SFPL's Favorite Nature Documentaries | San Francisco Public Library

Grizzly Man

DVD - 2005

Pieced together from Timothy Treadwell's actual video footage, Werner Herzog's remarkable documentary examines the calling that drove Treadwell to live am...Show more Pieced together from Timothy Treadwell's actual video footage, Werner Herzog's remarkable documentary examines the calling that drove Treadwell to live among a tribe of wild grizzly bears on an Alaskan reserve. A devoted conservationist with a passion for adventure, Timothy believed he had bridged the gap between human and beast. When one of the bears he loved and protected tragically turns on him, the footage he shot serves as a window into our understanding of nature and its grim realities Show less

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The Cove

DVD - 2009

In Taiji, Japan, local fishermen hide a gruesome secret: the capture and slaughter of dolphins. Activist Ric O'Barry, who trained dolphins for the "F...Show more In Taiji, Japan, local fishermen hide a gruesome secret: the capture and slaughter of dolphins. Activist Ric O'Barry, who trained dolphins for the "Flipper" TV series, joins forces with filmmaker Louis Psihoyos and the Ocean Preservation Society to expose the brutal practice, risking life and limb in the process. Show less

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The story of the weeping camel

DVD - 2005

In Mongolia's Gobi desert, a camel belonging to a group of nomadic shepherds gives birth to a white calf. It's a rare occurrence, and the shepherds watch ...Show more In Mongolia's Gobi desert, a camel belonging to a group of nomadic shepherds gives birth to a white calf. It's a rare occurrence, and the shepherds watch as the unusually-colored offspring is rejected by its mother. Without its mother's milk, the calf will die. To save its life, the nomads send two boys on a journey across the desert to find a musician in the village whose song may compel the camel to accept its calf Show less

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The National Parks

America's Best Idea

DVD - 2009

Simultaneously a biography of both historical and contemporary characters and a uniquely American idea, this 12-hour, six-part documentary, directed by Ke...Show more Simultaneously a biography of both historical and contemporary characters and a uniquely American idea, this 12-hour, six-part documentary, directed by Ken Burns, traces the evolution of national parks beginning in the mid-1800s and follows it over the next 150 years Show less

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Samsara

DVD - 2013

Filmmaker Ron Fricke creates a global travelogue with pictures and music, exploring the Himalayas, the American Southwest, European cathedrals, and other beautiful sites Filmmaker Ron Fricke creates a global travelogue with pictures and music, exploring the Himalayas, the American Southwest, European cathedrals, and other beautiful sites Show less

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Rivers and Tides

Andy Goldsworthy Working With Time

DVD - 2004

Andy Goldsworthy's art is supposed to fall apart. He creates large-scale outdoor sculptures and artworks out of natural materials like mud, wood, ice and ...Show more Andy Goldsworthy's art is supposed to fall apart. He creates large-scale outdoor sculptures and artworks out of natural materials like mud, wood, ice and stone in an attempt to imbue the physical world with a spiritual, ephemeral element. Director Thomas Riedelsheimer follows Goldsworthy as he constructs his art Show less

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Blackfish

DVD - 2013

The story of Tilikum, a captive killer whale that has taken the lives of several people, underscores problems within the sea-park industry, man's relationship to nature, and how little has been learned about these highly intelligent mammals The story of Tilikum, a captive killer whale that has taken the lives of several people, underscores problems within the sea-park industry, man's relationship to nature, and how little has been learned about these highly intelligent mammals Show less

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March of the Penguins

DVD - 2005

At the end of each Antarctic summer, the emperor penguins of the South Pole journey to their traditional breeding grounds in a fascinating mating ritual that is captured in this documentary by intrepid filmmaker Luc Jacquet At the end of each Antarctic summer, the emperor penguins of the South Pole journey to their traditional breeding grounds in a fascinating mating ritual that is captured in this documentary by intrepid filmmaker Luc Jacquet Show less

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Winged Migration

DVD - 2003

This documentary presents an epic portrait of winter bird migration. Filmed on all seven continents over four years, the footage is brought together into ...Show more This documentary presents an epic portrait of winter bird migration. Filmed on all seven continents over four years, the footage is brought together into one portrait of a journey that's uniformly arduous for all kinds of different birds. Rather than concentrating on statistics and facts, the film near-wordlessly portrays the sheer physical effort demanded of the birds on their disparate routes Show less

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Cosmos

A Personal Voyage

DVD - 2000

Epic, sprawling, informative, "Cosmos" has it all! This is the original, 70's-era Carl Sagan version; Neil deGrasse Tyson did an updated one in 2014 that is also awesome Epic, sprawling, informative, "Cosmos" has it all! This is the original, 70's-era Carl Sagan version; Neil deGrasse Tyson did an updated one in 2014 that is also awesome Show less

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Planet Earth

DVD - 2012

Dazzling, state-of-the-art high-definition imagery highlights this breathtaking documentary series featuring footage of some of the world's most awe-inspiring natural wonders -- from the oceans to the deserts to the polar ice caps Dazzling, state-of-the-art high-definition imagery highlights this breathtaking documentary series featuring footage of some of the world's most awe-inspiring natural wonders -- from the oceans to the deserts to the polar ice caps Show less

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Encounters at the End of the World

DVD - 2008

Centered at McMurdo Station, the United States' largest Antarctic research center, director Werner Herzog explores the minds of the scientists willing to ...Show more Centered at McMurdo Station, the United States' largest Antarctic research center, director Werner Herzog explores the minds of the scientists willing to abandon civilization and endure volatile conditions to learn more about the continent's wildlife and awe-inspiring natural wonders Show less

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