self - Earth Island Institute
    • (as Ric O'Barry)
    Louie Psihoyos
    Louie Psihoyos
    • Self - Co-Founder, Oceanic Preservation Society
    Hardy Jones
    • Self
    Michael Illiff
    • Self - Institute of Antartica and Southern Ocean Studies, University of Tasmania
    Joji Morishita
    • Self
    Ian Campbell
    • Self
    Paul Watson
    Paul Watson
    • Self
    • (as Captain Paul Watson)
    Doug DeMaster
    • Self - U.S. Deputy Commissioner for the IWC
    • (as Doug DeMaster Ph.D.)
    Dave Rastovich
    • Self - Co-Founder, Surfers for Cetaceans
    Charles Hambleton
    Charles Hambleton
    • Self
    Hayato Sakurai
    • Self
    Kazutaka Sangen
    • Self
    Simon Hutchins
    • Self
    Joe Chisholm
    • Self
    Mandy-Rae Cruikshank
    Mandy-Rae Cruikshank
    • Self…
    Kirk Krack
    • Self…
    Roger Payne
    Roger Payne
    • Self
    Hideki Moronuki
    • Self
    • Director
      • Louie Psihoyos
    • Writer
      • Mark Monroe
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      People Concerned for the Ocean, a local Taiji activist group, distributed DVDs in March of 2011 of the film, dubbed in Japanese, to all 3,500 residents of Taiji.
    • Quotes

      Richard O'Barry: The thing that turned me around was the death of Flipper, of Cathy. She was really depressed. I could feel it. I could see it. And she committed suicide in my arms. That's a very strong word, suicide. But you have to understand dolphins and other whales are not automatic air breathers, like we are. Every breath they take is a conscious effort. And so they can end their life whenever life becomes too unbearable by not taking the next breath. And it's in that context I use the word suicide. She did that. She swam into my arms, looked me right in the eye, and took a breath... and didn't take another one.

    • Crazy credits
      After the end credits there is a humorous scene involving the team's Whale Blimp and local police.
    • Connections
      Featured in The Paul O'Grady Show: Episode dated 15 October 2009 (2009)
    • Soundtracks
      Magic
      Written by J. Ralph

      Performed by The Rumor Mill

      Published by Tubby & The Spaniard Music Publishing

    User reviews161

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10

    A call to arms.

    Something tells me that this heartbreaking documentary is going to stay with me for a long, long time. This movie depicts in painful detail the horrors of dolphin fishing (yes, you heard me right) which has been occurring for a long time in a secretive place called Taiji in Japan. How secretive? Even the common Japanese do not know that it is taking place in their country. The film takes its time in unfolding the horrors and conspiracy layer by layer and ends with a bang. It plays out like a suspense thriller but is far more effective than any suspense thrillers because this takes place in real life. I certainly will do my best to promote it to the others and support the cause. The direction is fantastic and several underwater shots seem to be taken right off Earth or National Geographic, which looks great on the big screen. This documentary has been made by activists that have been crying out loud to deaf ears for the past three decades. I am certain that this is not the last we will hear of it. This film should certainly make an impact and change a few things in the world.
    • crappydoo
    • Jul 9, 2009
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

    • How long is The Cove?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 3, 2009 (Netherlands)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Japan
      • Germany
      • Chile
      • Canada
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Japanese
    • Also known as
      • The Rising
    • Filming locations
      • Tokyo, Japan(location)
    • Production companies
      • Diamond Docs
      • Fish Films
      • Oceanic Preservation Society
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $857,005
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $57,640
      • Aug 2, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,187,434
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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