Customer Reviews

March of the Penguins: Companion to the Major Motion Picture

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you love penguins (who doesn't), you are going to go bananas over the gorgeous photos in this book. And you if you stop to consider that our heroic moviemakers/photo journalists spent a year in what they describe at the harshest winter climate on earth filming these amazing creatures for our pleasure, then you can see in a flash why this book easily warrants 5 stars.
The cover demonstrates the love between a penguin and its chick. This picture alone told me that this book must be rate a strong "buy." But is just gets better and better inside. The stars of this book are the photos of the penguins and those without these birds that showcase the beautiful and harsh icescape in which they live. You'll finds lots of close ups and panoramic shots as well.
The text is sparse (the pictures tell most of the story) but it is extremely informative. After the introduction the book takes you through a year in the life of the emperor penguin. The chapters:
1) Legend Has It
2) The March - You'll see hundreds of penguins marching in single file.
3) The Gathering - The penguins mass together against the cold for the winter.
4) The Courtship - Penguins use sound to find their mate. Lots of photos of cute couples.
5) The Egg - The penguins must endure much hardship in protecting this treasure.
6) The Birth - The best chapter of all. Cut little chicks and their parents.
7) The First Steps - The baby penguins strive for independence.
8) The Spring - Relief from the hard winter and dangerous crossings.
9) The Plunge - Penguins at play, jumping into the ocean and swimming.
10) Making the film. Awesome chapter. It shows the penguins and camera crew together. They come right up to the crew members!
At the beginning the author states that, "Anyone who really wants to understand this most human of birds must first love them." I already did, but all the more so after reading the text and gaping at the beautiful photos.
Two words of advice: you might need two copies. One to preserve as is, and another so you can cut out and mount your favorite photos. And see the movie (I can hardly wait.) Enjoy!

Philip Capelle

If you already saw the movie, loved it with every fiber of your being, and you want to relive it over and over again, then by all means get the book--it has absolutely stunning photography and those too-cute-for-words penguins.

I love penguins and love seeing great photography, but since I already saw the movie (a documentary), as well as watching the (somewhat inane) extras on the DVD, I don't really feel the need for the book. It is basically a picture book of the movie, with much of Morgan Freeman's narration as the text. There is no additional penguin information, just what you saw in the movie.

So your options are: If you thought the movie was good but you probably wouldn't watch it again, then you may want to find a different penguin book. If you liked the movie and want a nice coffee table book, then you will probably like this book. If you could not get enough of the movie, then this book is for you.

This is more of a collector's book than an informative book--what's in the movie is exactly in this book. However, there's an interesting section about making the film--the penguins were very curious about the camera! This has a beautiful cover and beautiful pictures. If you loved this film as much as I do, get it! The only problem is, some of the panoramic shots are grainy, and you have to hold the book out to see a smooth picture. I knocked a star of for that.

This book brings the movie, and indeed the penguins, to life. It is a pleasure to read and to get lost in the beauty of Anarctica and the amazing feats of the penguins. I highly recommend it!

A feel good movie that leaves you feeling that everyone has a purpose no matter how insignificant people around them think they are.

Luc Jacquet's MARCH OF THE PENGUINS (0792261828, $30.00) was a surprise movie hit, attracting many audiences who didn't particularly care about penguins or nature films. Narration written by Jordan Roberts accompanies vivid color photos by Jerome Maison in a movie companion book filled with full-page vivid color. Both are top picks for general-interest libraries.