The Cove (2009)
A daring undercover documentary that pulls back the curtain on one of the ocean world's most disturbing and closely guarded secrets.
The Cove - Movie Information
- Original Title: The Cove
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Louie Psihoyos
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Age Rating (US): PG-13
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): July 31, 2009 (United States - PG-13), August 7, 2009 (Canada), October 23, 2009 (United Kingdom - 12A), March 9, 2010 (Germany - 12), September 12, 2009 (France), August 27, 2009 (New Zealand), August 20, 2009 (Australia), April 8, 2011 (Mexico), October 16, 2009 (Italy), June 11, 2010 (Spain), October 29, 2009 (South Korea)
- Alternative Titles: La baie de la honte (FR), Скритият залив (BG), The Cove (ES), Koy (TR), Uvala (HR), Za kôvu (JP), Zatoka delfinów (PL), A Enseada (BR)
- Production Companies: Quickfire Films, Diamond Docs, SkyFish Films, Oceanic Preservation Society, Participant
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Cove - Plot
The Cove tells the amazing true story of how an elite team of individuals, films makers and free divers embarked on a covert mission to penetrate the hidden cove in Japan, shining light on a dark and deadly secret. The shocking discoveries were only the tip of the iceberg.
The Cove - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the covert mission unfold:
Shallow Water. Deep Secret.
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The Cove - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Louie Psihoyos
Main Cast
- Hayden Panettiere
- Joe Chisholm
- Mandy-Rae Cruikshank
- Charles Hambleton
- Simon Hutchins
- Kirk Krack
- Isabel Lucas
- Richard O'Barry
- Roger Payne
- John Potter
Writers
- Mark Monroe
Producers
- Charles Hambleton
- Olivia Ahnemann
- Fisher Stevens
- Paula DuPré Pesmen
The Cove - FAQs
Is The Cove based on a true story?
Absolutely — The Cove documents real events. Activist Richard O'Barry and a covert team of filmmakers and divers secretly filmed the annual dolphin hunt in Taiji, Japan. The footage they captured exposed a practice largely hidden from the outside world and sparked intense international debate.
Did The Cove win an Academy Award?
Yes! The Cove won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 2010 Oscars. It also picked up numerous other honors, including the Audience Award at Sundance. The win brought massive global attention to the dolphin hunting practices it exposed in Taiji, Japan.
Where can you stream The Cove for free?
You can watch The Cove for free on Tubi TV, Kanopy, Hoopla, Plex, and The Roku Channel (with ads on some). It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home, and included with Fandor and Philo subscriptions.
What actually happens in the hidden cove?
Each year in Taiji, Japan, fishermen herd hundreds of dolphins into a secluded cove. Some are selected for sale to marine parks and aquariums, while the rest are slaughtered for meat. The film's team used hidden cameras and underwater microphones to capture the process, which local authorities worked hard to conceal.
Who are the main people featured in The Cove?
The film centers on Richard O'Barry, the former dolphin trainer who worked on the TV show Flipper and later became a passionate anti-captivity activist. He's joined by director Louie Psihoyos, actress and activist Hayden Panettiere, champion free diver Mandy-Rae Cruikshank, and a skilled team of divers and technologists.
How long is The Cove and what is its age rating?
The Cove runs 92 minutes — just over an hour and a half. It's rated PG-13 in the United States, reflecting its disturbing but non-graphic depictions of animal slaughter and its serious subject matter. It's a compelling watch for teens and adults interested in environmental and animal rights issues.
Was The Cove banned or controversial in Japan?
Yes, the film sparked significant controversy in Japan. Several planned screenings were cancelled following pressure from nationalist groups, and the film was largely kept out of mainstream Japanese cinemas. Japanese officials and fishing communities defended the dolphin hunt as a cultural tradition, pushing back against what they called outside interference.
What documentaries are similar to The Cove?
If The Cove moved you, check out Blackfish (2013), which exposes captive orca conditions at SeaWorld, Seaspiracy (2021) on the fishing industry's environmental toll, Sea of Shadows (2019) about illegal wildlife trafficking in Mexico, and Sharkwater Extinction (2018), another powerful ocean conservation documentary.
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