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Story

This documentary, written and directed by Luc Jacquet and narrated by Morgan Freeman, is about the extraordinary ritual of the Emperor penguins. Each year they walk over 100 km to reach their ancient breeding grounds.

The trek begins in March when the Emperor penguins leave their coastal home. They walk across the ‘darkest, driest, windiest and coldest’ continent on earth to reach their breeding grounds. The walk can take up to a week because they don't walk very fast. The penguins all arrive on the same day and begin the task of finding a mate with whom they’ll stay throughout the breeding season. When the penguins find their partner, the breeding ritual begins.

Later, when the mother lays the egg, there is the tricky and dangerous task of transferring it to the father who will ‘incubate’ it throughout the long harsh winter. (Some eggs are lost during this process, cracking in the extreme cold.) By this time the mother is in dire need of nourishment and she returns to sea to find food. All the fathers stay to look after the eggs for four months without food. When the mothers return, their chicks are waiting eagerly for the food they bring. Only now can the fathers return to sea to find food. Unfortunately, many do not survive the journey across the ice because they are starving. Eventually those that do survive return to their family. Then it is time for the adult penguins to leave and begin the breeding cycle once again.

Themes

Distress and death of animals

Violence

There is a little violence in this movie:

  • female penguins fight over the males as there are fewer of them.
  • a leopard seal chases the penguins in the water and is shown capturing one in its mouth.
  • a large bird circles, then chases the chicks. It pecks at them and it is apparent it takes one although this isn’t shown.

Sexual references

None

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

None

Nudity and sexual activity

None

Product placement

None

Coarse language

None

Ideas to discuss with your children

March of the Penguins is a visually stunning and remarkable story that will entertain both young and old. There are a few disturbing scenes that could upset young children. Perhaps the main take-home message in this movie is the inspirational and extraordinary effort taken by the adult penguins to rear their young.

Supported By

  • Department of Social Services

Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

Member Organisations

  • Parenting Research Centre
  • The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne
  • Murdoch Children's Research Institute

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