An Environmental and Ethical Survey of Animals in Film

This chapter will focus on a survey of how the representation of animals in film exposes a range of normative and sometimes exemplary ethical ideals for humans to emulate. Recalling classic 19th-century novels like Black Beauty , which became one of the biggest-selling books of its time, together with numerous adaptations, alongside recent animal stories such as the popular animated Babe (1995), which apparently resulted in a stagnant demand for pork following its release. Consequently, there is a long history documenting the power of storytelling promoting the rights of animals and protecting nature in general. This chapter specifically calls attention to and examines various non-cuddly animals, including foxes ( Fantastic Mr Fox ), bears ( Grizzly Man ), alongside octopuses ( My Octopus Teacher ), while teasing out how such non-human protagonists effectively problematize a range of binary ethical assumptions and deeply felt assertions involving animals and humans. Concluding with a discussion of the allegorical power of animals to sustain a spiritual, even transcendental and teacherly critique of human nature in Noah and The Planet of the Apes franchise, while rounding up with a deep dive examination into a more reflexive teacherly parable, My Octopus Teacher .