13 best documentary films about animals

1. microcosmos

Microcosmos: Le peuple de l'herbe

• France, Switzerland, Italy, 1996.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 80 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,9.

The film tells the story of the youngest representatives of the fauna, which are usually not taken notice. But one has only to look at - and the spectator opens a delightful world.

Documentary masterpiece Nuridzani Claude and Marie Perrin has made in 1996, created a furor. It turned out that to watch the insect world is almost as exciting as watching Hollywood blockbusters. Among the awards the film - five awards "Cesar" and the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival "for excellence."

2. Birds

Le peuple migrateur

• France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, 2001.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 98 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,9.

The name of the film directed by Jacques Perrin is literally translated as "Feathered migration" or "Birds - the wandering people." The tape is dedicated to the migration of different species, and tells the story of a long and eventful path of migratory birds from different parts of the world.

Most of the pictures are shot in the air in the ultimate proximity to the birds. "Birds" got the main French Film Award "Cesar" for the installation, as well as numerous other awards and nominations.

After the success of "The Birds" another remarkable documentary work - "March of the Penguins," Luc Jacquet - it was decided to release in cinemas in Russia called "Birds 2: Journey to the End of the World." Although in reality films have no relationship to each other, even different directors.

3. grizzly man

Grizzly Man

• United States, 2005.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 103 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,8.

Multiple Cannes laureate Werner Herzog - the director not only playing, but also documentaries. One of the most famous works director "Grizzly Man" tells the tragic story of the American amateur naturalist Timothy Treadwell. Last devoted his life to the study of wild bears in Alaska. However, ignorance of safety regulations has led to the fact that the researcher, together with her friend Amy Hyugenar devoured by a grizzly.

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4. Bear in the north

arctic Tale

• United States, 2007.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,0.

A documentary film produced by National Geographic will tell all about the amazing life of predators - the polar bear. Small teddy bear Nana and morzhonok Force grow and hunt before our eyes. But in the struggle for survival they face many dangers.

5. oceans

Océans

• France, Switzerland, Spain, USA, UAE, 2009.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 104 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,8.

Epic film about the underwater fauna of the authors of the "Birds" Jacques Clouseau Jacques Perrin and voiceover Pierce Brosnan offers viewers not only enjoy, but also to think about environmental issues. This stunningly shot film won the main French Film Award "Cesar" as the best documentary film of the year.

6. Bay

The Cove

• United States, 2009.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 92 minutes.
• IMDb: 8,4.

Documentary investigation directed by Louie Psihoyos considering the difficult topic of the Japanese whaling and related horrors him. Every year, the inhabitants of the village of Taiji caught dolphins for sale to the aquarium. However, most of the animals still kill to sell the meat at the markets.

Psihoyos The project received the "Oscar" in the nomination "The best feature-length documentary."

7. African Cats: Kingdom of the brave

african Cats

• United States, 2011.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 89 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,6.

This fascinating picture was commissioned by Disneynature - Walt Disney Studios subsidiary units. Under the voiceover Samuel L. Jackson viewers will learn the story of the life of a pride of lions led by offering experienced lioness Layla. The second part of the film tells the story of a large female cheetah Sita, heroically trying to protect their young from the dangers that lurk in the savannah teeming with predators.

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8. Black fin

Blackfish

• United States, 2013.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 83 minutes.
• IMDb: 8,1.

Documentary thriller Gabriela Kaupertveyte begins with the story of the accident, which occurred in 2010 in the United States. Then the male orca Tilikum chat during the show dragged under water tamer and killed her. Later it turns out that the girl was not the first victim.

In the course of its investigation, the director tries to find out the true causes of the tragedy and to understand what motivated smartest animals that in their natural habitat never attack a person to do so. The film raises important questions about the ethics of the content of killer whales in the captivity and it makes us think about what is behind the spectacular performances in dolphinariums.

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9. The earth bears

Terre des ours

• France, 2013.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 95 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,0.

Fascinating beautiful documentary by French director Guillaume Vincent acquaint visitors with the beauty of Kamchatka Krai, which is often called the land of bears. After hibernation majestic predators are doing a long way from the high hills to the rivers where salmon swim. There Bruins will have all summer to look for food before heading back to his den for another long sleep.

The tape is certainly worth a look in the original with subtitles for voiceover French actress Marion Cotillard.

10. Kingdom of monkeys

Monkey Kingdom

• United States, 2015.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 81 min.
• IMDb: 7,3.

Another very beautiful film from Walt Disney Studios will talk about how pretty toque macaque Maya and her newborn son Kip survive in the ruins of an ancient temple in the middle of the Sri Lankan jungle.

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11. city ​​cats

Kedi

• Turkey, USA, 2016.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 79 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,7.

Simple but very charming film dokumentalistki Turkish Jade Torun is about seven tailed inhabitants of Istanbul and about the people who watch over them.

In search of a suitable nature, the film crew to thoroughly examine a variety of areas of the city, and to withdraw Istanbul at the cat's eyes, the operators set the camera on the toy car with remote control.

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12. Plot: A terrific day

Earth: One Amazing Day

• United Kingdom, 2017.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 95 minutes.
• IMDb: 7,7.

Every day with the animals in different parts of the world happen incredible event. Some are fighting for survival and territory, others are concerned about the protection of offspring, while others quietly greets a new day after hibernation.

Magnificent BBC documentary essay shows the viewer life on the planet in all variety. This film is a pleasure to look even those who are indifferent to the fauna. Indeed, thanks to the efforts of operators and editor on every single episode turns into a funny comedy, action Western, If not in a tense thriller. For example, a scene in which a snake chasing just born iguana, withdrawn so intensely that for some time, even became one of the most talked about events in the social networks.

But a separate pleasure - this is the narration, which is the Russian version of the legendary Nikolai Drozdov reads.

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13. elephants Queen

The Elephant Queen

• Germany, in 2019.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 8,0.

In the documentary film Victoria Stone and Mark Dibley wise mother-elephant Athena leads his family through the African savannah in search of water. On the way, majestic animals experiencing both joy and loss.

"Queen of elephants" can be viewed on the new Apple TV + platform with another original content that offers the service. Russian voice is not yet available, but nothing prevents to enjoy the voice of a famous actor Chiwetel Edzhifora, who played a major role in the historical drama "12 Years a Slave".