A well done film documenting the capture of migrating dolphins. A town dedicated to procuring the cute dolphins we like to see perform at the world's "dolphinaria", actually kills and eats 80% of the take not "selected". This is done in a secret cove that is penetrated in the film by a group of very determined activists. The group, using sophisticatd insurrection devices, is filmed both as an adventure and as an expose'. The resulting footage is suspensfully shocking. It is hard to sympathize with the Japanese point of view since the perps find it necessary to conceal their operations from the Japanese population itself. Also the percentage of dolphin meat from such butchering is a miniscule proportion of the total fish marketed in Japan. Footage of international gov agencies' endless jawboning is inserted for comic relief. The group led by R. O'Barry, former trainer of "Flipper" now turned anti-captivity for any marine mammal, makes the case for protection of these animals effectively

Saw this film at Sundance! Incredible Film, Incredible Story! Must See!

This film tells the story of a group of activists, including a former dolphin trainer, a pair of free divers, and a filmmaker, working to expose the slaughter of dolphins in Taiji, Japan. The film eloquently explains the problems facing dolphins in captivity, as well as why dolphins are not a healthy or humane food source. The story unfolds more like a spy drama than a typical documentary. Viewers learn about the International Whaling Commission and its role in permitting the continued violence against dolphins. While some of the critics on this site have complained that the film vilifies the Japanese, I actually thought the film did a very good job making clear that the overwhelming majority of Japanese are NOT complicit in this slaughter (and a core goal of the film is to draw the Japanese's attention to this problem). The film also contextualizes Japanese interests in continuing to hunt whales and dolphins historically. This film is truly memorable and I hope helps stop the killing.

This film brings to light a horrible situation that many people have not even heard of. While it was hard to watch some of the more graphic scenes, the film's message was portrayed in an informative and passionate way. I would recommend this movie to anyone... and I have already taken a few friends.

Synopsis: the Japanese are slaughtering dolphins by the tens of thousands for profit, and this movie shows for the first time EXACTLY how and why they are doing it. I knew this movie was going to show it all, and it was as bad as I thought it would be, maybe even worse. Nevertheless, I am glad I saw The Cove because it is INTERESTING, it is VERY WELL MADE, and it PROVIDES USEFUL INFORMATION about a despicable evil that we can all help to change. If you are looking for a mere pleasant evening out, this may not be your best choice, and you would have to be very sick indeed to take a child to see this. Yet The Cove is worth seeing because it is also about some very brave people who really care. If you don't feel motivated enough to go out and do something to make things change after watching this, then you need to check your pulse to make sure that you aren't about to die while no one is looking. And if that IS about to happen, then maybe you will be lucky enough to rescued by a dolphin.