We bring to your attention the best films about animals, which included a wide variety of films - from documentary and environmental propaganda to family cinema. Films produced in 2000-2017 hit the hit parade. with the highest rating on the Kinopoisk website.
10. Black fin (2013)
While animal films are usually ideal for family viewing, not all of them are intended for children's eyes. The top films about animals are opened by a picture with a somewhat unexpected plot - it is devoted to the history of the Canadian killer whale Tillicum, which committed two murders of people in 10 years. Director Gabriela Kaupertaite is trying to understand the causes of the tragedy. The movie is a kind of parallel to many films in defense of animals. If the latter are focused on the suffering of animals, then Gabriela shows that in many ways human control over wildlife is just an illusion.
9. Meerkats (2007)
Growing Up Cinema with an animal hero is not just a documentary about small African animals, but practically a real feature film. It demonstrates the growing up of a cub and its transformation into a wise leader of the tribe. Sometimes it seems that our smaller brothers are just playing for the camera.
8. Vesyegonskaya wolf (2004)
The confrontation between a man and a wolf (here it is the hereditary hunter Yegor and the she-wolf-leader) is a well-known plot. Can a person change his attitude towards nature? Will faceless nature be able to acquire individuality and see a person? Country life, location shots, no green screen and no computer gimmicks. True, sometimes it is too symbolic, but what kind of Russian cinema is it without attempts to grasp the immensity?
7. Birds (2001)
Another great and groundbreaking animal documentary on the list of the best films. For the first time, birds were filmed up close during the flight. This required the development of special super-light aircraft. The film crew did a real feat, following the migration routes of birds from the arctic cold through forests, swamps and fields to hot deserts. By the way, during the filming of the film, not a single animal was harmed - the film crew regularly rescued birds in a difficult situation.
6. Ash and Snow (2005)
The result of the life journey of the American photographer Gregory Colber, who decided to make a film about the unity of man and the animal world and spent 13 years on it. Filmed in light brown tones, the film is more of a meditative reflection on stunningly beautiful shots, the main theme of which is the possibility of harmony between humans and animals. True, the mind unprepared for meditation 63 minutes of the film can plunge into a healthy sound sleep.
5. Life (2011)
In fifth place is the film with the large-scale title "Life", directed by Michael Gunton and Martha Holmes. From the very beginning, the viewer plunges into the element of life, the world of wildlife, where every living creature, from insects to giants, lives its own cycle from birth, searching for food, habitat, partner, raising children to death.The film contains stunningly beautiful footage filmed all over the planet Earth, from the North Pole to Australia.
4. Oceans (2009)
Although three quarters of the Earth's surface is covered with water, what happens in its depths is still largely a mystery. The French film Oceans, directed by director Jacques Perrin, is dedicated to the hidden life of sea animals (another of his works, Birds, is ranked seventh in the selection). For three and a half years, in 54 different places around the world, filming of the life of marine life closed from humans was filmed. This movie can be safely recommended to almost any category of audience. Some will not be left indifferent by large-scale shooting, others - by the life of animals, and still others will receive aesthetic pleasure from the spectacle unfolding in front of them. By the way, the film can be watched online for free at Kinopoisk.
3. Hachiko: the most loyal friend (2008)
This glorious and sincere film can be watched even with a small child, so that everyone can cry in front of the screen. It is based on a real story - the life of the Japanese dog Hachiko, who, even after the death of the owner, regularly came to wait for him at the railway station for nine years. If the main role was played by Richard Gere, then the four-legged friend in different years of her life is played by three dogs.
2.Russia - the kingdom of tigers, bears and volcanoes (2011)
The film is full of love for Russia, although it was shot by German directors. From the Caucasus to Kamchatka, the wild nature of Russia is shown in all its enchanting splendor. The skill of the cameramen allows the viewer to see rare wild animals in their natural habitat almost at arm's length. The wonderful soundtrack adds charm to the film.
1. Earthlings (2005)
The first number among the best documentaries about animals is the film "Earthlings" directed by Sean Monson. The film is heavy, scary, and absolutely not suitable for family viewing. Filming with a hidden camera more than clearly shows how humanity treats the living creatures that inhabit the planet Earth with them, if they have the misfortune of being useful to people in something - from food production, laboratory research to breeding of pedigree companion animals.