The Cove (2009)

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

Won 1 Oscar. Another 38 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard O'Barry	...	Himself (as Ric O'Barry)
Louie Psihoyos	...	Himself
Hardy Jones	...	Himself
Michael Illiff	...	Himself
Joji Morishita	...	Himself
Ian Campbell	...	Himself
Paul Watson	...	Himself (as Captain Paul Watson)
Doug DeMaster	...	Himself
Dave Rastovich	...	Himself / Surfer
Charles Hambleton	...	Himself
Hayato Sakurai	...	Himself
Kazutaka Sangen	...	Himself
Simon Hutchins	...	Himself
Joe Chisholm	...	Himself
Mandy-Rae Cruikshank	...	Herself / Freediver

Storyline

Richard O'Barry was the man who captured and trained the dolphins for the television show Flipper (1964). O'Barry's view of cetaceans in captivity changed from that experience when as the last straw he saw that one of the dolphins playing Flipper - her name being Kathy - basically committed suicide in his arms because of the stress of being in captivity. Since that time, he has become one of the leading advocates against cetaceans in captivity and for the preservation of cetaceans in the wild. O'Barry and filmmaker 'Louie Psihoyos (I)' go about trying to expose one of what they see as the most cruel acts against wild dolphins in the world in Taiji, Japan, where dolphins are routinely corralled, either to be sold alive to aquariums and marine parks, or slaughtered for meat. The primary secluded cove where this activity is taking place is heavily guarded. O'Barry and Psihoyos are well known as enemies by the authorities in Taiji, the authorities who will use whatever tactic to expel the...

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Plot Keywords:

concealment | japanese | lie | mercury the chemical element | dolphin | 

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Taglines:

Shallow Water. Deep Secret.

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Genres:

Documentary | Crime

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for disturbing content

Details

Official Sites:

Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

7 August 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Rising

Filming Locations:

Taiji, Higashimuro, Wakayama, Japan

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$57,640, 2 August 2009, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$857,005

Company Credits

Production Co:

Diamond Docs, Fish Films, Oceanic Preservation Society

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

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Quotes

Hardy Jones: Every cetacean known to man is endangered just by going anywhere near Japan.

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Crazy Credits

After the end credits there is a humorous scene involving the team's Whale Blimp and local police.

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Connections

Referenced in You're the Worst: Other Things You Could Be Doing (2015)

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Soundtracks

Flipper
Written by Henry Vars & 'By' Dunham (as By Dunham)
Used by permission of EMI April Music Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Courtesy of TGH Records, LLC

User Reviews

Disturbing and eye-opening

Enough has been said about this excellent documentary, but I wanted to comment on the negative responses, some of which are posted here and which also can be read on the message board. If you have not seen this movie, DON'T PAY ANY ATTENTION to the moronic comments, view this film and judge for yourself. If you are an intelligent, caring person, concerned about the environment and the animals, you must see this documentary. The film was made with great risks involved and all who took part in making it have to be commended for their courage and desire to show the truth. I saw the film several days ago and I cannot get it out of my head. It is the most disturbing film I have seen since "The Witness" (not to be confused with the one starring Harrison Ford). When I saw the movie, the theatre was practically empty, and that was disappointing because people should be made aware of the horrors documented in this film.