Customer Reviews

I Am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

After much begging from my animal activist friend, I reluctantly agreed to watch this film, certain that my belief that PETA people all had a screw or two loose would remain unchanged.

But I had no idea how animals are abused to produce things we take for granted every day, like the hamburger I ate for lunch, or the soap I wash my clothes in. The undercover video footage from slaughterhouses, fur farms, and laboratories was so gut-wrenching, I had to turn away at some points. It made me ask myself, if I can't even watch what happens to animals in these industries, how can I continue supporting them with a clear conscience?

I Am an Animal really got to me. It's a must see for anyone who likes a thought provoking film. Even though I didn't go completely vegan overnight, it definitely made me think.

its a very well made documentary and very educational.

i would like to say that i support PETA but i cant. i fully believe in everything that they are doing for the animals (minus the hypocritical killings) but dont like how they try to make their points. in Ingrid's eyes, "there is no bad publicity" yet there really is.

there are many people that are completely turned off by PETA's outrageous tactics and think anyone that tries to support animal rights is nuts. in fact, simply doing a peaceful protest against puppy mills draws a lot of these people to poke fun, say we're crazy and assume that we are a part of PETA, which we are not.

PETA has done some good but has also damaged the name of animal activists and advocates for eternity. we are stuck fighting even harder for the animals because of what they have done.

Thought you knew everything there was to know about PETA, the animal rights movement, and how animals are really treated before they're turned into a burger or a belt? Think again. You need to see this documentary.

Before I go any further, let me tell you that I've never been a big fan of PETA. One of the main reasons I didn't support them was because I didn't agree with their shock tactics. Then I watched the movie and found out how monkeys in labs are restrained and tortured, turkeys have their legs broken by cruel, indifferent workers, and live animals were once used as crash test dummies. All of these cruel acts are way more shocking than anything PETA could ever do!

Now instead of getting annoyed by protesters, I am enraged that there even has to be protesters to fight for what should be common, human decency toward animals. That said, I highly, highly recommend this movie. Filled with interviews from supporters and detractors, this documentary is surprisingly well-balanced. Not only does it provide you with an unbiased view of how animals are treated in this world, but it will also open your eyes and make you think twice about the food that you put into your mouth, and the clothes that you put on your back.

Ingrid Newkirk started and continues to run PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - the largest and most effective animal rights organisation in the world.

If there is indeed a balance of good and evil in the universe, as some metaphysicians claim, then Newkirk is a heavy-weight on the side of the angels. She has devoted most of her life to making us think about the conditions in which the rest of sentient life languishes, suffers and dies under the "dominion" of humanity.

This extraordinary look at Newkirk's life starts with her reading some of the foul, abusive correspondence which she receives every day from those who hate her for taking the covers off the mirrors and showing us as we are: sometimes callous, often greedy, usually apathetic. She and those who know her speak with total openness and candour of her background, methods and aims. PETA has a message about the inconsistency of our beliefs about what is "normal" - the way we love some animals and eat, wear or torment others. That message is so important that almost any means are justified in getting it heard, and PETA has pioneered media campaigns which have revolutionised advocacy, and which regularly get results against corporate interests with media budgets that would dwarf this not-for-profit organisation.

A fascinating story about one of the world's most interesting and influential women. Not to be missed.

everyone who has a heart should get this dvd because this shows how the usa turns a blind eye to animal abuse, and even encourages it. thank god for peta to stand up to the criminals in washington and the slaughter houses!!!!!!!!!!!

I never thought I would say this, but Ingrid Newkirk is one of the most fascinating people in the world and I Am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and PETA shows us why. From her fascinating childhood to her strong personal fight for all living beings, director Matthew Galkin explores all sides of Ingrid and PETA.

I Am an Animal is very balanced, presenting various points-of-view that do not agree with the incredible work PETA has accomplished for animals. Highlighting the Butterball investigation was a great move on Galkin's part, demonstrating to the audience how very tenacious Ingrid and the people who work for PETA are when it comes to fighting for the rights of all animals.

As someone who cares for animals, but never considered giving up meat or anything like that, I have always distanced myself from PETA due to their sometimes outrageous tactics, but I would definitely recommend this documentary to all viewers--it displays another, more serious side to PETA that the media does not show you. It's the story of a truly extraordinary woman whose accomplishments should be a lesson to us all.

While it seems that all of the reviews before me gave this documentary five stars for the bravery, willpower and commitment of Ingrid Newkirk, I have to say that my reasoning for giving it five stars is a little different. First of all let it be known that I agree with Newkirk and PETA that there are many horrible things happening to animals throughout the world. I also agree that mankind should step up to protect these animals as best as we can. However, I highly disagree with Newkirk's attention-getting tactics. From naked running of the humans to caged humans protesting a circus to "Un-Happy Meals" to vandalizing storefronts, PETA is, at times, a borderline cult. This documentary highlights the sometimes tasteless and illegal tactics used by the group to promote their message. I completely understand attacking sacred cows, but any advertising class will inform you that such actions can produce results on both ends of the spectrum. Representatives of other animal rights groups such as the Humane Society are interviewed as well as the now-departed co-founder of PETA, Alex Pacheco. All of them call into question the motives and the actions of Newkirk and her group.

A revealing expose of Butterball and ConAgra is also shown. It shows the process that PETA goes through in order to get inside a slaughterhouse and what they do in order to gather evidence to form a case against the company. We also get to see a freed turkey from the Butterball plant live in a containment room until a home is found for it. The oddity of it all is that Newkirk and the investigator leave the turkey alone in a brightly lit room with soothing sounds playing in the background.

We also get a glimpse at the "look at me" crowd in Hollywood basically using Newkirk and PETA to gain exposure. Bill Maher, who's responses to questions in this documentary draw doubts about his sanity, is also highlighted.

A possible connection between PETA and animal rights terrorist groups such as the E.L.F. and A.L.F. is also explored, although PETA completely denies any direct affiliation with such groups.

As much as "I Am A Friend Of God" tries to show the extremes of fundamentalist Christians in the United States, "I Am An Animal" shows the extremes of the animal rights movement. While there are definitely some terrible things happening to animals in the world and groups such as the Humane Society are trying to put a stop to them rationally, this documentary shows us just how irrational and, dare I say, semi-psychotic some animal rights activists can be.

I highly recommend this documentary. It does move the viewer to want to go out and help an animal, but I don't think that PETA is taking the proper action to get things corrected.

This is a wonderful documentary. It shows the truths about PETA and the causes they stand for. It also shows the true cruelty of the fur and meat industries. After watching this documentary, you will hopefully have an enlightened perspective of why PETA members work so hard to bring hope to abused, tortured, and neglected animals. We try to suppress what goes on behind closed doors. When we sit down at the table and eat, do we ever contemplate what the animal went through before it graced your table? Of course not. We'd rather pretend that everything is OK but the truth is that everything is not OK. Please for your sake and the sake of all of God's creatures watch this documentary. It may change your life or at least enlighten you to think differently about the choices you've made regarding animals.

I must say, as a person who works in animal rescue, I couldn't wait to see this movie! I went into it disliking PETA and came out of it absolutely hating them! They are the funding for ALF, they blow up laboratories, they do everything they do for attention and they expect to be taken seriously? Please, Ingrid, hang it up, you are starting to embarrass yourself further..your bullying tactics are obnoxious and the end does not justify the means. The most offensive part? PETA comparing Concentration Camp victims to cows..it's anti-semitic, it's inflammatory and it's ridiculous. Yes, after seeing this movie I joined three anti-peta groups so I guess it was a good thing.

I really knew nothing about Peta when I watched this, all I knew going in was that they did annoying protests and thought they were a bit ridiculous. I caught this movie on HBO and thought it would be a laugh, poking fun at how crazy Peta was. But I was quite shocked when about 20 minutes in to it my perception about Peta and Ingrid changed. Its easy to see the PR stunts and think Peta was crazy, but I must say having seen where they are coming from, I cannot agree more with them. I greatly admire Ingrid for turning her love and passion for animal rights into a life's work that is positive. I also think she is quite right that doing the over the top protests are truely the only way to get peoples attention in this day and age of the sound bite....honestly, when I think of animal rights I think of Peta, I can only name one or two other organizations, so clearly there tactics are working.

I gave up fast food, red meat, and pork after reading Fast Food Nation. I hadn't been able to give up poultry or sea food...but I get nauseous at the thought of eating any kind of animal flesh after seeing this, and I'm very thankful for it. My heart breaks when I think of that poor doggy they resuced and had to put to sleep, and my heart breaks just thinking about the slaughter house scenes. Seeing the treatment of the turkeys made me think that all the fear and sorrow the animals must feel is in the meat, and that is what people are taking in when they eat meat.

Amazing how before watching this movie I thought Peta was a joke.....I'll never eat/wear an animal product again.