The Cove

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The Cove

PG-13

2009

1h 31m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

95%

Tomatometer

133 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In Taiji, Japan, local fishermen hide a gruesome secret: the capture and slaughter of dolphins. Activist Ric O'Barry, who trained dolphins for the "Flipper" TV series, joins forces with filmmaker Louis Psihoyos and the Ocean Preservation Society to expose the brutal practice, risking life and limb in the process.

Critics Consensus

Though decidedly one-sided, The Cove is an impeccably crafted, suspenseful expose of the covert slaughter of dolphins in Japan.

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Christine Champ

Film.com

05/06/2011

A-

The Cove does what every great documentary with a cause should: It educates, entertains, and inspires audiences to take action.

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Edward Porter

The Times (UK)

10/30/2009

5/5

Restrained and harrowing.

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Philip Wilding

Empire Magazine

10/23/2009

4/5

A taut, thrilling documentary that plays out like a heist movie while never overshadowing its message or activist credentials.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/28/2023

4/4

Though the thriller aspects work to create an unexpected level of suspense, what is shown in the film delivers the cause’s most powerful blow.

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Tom Meek

Cambridge Day

06/11/2020

3.5/4

Disturbing beyond its graphic nature namely because of the widespread complicity in the town and unwavering cruelty.

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Felicia Feaster

Charleston City Paper

01/24/2020

In this thriller-doc, the entertainment value of a heist flick combines with the merits of a cause.

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NotaRein T

@RT08911083 08/18/2024

Dolphins are real life unicorns of the sea, if unicorns were real we would hunt them too. Dolphins are being killed for meat, even though it is extremely poisonous - filled with mercury. This meat is brought as mandatory food to children in schools or alternatively sold under the guise of whale meat. What can one even say to this? In this documentary you learn how intelligent dolphins are, and then hear their unique screams as they are being murdered. Blood baths are committed for unknown, and vague reasons like national pride. This is done in secret, and most people living around the areas have no idea.

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Bahad j

@RT27093708 08/07/2024

This idea of the film shooting technique director made the film more attractive to people.

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T T

@RT05373960 08/07/2024

是的时候是最大谷歌胡雨雨雨雨后彩虹🌈？是的一款适合夏天使用率较多滴小宝宝都可以理解的感觉真的好

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Gnr E

@RT37822449 08/01/2024

This movie deserved more than a 5 star ngl

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Geke g

@RT40239519 07/28/2024

No wonder why this film’s review is so high. 5 star.

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Munkhchimeg T

@RT64187897 07/27/2024

Come and watch the animal friendly people. Very informative and inspire us to take some action against some cruel things.

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Louie Psihoyos

Director

Hayden Panettiere

Self

Isabel Lucas

Self

Louie Psihoyos

Self

Richard O'Barry

Self

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Self

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Synopsis

In Taiji, Japan, local fishermen hide a gruesome secret: the capture and slaughter of dolphins. Activist Ric O'Barry, who trained dolphins for the "Flipper" TV series, joins forces with filmmaker Louis Psihoyos and the Ocean Preservation Society to expose the brutal practice, risking life and limb in the process.

Director: Louie Psihoyos
Producer: Paula Dupré Pesmen, Fisher Stevens
Screenwriter: Mark Monroe
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Diamond Docs
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Content)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 31, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $869.7K
Runtime: 1h 31m