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Blackfish

  • 20132013
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 23m
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
69K
YOUR RATING
Blackfish (2013)
Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top animal trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity.
Play trailer2:23
3 Videos
31 Photos
Documentary
A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
69K
YOUR RATING
    • Gabriela Cowperthwaite
    • Gabriela Cowperthwaite
    • Eli B. Despres
    • Tim Zimmermann(co-writer)
  • Stars
    • Tilikum(archive footage)
    • Dave Duffus
    • Samantha Berg
    • Gabriela Cowperthwaite
    • Gabriela Cowperthwaite
    • Eli B. Despres
    • Tim Zimmermann(co-writer)
  • Stars
    • Tilikum(archive footage)
    • Dave Duffus
    • Samantha Berg
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 249User reviews
    • 186Critic reviews
    • 83Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award

    Videos3

    Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 2:23
    Watch Theatrical Trailer
    Blackfish
    Promo 2:17
    Watch Blackfish
    Blackfish
    Promo 2:25
    Watch Blackfish

    Photos31

    Blackfish (2013)
    Dave Duffus in Blackfish (2013)
    Samantha Berg, Dean Gomersall, Carol Ray, and Jeffrey Ventre in Blackfish (2013)
    Blackfish (2013)
    Tilikum in Blackfish (2013)
    Tilikum in Blackfish (2013)
    Blackfish (2013)
    Blackfish (2013)
    Erica Rahn, director Gabriela Cowperthwaite and executive producer Judy Bart
    Gabriela Cowperthwaite at an event for Blackfish (2013)
    Blackfish (2013)
    Blackfish (2013)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tilikum
    Tilikum
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Dave Duffus
    Dave Duffus
    • Self - OSHA Expert Witness, Whale Researcher
    Samantha Berg
    Samantha Berg
    • Self - Former SeaWorld Trainer
    Dean Gomersall
    • Self - Former SeaWorld Trainer
    John Hargrove
    • Self - Former SeaWorld Trainer
    Mark Simmons
    • Self - Former SeaWorld Trainer
    Kim Ashdown
    • Self
    James Earl Jones
    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
    Jim Payne
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Martha Sugalski
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Whoopi Goldberg
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    David Kirby
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
      • Gabriela Cowperthwaite
      • Gabriela Cowperthwaite
      • Eli B. Despres
      • Tim Zimmermann(co-writer)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      As of August 2015, Seaworld profits have dropped 84% compared to the period prior to this film's release.
    • Quotes

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

    • Connections
      Featured in Storyville: Blackfish: The Whale That Killed (2013)

    User reviews249

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    7/10
    Man is the Beast
    Greetings again from the darkness. Dogs, cats, fish, birds, hamsters, ferrets, snakes, and even pigs. We love our pets. We also love our zoos, city aquariums and SeaWorld parks. For many years, we have chosen to believe that the research and educational advances that come from these outlets outweigh any of the negatives involved with keeping wild animals in captivity. Filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite shows us (by focusing on SeaWorld) that it's way past time for us to open our eyes to the cruelty involved with the capture and training of wild animals for entertainment purpose.

    The points made here are not speculation. We witness numerous interviews with "former" SeaWorld trainers. It's clear these people thought they had a bond with their co-performers. Most never even mention the term "killer whale" ... the common moniker for the majestic creatures better known as Orcas. The interviews have great impact, and when combined with startling TV news clips and footage from audience members, it becomes obvious that the huge profits and entertainment offered to families, are quite frankly generated by an immoral and inexcusable business model.

    Most of the story is tied together by the 2010 death of super-trainer Dawn Brancheau by Tilikum, the largest Orca in the SeaWorld group. What we soon learn is that Tilikum was captured in Iceland waters at the age of three, and has since had many incidents resulting in injuries and even three deaths. It's also stated that Tilikum is the head of the family tree for the majority of SeaWorld's performing Orcas.

    Of course, no one can or should blame these incredibly intelligent and emotional and family-oriented creatures. Everything about their existence goes against their natural habitat and way of life. The real issue is ... just because we CAN capture and train these animals, does that mean we SHOULD? If the focus is profits, then the answer is apparently yes. If instead, the focus is respecting nature and valuing other species, then the answer is much different.

    The Cove and Project Nim are two other documentaries that come to mind when thinking about filmmakers attempting to expose the danger in training wild animals. Watching this story had me hanging my head like the fisherman from the 1970's as he helped capture a young whale, as the family members swam nearby crying and screeching. Let's hope director Cowperthwaite's screams are heard. See this movie before deciding to visit another SeaWorld (who couldn't be bothered to comment on camera). There are better ways to teach your kids about nature and there are certainly less cruel forms of entertainment.
    helpful•82
    14
    • ferguson-6
    • Aug 6, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 26, 2013 (Ireland)
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Site
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Sea World, San Diego, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • CNN Films
      • Manny O Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 23 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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