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

marine park | mother child separation | amusement park | propaganda | eaten by an animal | 

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Taglines:

Friend. Outcast. Killer.

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Genres:

Documentary

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

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

Howard Garrett - Orca Researcher: There is no record of an orca doing any harm to a human in the wild.

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Connections

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

User Reviews

Shocked & upset

I saw this documentary at the Sundance film festival London. I travelled down from Manchester as i could not wait for the Uk cinema release. After Seeing The Cove in 2009 after swimming with Captive Dolphins myself in 2006 to get over a family bereavement x 2. I never knew what dolphins did in captivity - just that it was one of the things i wanted to do before i die. After seeing them entertain people again & again, eat dead fish & float in a small tank all day i needed to see the pain Orcas go through. I'm glad Blackfish has been made. YOU need to see this film if you love mammals & any other intelligent animal in captivity...My eyes were opened at The Cove....if this doesn't then you are very selfish....Money is defo the Rule of all Evil. I will be taking all my friends & family to see this. After 5 days I am still thinking about it & can't believe these parks are still open :(

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

26 July 2013 (Ireland)

Also Known As:

Blackfish

Filming Locations:

Sea World, San Diego, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$75,962, 21 July 2013

Gross USA:

$2,073,582

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$2,303,417

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