Watson

Play trailer

1:30

Watson

2019

1h 39m

Documentary

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

100%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Like a crime-fighting superhero of the high seas, Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson has spent his life sailing the globe to keep our oceans and their inhabitants safe. Blending revealing contemporary interviews with Watson, archival clips of Sea Shepherd's dramatic encounters, and spectacular underwater nature footage, Lesley Chilcott paints a portrait of a man willing to put his own life and liberty at risk in a relentless quest to protect the oceans and the marine life within.

Ben Kenigsberg

New York Times

11/07/2019

The movie can be frustratingly deferential toward Watson, but it is never less than urgent.

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Katie Walsh

Los Angeles Times

10/25/2019

"Watson" blends [a] terrifying message with glimmers of hope and triumph, and this riveting documentary should be required viewing for all.

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Keith Uhlich

The Hollywood Reporter

05/20/2019

Seeing the majesty of these creatures and their habitat up close makes for a flustering incongruity with the footage that Watson and his crew have captured of their despoiling.

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Norman Wilner

NOW Toronto

11/10/2020

3/5

Watson is a vivid storyteller and a charismatic screen presence, fully conscious of the power of media.

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Anne Brodie

What She Said

11/06/2020

[Documentarian Lesley Chilcott's] powerful new film. [Full review in Spanish]

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Liam Lacey

Original Cin

11/03/2020

Watson is a polarizing figure even among supporters, so director Chilcott's deference to her subject, though perhaps understandable, nevertheless diminishes her film's power.

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Penelope Y

@RT31899006 12/08/2024

Wonderful documentary about Paul Watson’s life from the early years of his path into ocean conservation until now. A must watch and if you’re curious to learn more about this mysterious ocean vagabond like myself. Giving an intimate and deep look into the ups and downs of his career. Fantastic soundtrack and cinematography. From the first scene with its spooky yet captivating visual and music, I am immediately captivated.

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Frank D

@RT06765192 11/02/2020

Starts and ends with the singing of a whale and everything in between is just as marvellous.

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12/24/2019

Magnificent documentary! Rooting for the Sea Shepard is rooting for whales, and all marine life, great and small, which then results in rooting for human life and existence. If you think that you cannot make a difference in this world, the life of Paul Watson schools you otherwise.

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12/24/2019

Great documentary about the life and adventures of one of my all time Heroes. Paul Watson has done SO much to bring awareness to the value and plight of our oceans. His bravery and commitment prove that one person CAN make a difference.

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12/24/2019

Paul Watsons commitment to saving the oceans, it's diversity and the planet shines in this documentary. A must see for every citizen of this Planet Ocean...

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12/24/2019

The message is urgent and we mist all join this movement for the sake of our planet and all of the inhabitants who live on it.

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Lesley Chilcott

Director

Paul Watson

Self

Louise Runge

Producer

Lesley Chilcott

Producer

Wolfgang Knöpfler

Producer

Logan Schneider

Cinematographer

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Watson: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Like a crime-fighting superhero of the high seas, Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson has spent his life sailing the globe to keep our oceans and their inhabitants safe. Blending revealing contemporary interviews with Watson, archival clips of Sea Shepherd's dramatic encounters, and spectacular underwater nature footage, Lesley Chilcott paints a portrait of a man willing to put his own life and liberty at risk in a relentless quest to protect the oceans and the marine life within.

Director: Lesley Chilcott
Producer: Louise Runge, Lesley Chilcott, Wolfgang Knöpfler
Distributor: Participant Media
Production Co: Terra mater Factual Studios, Real by Fake, Participant
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 14, 2020
Runtime: 1h 39m