Customer Reviews

Seal Morning [VHS]

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

 

 

A warm, inviting story presented in a super interactive DVD. The menu items give additional information that is useful for discussion. Wonderful camera work, breathtaking scenes. "A great experience for the whole family to see and share experiences." The children watched it attentively, and were interested in DVD features. "The index made it easy to find your place." "It has good color and sound. It made everything look real." "I liked it when the seal was 'singing' with the women." Best for ages 8 to 12.

I first saw this film many years ago as part of the PBS Wonderworks television series for children. While I recognized at the time that parts of the film were a little corny or even manipulative, I recognized a certain heart and earnestness in the film. Briefly, this is a film about a young orphan is goes to live with her aunt when her parents are killed in an accident. At first, the girl is bitter and remorseful, but we begin to see a change in her as she begins to explore her new home and environs. One day, she adopts an orphan baby seal, and in caring for it, begins her metamorphosis for the better. I find that in many ways, this film is similar in theme and feel to Anna Paquin's "Fly Away Home." If you enjoyed that film, then you will enjoy "Seal Morning" as well. It is a great film for the family and is quite touching. I recommend it!

This appealing tale of the relationship between a girl and an orphaned seal will win your heart. It is one of those classic videos that you will want to view again and again. An orphaned girl who is placed in the care of her maiden aunt finds her new life cheerless and bleak. It appears her grief will overwhelm her until another orphaned creature, a baby seal, comes into her life. You will laugh, sympathize, cheer and perhaps even cry as you view the relationship of girl and seal develop to its climax.

the story is so beautiful, but really sad. it's about a young girl who raises a baby seal, but you know the whole time she isn't going to be able to keep it when it's grown, which is mentioned all through the movie. so you're always aware it's going to be sad when she releases it. the whole plot is about her becoming increasingly attached to the seal, only to have to release it. it's a story of love, but is also about how fragile the relations in life are, and how anything you love is eventually taken away. the final shot, during the ending credits, is of the seal, all alone, looking into the distance with a hopeful look in its big eyes. it is now free, but all alone. it would have been better to have her keep the seal, and love it during its whole life. and make the point that love is point of the story.

Negative reviews on Amazon don't get positive votes, for a number of reasons. Nevertheless, I will make a few brief comments.

I could not get to the end of this film because of the continuous shooting of wild geese throughout the story. I want to warn viewers with children that you may not wish your children to see this. Whether real or simulated, it appears to be the real thing, and I found it, as an adult, most disturbing.

Every scene and every line is predictable and trite. Very poorly and unimaginatively written. The direction is loose and unskilled. The performances cannot rise above the material (some of the actors are probably very talented, but this is not a vehicle for professionals).

What is left? If you don't know the coast of Norfolk, this is a way to get to view it. The seal pup is enchanting, but leaves one worrying about the arduousness of the training procedures when it is filmed almost as if it were human. The tame rat is adorable. The dog is fun.

I would not even donate this film to my local library, as I do most of my videos after viewing. I tossed it out. Well, we can't win them all.