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Hero image for Royal Albatross

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

Profile image for Derek Wright

Derek Wright

Producer

Generic Profile image for John Blumsky

John Blumsky

Narrator

Profile image for Brian Shennan

Brian Shennan

Sound Mix

Generic Profile image for Alan Wright

Alan Wright

Camera

Generic Profile image for Grant Foster

Grant Foster

Director, Writer, Camera

Generic Profile image for Larry Pruden

Larry Pruden

Composer

See all 11 credits

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