March of the Penguins (U) (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

March of the Penguins (U)

Filmed over the course of more than a year in one of the most inhospitable places on Earth, March Of The Penguins is an enchanting documentary revealing the incredible spirit and courage of the emperor penguin.

Director Luc Jacquet and cameramen Jerome Maison and Laurent Chalet ventured to Antarctica, braving blizzards and freezing 100mph catabatic winds to photograph these remarkable birds in their natural environment.

The story begins in February, the end of the Antarctic summer. Huge schools of penguins congregate and eventually leap out of the water and onto the ice floes.

The birds then start marching inland a mesmerising caravan of black and white, some waddling, others sliding on their stomachs to conserve energy bound for the archipelago that has been the mating ground for centuries.

Alex Wurman's soaring music underscores the heady emotions, reflecting the majesty of the terrain and the birds' monumental exertions.

Make sure you stay for the end credits, for behind the scenes footage of the crew on location, capturing the stunning images.

March of the Penguins (U) directed by Luc Jacquet, narrated by Morgan Freeman. Running time 80 minutes Gazette rating: ****