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An Apology to Elephants

  • 20132013
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 40m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
530
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
32,315
67,878
An Apology to Elephants (2013)
DocumentaryShortDrama
Narrated by Lily Tomlin, this documentary short traces mankind's long history with elephants and explores the many problems that arise when they are brought to live in captivity in zoos and ... Read allNarrated by Lily Tomlin, this documentary short traces mankind's long history with elephants and explores the many problems that arise when they are brought to live in captivity in zoos and circuses.Narrated by Lily Tomlin, this documentary short traces mankind's long history with elephants and explores the many problems that arise when they are brought to live in captivity in zoos and circuses.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
530
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
32,315
67,878
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Amy Schatz
    • Writer
      • Jane Wagner
    • Stars
      • Lily Tomlin(voice)
      • Pat Derby
      • Colleen Kinzley
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Amy Schatz
    • Writer
      • Jane Wagner
    • Stars
      • Lily Tomlin(voice)
      • Pat Derby
      • Colleen Kinzley
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 4User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 2 wins total

    Photos146

    An Apology to Elephants (2013)
    An Apology to Elephants (2013)
    Rose McCoy in An Apology to Elephants (2013)
    An Apology to Elephants (2013)
    An Apology to Elephants (2013)
    An Apology to Elephants (2013)
    An Apology to Elephants (2013)
    An Apology to Elephants (2013)
    An Apology to Elephants (2013)
    An Apology to Elephants (2013)
    An Apology to Elephants (2013)
    An Apology to Elephants (2013)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lily Tomlin
    Lily Tomlin
    • Self - Narrator
    • (voice)
    Pat Derby
    Pat Derby
    • Self (PAWS)
    Colleen Kinzley
    Colleen Kinzley
    • Self (Oakland Zoo)
    Jeff Kinzley
    Jeff Kinzley
    • Self (Oakland Zoo)
    Ross MacPhee
    Ross MacPhee
    • Self
    Rose McCoy
    Rose McCoy
    • Self (activist)
    Cynthia Moss
    Cynthia Moss
    • Self (Amboseli Trust for Elephants)
    Joel Parrott
    Joel Parrott
    • Self (Oakland Zoo)
    Katy Payne
    Katy Payne
    • Self (Elephant Listening Project)
    Joyce Poole
    Joyce Poole
    • Self (ElephantVoices)
    Mel Richardson
    Mel Richardson
    • Self (veterinarian)
    Ed Stewart
    Ed Stewart
    • Self (PAWSsanctuaries)
    • Director
      • Amy Schatz
    • Writer
      • Jane Wagner
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      Himself (veterinarian): What is the problem with the elephant in the room? The room. That's the problem. Elephants don't belong in barns. They don't belong in rooms. Their body evolved to be moving. They need to move. They don't need to stand still; they don't need to stand still on concrete and hard surfaces.

    • Connections
      Featured in 2013 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards (2013)

    User reviews4

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    History of Pachadermal Treatment
    THAT ANIMALS HAVE abilities that are akin to our own seems to be a startling recent discovery to a large segment of our society. We congratulate them on catching up with what our so-called animal lovers have known since the earliest of times. Be it instinctive or by virtue of our experiences, animal intelligence, personality, memory and feelings has come to be a sort of undisputed fact.

    CREATURES THAT MOST of us know are of the small to medium range in size and can be found in shelters, pet shops and at some of our neighbors' houses. Kittens anyone? But it seems that the larger and more exotic the species, the greater is the complex intelligence, behavior and individuality.

    THE FILM WE are reviewing manages to make a case for our long enslaved pachyderms. Meaning "Thick Skinned" the word is derived from Greek or Latin (one or the other) and lends its name to this fascinating order of the Animal Kingdom called Mammals.

    THE FILM DOES a fine job in covering all of that basic scientific data; including touching on the old Family Tree. Mammoths, Mastodons and Gomphotheres. (look them up, Schultz). They also remind us that in the wild, they are far fewer in numbers all the time.

    BUT THE MAIN message here is how the elephant is faring in the modern world of captivity. Circuses and Zoos are the chief targets. Whereas (according to the narration) there does seem to be hope for Zoological Parks, but the Circus is out. They contend that the methods and practices traditionally employed are cruel, unnatural and heartless to the animal.

    THE NARRATION AND storyline brings us a history of the elephant in captivity,. dating into antiquity. The cave paintings, ancient armies and employment of the great beast as building & excavation specialist are reviewed.

    WHAT WAS PARTICULARLY disturbing and disappointing was the story of a Coney Island Indian Elephant named Topsy. Following some dangerous encounters with trainers, the owners sold Topsy to be used in an electronic experiment to demonstrate the negative properties of Alternating Current. The elephant was electrocuted by the company of Thomas Edison.

    THERE IS NO doubt that the whole slant of the film is one of anti-circus ownership and employment of elephants for entertainment. That fanaticism that is so often displayed by those individuals who become involved in causes seems to be at work here. The trouble with a typical zealot is that they care not so much about the fairness and veracity of their work so much as is its ability to influence its audience.

    TO REALLY GIVE a true and fairly rendered production, the production team had an obligation to depict some more pachyderm friendly institutions and their keepers.

    THE Arguments PRESENTED are powerful, but we see that there is one positive here. There is extensive breeding of both African and Indian Elephants in captivity. This could be a potential tool in countering the widespread illegal hunting of the animals that could lead to extinction.
    helpful•1
    0
    • redryan64
    • Feb 21, 2016

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 12, 2013 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Una disculpa a los elefantes
    • Production company
      • HBO Documentary Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      40 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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