We called him Flipper, but Richard O'Barry called the five dolphins - that he personally trained for the popular 1960's television series - by their real names. What the television series also created, with the help and support of O'Barry, was the multi-million pound earning sea park industries. However, after an encounter with one of the dolphins who died in O'Barry's arms (what he calls here suicide due to depression), he became an activist against the treatment of the mammals within this industry. O'Barry's interviews in this film highlights his passion for these majestic animals, that have proven self-awareness and high intelligence. So why, in a secretive Japanese industry, are the slaughter of these animals able to continue with seeming support from both the Japanese government and the IWC (International Whaling Commission)?
In an incredibly beautiful cove in the small fishing village of Taiji, Japan, thousands of dolphins are forced by the fishermen into the cove where they are killed for their meat (which incidentally have high levels of mercury within them, caused by industry dumping of course). The cove is highly guarded and activists are readily arrested for trying to see what exactly happens within the walls of the labyrinthine cove. However, with the help of a moulder from Industrial Light and Magic, a series of high-tec recording equipment (including HD cameras within mock rocks), the team begin a highly dangerous mission to film and record the sound of the dolphin slaughter.
In scenes laced with very real drama - in One Night in Paris filming mode (ahem, sorry, night vision) - we follow the divers and rest of the team as they risk their lives to set up the secret filming equipment. The sense of danger absolutely permeates the film, as ours and the teams hearts race. And the footage that they get is utterly astounding, sickening and horrific, as the sea water rapidly turns a deep red colour.
I'm not going to embellish this review with too much of the information from this film, as I feel the film needs to be viewed by everyone, and therefore will speak for itself. I will however highlight the fact that our species (humans) have to be the most despicable species alive, as the search for profit in a world dominated by greed, always leads to the suffering of other species. This needs to stop. So, please all watch this film, then go to http://www.takepart.com/cove and get involved as much as you are able.
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