From the dazzling coral reefs of the Bahamas to the wind-swept seas of Patagonia, the Academy Award-nominated Dolphins takes audiences under the water’s surface for a romp with inquisitive Atlantic spotted dolphins, acrobatic dusky dolphins, and the familiar bottlenose dolphin of Flipper fame. Studying elusive, fast-moving animals in the ocean environment is a difficult task, but in Dolphins, viewers will follow young marine biologist Kathleen Dudzinski and her two colleagues, mentor Bernd Würsig and Alejandro Acevedo-Gutierrez, as they research the communication of wild dolphins with innovative scientific methods and interesting technology. From rarely seen fish-herding behavior to a close-up look at complex communication activities, Dolphins gives audiences a fascinating new perspective on the lives of dolphins and their remarkable intelligence. Dolphins is the second in MacGillivray Freeman Films’ Great Adventure Film series.

Length: 40:00

Film Details

  • Year Released: 2000
  • Date Released:
    March 2000
  • Alternate Titles:
  • Status: In Distribution
  • 3D: No
  • Run Time: 31-50
  • Formats: 8/70, 15/70, Dome-customized 15/70
  • Distributor:

    MacGillivray Freeman Films

  • Produced By:
  • Executive Producer: Chris Palmer
  • Producer: Greg MacGillivray, Alec Lorimore
  • Director:  Greg MacGillivray
  • Associate Producer: 
  • Writer:  Stephen Judson, Tim Cahill
  • Cinematography: Greg MacGillivray, Brad Ohlund, Paul Atkins, Bob Talbot
  • Sound Editor: 
  • Visual Effects:
  • Music/Score:  Steve Wood, with music by Sting.
  • Editor: Stephen Judson
  • Narrator: Pierce Brosnan
  • Other Credits: Produced in association with the National Wildlife Federation. Major funding provided by the National Science Foundation and the Museum Film Network.
  • Sponsors:

Genre

  • Animals
  • Documentary
  • Nature
  • Oceanography

Website

macgillivrayfreeman.com/project/dolphins/

Awards

  • Nominated for Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, 2000
  • Best Marketing Campaign by a Distributor, Giant Screen Theater Association (GSTA), 2000
  • Lifelong Learning Award, Giant Screen Theater Association (GSTA), 2001
  • Gold Camera Award, U.S. International Film and Video Festival
  • Silver WorldMedal, The New York Festivals
  • Grand Prix du Public, La Géode Film Festival, Paris
  • Special Gold Jury Award, 34th Worldfest Houston

Film Facts

Dolphins was the first film to win the GSTA/GSCA Best Film for Lifelong Learning Award