Each year, the emperor penguins of Antarctica travel through the most punishing environment on Earth to their nesting grounds, find a partner, mate, and after the females lay their eggs, the males keep them warm while their mates walk 70 miles back to the sea to fatten themselves with fish and then return the 70 miles to feed their young. Then, the males (who haven't eaten for 4 months at this point) take their turn walking 70 miles back to the sea for food and then return to feed their young. Finally, the young penguins are ready to be on their own, so the penguins go their separate ways back to the ocean. This whole process lasts about 9 months and takes place in temperatures that reach -80°C without the wind chill factor.
This documentary is of the highest quality you would expect from National Geographic. While I was watching, I was amazed at the footage they were able to capture on film. Emperor penguins in Antarctica have to endure and overcome an astounding numbers of obstacles in order to breed - mind-numbing cold, predators, traveling extreme distances to the breeding ground, going months without any food, hatching fragile eggs that can easily break. It's amazing any of them survive. The filmmakers had to brave the frigid temperatures for over a year to capture it all, which is extraordinary in its own right. If you want to see how a seemingly impossible journey can result in the greatest joy, I would highly recommend this documentary.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Would I watch it again: Yes
Starring: Narrated by Morgan Freeman
I typically watch movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday while riding the ACE Train from Tracy to Santa Clara. The opinions expressed are those of me, myself and I.
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