March Of The Penguins (DVD)

This acclaimed documentary follows penguins in Antarctica over a nine-month period, beginning with a grueling, 70-mile march to their ancestral breeding ground (charmingly done in single-file!). Once there, they find mates and share touching and tender caresses. When each couple's single egg is produced, the mothers make the return trip to the sea, where they will feed for a month. They have not eaten for three months, and the males must wait to eat until their mates return. The males protect their eggs by holding them on their feet, under their dense feathers. As the chicks are born, the fathers continue to protect them against the brutal cold, until the mothers return, feed the babies, and allow the fathers to go feed for a month. This pattern continues until December, when, one day, the parents just turn and walk away, leaving the young alone. Driven by instinct and hunger, the chicks march to the sea, and despite never having seen water, they dive in and begin their lives as sea creatures.

This is a lovely movie. It doesn't show anything that hasn't been shown before, but the extreme close-ups and leisurely pacing makes it very satisfying, there is a lilting soundtrack, and Morgan Freeman's gentle and soothing narration is exceptional. "March" is a thoroughly enjoyable family film and the extra features, showing how the filmmakers worked in the Antarctic are fun to watch. (I had avoided seeing this movie because I expected lots of tragic scenes of predators gobbling up defenseless penguins, but, happily, that is minimalized.) Heartily recommended.