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Royal Albatross

Short Film (Full Length) – 1980

This award-winning National Film Unit production soars on thermals with the world's largest seabird, the toroa or royal albatross. Writer/director Grant Foster captures the majesty of the flyer with a three metre-plus wingspan ("as wide as two volkswagen cars parked side by side"). The film laments historic slaughter; celebrates conservation efforts (including legendary toroa custodian Lance Richdale); and surveys the albatross's life cycle at its only mainland breeding colony on Otago Peninsula — from courtship and nesting, to taking off on an epic OE across the ocean.

In reality the broad wingspan is as wide as two volkswagen cars parked side by side.
– Narrator John Blumsky

Key Cast & Crew

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Brian Shennan

Sound Mix

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Larry Pruden

Composer

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Derek Wright

Producer

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John Blumsky

Narrator

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Alan Wright

Camera

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Grant Foster

Director, Writer, Camera

See all 11 credits