Still a very good documentary about one of the longest living animals on earth French director Jacques Perrin narrates the daily cycle of birds filmed on several continents around the world A bird's annual migration is a promise to fly and hopefully return home It's a fight for life and facing danger from bad weather to hunters to man-made waste to crabs Here we witness the sheer physical effort for different species of birds such as geese, ducks, herons to common miniature ones to fly away, lay their eggs, and come back Some birds fly night and day in order to make it towards their destination They have no barriers and get to travel all over yet they still have to be aware of many obstacles like predators or vehicles, sadly some of the birds will fall by the wayside It's also fascinating how certain species are built the way they walk, run, even perform mating rituals This documentary is beautifully filmed, nicely edited, gorgeous to look at, and it gives the viewer an insight of these animals' journey to travel the skies The music is also majestically composed and the aerial imagery is enough to make you believe you're flying with them Naturalists and documentary fans will love this The combination of soaring views and exotic locations make for quite a great-looking film Some parts hard to watch but worth the journey

Breathtaking footage resulting in a magical story.

One of those documentaries that are just as fascinating and appealing as the subject, with this one being purely observant without any structured narrative resulting in beautiful photography giving a heightened experience to solidify the perfected approach. Based on its presentation, it was most likely a worthwhile theatrical experience – and maybe still is if rejuvenated projections allow the chance. (B+)

spectacular footage!

beautifully photographed and beautifully filmed there's a large lag in between the footage of the flying birds and the narration, this whole thing could've been a silent film and it still would've flown birds are the most magnificent creatures in the world and it's fascinating to witness their yearly migration to the south, not only that but they can sense the earth's magnetic field much like a compass it's a rough journey braving harsh weather, predators, and environmental challenges caused by mankind almost every type of fowl you can imagine is here from geese to loons to parrots to cranes to penguins to puffins not only are the animals pretty to look at but the flying scenes are shot phenomenally-well, really gives you that sense of going with them whether we're seeing four migrations or more the natural cycle of a bird goes on anywhere in the world bird lovers and documentary-enthusiasts will love this one

The filming and music was astounding. The view was like flying with the birds in person.

A very simple premise, lets watch a bunch of birds on their annual migration routes and we'll play some charming yet slightly haunting "Eastern European" style music over it. I can see that many people might find it too boring, I did have a couple of moments like that myself, but it still has a very relaxing kind of feel to it. It's simple, yet strangely effective.

Beautiful cinematography and fascinating birds. The music is horrible tho

The most remarkable nature filming that I have ever seen. That the makers committed to the project to the point of having hatchlings imprint on them, so the could catch their flight in a glider is amazing. I also loved that the talking was at a minimum--it was restful to just watch and listen to the lovely music. We have too many voices stridently. raucously competing for our attention nowadays. I have to agree with the critics consensus here, this film was "a marvel to watch."

Amazingly shot! Have no idea how they did it as the camera crew would have to be on some sort of aircraft, but however it was done, it really brings you into the world of migratory birds and gives you literally a "bird's eye view" of the beautiful landscapes and oceans they fly over in their endless search of food. The distance that they travel is astonishing. One species flies from the arctic to the antarctic, which is basically traveling the globe longitudinally from North to South Pole over an incredible 12,000 miles. You sometimes find yourself flying right next to them over rivers and streams and other times down on the ground or in lakes as they fish, eat insects or have to defend their young against other predatory birds. Really a deeply penetrating lens into their world.

Nothing else even compares to it.

A great movie about birds and just birds. Not too many pesky humans get in the way (other than ones that interfere with the migration).

muy buenas imágenes!

Awesome! The perspective of just being "one of the birds" is breathtaking.

A unique and challenging documentary which for the most part allows nature to do its own talking.

Stunning videography

Has some of the best cinematography you'll ever see in a nature special.

Winged Migration (2003) -- [7.0] -- How they shot "Winged Migration" is almost more fascinating than the subject matter. The filmmakers rigged camera equipment to ultralight planes and imprinted with hatching birds of various species to get as close to their subjects as possible. The resulting cinematography is breathtaking, especially if you love birds. The film focuses solely on the migratory patterns of birds all around the world, so the shots of birds flying -- while mesmerizing for a while -- can get old. The film also shows a few points of danger in the birds' everyday lives, including several birds shot out of the sky by hunters, one who gets stuck in factory sludge, and one with a broken wing who gets devoured by crabs. As a bird lover who doesn't want to see these things, I was at least thrilled with the part where a captured blue parrot is wise enough to escape a poacher's cage. The filmmakers don't linger too long on any of the tragedies, thankfully. Overall, more of a technical marvel than a revealing educational piece -- but gorgeous to look at.

I feel as though everybody is giving this 5 stars because it won an Oscar; personally, I didn't think it was that special.

Winged Migration works because words are kept out of it. Rather than having a mind numbing narration that doesn't really add to the drama, we just have the biirds..and all kinds of them attempting that they had done oodles of time previously in cross crossing the planet as a matter of survival.