Liberated: Animal Rights Inspired Films
Animal rights issues are rarely explored in film. When they are, they have a powerful impact on audiences of all ages. You don't have to be an animal rights activist to appreciate the themes, however, they will surely leave an impressionable impact on you. NOTE: Not all of these films are suitable for young children, and don't be fooled by their childish, cartoon appeal. Some of these films are quite disturbing and confronting for even adult viewers.
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- DirectorMartin RosenStarsJohn HurtChristopher BenjaminJames BolamTwo dogs escape from a laboratory and are hunted as possible carriers of the bubonic plague.This is perhaps one of the most powerful, fictional animal-testing film ever made. Although it's an animation, it is definitely NOT suitable for young children, and some adults will find it disturbing and unsettling. The story follows the journey of Rowf and Snitter, two dogs who have escaped from a horrendous animal-testing facility, and embark on an unforgiving escapade. It does contain some violence, however, that is not what makes this film shocking. It is the unrelenting and realistic nature of animal-testing and survival that make this film truly memorable. Your opinions on animal-testing do not matter, "The Plague Dogs" explores a matter-of-fact account of what vivisection involves. A truly powerful and remarkable film; wholeheartedly recommended!
- DirectorCharles Herman-WurmfeldStarsReese WitherspoonSally FieldBob NewhartElle Woods heads to Washington, D.C. to join the staff of a Representative in order to pass a bill to ban animal testing.Takes a more "child-friendly" approach to animal testing. No experiments are shown, however, the overall feeling towards it is negative. The ending is completely unrealistic, as the audience is left feeling that animal testing has been ended; hooray! In reality, there's no chance of this.
- DirectorBrian RobbinsStarsTim AllenKristin DavisCraig KilbornA man tries to live a normal life despite the fact that he sometimes turns into a sheepdog.Like the above, the film approaches the topic of vivisection less intensely than "The Plague Dogs". It is a bit more stark than Legally Blonde 2, but no experiments are shown, rather alluded to.
- DirectorJohn RobertsStarsGena RowlandsTony ShalhoubCheech MarinA talking parrot named Paulie recounts his travels to look for his original owner to a Russian janitor who helps him to the end of his journey.Another kids film that touches on animal testing. No experiment scenes are shown, but like Legally Blonde 2, the overall atmosphere is upsetting.
- DirectorRobert KennerStarsMichael PollanEric SchlosserRichard LobbAn unflattering look inside America's corporate controlled food industry.Any documentary style film on this list shows ACTUAL scenes of animal cruelty. Food Inc is an educational expose on the food industry, exploring all kinds of themes, not all are about the welfare of animals. Depicts actual footage from inside slaughterhouses, which are quite but not overly graphic. Not recommended for children, unless you think they can handle it without turning vegetarian. Beautifully constructed film.
- DirectorMatthew GalkinStarsPamela AndersonMarc BouwerRalph DellA candid and introspective look at the beliefs and motives of Ingrid Newkirk, the British-born co-founder and driving force behind People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world's largest animal-rights organization.If it's a story about PETA, that should really say it all. Whatever your views are about animal rights and PETA in general, it is still quite an interesting film. It details how PETA became, well, PETA as we know it. It does show some pretty disturbing footage of animal cruelty, ranging from animals being skinned alive on fur farms to slaughterhouse footage. Not recommended for children. An intriguing documentary that may just change your mind about animal rights.
- DirectorPeter LordNick ParkStarsMel GibsonJulia SawalhaPhil DanielsWhen a cockerel apparently flies into a chicken farm, the chickens see him as an opportunity to escape their evil owners.A well-rounded wholesome kids flick. In regards to animal rights, it depicts the dismal existence of egg-laying hens, however, it is done in a way that will not upset children. Any parent considering this for their kids' viewing should not be concerned.
- DirectorStephen HerekStarsGlenn CloseJeff DanielsJoely RichardsonAn evil high-fashion designer plots to steal dalmatian puppies in order to make an extravagant fur coat but creates an extravagant mess instead.This iconic Disney film 'delicately' explores the nature of the fur industry. Of course we don't see any scenes of puppies being skinned, however, the subject matter is depicted in a way that young children may find upsetting. The animals are 'hoped' to be skinned, bashed on the head, and poisoned, but a happy ending prevails. A good film in a sense it explores the cruel world of fur; a topic that is usually not touched upon in mainstream film.
- DirectorCarlo CarleiStarsMatthew ModineNancy TravisSamuel L. JacksonAfter a man dies in a car crash, he is reincarnated as a dog and attempts to reconnect with his family.What is it with kids movies and animal testing? Anyway 'Fluke' is pretty appropriate for children, although it may have a 'Bambi' effect, if you know what I mean. Explores the nature of vivisection, not in grapchic detail however. Still may be upsetting to young children, and the overall tone is sad.
- DirectorSimon WincerStarsJason James RichterLori PettyMichael MadsenWhen a boy learns that a beloved killer whale is to be killed by the aquarium owners, the boy risks everything to free the whale.
- DirectorChris NoonanStarsJames CromwellMagda SzubanskiChristine CavanaughGentle farmer Arthur Hoggett wins a piglet Babe at a county fair. Narrowly escaping his fate as Christmas dinner, Babe bonds with motherly border collie Fly and discovers that he too can herd sheep. But will the other animals accept him?
- DirectorShaun MonsonStarsJoaquin PhoenixUsing hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, Earthlings chronicles the day-to-day practices of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.
- DirectorRob StewartStarsRob StewartPaul WatsonErich RitterAn investigation of sharks' importance to ecosystems and humankind's mass destruction of shark species worldwide.
- DirectorRupert WyattStarsJames FrancoAndy SerkisFreida PintoA substance designed to help the brain repair itself gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising.
- DirectorJonathan KaplanStarsMatthew BroderickHelen HuntWillieAn Air Force pilot joins a top secret military experiment involving chimps, but begins to suspect there might be something more to the mysterious "Project X".
- DirectorDon BluthStarsElizabeth HartmanDerek JacobiDom DeLuiseTo save her ill son, a field mouse must seek the aid of a colony of rats, with whom she has a deeper link than she suspected.
- DirectorMartin RosenJohn HubleyStarsJohn HurtRichard BriersRalph RichardsonHoping to escape destruction by human developers and save their community, a colony of rabbits, led by Hazel and Fiver, seek out a safe place to set up a new warren.
- DirectorCarlos SaldanhaStarsJesse EisenbergAnne HathawayGeorge LopezWhen Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, meets the fiercely independent Jewel, he takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro with the bird of his dreams.
- DirectorEric DarnellTom McGrathStarsBen StillerChris RockDavid SchwimmerThe Madagascar animals fly back to New York City, but crash-land on an African nature reserve in Kenya, where they meet others of their own kind, and Alex especially discovers his royal heritage as prince of a lion pride.
- DirectorBill KroyerStarsSamantha MathisChristian SlaterRobin WilliamsThe magical inhabitants of a rainforest fight to save their home, which is threatened by logging and a polluting force of destruction called Hexxus.
- DirectorJohn FrankenheimerRichard StanleyStarsDavid ThewlisMarlon BrandoVal KilmerAfter being rescued and brought to an island, a man discovers that its inhabitants are experimental animals being turned into strange-looking humans, all of it the work of a visionary doctor.
- DirectorRobert StevensonStarsDorothy McGuireFess ParkerTommy KirkA teenage boy grows to love a stray yellow dog while helping his mother and younger brother run their Texas homestead while their father is away on a cattle drive. First thought to be good-for-nothing mutt, Old Yeller is soon beloved by all.
- DirectorDale RosenbloomStarsBlake HeronMichael MoriartyScott WilsonA small-town Southern boy named Marty Preston must rescue a young beagle from his abusive owner, Judd Travers.
- DirectorLouie PsihoyosStarsRichard O'BarryLouie PsihoyosHardy JonesUsing state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renowned dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.
- DirectorLuc JacquetStarsMorgan FreemanRomane BohringerCharles BerlingIn the Antarctic, every March since the beginning of time, the quest begins to find the perfect mate and start a family.