Review of Winged Migration (2001) by Paul Z — 07 Jul 2008

I love animals intensely, and the animals in this film were so interesting to watch, because though I love them, I've never had a great knowledge of them. Winged Migration is one of those rare movies where you're stuck wondering just how the filmmakers could've possibly gotten certain shots, and even planned certain parts of the movie to happen. Here it's because the animals carry on with their natural order of existence, not at all fearful of the documentary crew.

The film seems like such a serene, relaxing entertainment until suddenly birds are plucked out of the sky by the bullets of decadent sport hunters. The movie takes a sudden hairpin and begins making you furious, because you'll feel so relaxed and elated with the presence of these birds and other animals, and suddenly the self-unaware evil of man will yank them from their peace and happiness, just for fun, or money. The hunting scenes are more heartbreaking than any scene I've ever watched in a scripted movie, animals helpless and frightened for their lives, and for what? So rich, well-fed cretins, Dick Cheney being a topical life example, can have fun with guns? The film puts any decent human being into a rage. Later in the movie, we see the miserable effects of South American merchants of caged animals, who are tricked into cages and sold, never freed from the cage. And we wonder why so many parrots and other caged pets bite. Who wouldn't? Wouldn't you? You had the ability to fly and suddenly, without warning, you're kept in a cage for the rest of your life?

The effect Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaut were going for with Winged Migration, a forced empathy for these creatures, is fully successful. And for those of you with affinities for animals like mine, be forewarned. This one's hard to take. No, actually, it's absolutely the most painful film I've ever seen and I don't think I can ever see it again. Once is enough for a lifetime.