March of the Penguins

YMA recommendation

	Approved as non-violent media, with caution. Predatory animal behaviour; Distressing scenes; Animals in danger
Most suitable age range: 5-7

Availability

Many items on the list of non-violent media may be available for either purchase or hire. Click here for some ideas of where to look for them.

About the movie

Synopsis

Written and directed by Luc Jacquet, March of the Penguins is a documentary narrated by Morgan Freeman, about the extraordinary ritual of the Emperor Penguins, who walk 70 miles to reach their ancient breeding grounds annually.

Points to consider

Words of caution

Younger children might find some scenes in this movie distressing particularly the death of some of the adult and baby penguins.

There is some predatory animal behaviour such as:

• female penguins fighting over the males
• penguins being chased and captured by leopard seals
• penguin chicks being attacked by large birds
  

Positive aspects

• mutual co-operation
• protection and nurture of young.

Questions to ask

• Why do you think the father penguin stays to hatch the egg during the freezing weather while the mother goes back to the ocean to fetch the food?
• How does the mother penguin find her own chick when she returns with food?