Watch Keiko: The Untold Story

Keiko: The Untold Story is a 2013 documentary film that chronicles the life of Keiko, the most famous killer whale and star of the 1993 film Free Willy. The film follows Keiko's journey from his capture in the wild as a young orca in Iceland, to his stint in a Mexican amusement park, and finally to his release back into the wild in Norway.

The documentary is narrated by Colin Baird and features interviews with various experts in marine biology, animal behavior, and environmentalism. The film also includes archival footage of Keiko throughout his life, as well as footage from the production of Free Willy.

The film begins by exploring the 1970s and 1980s capture of orcas for the marine mammal park industry. Keiko was captured in Iceland in 1979 as a young calf and was sold to an Icelandic aquarium. The filmmakers interview several individuals involved in the capture and sale of Keiko, including two Icelandic fishermen who recount the day they caught him.

Keiko's life in captivity is then chronicled, from his move to a facility in Canada where he was trained for the Free Willy movie, to his transfer to a Mexican amusement park where he was kept in a small tank and forced to perform shows for audiences. The film delves into the controversy surrounding the use of captive orcas in entertainment and the detrimental effects of captivity on the animals' physical and mental health.

The documentary also explores the efforts of several individuals and organizations to improve Keiko's living conditions in Mexico and eventually bring him back to the wild. The filmmakers interview Mark Berman, co-founder of the Free Willy-Keiko Foundation, who led the campaign to rescue and rehabilitate Keiko.

The documentary culminates in Keiko's release into the wild of Norway in 2002, after years of being held in a sea pen and undergoing rigorous preparation for life in the wild. The film captures the emotional moment of Keiko's release and the initial attempts of Keiko to communicate with wild orcas in the area.

Overall, Keiko: The Untold Story is a moving and informative documentary that sheds light on the complex issues surrounding captivity and rehabilitation of marine mammals. The film highlights the importance of education and activism in protecting these animals and their natural habitats.

Keiko: The Untold Story is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.