X
- 2013
- PG-13
- Magnolia Pictures
- 1 h 23 m
- 2013
- PG-13
- Magnolia Pictures
- 1 h 23 m
Summary While in captivity, Tilikum, a performing killer whale, has been responsible for the deaths of three people, including a top orca trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of capturing and confining such intelligent and sentient creatures.
Written By: Tim Zimmermann
- 2013
- PG-13
- Magnolia Pictures
- 1 h 23 m
- 2013
- PG-13
- Magnolia Pictures
- 1 h 23 m
Blackfish
8.1
Where to Watch
Summary While in captivity, Tilikum, a performing killer whale, has been responsible for the deaths of three people, including a top orca trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of capturing and confining such intelligent and sentient creatures.
Written By: Tim Zimmermann
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 33 Critic Reviews
83
100% Positive
33 Reviews
33 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 33 Critic Reviews
83
100% Positive
33 Reviews
33 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite creates a fascinating character study of Tilikum, part of a revered species without a single confirmed kill of a human in the wild. Captivity is where Blackfish's evidence continually points the blame for Tilikum's deadly behavior.
The movie makes a strong case against the captivity of killer whales under sub-circus conditions, but the stance is made even more horrifying because so little has changed in the history of the organization. Blackfish is less balanced investigation than full-on takedown of a broken system.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 148 User Ratings
8.1
89% Positive
132 Ratings
132 Ratings
5% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
5% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 148 User Ratings
8.1
89% Positive
132 Ratings
132 Ratings
5% Mixed
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
5% Negative
8 Ratings
8 Ratings
Whether through brilliant editing and brilliant subject selection or through genuine portrayal, the trainers come off as wholly sympathetic. And it is clear that many of them are distressed over the treatment of the animals in their care and over their own participation in the exploitation of killer whales.
Seaworld Parks & Entertainment, meanwhile, comes off as devious, ruthless, and wholly unsympathetic. For me the salient points in determining that those running the park are indeed all of the above are the lies they told the public through their trainers.
First lie: Orcas don't live as long in the wild as they do in captivity. This is a blatant falsehood, the lifespan of orcas in captivity is much shorter than that of orcas in the wild. Only through cunning manipulation of statistics can Seaworld even attempt to assert otherwise. Orcas in the wild have a lifespan similar to humans. In captivity, it's a rare orca that lives to see age 30.
Even worse is the lie that calves are not separated from their mothers (as told to the public in Seaworld's spin ads after Blackfish released). Calves are indeed separated from their mothers, and when Seaworld denies this, they are using verbal trickery and hoping viewers don't realize that in the wild orcas stay with their mothers all their lives. So when Seaworld says it doesn't separate calves, what it means is, it permits calves to stay with their mothers for a certain number of years before separation. This does not mimic wild behavior. In fact, Seaworld does not even wait until the calves are in their teens to inflict separation, even though orcas don't reach full maturity until then.
When a trainer expressed her concern over a calf being separated from its mother, she was mocked ruthlessly by a Seaworld exec. The trainers have genuine love and concern for the animals in their care, but the corporate decision makers are infinitely ruthless.
Furthermore, orcas are not in family groups while in captivity. Orcas from different parts of the globe (with correspondingly different languages and customs) are forced together in ways that would never take place in the wild. And because of the close quarters, all orcas are forced into unnatural acts of aggression, since a dominant member cannot chase away a rival because there is no open ocean for the rival to flee to.
Finally, it is evident from the documentary that, while the trainers were dedicated and to some extent well-trained, they were not always made aware of the dangerous nature of their employment. Attacks were explained away as trainer error or non-aggressive behavior, and the danger presented by Tilikum in particular was not fully revealed to his trainers, though it was clearly known to the higher ups.
I grew up in Orlando, and I have many happy Seaworld memories, but I'm convinced by Blackfish: Orcas don't belong in captivity.
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One of the fine documentary with a fine message. Snubbed from the Oscars and I felt really bad for that. It should have been in there compared to the other nominees, including the winner. This was like another 'The Cove' which spotlights the human torture to the non human species. This documentary is not for entertainment, but which brings the public awareness of the serious issue that still taking place around the world in different venues.
The movie was committed to expose on the imprisoned Orca, a killer whale called Tilikum and the company called 'Sea World' it owns. It all began from his capture in 1983 on the coast of Iceland, then brought back to the United States to train. In his 30 years of captivity Tilikum was involved in the deaths of his trainers, but the statement to the press and media was denoted as it was the human error. And also the movie had many heartbreaking incidents in many parts.
When I first heard about this movie I thought it was going to uncover the crime committed by the large Blackfish. As usual like most of the occasion my guess was wrong and I was totally surprised towards the story that tried to reveal some unexpected and unbearable truths. Everything reversed and finger points towards human just like the tag says: Never capture what you can't control. Looked like this just below 90 minutes movie was lacking in valuable inputs. Only because of the 'Sea World' that holds Tilikum refused to participate in making of the movie which portrayed them in dark shade. But the intention of the movie was explained in very honestly. There it goes my salute to the director whose attempt was so courageous.
In my childhood, I had a fish bowl with a couple of goldfish in it and I regret having it after seeing this documentary movie. Truly an eye opener, whoever watch this would feel similar fashion, especially if you are an animal lover. Hoping this movie will change the perspective of the relationship between man and animals. Expecting more and more movies like this until people realise what's going on between dominated and enslaved species on the planet earth. If you are reading my review then you must add it to your watch list because I don't want you to miss this.
9.5/10
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It’s upsetting and scary to watch the footage of orca attacks collected in Blackfish, a damning documentary about the treatment of the animals by marine parks.
As an indictment of the industry, this is strong stuff.
Today, 54 percent of Sea World’s whales have Tilikum’s genes, which is a terrifying thought.
The film, it should be said, does not blame Tilikum for his actions. It posits instead that, like a disenfranchised youth driven to a life of crime, Tilikum is a product of his upbringing.
As more than one orca expert points out in the film, when you take a creature born to roam thousands of miles of open water and stick it in a pool to do tricks, there’s going to be some behavioural blowback. In Tilikum’s case, it’s actually described as a form of induced “psychosis.”
Illuminates with stunning clarity the policies of SeaWorld and other organizations that keep Orca captive, which treat not only the whales with breathtaking cruelty, but the trainers as well.
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A very well made, well-written documentary that only comes short in that it comes across as a political piece rather than a balanced report. The filmmakers pushed to dig out the full story of Tilikum and clearly tried to get all sides of the story on the table, so that effort has to be praised. There is also incredible footage of the orcas in their natural habitat providing stark contrast to enclosure life. But what is lacking is a clear reckoning of the value Sea World brings to conservation and to animal wellbeing outside the tank. Agreed we should free the orcas (or put them in open water enclosures), and certainly let's tighten OSHA regulations. But without a more balanced view of the contributions these parks bring to animal welfare it comes across as a shrill piece of Hollywood activism, leaving the viewer to wonder if everyone had a say. That's unfortunate, because this is a very good film.
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What I liked:
-Has an emotional appeal to it that I heard but didn't really expect
-Made me want to make a change about the whales' situation
What I disliked:
-There's one plot points the makers seemed to miss: Tilikum was cruelly mistreated when young. If they really are so much like humans, could this not make a difference in his behavior?
-Just slams Sea World, makes it harder to relate
Conclusion:
-Will still go to Sea World, out of all the parks, it seems to be the best institution so far
-Support change nonetheless. I liked the one trainer's idea to give Tilikum an open range with other, older whales. They could still interact humans (like if they cannot find food).
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This film was a huge disappointment. It lacked a clear focus and was not at all what it claimed to be. This seems more like a sideways attempt to sling mud at SeaWorld in a circumferential manner, though it seems this claim may have some merit (there seems to have been some deliberate or negligent mismanagement). This film is nothing like the great Planet Earth series.
I would not recommend you watch this film.
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Production Company
CNN Films,
Manny O Productions
Release Date Jul 19, 2013
Duration 1 h 23 m
Rating PG-13
Genres
Tagline Never capture what you can't control.
Awards
Cinema Eye Honors Awards, US
• 1 Win & 3 Nominations
Alliance of Women Film Journalists
• 2 Nominations
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination