sign in
register
Watch
Hulu Fandor Fandor Amazon Channel
+13
The Cove
The Cove
+13
JustWatch
Your probable score
?
The Cove

The Cove

2009
Documentary
1h 32m
Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.

Directed by:

Louie Psihoyos

Screenwriter:

Mark Monroe

Starring:

Hayden Panettiere, Richard O'Barry, Louie Psihoyos, Isabel Lucas, Joe Chisholm, Mandy-Rae Cruikshank, Charles Hambleton, Simon Hutchins, Kirk Krack, Roger Payne, John Potter, Dave Rastovich

Genre:

Documentary

AKA:

The Rising

Country:

USA

Languages:

English, Japanese
imdb IMDb
Update history
Suggest edit

The Cove

2009
Documentary
1h 32m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 71.02% from 1262 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

(1269)
Compact view
clear
Compact view
Show
Sort
theficionadotheficionado
Rated 20 Sep 2009
63
61st
I was taken aback by the breadth of its argument against killing dolphins -- touching upon the self-awareness of the creatures, the barbarism and dangerous self-concern of Japanese whaling policy (a misplaced stand against Western hegemony, the movie suggests), a foray in the potential of mercury poisoning -- but The Cove works best as a portrait of one man's atonement and, maybe, absolution.
Rated 20 Sep 2009
dorkovskyDorkovsky
Rated 11 Nov 2010
5
54th
Humans can't even avoid exploiting and slaughtering each other, why is it so shocking they will do the same to other animals. The heist angle is intriguing but unfortunately I have used up all my moral outrage on real issues.
Rated 11 Nov 2010
simpliciosimplicio
Rated 02 Apr 2010
71
51st
An admirable exposé full of stirring images, but the whole crew buying so fully into the adventure of the shoot cheapens the outcome. Rather than offering solutions beside "What do we want? Save the whales!", they produce a self-congratulatory spy mission. I would much rather have seen a full, nuanced doc on Ric O'Barry's passions and work than this Reality TV-influenced bludgeon that's content to hang the slaughter scene around his neck and go for shock value. But that wouldn't win an Oscar.
Rated 02 Apr 2010
jazzalohaJazzaloha
Rated 25 Sep 2010
71
72nd
I like dolphins, but not enough to have been interested in this film. But you know how some New Yorker articles turn out to be really fascinating even though you had no interest in the subject matter initially? That's the case with this movie. Plus, it is pretty suspenseful and exciting. Having said that, I don't think it's a very thoughtful or fair type of documentary, namely, are there some animals that are so valuable that you can impose these values on anyone else?
Rated 25 Sep 2010
cruelclowncruelclown
Rated 27 Apr 2010
70
53rd
This is not a exactly a documentary because it's not really informative, a loose biographical sketch of the "Flipper" trainer, the effects mercury has on children, lobbyism, the dolphin massacre on a remote in Japan brought together by fake Ocean's Eleven and spy movie tunes? It's more like a political document, as part, or rather the most important part of the political activism that is documented in the film itself. It is for raising social awareness and it's good at that.
Rated 27 Apr 2010
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 12 Feb 2010
74
49th
Interesting but occasionally hyperbolic documentary. It is undoubtedly one-sided (as docs tend to be), in fact one of the major participants among the activists is the director himself. There's some reliance on shock value as well, most notably the way the story builds to its "money shot" at the grisly climax. Still, it's compelling (and sometimes heartbreaking) material and one can't help but admire Ric O'Barry and his associates for their heroic efforts to expose the problem.
Rated 12 Feb 2010
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 30 Jan 2010
7
58th
A good documentary, though it relies heavily on footage and shock value rather than shrewd insight. The footage is still eye-opening and is bound to stir up some commotion.
Rated 30 Jan 2010
constantineconstantine
Rated 09 Dec 2009
90
95th
It's much more horryfing than a horror/thriller movie can ever be. Since we treat one of the most loveable and human friendly creatures in the world, i can't imagine others. It showed me once more that human-beings are the most cruel, mean and nasty sons of bitches in whole universe. We just don't deserve any beings' love. Please make everyone to see this.
Rated 09 Dec 2009
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 03 Dec 2009
7
64th
Moving, slick and an even exciting documentary. These people are the spies of the activist world.
Rated 03 Dec 2009
ytadelYtadel
Rated 21 Aug 2009
5
57th
An interesting and sobering documentary, definitely worth seeing. Be warned though that once they get their secret cameras set up, the movie "climaxes," so to speak, with a five-minute-long dolphin slaughter sequence, spearing, spewing blood, dolphins screaming and dying. Important to acknowledge the existence of, but unless a dolphin killed your family, likely to be one of the most unpleasant things you've ever seen on a movie screen.
Rated 21 Aug 2009
gordonbombayGordonBombay
Rated 08 Dec 2014
80
63rd
The Cove tries to tell us that is horrible BECAUSE dolphins are smart animals, and NOT because they are living creatures. The Cove paints the Japanese as almost evil bond villains without even mentioning how livestock live and die in the west.The Cove is a documentary in the Michael Moore school of film making, where there is only good and bad, and no grey areas. Good Americans and evil Japanese. But it works... I'm ready for war right now. Fuck the Japanese big time.
Rated 08 Dec 2014
forehead1forehead1
Rated 20 Jul 2012
60
72nd
Moving documentary exposing the horrific slaughter of dolphins off Taiji, Japan and the difficulties involved in getting this practice stopped. The guys involved appear well-meaning and dedicated but perhaps a little lost for ideas, probably the reason this documentary was commissioned in the first place. Sadly therefore, despite the impact made, you get the feeling nothing much will change. The mercury poisoning argument should've been investigated more thoroughly or left out altogether.
Rated 20 Jul 2012
sirrobbieSirRobbie
Rated 02 May 2012
70
53rd
Eye-opening and quite informative but it feels like it's goal was to get the oscar, more than actually helping the dolphins. Although, I'm happy that people make these kind of documentaries, because: "knowing is half the battle", G.I. Joe.
Rated 02 May 2012
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 31 Jul 2011
80
68th
I figured that this was just another activist documentary. Preachy and simplistic, you know? And it is, but it's better than I thought it would be. I mean, when the people in The Cove begin to speak about "the government" being responsible for this "cover-up," I mentally check out. They make the Japanese Representative to the International Whaling Commission, which they describe as a symbolic and toothless organization, into the villain of the film, simply because narratively it needs one. Lazy.
Rated 31 Jul 2011
roofsrunnerroofs_runner
Rated 07 Mar 2011
89
82nd
Impressive and exiting documentary. Just started hating Japanese politics after that. How come people can eat dolphins? Why can't they be like normal people who cows and pigs?
Rated 07 Mar 2011
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 15 Oct 2010
74
37th
I luv dolphins 2 but this doc does its best 2 gloss over the hypocrisy of condemning this particular Japnese village 4 slaughtering them, while US cow/pig abattoirs r acceptable b/c they're less "intelligent"& eating them is "cultural".Yes, dolphins seem more self-aware, but perhaps their puppy-like image best explains this contradiction.Given the emotions it's tough2 know There's a moving character looking 4 redemption& the covert-ops aspect generates tension, but the pay off seems a bit hollow
Rated 15 Oct 2010
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 25 Aug 2010
87
87th
A strong persuasive documentary. It clearly has an agenda and the documentary is as much about O'Barry as it is about the dolphins but that doesn't make it any less interesting as a film. An overview of dolphin hunting and the reasons it should be banned, a few shocking images to drive the point home and a dynamic style to keep you engaged. I doubt it's particularly convincing to those not predisposed to its message and I wish it were more informative, but that's not what it's trying to achieve.
Rated 25 Aug 2010
velvet_croweVelvet Crowe
Rated 17 Jun 2010
40
36th
Why should I care about the Japanese hunting dolphins? A waste of time covering such an inane topic when there's MANY other topics that are of far higher importance. Really, this is just another documentary that uses shock imagery to attract people to its agenda rather than be informative and providing any sort of solution. At the end of the day, it's really just another display of western centrism where the Japanese are bad for daring to do what Americans do to other animals on a daily basis!
Rated 17 Jun 2010
bitch_alertBitch Alert
Rated 19 Apr 2010
100
97th
The end result is a mixture of soderberghian heist flick and (often political) documentary. The film is edited beautifully and the tension is enormous. There are some funny moments as well as some emotional ones. And the cherry topping the cake is Bowie's Heroes playing during the credits: "We can beat them / For ever and ever / Oh we can be heroes / Just for one day."
Rated 19 Apr 2010
vandelay1Vandelay1
Rated 02 Apr 2010
74
85th
Good Doku
Rated 02 Apr 2010
funkyastroFunkyAstro
Rated 01 Mar 2010
80
80th
I would have enjoyed this documentary more if it weren't about dolphins. I liked how it was kinda a documentary of how they did this documentary. I also enjoyed all the recon / spy type stuff they did. I also promise, as an American, I will continue to do my part by not eating dolphin meat or going to Seaworld. I also promise to agree that brutally killing things is wrong.
Rated 01 Mar 2010
stainStain
Rated 22 Feb 2010
90
86th
I am not the biggest greenie-weenie in the world, but this is a fascinating, very affecting documentary
Rated 22 Feb 2010
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 06 Feb 2010
90
94th
A very unnerving documentary that probably has one of the most disturbing 5 minutes of film ever shot. You have to give all the people involved with this a huge load of credit because they put their asses on the line to get some incredibly traumatic footage. I would suggest the movie to everyone, but if you are squeamish you should probably stop watching after they set up all the hidden cameras.
Rated 06 Feb 2010
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 04 Feb 2010
75
80th
A disturbind, appealing and moving doc about the slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. It deserves the Oscar for its courage in revealing such daring images.
Rated 04 Feb 2010
domahdomah
Rated 15 Jan 2010
95
97th
Private Space is one of my all-time favorite villains.
Rated 15 Jan 2010
johnnyboy2JohnnyBoy2
Rated 03 Jan 2010
85
58th
A thought-provoking and surprisingly engaging documentary. However, by the time we see them attempting to infiltrate Taijii, we've been subjected to so much information that it begins to feel like post mortem. In documentary mode, it works best, and with tighter editing in the final act, this could've been a masterpiece. As it stands, it's just very good.
Rated 03 Jan 2010
radresRadres
Rated 12 Dec 2009
78
72nd
I'm glad i watched it. Otherwise i could never learn about Ric O'Barry and his heroic deeds. The Cove is not a usual documantery that wants to teach you something, instead it tries to shake you and shatter the illusion behind Flipper's smile. In the end , i agree Ric, if we are not able to fix the problem in that little cove, how can we hope to fix the bigger problems we are facing as mankind. The Cove certainly adds something about Humanity and for everything it stands for.
Rated 12 Dec 2009
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 17 Dec 2024
65
28th
While I’m sympathetic to its message and intent, there was something unsavoury and unpleasantly manipulative about this, especially contrasting the horrific and confronting scenes of animal slaughter with a gussied up and overly dramatic MISSION IMPOSSIBLE style coverage of the documentary team’s adventures; it creates a not especially comfortable mix of the tragic and trivial. Giving this full points for its shining a light under a rock, but I’m left unconvinced by the execution.
Rated 17 Dec 2024
sneezy0984Sneezy0984
Rated 11 Dec 2023
99
88th
This movie is heart breaking and eye opening. It really made me want to get up and do something.
Rated 11 Dec 2023
adam_p_dAdam P-D
Rated 09 Feb 2022
60
71st
I fully agree with everything this documentary is saying. There are a couple of irritants though. 1. As a lifelong vegetarian I can't help but notice how this empathy doesn't extend towards more commonly eaten/farmed animals. Would putting all dolphins in captivity and breeding the perceived intelligence out of them be an acceptable solution? 2. It must be liberating for wealthy US activists to go and fight the power in a country where the security guards and police won't execute you on a whim.
Rated 09 Feb 2022
metismetis
Rated 06 Aug 2021
96
97th
???????? ????????????????
Rated 06 Aug 2021
tarwebroodtarwebrood
Rated 26 Oct 2020
80
69th
2020-10-26
Rated 26 Oct 2020
evilmangoesEvilMangoes
Rated 12 Jul 2017
96
90th
A
Rated 12 Jul 2017
buffratingsbuffratings
Rated 15 Apr 2017
94
94th
The Cove will unsettle some viewers, but there's no denying the powerful message it effectively delivers.
Rated 15 Apr 2017
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 06 Jan 2017
79
66th
A compelling documentary which features some great talking heads, some gritty and revealing handheld footage, and an unfortunately souped-up night-vision sequence which tries to inject extra tension (to make up for the lack of hard-hitting dolphin killing footage). The message of the film is powerful and necessary but its approach is sometimes heavy-handed and naïve. I don't know how they would have done it better though. The final massacre is enough to stir up plenty of anti-Japanese sentiment
Rated 06 Jan 2017
bratingsbratings
Rated 11 Jul 2016
94
94th
The Cove builds briskly toward one of the most harrowing documents of any documentary, and the footage of scores of dolphins being brutally assaulted is not easily taken in or forgotten.
Rated 11 Jul 2016
timon88Timon88
Rated 29 Mar 2016
77
77th
Pretty damn effective propaganda. I'm sympathetic to its message--don't get me wrong--but it's still propaganda.
Rated 29 Mar 2016
carsonwidCarsonWid
Rated 19 Oct 2014
73
67th
I think they are well intentioned and did a good job of putting this together, but I think a good documentary needs to maintain some neutrality, which does not exist in any form in The Cove.
Rated 19 Oct 2014
lauftLäuft.
Rated 16 Sep 2014
84
80th
Hard to watch, but important to watch.
Rated 16 Sep 2014
zipsterZipster
Rated 12 Aug 2014
90
81st
Imagine being limited to a small corner at a never-ending heavy metal concert and the only way you'll be allowed to eat is by getting up on stage and singing a song perfectly. That's what a dolphin feels like at Sea World.
Rated 12 Aug 2014
woodoowoodoo
Rated 08 Aug 2014
85
63rd
The kind of doc, like Earthlings, that people just don't want to watch.
Rated 08 Aug 2014
henrisepphenrisepp
Rated 06 Apr 2014
60
58th
Beautiful, well-crafted documentary. Often manipulative or one-sided, but carries its agenda from start to end brilliantly. End justifies the means.
Rated 06 Apr 2014
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 12 Mar 2014
70
70th
A sad and compelling documentary about the slaughter and sale of wild dolphins. This exposes Japan and others for the continued destruction of marine mammals. It highlights the urgent need to intervene and the world wide lack of response to this important ecological and dangerous health issue. Made in 2009, it is unfortunately still entirely relevant in 2014. Will the killing ever stop? And what about the continued mercury poisoning of the people who eat the tainted food?
Rated 12 Mar 2014
mapplethorpeMapplethorpe
Rated 07 Jan 2014
9
91st
As a documentary, it is somewhat of a failure as it does not provide enough information, and instead relies on showing us in explicit detail the exploits of these Japanese fisherman. The Cove has some utterly beautiful shots, however, and some that will haunt you forever. Because of this, the documentary is incredibly impactful and thoroughly interesting, if not a tad one-sided.
Rated 07 Jan 2014
illimaniillimani
Rated 05 Jan 2014
81
81st
How the Japanese can continue this slaughter of dolphins is beyond me. How the content of this film is not more widely known around the world is also beyond me. An Oscar in 2009 didn't seem to do the trick. Watch it and you will be amazed at what goes on behind our backs.' An astonishing work' indeed.
Rated 05 Jan 2014
redactedredacted
Rated 21 Nov 2013
73
54th
Lacks talent in the editing suite, which is disappointing. All the supposedly covert stuff was jumbled together in a vague, poorly established attempt at dramatising the placement of cameras. They did catch some solid footage though, most striking was the underwater time-lapse watching the ocean water change colour from natural to blood red. p.s. The IWC is such a hilariously impotent (& corrupt) body, the protest scene shot there barely caused a ripple among its drunk, vacationing constituents.
Rated 21 Nov 2013
burkayadaligburkayadalig
Rated 17 Sep 2013
82
70th
very powerful...
Rated 17 Sep 2013
goldblumingGoldbluming
Rated 08 Mar 2013
60
18th
Contrives the issue into some action bullshit
Rated 08 Mar 2013
daisy_fairydaisy-fairy
Rated 24 Feb 2013
80
68th
I really liked this film even I have never ever before seen a real dolphin. I think that the way these creatures are treated, should never happen to any animal. I'm not against eating meat, I love eating meat and I know that animals have to die because of that. But the thing that Japanese people are doing here, is very cruel in every way. And their argument that dolphins and whales are responsible for the fact that other fish species are disappearing from the oceans... it's just very sad.
Rated 24 Feb 2013
comepeliculacomepelicula
Rated 17 Feb 2013
35
17th
This documentary certainly has some very disturbing images and really makes you aware about animal cruelty and some of the depredatory fishing tactics used today. I didn't like this film from a documentary point of view, this is more like a guerrilla style film and an essay, is heavily one sided and a lot of times you feel the narrative manipulating your point of view, I did not walked away from this movie with an opinion of my own about the subject.
Rated 17 Feb 2013
gokcanzgokcanz
Rated 26 Oct 2012
86
94th
* Directing, Aura : 9 * Ease of Viewing : 8 * Naked Eye : 9
Rated 26 Oct 2012
zaezae
Rated 13 Sep 2012
80
79th
I still don't have any principal objections to whaling, and I will continue to order whale bacon at my local izakaya every now and then, but this is a very well-made, strong documentary. Entertaining, too, with the sneaking action. I'd like to know more about the mercury thing, though.
Rated 13 Sep 2012
rant1229rant1229
Rated 24 Jul 2012
4
69th
Great as an example of engaging, empassioned and enraging filmmaking. Even better as a meta-narrative. One of the few films that's about the making of itself.
Rated 24 Jul 2012
cgcorecgcore
Rated 24 Jul 2012
71
81st
made me interrogate the capitalism fact for a while. and then it passed. beautifully done anyway. this movie has lots of different type of audience; dolphin lovers, new japan haters, vegetarians, immediately crying women, random activists, people who always yell 'animal rights', and also people who know and accept the truth as it is at last.
Rated 24 Jul 2012
gkfilmgkfilm
Rated 23 Jun 2012
60
52nd
2 of 4 -- Entertainment. 1 of 2 -- Food For Thought. 1 of 2 -- Opens The Heart. 2 of 2 -- Sustainability Values.
Rated 23 Jun 2012
maakalmaakal
Rated 17 Apr 2012
80
75th
Awful to watch, but an amazing story. Shocking.
Rated 17 Apr 2012
joeroxyjoeroxy
Rated 10 Apr 2012
60
27th
Liked the subject and how they tackled it but this crying in front of cameras makes me sick
Rated 10 Apr 2012
begoniabolbegoniabol
Rated 12 Sep 2011
76
72nd
Upsetting documentary. Why is it so hard to change something in this world? I really have no words for that ending with the secret dolphin footage.. I'm not a huge dolphin fan, but the way humans can act is just sick
Rated 12 Sep 2011
canadianorcanadianor
Rated 30 Jul 2011
35
20th
With an outsider's perspective, the die-hard nature of "The Cove" can be off-putting. I've never had a dolphin come from the sea and give me a dolphin hug. It seems that everyone involved here has. If the crew had instead decided cows were worthy of such drama, they could find images just as horrible and shocking at a local slaughterhouse. The only time human people are mentioned is regarding the mercury level in dolphin meat, which gets 1 scene relative to 10 scenes swimming with dolphins.
Rated 30 Jul 2011
muutanetmuutanet
Rated 31 May 2011
86
91st
One of the best way to fight against bad behaving towards nature. Stunning underwater shooting and some raw preparing footage. It's a docu about people who dare and risk they lives to fight against big money business.
Rated 31 May 2011
filmguyfilmguy
Rated 29 Mar 2011
80
85th
Very important documentary about animals' rights. I bit leghty though.
Rated 29 Mar 2011
ozymandius10ozymandius10
Rated 04 Mar 2011
76
67th
It's a good documentary on very intriguing subject matter, but I'm never going to be surprised at the brutality human beings are capable of. I'd also be lying if I said taking a firm stance on this film wouldn't make me a hypocrite, since I eat other forms of meat too. The only way the movie wouldn't really be worth your time is if you already know about the dolphin trade or are really squeamish. Do NOT watch this if you are squeamish.
Rated 04 Mar 2011
cinesexualcinesexual
Rated 29 Jan 2011
85
85th
How much you care about this doc - the wholesale slaughter of dolphins for food in the Japanese port city of Taijii -- really depends on whether or not you consider dolphins to be sentient beings. I do and so I cared. Beyond that, the film is expertly constructed like a mystery or action thriller, withholding the "money shot" until late in the film, all while building suspense through traditional narrative strategies. Illuminating and perversely, easy to watch. Until...
Rated 29 Jan 2011
bmuniseBmunise
Rated 04 Jan 2011
95
80th
This contains probably the single ballsiest act of environmental activism I've ever seen.
Rated 04 Jan 2011
chemical404chemical404
Rated 27 Dec 2010
60
59th
Decent activism documentary, but seriously, unless you are vegetarian you shouldn't be bitchin' about Japanese eating dolphins, because that just makes you hypocritical twat.
Rated 27 Dec 2010
vladhammerVladHammer
Rated 10 Dec 2010
85
55th
Though decidedly one-sided, it's hard to watch The Cove and come up with a valid, "Yeah, but..." statement. If you want a fun, lighthearted movie then you should stay as far away as possible. But if you want a good reminder of just how inhumane humans can be, check it out.
Rated 10 Dec 2010
lucluc
Rated 26 Nov 2010
90
96th
When I see this documentary I'm sure now to go never to Japan or eat in a Japanese restaurant. Those yellow bastards are really stupid to kill every year 23000 dolphins.
Rated 26 Nov 2010
slantmagSlantMag
Rated 19 Nov 2010
30
78th
"Staggeringly exposes the high-to-low complicity of many hands in the international captivity trade, though mostly it stands as a testament to one man's activist spirit and a reminder of how all social progress comes from the passion of the individual." - Ed Gonzalez
Rated 19 Nov 2010
sw0sw0
Rated 03 Nov 2010
91
88th
The underwater cam showing the ocean go from blue to red was an eye opener of the ruthless actions by the Japanese fishermen.
Rated 03 Nov 2010
inframanInframan
Rated 08 Sep 2010
94
71st
Astounding stuff.
Rated 08 Sep 2010
actionbergActionberg
Rated 06 Sep 2010
40
11th
They can say they're not anti-Japanese all they want, but the way the movie is filmed emphasizes that sentiment more than they'd want. The message wasn't completely off, but the ethics of The Cove are frankly primitive. One of the least responsible works of nonfiction I've ever seen.
Rated 06 Sep 2010
lilarcorLilarcor
Rated 10 Aug 2010
71
40th
A surprisingly thoughtful documentary although it takes several shortcuts to try to prove its point. At the end I thought they were using too much of the time trying to show how they captured the evidence ninja-style when what I really wanted was a broader look into the possible ways of solving this dilemma.
Rated 10 Aug 2010
angrypierreangrypierre
Rated 28 Jul 2010
88
91st
Not for the delicate of stomach, and surprisingly even-handed. Sensitively deals with an incredibly emotive subject. I was impressed that they didn't make more of a "hey look that hot chick from Heroes is on our side" bit too. All together a fantastic piece of documentary work, and definitely food for thought.
Rated 28 Jul 2010
fuckeroofuckeroo
Rated 21 Jun 2010
100
90th
Bets documentary i've ever seen. A real eye-opener. It will keep you on the edge, building up to a monstrous climax scene that will leave you sad, shocked and angry.
Rated 21 Jun 2010
caocaocaocao
Rated 15 Jun 2010
83
96th
Once again a documentary proves that to be most effective it should deliver itself in much the same way that any Hollywood picture does. This is full of drama, tension (huge), much needed comic relief, injustice and just a sliver of hope. Probably more compelling then just about anything else you'll see from the same year.
Rated 15 Jun 2010
jack_parsonsjack parsons
Rated 15 Jun 2010
7
41st
A pretty informative documentary. A lot of tension building, this gets very exciting - almost like a heist flick!
Rated 15 Jun 2010
graveyardtangraveyardtan
Rated 12 Jun 2010
80
57th
There's a great film in here, but that film's only about an hour long, and its padded with a bunch of side-tracks about mercury poisoning and stuff like that. Also, I don't really feel bad watching dolphins getting killed. There, I said it.
Rated 12 Jun 2010
bwlfro5bwlfro5
Rated 01 Jun 2010
85
87th
One-sided views, but it's a riveting watch.
Rated 01 Jun 2010
mattyMatty
Rated 12 May 2010
75
35th
A chilling and eye-opening look into the world of Japanese dolphin hunters, as well as the cruel business of dolphin captivity. The film is also an incredible spy movie! Being able to see the whole planning process of such a covert operation almost makes you feel like you're watching a James Bond movie.
Rated 12 May 2010
zozanZozan
Rated 09 May 2010
85
87th
My wife actually cried during this documentary. She is a fan for dolphins and she said she is never gonna be visiting any dophinariums again. As for me, I noticed that I am still capable of getting scared by the lenghts human beings dare to go for money.
Rated 09 May 2010
rthornhillrthornhill
Rated 30 Apr 2010
96
96th
a thoroughly entertaining and informative documentary. i highly recommend you see this film. if you want more info. go to www.savejapandolphins.org and www.takepart.com/thecove
Rated 30 Apr 2010
mjvmoviemanMJVmovieMan
Rated 28 Mar 2010
85
87th
I like the references to the crew acting like their own "Ocean's 11." This is a slick, consistently exciting documentary that doesn't just rely on horrific images to unsettle the viewer. The history and build-up is terrific, and the dedication of these activists is pure passion that will hopefully illuminate a health crisis and move its viewers to do something about it.
Rated 28 Mar 2010
davidkahaneDavidKahane
Rated 28 Mar 2010
87
79th
It's transparently an argument for one particular position, trying to expose a wrong rather than illuminate an issue. Despite this--or perhaps because of it--the film is powerful and unshakable, especially the compelling testimony delivered by former Flipper trainer Ric O'Barry about the intelligence of dolphins. The passion of the people onscreen combines with bluntness in the depiction of brutality against innocent animals to effectively transfer the rage of the filmmakers to the viewer.
Rated 28 Mar 2010
mohanmohan
Rated 22 Mar 2010
98
88th
A powerful film. But I was disturbed by 2 things - 1. that it tries to focus a bit too much on the elaborate preparations of the crew that it is sometimes annoying along with the background music which deafens the conversations of the crew in the cove (at night); 2. that it puts forward the message: it is ok take away a being's body as long as it doesnt exhibit signs of intelligence. (I love dolphins but also other animals). But still a very Good effort though emotional manipulative & 1 sided.
Rated 22 Mar 2010
kavuKavu
Rated 26 Feb 2010
87
89th
A quite intriguing documentary that takes a hands-on approach to a problem that really has no reason to exist. Expectedly beautiful footage combined with unexpectedly raw footage.
Rated 26 Feb 2010
zealot185Zealot185
Rated 06 Feb 2010
90
90th
You don't have to be an animal rights activist to become emotionally engaged in this shocking story of how a small town in Japan is responsible for the mass slaughter of dolphins every year. Be warned that there are some EXTREMELY GRAPHIC scenes near the end. I'm rating this highly because of its vitally significant message.
Rated 06 Feb 2010
duderDuder
Rated 16 Dec 2009
75
89th
If you know how to watch a documentary, this is a great watch. Heartfelt, sad but courageous.. Extremely courageous..
Rated 16 Dec 2009
mlightle3mlightle3
Rated 09 Oct 2009
88
76th
Sad and horrifying, in a terrific way. Really opens your eyes. I'll be thinking twice about enjoying seafood from now on.
Rated 09 Oct 2009
evansjoyevansjoy
Rated 08 Aug 2009
90
77th
A little bit too much hero worship of trainer-turned-activist Ric O'Barry, and a little biased, but overall a fascinating spy story. The final scenes of dolphin slaughter are horrifying.
Rated 08 Aug 2009
sweinbergs.weinberg
Rated 19 Apr 2009
90
88th
"I've seen hundreds of horror movies in my time, and I've never seen anything quite as disturbing as the final sequences of The Cove."
Rated 19 Apr 2009

Collections

Loading ...

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...

Trailer

Loading ...