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:

shark attack | sea | footage | marine park | marine | 

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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:

CNN Films, Manny O Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

83 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ahead of release, SeaWorld mounted an aggressive preemptive public relations campaign attacking the veracity of Gabriela Cowperthwaite's claims in a critique sent to fifty potential film reviewers - a move .. that garnered wide attention to what would otherwise have likely been a little seen documentary. The film's release company (Magnolia Entertainment) President stated SeaWorld's response as: 'Frankly, never seen anything like it' but was 'the gift that keeps on giving.' (In New York Times, July '13: quoted in 'Political Risk' by Amy Zegart with Condoleezza Rice, no less: '17.)

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Quotes

Whoopi Goldberg: We don't speak Whale.

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Connections

Referenced in Sky World News: Episode dated 1 February 2018 (2018)

User Reviews

Shamu sham

Like many I guess, I've seen and considered myself entertained by the sea creatures at Sea World. I was aware of the death of one of the trainers at one of these shows from some years ago but put it down to being an occupational hazard, a tragic but accidental death. This well-made, provocative documentary takes that sad story as its starting point and digs deeper, painting up a tawdry tale of greed, deception and apparent wilful abandonment of care by the named entertainment company, which significantly declined to comment on any of the major accusations lodged here.

From the horrible death of the female trainer in 2010, caught on video, but mercifully cut before she is actually killed, the production traces back the story of the only too well named killer whale and its history of previous attacks on other trainers, caused, allegedly by years of mistreatment of the animal. Sea World's part in a similar European tragedy involving the death of a Spanish trainer only adds to the charge sheet.

A host of former trainers now recanting their previously parroted company-speak of how well the animals are treated is a particularly effective device, but there's much good detective work besides. Most of all, the film isn't afraid to point the finger at the multimillion dollar corporation Sea World and while I hesitate to come to a judgement without the accused exercising the right of reply, it's hard not to conclude that this was an accident, if that's the correct word, waiting to happen.

The film is happy to confine its aim to Sea World alone, but I'm sure I'm not alone in reconsidering my position on the capture and training of animals for our entertainment not only in water parks, but also of course in circuses and zoos.

A sad, sobering, look into an unacceptable mode of entertainment which has surely had its day.