Luna: Spirit of the Whale
Luna: Spirit of the Whale
PG | 13 May 2007 (USA)
Luna: Spirit of the Whale Trailers

When a government representative announces that he intends to reunite an orphaned orca with his pod by transporting him hundreds of miles over dry land, the Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nations Band, which believes that the spirit of their late chief resides in the majestic ocean mammal, does everything within their power to thwart the controversial plan. As the community grows increasingly divided over how to handle the situation, a young aboriginal boy wrestles with his own identity and new Band chief Mike Maquinna prepares for the trial by fire that could shape his entire future.

Reviews
kljbaker

The other comment that Luna was killed is correct. Mar 11, 2006 Luna, the juvenile killer whale from Washington state waters who got lost in Canada's Nootka Sound five years ago, apparently died Friday when he was accidentally struck by a tugboat propeller, Canadian authorities said. The tug's big propeller, contained in a cylinder, "generates a lot of current. ... It would have been a sudden death." "The skipper is reported to be greatly distressed. He called the coast guard immediately after it happened," Sloan said from agency offices in Vancouver, British Columbia. "A lot of people here are pretty shocked and saddened." "It's a very tragic ending," he said. Luna was about 6 years old. Orca life stages roughly parallel those of humans, so he was the killer-whale equivalent of a young child.Very sad ending to this story. If you want to read the rest go to www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,187537,00.html

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BigLaxFan94

I found this one to be good with great use of a building climax. The Chief and his people just wanted what was best for the whale and since it was Mike's father who chose to return as the killer whale, the ending couldn't be any better! :D This film should teach a lesson to the white population in that you can't try and force someone else to make something happen without realizing there are serious consequences! Since this is based on the true story of Luna the killer whale, I thought it was a good portrayal of what happened. But... that end message at the end there where it says that Luna lived for 4 more years is false. I recently read a Wikipedia article on Luna and it read that Luna succumbed in 2006 when she got caught underneath tugboat propellers. Apparently she was always attracted to boats and loved playing near them.But.... ANYWAYS... a good film overall and I think it has earned a 7 out of 10.

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cubfan1984

Having worked very closely with the First Nations people along the Remote Coast of British Columbia, I really enjoyed this story. The Mowachaht / Muchalaht people are very welcoming and open as well as very much into their history and culture. Mike Maquinna is very accurately portrayed towards the end of the film with the way he is in real life. He has a true passion for his people and is one of the most level-headed and down to earth chiefs that I have ever met. Anyone who is interested in learning about First Nations culture, beliefs, and values, this is a must see. I gave it a nine simply because it would have been nice to see a little bit more of the culture of the people and use this as even more of an educational film. One of Luna's favorite things was to follow the vessel Uchuck III, and it would have been good to see that in there a little bit more along the coast up into Yuquot (Friendly Cove). Other than that, I'd say it's a great story and would highly recommend it!

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A. Movie Goer

I saw this movie 2007Apr18 at the Toronto Sprockets fest. Its a kids/family movie and I'm not a kid so I can't give you the kid's point of view. As an adult I found it better than most Disney stuff but nothing amazing. I liked the story (without giving much away is about a human spirit in an Orca whale). It was unique and seemed authentic. There is also parallel story which doesn't invoke any sea mammals. I sometimes felt I was watching an episode of the Beachcombers -- but maybe all dramas set in the Canadian West coast will have that feel for some viewers. This is meant to be a criticism. All in all this is a film most families will like.

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