March of the Penguins (French La Marche de l’empereur)

• Directed and Co-Written by Luc Jacquet
• June 24, 2005

The yearly journey of the emperor penguins of Antarctica is profiled in this documentary.

I remember when March of the Penguins came out. It was one of those things that everybody had seen (or claimed to have seen). As I get older, I’m convinced many of those that claim to have seen the popular thing are making it up just so they can look cool. But anyway…

This is a documentary that’s more of a story than it is an educational film. It turns the penguins into characters and gives them lives and almost individual personalities. You feel the highs and lows of the journey and experience heartbreak when something happens to one of them. That’s an amazing thing to do and speaks to the quality of the storytelling of the film.

And who better to narrate a documentary than Morgan Freeman? After all he is the voice of God. Or has been at times. I think the only other better choice would’ve been James Earl Jones. Chuck Heston wasn’t available anymore and I think Roscoe Lee Browne had passed before this was made. He is the perfect person to choose as the voice of an observer that brings us into the story of these penguins and their dangerous journey to produce their next generation.

You learn what these penguins have to do in order to procreate. You also get to know the perils that they face and the obstacles that they must overcome. You become impressed that these animals have survived such bitter conditions generation after generation. You are amazed that they somehow across this cold and desolate landscape. They make a regular trek every year in order to keep their species going. It’s fantastic and at points inspiring.

Actual educational elements are a bit thin here. It is much more of an experience than it is strongly informative. This is more of an introduction than an education. It is very emotional and thus more entertainment than it is a learning experience.

If you haven’t seen March of the Penguins, it is certainly something you should check out. It’s an emotional story that’s also a little informative. It’s something you can watch with your kids and by yourself. While not a must see, I do strongly recommend it!