The Cove Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Flipper’s ex-trainer assembles a Mission: Impossible team to expose a dolphin massacre, turning a feel-good 60s show into a real-life eco-thriller.

🍿 The Cove: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Flipper Connection

The documentary begins by introducing Richard O’Barry, the man who trained the dolphins for the popular 1960s TV show “Flipper.” O’Barry recounts his experiences and how the show fueled a global fascination with dolphins, leading to the rise of marine parks and dolphin captivity. This section establishes O’Barry’s unique perspective and his personal transformation from trainer to activist.

Uncovering the Secret in Taiji

O’Barry teams up with filmmaker Louie Psihoyos and the Oceanic Preservation Society to investigate dolphin hunting practices in Taiji, Japan. The film highlights the town’s outward appearance of celebrating dolphins and whales, while secretly engaging in the mass slaughter of dolphins in a hidden cove. The activists encounter resistance and intimidation from local authorities and fishermen.

The Covert Operation

Faced with obstacles, the team assembles a group of specialists, including free divers, Hollywood special effects experts, and surveillance technology experts, to conduct a covert operation. They use hidden cameras and underwater microphones to document the dolphin slaughter in the cove, risking their safety to expose the truth. This section plays out like a suspenseful heist movie.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Richard O’Barry (Richard O’Barry): A former dolphin trainer turned activist, O’Barry leads the effort to expose the dolphin killings in Taiji, Japan.
• Louie Psihoyos (Louie Psihoyos): The filmmaker who documents O’Barry’s work and uses covert techniques to film the dolphin slaughter in the cove.
• Hardy Jones (Hardy Jones): An activist who supports O’Barry in exposing a serious threat to human health.
• Paul Watson (Paul Watson): A conservationist that supports O’Barry and other key players in the effort to infiltrate a serious instance of animal abuse.
• Japanese Government Officials (N/A): Entities involved in the systematic hiding of the hunting, and the marketing of dolphin meat.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Richard O’Barry: “The thing that turned me around was the death of Flipper, of Cathy. She was really depressed. I could feel it. I could see it. And she committed suicide in my arms.” – O’Barry explains how the death of one of the dolphins he trained for ‘Flipper’ led him to become an activist against dolphin captivity.
• Richard O’Barry: “Every breath they take is a conscious effort. And so they can end their life whenever life becomes too unbearable by not taking the next breath.” – O’Barry discusses the unique ability of dolphins to consciously control their breathing, relating it to Cathy’s suicide.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.5 million
• Domestic Gross: $857,005
• Worldwide Gross: $1,187,434

💥 The Cove Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, ‘The Cove’ hit me hard. I went in expecting an informative doc, but it turned into an emotional rollercoaster. Seeing the team risk everything to expose the truth, then witnessing the actual dolphin slaughter… I was horrified. It’s a movie that stays with you, and makes you question your own choices. It’s impossible to look away.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Animal rights activists”
  • “Environmentalists”
  • “Documentary film enthusiasts”
  • “Those interested in Japanese culture and politics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Animal cruelty”
  • “Disturbing imagery”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “The film is a gripping blend of suspense and horror, revealing a hidden atrocity with the pacing of a thriller. While emotionally charged, ‘The Cove’ makes a convincing argument for conservation and awareness.
• Variety: “A shocking and deeply disturbing look at the annual dolphin hunt in Taiji, Japan. ‘The Cove’ is not just an expose but a call to action, skillfully crafted to ignite outrage and inspire change in viewers.
• RogerEbert.com: “‘The Cove’ unfolds as a heist movie, but with much higher stakes. It’s a difficult but essential watch, raising awareness about a hidden horror and challenging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about the cost of entertainment.

Audience Reactions

Viewers were deeply moved by the emotional impact of the film’s expose of dolphin slaughter in Taiji, Japan.: The film’s raw footage and compelling narrative made it an unforgettable and profoundly moving experience for most viewers.

Many viewers applauded the bravery and determination of the activists who risked their safety to expose the hidden atrocities.: The film’s ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ style approach resonated with viewers, making complex issues accessible and engaging.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Cove’ is widely considered a powerful and disturbing documentary that exposes a hidden atrocity, igniting outrage and inspiring viewers to take action.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Documentary Feature)- 2010

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The filmmakers used military-grade thermal cameras and hydrophones to capture footage in the cove under the cover of darkness.”
• “To smuggle cameras into the area, the team disguised them as rocks, blending them into the natural environment of the cove.”
• “The film crew faced constant surveillance and intimidation from local authorities and fishermen, making filming extremely risky.”
• “Ric O’Barry’s past as the dolphin trainer for the ‘Flipper’ TV series provides a unique perspective on dolphin captivity and exploitation.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Cove?

The Cove is available to stream on platforms like Prime Video and Apple TV, where you may need to rent or purchase it. Check local listings for television airings. Digital purchase options may also be available through various online retailers.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Cove, you might like these similar films:

• Blackfish (2013): Similar exposé of the dark side of marine parks and the treatment of orcas in captivity.
• Food, Inc. (2008): Exposes the hidden practices of the industrial food industry, similar to how ‘The Cove’ uncovers hidden animal exploitation.
• Virunga (2014): Follows a group of park rangers risking their lives to protect the endangered mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park.
• An Inconvenient Truth (2006): Like The Cove, this movie galvanized climate change action globally

🛒 The Cove Related Products

• Oceanic Preservation Society (OPS) T-Shirt – ‘The Cove’ Official Merch: Support ocean conservation with this official OPS t-shirt. Made from sustainable materials, it helps raise awareness and funds for protecting marine life.
• Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia: Explore the depths of the ocean with this stunning visual encyclopedia, packed with facts, maps, and photographs. It offers an amazing insight to understand the ocean world.
• Animal Planet Dolphin Adventure Playset: A captivating play set with dolphin figures and accessories, fostering a sense of imagination and environmental responsibility. These well made toys represent a wonderful opportunity for children to become more responsible and thoughtful.
• Limited Edition ‘The Cove’ Blu-Ray Collector’s Set: Includes the Blu-ray disc, extended scenes, director’s commentary, and a signed poster by Ric O’Barry. A must-have for serious fans of the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Cove features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Magic” – performed by J. Ralph, Performed by The Rumor Mill

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Exposing Japan’s dolphin killing cove | 60 Minutes Australia

Ever wondered what happened after ‘The Cove’ was released? This 60 Minutes Australia report gives you an update on the situation in Taiji, Japan, showing the ongoing efforts to expose the dolphin hunts. It’s a must-see to understand the lasting impact of the film and the challenges that remain!

Japan anger over ‘The Cove’

Want to see how ‘The Cove’ was received in Japan? This Al Jazeera report shows the strong reactions and protests that occurred when the film was released, giving you another perspective on the film’s impact! It’s pretty interesting to see how differently the film was perceived.

Lies of the documentary film “The Cove”

Have you ever considered that ‘The Cove’ might not be telling the whole truth? This video presents an opposing viewpoint, claiming the documentary contains factual errors. It’s definitely worth checking out to get a balanced view.

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