March of the Penguins
- Release Date
- January 26, 2005
- Director
- Luc Jacquet
- Cast
- Charles Berling , Romane Bohringer , Jules Sitruk , Amitabh Bachchan , Gösta Ekman , Fiorello
- Runtime
- 80
- Main Genre
- Documentary
- Writers
- Jordan Roberts , Luc Jacquet , Michel Fessler
- Tagline
- In the harshest place on Earth love finds a way
Summary
Each winter, alone in the pitiless ice deserts of Antarctica, deep in the most inhospitable terrain on Earth, a truly remarkable journey takes place as it has done for millennia. Emperor penguins in their thousands abandon the deep blue security of their ocean home and clamber onto the frozen ice to begin their long journey into a region so bleak, so extreme, it supports no other wildlife at this time of year. In single file, the penguins march blinded by blizzards, buffeted by gale force winds. Resolute, indomitable, driven by the overpowering urge to reproduce, to assure the survival of the species. Guided by instinct, by the otherworldly radiance of the Southern Cross, they head unerringly for their traditional breeding ground where - after a ritual courtship of intricate dances and delicate maneuvering, accompanied by a cacophony of ecstatic song - they will pair off into monogamous couples and mate. The days grow shorter, the weather ever more bitter. The females remain long enough only to lay a single egg. Once this is accomplished, exhausted by weeks without nourishment, they begin their return journey across the ice-field to the fish-filled seas. The journey is hazardous, and rapacious leopard seals a predatory threat. The male emperors are left behind to guard and hatch the precious eggs, which they cradle at all times on top of their feet. Subjected to subzero temperatures and the terrible trials of the polar winter, they too face great dangers. After two long months during which the males eat nothing, the eggs begin to hatch. Once they have emerged into their ghostly white new world, the chicks can not survive for long on their fathers’ limited food reserves. If their mothers are late returning from the ocean with food, the newly-hatched young will die. Once the families are reunited, the roles reverse, the mothers remaining with their new young while their mates head, exhausted and starved, for the sea, and food. While the adults fish, the chicks face the ever-present threat of attack by prowling giant petrels. As the weather grows warmer and the ice floes finally begin to crack and melt, the adults will repeat their arduous journey countless times, marching many hundreds of miles over some of the most treacherous territory on Earth, until the chicks are ready to take their first faltering dive into the deep blue waters of the Antarctic.
latest
Director Lexi Alexander Reveals She Was Denied a Meeting for Expendabelles
The Punisher: War Zone director was a favorite choice amongst fans and Sylvester Stallone. Find out why she won't be directing this all-female spin-off.
Morgan Freeman to Narrate the IMAX Documentary Island of Lemurs: Madagascar
The Oscar-winning actor reunites with Born to Be Wild 3D director Dan Fellman for this documentary that explores the lemur's habitat.
The Weather Channel to Add Films
From The Perfect Storm to Misery, TWC is getting in the movie game.
Exploring Disneynature Earth with Alastair Fothergill
The director of this amazing new documentary takes us through the upcoming DVD and Blu-ray.
Batman Begins, Oceans Twelve and Other Warner Bros. Titles Headed to TV
Studio is selling the movies to Fox-owned TV stations in 11 markets.
The Rest of the Summer: An Overview of Mid-Season Delights
Summer is halfway over; find out what treasures still await you at the multiplex!
Taking a Journey with Arctic Tale [Exclusive]
Director Sarah Robertson and Cinematographer Adam Ravetch talk about their long journey to bring this film to the big screen.
AMC Theatres to Offer Free Movies This Summer During AMC ''Summer MovieCamp''
Moviegoers of all ages are invited to free Wednesday morning G & PG movies
Samuel L. Jackson Voicing Farce of the Penguins
An upcoming parody of the documentary March of the Penguins.
THE OSCARS IN REVIEW: 2006
Recapping the biggest night in the biz - By Brian Gallagher