Universe (1987)
Season 2024
A wide variety of documentary subjects, from animals (dragonflies, ants) to people (Genghis Khan) to science (time, perception) to places (St. Stephens Cathedral, Umbria). The style is sometimes purely narrative, at other times imbued with scenes to illustrate a particular point. A good mix of subjects for lovers of documentaries.
Where to Watch Universe (1987) • Season 2024
19 Episodes
- Orcas – Giants of the Sea
E16Orcas – Giants of the SeaAcross all the world's oceans, orcas have adapted their hunting strategies to local conditions. In the Salish Sea, off the coasts of Canada and the U.S. state of Washington, killer whales rely on surprise attacks: unsuspecting seals are startled by a sudden leap into the air and flee into the water, where the family pod repeatedly strikes them with their tail flukes until the seals are too exhausted to bite back. In contrast, in Norway's fjords, the secret to success lies in communication among these marine mammals. In the dark waters, orcas use echolocation along with a series of clicks and whistles. Like shepherds, they coordinate to isolate smaller groups of herring from large schools and drive them into shallow bays. The carefully organized effort pays off — the actual feeding is a relaxed affair.