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| © The Orca Ocean |
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| Below are some movies that have been made where orcas are the star! While there are other movies around the world that have done this as well (including a movie made in Mexico that starred Keiko long before Free Willy), these movies are only the ones in English and released in the United States. |
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| NAMU: MY BEST FRIEND [Available on DVD!] Relased: 1966 Starring: Robert Lansing, John Anderson, Richard Erdman, Lee Meriwether, Joe Higgins, Michael Shea, Robin Mattson, Namu Rating: Not Rated Length: 1 hour, 29 minutes. Color Summery: When his mate is killed by whale-fearing fishermen, Namu mourns his loss in the cove of marine biologist Hank Donner (Lansing). Despite his great size and reputation, Namu demonstrates that his grief is profound and his sorrow genuine. A sensative sea creature, he finds a trie friend in Donner, who gains his trst and seizes the opportunity to study the elusive and misunderstood mammal. But Donner's only human allies are a young widow (Meriwether) and her sympathtic daughter. And in a heart-pounding race against time, the three must rally to protect Namu from angry fishermen and prove that their friend, like all whales, is a remarkable, intelligent, gentle giant. Little Orca's Opinion: While the opening song is a bit corny, this is a good movie for young children and adults alike. The story is a bit farfetched for our time, but back in the 60's and 70's this is how people really thought of orcas. So keeping that in mind, it is a fabulous film. Little Orca's Rating: 3.5 /5 Sea Stars ORCA [Available on DVD!] Released: 1977 Starring: Richard Harries, Charlotte Rampling, Will Sampson, Bo Derek, Yaka and Nepo (as the orca. This is only a guessed identification, but these two orcas do fit the dorsal shape of the orcas in the film.) Rating: PG Length: 1 hour, 32 minutes. Color Summery: The epic tale of one powerful being against another; a strong, determined fisherman (Harris) versus an equally determined whale. When the giant whale's pregnant mate is maimed and killed by Harries, in a variation of Moby Dick, the whale seeks revenge on the man. Orca smashes boats, collapses buildings, and even managed to cause enormous destruction by fire. Little Orca's Opinion: While this movie was supposed to be scary for the time it was released, 1977, today I find it somewhat humerous. The special effects are none to grand, as to be expected, and the story is far from what a real orca would do, but it is entertaining. I would not reccomend this movie for children under 13 as there is a lot of blood and violence. Little Orca's Rating: 4 /5 Sea Stars FREE WILLY [Available on DVD!] Released: 1993 Starring: Jason James Richer, Lori Petty, Jane Atkinson, August Schellenberg, Michael Madsen, Keiko as "Willy" Rating: PG Length: 1 hour, 52 minutes. Color. Summery: Willy is a magnificent orca whale confined in a too-small tank at Pacific Northwest aquatic park. At night, Willy cried out to his family that frolics in the nearby bay. No one understands his cried and moods-- no one except a 12-year-old boy who knows what it's like to be without a family. When the boy learns og the unfortunate plans in store for his friend, he carries out a plan of his own, racing against time to return Willy to his natural habitat. Little Orca's Opinion: This is a fabulous movie. As a little girl, this movie was my favorite, especially since it was filmed where I live. There is a book, however, that is much like this story called S'Gana the Black Whale. I find it somewhat ironic that hte book was written, published, then Free Willy came out a little after. It makes me wonder who had the idea first. Both are marvelous stories of boys freeing captive orcas, and Free Willy is definatly a must see for all children and adults. Little Orca's Rating: 5 /5 Sea Stars FREE WILLY 2: THE ADVENTURE HOME [Available on DVD!] Released: 1995 Starring: Jason James Richer, August Schellemburg, Jayne Atkinson, Jon Tenny, Ezliabeth Pena, Michael Madsen, Keiko (for one shot, the rest of the time it is an anamatronic orca). Rating: PG Length: 1 hour, 38 minutes. Color Summery: Now a teenager, Jesse has settled into live with his adoptive parents, has an eye for girls, and copes with his fiesty half-brother Elvis. He never expects to see Willy again, but during a Pacific Northwest vacation, Jesses meets a special girl and Willy and his family. But when a tanker runs aground and spills oil into the harbor, the whales are trapped-- and the ganer gets critical when the oil ignites. Jesse and Willy's reunion suddenly becomes a desperate bid to survive. To save Willy's family, Jesse bust brave a sea of flames-- and hope that Willy will be there to rescue him right back. Little Orca's Opinion: While not as wonderful as the first film, this was not a bad sequal. The special effects are all right, the story line will keep you interested in the film, and there is even a little romance. While the connection between Willy having a new brother and Jesse having a new brother was a little too much of a coincidence for my taste, the film is still wonderful and reccomended. Little Orca's Rating: 4 /5 Sea Stars FREE WILLY 3: THE RESCUE [Available on DVD!] Released: 1997 Starring: Jason James Richer, August Schellenberg, Annie Corley, Vincent Berry, Patrick Kilpatrick Rating: PG Length: 1 hour, 28 minutes. Color. Summery: Willy's best friend, Jesse, now works with his mentor Randolph tracking whales in the remote waters of the Pacific Northwest coast. It is here that Jesse is reuinted with his magestic, three-ton pal, and makes a nre friend in Max: a ten-year-old boy who shares Jesse's curiosity and affection for whales. But Max's fisherman father harbors a mysterious secreat that could threaten Willy and his entire family. To ensure their safety, Jesse and Max must embark on a thrilling rescue misson that can succeed only through friendship, courage, and the power of love. Little Orca's Opinion: This movie has to be the worst of the Free Willy films, and the worst of the films on this site. While the possibility of illeagle whaling in the Pacific Northwest is next to none, this film focuses hugely on it. There are not shots of a live Keiko, instead all the whales are anamatronic. A lot of whale footage was recycled from the second film and is used repeativly in the film. The only reason to see this film would be to teach children the horrors of whaling and to listen to the music. The soundtrack is worth buying. Little Orca's Rating: 1/ 5 Sea Stars |
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| From the movie Free Willy. Scanned by Little Orca |