Image Credit: Netflix
When David Attenborough comes out with a new documentary, it becomes difficult to resist watching. The British biologist is now approaching 100, and even at this age, what he has been able to accomplish is worth embracing. With Gorilla Story, Attenborough chooses a subject that clearly sits close to his heart. This time, there are no sweeping nature scenes with thumping music, but an intimate, deeply personal story.
The starting point of the documentary is almost fifty years old. At that time, Attenborough traveled to Rwanda to film gorillas for Life on Earth. Those images have since become iconic, especially the moment when a young gorilla pounces on him.
In Gorilla Story, he reflects on that experience. He takes a trip down memory lane and follows the descendants of the same gorilla group. He speaks about it the way someone talks about an old friend whom they have not seen for years. Yes, he is now 99 years old. can you Feel It. Not because he seems fragile, but because there is a layer of reflection in everything he says. It seems as if even she has realized that stories like this don’t last forever.
Less drama, more emotion
Anyone expecting another visual spectacle may not quite find what they’re looking for here. This documentary is intentionally made on a small scale. Calm. Almost restrained. But that restraint works surprisingly well. You get a glimpse into the lives of gorillas as they really are. Sometimes beautiful and sometimes very harsh. Dominant males challenge each other. Tension within the group. Small animals are looking for their place. This is the unforgivable reality of nature.
At the same time, the softer side is equally present. An older female gorilla keeps the group together. A quiet moment amidst all the chaos. This gives a sense of humanity to the whole story.
A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough. Ten million. Amy Thompson / Silverback Films / Netflix
Attenborough brings it all
The documentary feels deeply personal. Attenborough not only talks about what he sees, but also about what he feels. About a gorilla named Pablo. About appearances that say more than words. Moments like these add weight to the documentary without making it heavy.
This is not the most important work of his career. You will not find such revelations here that will turn everything upside down. That’s not what this documentary is trying to do. Instead, it seems like he really wanted to create something. There was still something he had to tell.
There is a feeling of quiet sadness everywhere. As a viewer, you realize you’re watching someone who has spent his entire life telling stories, and this might just be one of the last stories. One can only hope that humans will continue to do so for years to come.
A small story with a lasting impact
Gorilla Story is not a documentary that will leave you overwhelmed. This is what slowly settles in. It invites you to look, listen and pause for a moment in appreciation of Attenborough. The passion and emotion come through clearly.
This is an intimate picture. Gorilla’s, yes. But most of all, of a man who has dedicated his entire life to understanding the natural world. Amazingly, that’s why it works, and that’s why this documentary is worth watching.
mvp
david attenborough is Reason to watch Gorilla Story. This topic clearly means a lot to him, and the passion comes through in everything he says. It’s remarkable how a group of gorillas can shape someone, move them and profoundly affect them even decades later. Attenborough is a rare gem and we should treasure it for as long as we can.
decision
Gorilla Story isn’t groundbreaking, but anyone with even the slightest appreciation for Attenborough and his long-running work will find it an intimate and poignant portrait of a man who dedicated his life to nature. The tone of the documentary is quite different from his other works, yet that doesn’t make it any less worth watching. If you have even a little respect for the British biologist, this is eighty minutes well spent.
