“The Cove” (2009)

Chances are “The Cove” makes Pete Bethune’s all-time top 10 list.  Murray McCully is probably reserving his opinion.  It doesn’t pretend any kind of objectivity in documenting the horrors of Japanese dolphin slaughter.  Unless you’ve got some warped idea of cultural sensitivity, an unusually high tolerance for mercury poisoning or vested trading interest with the land of the rising sun it’s likely to bring a tear to the eye.  Or perhaps lead to retrospective guilt about enjoying the marinelands at Napier or the Mount so much as a kid.

“The Cove” is really two movies in one.  The first is the story of Ric O’Barry, one-time technical adviser to the 60s TV show “Flipper” turned crusader for dolphin rights.  The second is an account of the mounting of the undercover operation required to film Nipponese atrocities in the titular area outside the town of Taijii.  It’s a close call as to who are the bigger bastards, Japanese fisherman or their political and diplomatic protectors.  Rancid butter is too good for them.