Royal Albatross

Short Film (Full Length) – 1980 Nature Documentary

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This award-winning National Film Unit production soars on thermals with the world's largest seabird, the toroa or royal albatross. 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”); laments historic slaughter; celebrates conservation efforts (hat tipping legendary toroa custodian Dr 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 oceanic OE.

Key Cast & Crew

Derek Wright

Producer

Larry Pruden

Composer

Val Federoff

Sound

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In reality the broad wingspan is as wide as two volkswagen cars parked side by side.
– From the narration

Produced by

The National Film Unit