Customer Reviews

Nature: Koko - A Conversation With Koko

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a heartbreaker this segment of Nature becomes.

Koko is, of course, the first talking (or signing) gorilla. She was later joined by Michael (who also learned to sign), and they became as brother and sister.

Michael is the dark and silent type. One day, in true Real World fashion, he signs us his dark secret. As a young child, he witnessed the capture and slaughter of his mother for bush meat. He survives the slaughter as a pet, but he is traumatized for life.

This DVD broke my heart twice - once while watching, and then again when I heard the news in April 2000 of Michael's sudden death from heart attack (or, rather, broken heart as we know it must have been). Gets 10 stars in my book - five for Koko and five for Michael.

I showed this to my cultural anthropology class as an introduction to language. They loved it. It gave them a whole different perspective on primate behavior and intelligence.

I really enjoyed this short film about Koko. It was amazing to see what this gorilla can express! It definitely sparked an interest for me to pursue some of the other films about her.

I teach high school science at a school that has mainly English Language Learners. There are few "educational" movies that are interesting for everyone, but I can honestly say that almost every single one of my students were completely engaged, watching the movie with mouths slightly open. It was great.

It's an older documentary, but it wasn't a problem. I highly recommend it.

As a school teacher I have shown this film dozens of times and students are consistently amazed and fascinated by this film.

A fascinating video for someone who knows very little about Koko and the project, it will also draw in those who aren't necessarily interested to begin with. The progression is well-done, with lots of early films of Dr. Patterson and Koko. I thought it was a little too bad that Dr. Patterson (young in the beginning, and unaccustomed to being in front of a camera, possibly) did so much nervous laughing, but that didn't really diminish the value of the project or this video about it. I did wish there was more about the "science" of the project and the records kept; that would have been very interesting. Overall, it was well worth the hour or so, and I'm glad I have it.

Amazing story of a gorilla that learned to sign and be understood by humans. A gorilla who loved a pet and grieved it's loss deeply.

Knowing that there are gorillas that sign is one thing, watching it take place is quite another. There are so many elements to Koko's life that the public or her fans never get to see and this movie elaborates on those. From signing to painting to pet kittens this movie has it all and is a must have if you are curious about this type of human/animal research.