Educational Media Reviews Online

This well-edited video focuses on the primary plight of the whales, human exploitation. Viewers learn that the harpoon was developed in 1879 and some of the historic whaling shots, including footage of carcasses being processed, are not for everyone, but are dramatic. Nicely woven footage of whales, interviews with scientists, and interviews with IWC (International Whaling Commission) members are used to tell the whaling history of Right, Humpback, Finback, Blue and Minke whales, complete with population statistics. Despite a whaling moratorium in 1986, several nations still conduct what they call “scientific whaling” and according to this film several pro-whaling nations actually buy the votes of other IWC members in an attempt to have the moratorium lifted. Viewers also learn how pesticides and habitat degradation pose additional threats for whales. The whale footage is quite stunning, and includes shots taken under water, from boats and from the air. The footage of animals is woven nicely with interviews and leaves viewers with a comprehensive picture of how whale populations have been exploited over time. I recommend this film for high school, public and college libraries.