Review of Namu, the Killer Whale (1966) by Chelsea L — 12 May 2014

I wouldn't say this is the worst film I have ever seen, however in the world of "Orca movies" it ranks as both a "classic" and as well as one of the worse stories about an orca.

This is a classic because by watching this film you are literally watching the first orca to ever have a movie made around him. The story of Namu is by far one of the most interesting things to happen in the past 50 years, more interesting than the story that the movie insists on showing. Namu wasn't just the first orca to have his own movie, he was also the first orca to successfully be in captivity for almost a year, he was the first orca to have a show where he preformed, but, most importantly, he was the first orca to swim with a human being. Before Namu came along orcas were feared much in the same way we fear sharks. Many people believed them to be vicious pests that competed with fisherman but would also kill anything that happened to fall into the water with them nearby. To say that this orca, and anything associated with him is incredibly important to the human-orca relationship would be an understatement.

That doesn't excuse this terrible movie. This movie is rather pretentious. It tries to push this message about the beauty of nature and how evil man with his greed and inability for compassion and understanding will ruin innocent creatures such as Namu and his mate. Yes, this is VERY much an early green-peace movie that just insists on hitting you over the head with its environmental message. The song that opens up this movie pretty much sums it up with it's folksy tune and clunky lyrics: "Live and let live, let nature be your teacher. Respect the lives of your fellow creature. Live and let live, whatever you do. And always remember the killer whale, Namu." (Yes, I do have that memorized...it never leaves.).

I really wish I could explain the story, but there really isn't much of one. The orca is captured by humans. But they don't know what to do with it. A girl comes along and "understands" the creature. And soon they set out to free the whale. The end. It doesn't help that this story was rushed...the filming was rushed...everything was rushed. Namu was the first orca...sorry, KILLER WHALE to ever swim with a human being. This is the modern equivalent someone jumping into a tank with a crocodile and all the croc does is let the guy ride on his back like some reptilian jet ski. Everyone was trying to make money off this amazing event.

So, if you really love orcas and are fascinated by one of the most pivotal moments in human-orca history, I don't think I have to say you should see it. For everyone else, you might want to avoid this one.