Adventure

Mr. Forbush and the Penguins

Life for Richard Forbush, brilliant biology student and conceited philanderer, is one long round of eat, drink and be merry. But his decision to accept a six-month research post in the Antarctic, making the first detailed study of a penguin colony, changes all that... Living in Shackleton’s derelict hut, Forbush is alone at the frozen edge of the world, his only links to civilisation a two-way radio and letters to his elusive, would-be girlfriend, Tara, in London. Through an often ferocious winter in the company of the penguins, he grows increasingly attached to his hardy, endearing subjects – learning profound lessons in endurance and humility.

Release Date : 1971-07-29

Language :English

Adult : false

Status : Released

Production Company : EMI Films

Production Country : United Kingdom

Alternative Titles : Cry of the Penguins

Cast

Character Name : Richard Forbush

Original Name : John Hurt

Gender : Male

Character Name : Tara St. John Luke

Original Name : Hayley Mills

Gender : Female

Character Name : Starshot

Original Name : Dudley Sutton

Gender : Male

Character Name : George Dewport

Original Name : Tony Britton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mr. Forbush Sr.

Original Name : Thorley Walters

Gender : Male

Character Name : Mrs. Forbush

Original Name : Judy Campbell

Gender : Female

Character Name : Head of Board

Original Name : Joss Ackland

Gender : Male

Character Name : Fanny

Original Name : Avril Angers

Gender : Female

Character Name : Tringham

Original Name : Cyril Luckham

Gender : Male

Character Name : Jackie

Original Name : Sally Geeson

Gender : Female

Character Name : Food Store Assistant

Original Name : Brian Oulton

Gender : Male

Character Name : Ahaz Khan

Original Name : Salmaan Peerzada

Gender : Male

Character Name : Lord Cheddar

Original Name : Hugh Moxey

Gender : Male

Character Name : Principal

Original Name : Norman Claridge

Gender : Male

Character Name : Julien

Original Name : Nicholas Pennell

Gender : Male

Character Name : Policewoman

Original Name : Marianne Stone

Gender : Female

Reviews

CinemaSerf

@Geronimo1967

2022-04-04

I have only recently come across this film, and John Hurt is super. He is "Forbush", a rather rakish biology student who is coasting through life until his professor (Tony Britton) nominates him for a gig counting penguins - in Antarctica! Meantime, he has been bothering local barmaid "Tara" (Hayley Mills) who isn't really interested in him, and is frankly quite delighted when he announces his imminent project. He duly arrives, settles into Shackleton's hut and waits, and waits, and waits - no penguins! Then they arrive, slowly but surely and, despite himself, his interest is tweaked. He has to count them, weight them and generally monitor them and their behaviour. As winter sets in, they start to lay their eggs and incubate them from the extreme storms that very nearly do for him, too! As the chicks arrive and the skua's begin to raid, he becomes even more protective of his several thousand charges - and devises one hell of a catapult to exact his revenge. It's a bit of a slow starter, this, but once he is in situ, the story appealed to me. He has quite a few Eureka moments that vindicate the approach taken by his professor at the start - to help him grow up and develop a sense of purpose. The photography is fun - especially of the penguins milling about, and I really did quite enjoy Hurt's performance here. Well worth a watch, I'd say.