Blackfish

2013
PG-13
1h 23m

IMDb RATING

8.1/10

74K

YOUR RATING

Notorious killer whale Tilikum is responsible for the deaths of three individuals, including a top animal trainer. Blackfish shows the sometimes devastating consequences of keeping such intelligent and sentient creatures in captivity.

Play trailer2:23

12 Videos

30 Photos

Documentary Drama Horror Thriller

A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.1/10

74K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
- 6 wins & 41 nominations total

Photos30

+ 25

Top cast59

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Tilikum

Self - Killer Whale
(archive footage)

Dave Duffus

Self - OSHA Expert Witness, Whale Researcher

Samantha Berg

Self - Former SeaWorld Trainer

Dean Gomersall

Self - Former SeaWorld Trainer

John Hargrove

Self - Former SeaWorld Trainer

Mark Simmons

Self - Former SeaWorld Trainer

Kim Ashdown

Self - Former SeaWorld Trainer

James Earl Jones

Self - SeaWorld Commercial Actor
(archive footage)

Shamu

Self - Killer Whale
(archive footage)

Carol Ray

Self - Former SeaWorld Trainer

John Jett

Self - Tilikum Former SeaWorld Trainer

Dawn Brancheau

Self - SeaWorld Senior Trainer & Victim
(archive footage)

Jeffrey Ventre

Self - Former SeaWorld Trainer

Thomas Tobin

Self - SeaWorld Paramedic
(voice)

Jim Payne

Self - Local TV Reporter
(archive footage)

Martha Sugalski

Self - Local TV Reporter
(archive footage)

Whoopi Goldberg

Self
(archive footage)

David Kirby

Self - Author 'Death at SeaWorld'
(archive footage)

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
As of August 2015, Seaworld profits have dropped 84% compared to the period prior to this film's release.

Goofs
At minute 28:51 while mentioning Tilikum's arrival to Sea World in 1992, they show Keiko's footage; as you can clearly see a banner that says "Delegacion Tlalpan" and a "Reino Aventura" logo (where Keiko used to perform in Mexico city).

Quotes
Howard Garrett - Orca Researcher: There is no record of an orca doing any harm to a human in the wild.

Connections
Featured in Storyville: Blackfish: The Whale That Killed (2013)

User reviews270

Review

Featured review

10/10

Film Moves With Fluidity of Wild Orca

The documentary "Blackfish" just premiered at Sundance to much deserved rave reviews. It's a compelling story of a 12,000 pound orca who has been in captivity since 1983 when he was captured at the age of two. New footage and interviews with trainers who worked at SeaWorld (and left disillusioned) add dynamic interest to the overall question of whether or not these wild intelligent sentient animals should be kept in captivity. This is a story that will have you questioning what you thought you knew. See "Blackfish" if you're interested in orcas; see it if you're interested in the truth; see it for no other reason than to find out why SeaWorld doesn't want you to see it. This film moves with the fluidity of a wild orca in the ocean. Don't miss out on seeing "Blackfish" because it's going to change the way you think.