On HD-DVD: March of the Penguins

 

 Directed by Luc Jacquet

  

I loved this film in the theater and loved this film upon its original release on DVD. But now, the great folks at Warner Home Video have released this film on HD DVD.

 

The Movie

 

March of the Penguins is a spectacularly filmed documentary about the Emperor penguins in Antarctica. Every year, all the world’s Emperor penguins return to a breeding ground that is in excess of 70 miles away. Every Emperor penguin is born in this exact spot. Sometimes they walk and sometimes they scoot comically on their stomachs but the penguins make it to this spot every year. One cannot help but to identify with the Emperor penguins as they waddle along, looking much like us waddling to our jobs and back home every evening.

  

 

 

Narrator Morgan Freeman describes the Emperor penguins as the lost tribe as they waddle single file across the ice determined to make it to their destination.  The term lost tribe is fitting as Emperor penguins comprise almost the entirety of the animal population of Antarctica.

 

Upon arrival at the breeding ground, the penguins begin the process of selecting a mate. The Emperor penguins are monogamous, at least for the entirety of the breeding and birth season. To witness the image change from a large group of penguins excitedly milling about to the ice being covered by penguins sitting serenely in pairs after the selection process is completed is very moving.

 

After the female lays her egg, she keeps it warm by balancing it delicately on the top of her feet. She allows her stomach feathers and flesh to fold over the egg to protect and provide warmth. However, as it has been several weeks since the female has eaten, she must return to the ocean to obtain sustenance that she can bring back to her offspring. She transfers the egg carefully to the male so that he may take over care while she makes the 70 mile trip back to the ocean. This segment of the movie is as tense and suspenseful as anything you are likely to see in any film this year.

 

The audience breathes a sigh of relief for every penguin couple that is successful at the transfer and might shed a tear for each penguin couple that has a mishap. The audiences, along with the penguins watch helplessly as the egg cracks upon the hard ice and the frigid temperatures claim the life inside.

 

While the female is returning to the ocean to feed, the male Emperor penguins will keep the egg warm and protected for over two months. It is an amazing sight to see the beautiful baby Emperor penguins emerging from underneath the father’s feathers for the first time.

 

The mother returns to the breeding grounds to see her offspring for the first time and to feed him. The male penguin will now make the 70 mile trip to the ocean to feed after virtually starving while attending to the newborn. The male and female penguins will continue these trips until the offspring is able to fend for themselves and take his or her dips into the ocean for the first time upon reaching a suitable age and size.

 

 

 March of the Penguins can only be described as simply amazing. I found myself emotionally connected with these penguins only after seeing the first few moments of the film. I was on the edge of my seat with tears coming down my face watching the penguins attempt to pass their egg from one to another. The cinematography is absolutely breathtaking. It's amazing to find out that the filmmakers captured these images in 85 degrees below zero temperatures, and that's before you factor in the chill from wind that was clocked at over 100 miles per hour. The film is superbly paced and I found myself wanting more after 80 minutes.

 

The narration by Morgan Freeman is unobtrusive, beautifully written and delivered with eloquence. I understand the original French version of the film had several narrators providing cartoon-like voices for the various penguins presented on screen. I am so glad that Warner Independent Features decided to abandon this original concept for a more subtle approach in presenting the film in the United States.

 

March of the Penguins is a magnificent, refined and poignant cinematic experience which has finally made is way to hi def DVD. I simply loved every frame.  March of the Penguins is a must- see and deserves all the praise it has received.

 

10/10

 

The Video

 

The film's original theatrical aspect ratio has been expanded in this release to fill the high definition aspect of 1.78:1. This transfer is absolutely first rate. The detail level is great and the black levels are remarkable. This film has never looked better. It seems as if you can see each individual feather on these amazing animals. This is the definitive way to view this film, maybe even better than the theatrical experience if you have a 42 inch plasma.

 

10/10

 

The Audio

 

The film is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Plus. The sound mix is incredible. The narration by Morgan Freeman is crystal clear throughout. The film sounds as great as it looks.

 

9/10

 

The Packaging and Bonus Features

 

The film is presented in a burgundy HD-DVD size amaray case with artwork taken from the original posters. The artwork is good but I'd love to have seen something special for this new release.

 

The bonus features on this release are exactly the same as in the original DVD release, however, even though this is an HD-DVD release, the bonus features are in standard definition.

 

First up, there is an 80 minutes documentary about the production of the film entitled Of Penguins and Men. The film is presented in standard definition anamorphic widescreen. Anyone that is a fan of the film cannot miss this documentary. It is not only informative, but as emotionally moving as the film itself.

 

There's a featurette entitled National Geographic’s Crittercam: Emperor Penguin. Mini-cameras were attached to Emperor Penguins to record how the penguins swim underwater and to give a “birds eye view” (pun intended) of how the penguins live their daily lives. This is a fascinating bonus feature.

 

Warner Brothers Home Video has also offered up 8 Ball Bunny, a Looney Toons cartoon from 1949 directed by the famous Chuck Jones. It tells the story of Bugs Bunny and his rescue of a tiny penguin. This is a pleasant surprise as a bonus feature but compliments the film well.

 

Finally, the original Theatrical Trailer is presented.

 

All things considered, a first rate DVD release for a truly groundbreaking nature documentary. The only thing missing is a feature length audio commentary.

 

9/10

 

Overall ( Not an Average) 9.5/10

 

Suzie Lackey

 

The Review

The Movie 10/10

The Video 10/10

The Audio 9/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 9/10

Overall ( Not an Average) 9.5/10