Lessons from creation?
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS 1 hr. 20 mins., Cert. U
This documentary film, produced in conjunction with National Geographic, will shortly be released as a DVD. It is a somewhat surprising film to see on the cinema circuit, but perhaps this has been stimulated by the great interest shown by American Christians.
The film is a study of the life cycle of the Emperor Penguin in the Antarctic region. It is accompanied by a commentary on the events to enable the viewer to understand. However, some people do find aspects of the commentary irritating, especially when the script almost humanises the creatures.
The adult penguins migrate 70 miles from the sea to an inland spot some seven to eight days away where they go through a mating ritual. The egg is then transferred from the mother to the father who keeps it warm between his feet while the mother must then return to the sea in order to be able to feed the chick when it is born. During her daparture, the egg will hatch and the father-chick bonding occurs. The mother will return within a few days of the birth to feed the chick and then ‘release’ the father to go and get his food: he has been without nourishment for some four months!
