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An Apology to Elephants

  • 20132013
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 40m
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
524
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
An Apology to Elephants (2013)
  • Documentary
  • Short
  • Drama
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
524
YOUR RATING
  • 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
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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 - Narratoras Self - Narrator
    • (voice)
    Pat Derby
    Pat Derby
    • Self (PAWS)as Self (PAWS)
    Colleen Kinzley
    Colleen Kinzley
    • Self (Oakland Zoo)as Self (Oakland Zoo)
    Jeff Kinzley
    Jeff Kinzley
    • Self (Oakland Zoo)as Self (Oakland Zoo)
    Ross MacPhee
    Ross MacPhee
    • Selfas Self
    Rose McCoy
    Rose McCoy
    • Self (activist)as Self (activist)
    Cynthia Moss
    Cynthia Moss
    • Self (Amboseli Trust for Elephants)as Self (Amboseli Trust for Elephants)
    Joel Parrott
    Joel Parrott
    • Self (Oakland Zoo)as Self (Oakland Zoo)
    Katy Payne
    Katy Payne
    • Self (Elephant Listening Project)as Self (Elephant Listening Project)
    Joyce Poole
    Joyce Poole
    • Self (ElephantVoices)as Self (ElephantVoices)
    Mel Richardson
    Mel Richardson
    • Self (veterinarian)as Self (veterinarian)
    Ed Stewart
    Ed Stewart
    • Self (PAWSsanctuaries)as Self (PAWSsanctuaries)
    • Director
      • Amy Schatz
    • Writer
      • Jane Wagner
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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.
    • title directed by female
    • elephant
    • animal suffering
    • circus
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Documentary
      • Short
      • Drama
      • History
    • Certificate
      • TV-PG
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    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
    Top review
    10/10
    Deeply Moving.
    Elephants are one of the most majestic and intelligent of all animals, and their familial and social connections rival ours.

    Yet here we are, the cruel humans, beating and bull-hooking these gentle giants to within an inch of their life so they can learn to perform tricks for us.

    Watching this movie was hard. Very hard, even for someone like me who knew about the tremendous abuse these elephants suffer since the time they were born and tore away from their mothers, till they die a beaten animal around 40 years age, half their normal life span. Might as well die early - why live this way?

    But watch it, you all must. And it will make you think - and if you are someone with empathy, compassion to animals, you will be hard pressed not to be angry and ticked off. And sad. And resolve not to ever patronize a circus or even a zoo. Yes, zoos are culpable as well.

    A great documentary.
    helpful•16
    2
    • fbook-arp
    • May 18, 2013

    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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