Blackfish (2013)

A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.

Director:

Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Writers:

Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Eli B. Despres (as Eli Despres)

Stars:

Tilikum, Dave Duffus, Samantha Berg

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 6 wins & 38 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tilikum	...	Himself (archive footage)
John Hargrove	...	Himself - Former SeaWorld Trainer
Samantha Berg	...	Herself - Former SeaWorld Trainer
Mark Simmons	...	Himself - Former SeaWorld Trainer
Kim Ashdown	...	Herself
Dean Gomersall	...	Himself - Former SeaWorld Trainer
James Earl Jones	...	Himself (archive footage)
Shamu	...	Himself (archive footage)
Carol Ray	...	Herself - Former SeaWorld Trainer
John Jett	...	Himself - Fomer SeaWorld Trainer
Dawn Brancheau	...	Herself - SeaWorld Trainer (archive footage)
Jeffrey Ventre	...	Himself - Former SeaWorld Trainer
Thomas Tobin	...	Himself
Dave Duffus	...	Himself - OSHA Expert Witness, Whale Researcher
Jim Payne	...	Himself (archive footage)

Storyline

Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top killer whale trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity.

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Plot Keywords:

orca | shark attack | sea creature | blackfish | fish | 

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Taglines:

Never capture what you can't control.

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Genres:

Documentary | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements including disturbing and violent images

Details

Official Sites:

Belgian Official Site Dutch Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

18 October 2013 (Iceland)

Also Known As:

Blackfish - Egy kardszárnyú delfin története

Filming Locations:

Sea World, San Diego, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$75,962, 21 July 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,063,312, 13 October 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

Manny O Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In March 2016, Seaworld announced that Tilikum had contracted a fatal and incurable form of lung bacteria at 35 years old. He was captured at 2 years of age.

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Quotes

John Hargrove: Those are not your whales. Ya know, you love them, and you think, I'm the one that touches them, feeds them, keeps them alive, gives them the care that they need. They're NOT your whales. They own them!

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Connections

Referenced in Honest Trailers: Jurassic World (2015)

User Reviews

Hearing a harsh critique of SeaWorld only seems right coming from the people it meant the most to.

Without a doubt Blackfish is one of the most horrific theatre experiences you'll have this year. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite presents a very carefully constructed case on the effects of inhumane treatment of Orcas in captivity. The one-sided argument is that the untimely human deaths caused by captive Orcas were not their fault but rather the fault of their captors; SeaWorld, and the evidence proving this point is so disturbing and so shockingly obvious that it's no wonder SeaWorld refused to be interviewed.

The story centers on Tilikum, a 12,000 lbs. Orca that is directly responsible for the death of 3 people, including Dawn Brancheau the former senior trainer at SeaWorld in Orlando. The film explores the reasoning behind the likely "psychosis" Tilikum has experienced in captivity, and the disgusting cover up executives have tried to make.

While SeaWorld naturally refused to be interviewed, the films perspective mostly derives from former trainers/employees of SeaWorld and other various experts. Their experience working with Orcas - most having dedicated their lives to it - is truly heart breaking. Presenting the theory, the evidence and finally a solution to the topic at hand, Blackfish is a marvellous story that will have you as tearful as the trainers that sincerely care for the well being of the creatures.

Blackfish doesn't just show a bunch of disgruntled former employees bashing SeaWorld either. The greatest technique employed in this film is its use of footage from shows featuring these trainers when they were younger. There's something so mesmerizing about watching the smiling young trainers play with their best friend while hearing their older self reminisce in voice over. Hearing a harsh critique of SeaWorld only seems right coming from the people it meant the most to.

While we've always known Orca's are intelligent creatures Cowperthwaite dedicates a lot of the film to demonstrating their capacity for emotions as well; watching them over time build connections with their trainers and each other. So by the time they show us their capture and captivity and witness the pain felt the whales, Tilikum especially, we know that their violent behavior is a direct result of SeaWorld. Killer Whales having never harmed a human in the wild.

I want to go through every point made by the movie but I won't. You need to see this for yourselves. The facts aren't what drive this film, the emotion behind them do. This is one of those movies you just won't stop talking about, and for the subject matter that's the best compliment it can receive. In the end sharing this information is what's going to help these Orcas.

Between the gripping footage and the distressing stories Blackfish effectively proves its point. There are very few movies like this; a must-see. There is no way after seeing this movie that you'll ever want to go to SeaWorld again, and for the sake of the animals that's the only thing we can do for them. Since it's made quite clear; the only thing affecting their decision-making is: how many Shamu dolls and tickets they've sold.

Our Rating:10/10

Let me know on Twitter @thejoshl what you thought of Blackfish!