Bienvenue sur l'île des loups

"Island of the Sea Wolves" is a four-episode mini-series which debuted on Netflix. It's set on Vancouver Island and follows several different animals over the course of a year...with each episode covering (approximately) one season. The show follows wolves, marmots, bears, bald eagles and NOT just wolves despite the title. In fact, the title to me just seems pretty arbitrary. It could have just as soon been called "Island of the Marmots"!

So what did I like about it? The cinematography is breathtaking. While not as grand as shows like "Earth" or films like the recent Disney nature documentaries, it has wonderful closeup shots of many wonderful creatures and the geography is lovely as well...and all well worth seeing.

And, what did I not love about the shows? The narration...which is OFTEN a problem with nature films. Too often the narration is very non-scientific and humanizes the animals...giving them names and even trying, occasionally, to be funny. I personally don't like this and wish the film was more scientific in focus. But, I guess there's a balance...too scientific and fewer might watch it. All I know is that it looks great...and a few times I winced at what was said in the shows.

I really enjoyed everything about this documentary, including the narration. You might have an issue with this documentary if you think only humans can lead complex lives. But if this is your viewpoint maybe you shouldn't bother watching a show about such primitive creatures. I never realized there are people who seem to be upset at the concept that animals other than humans can have feelings and emotions.

As for the reviewer who claims the discussion in this documentary about the effects of climate change is nonsense - I live on Vancouver Island, currently we are experiencing a record setting drought. Last summer it was a heat dome.

Our family very much enjoyed this documentary. Amazing cinematography and animal close-ups, engaging story lines, and moments of suspense and surprise. The naming of the animals was very helpful when following the complex family dynamics and interactions with the various generations. Don't worry about the "anthropomorphism" mentioned by another reviewer - this technique was pioneered by Jane Goodall, and is now very much accepted by the scientific community (it was shunned back in the 60s because of people wanting to believe in the superiority of humans). As primatologists and neurobiologists have said, animals and humans share behaviors, and giving animals names has helped us understand their unique communities, cultures, and emotions. Very inspiring series to help us appreciate the natural world around us.

As someone who enjoys nature documentaries, this one is amazing as it is focused on something new and concentrated only on to one single island. The 3 parts showing 3 different seasons is a fantastic visual watch. But it would have much better to show the fourth season too.

The narration is quite good but anthropomorphizing the animals makes it like a series rather than a documentary. Though the narrator explains and points out facts and ecosystem cycling, the background music rather gives it a cinematic mood and I'm a bit sceptic on whether that is on a bright side or not. I also do feel that some music notes especially adjourning the grieving and cheerless events, could have been avoided or changed to a better slow monotone. Naming the Marmots were ok as they were grown in captivity but the wild ones, I think it was quite unnecessary.

Island of the Sea Wolves takes a close look at wildlife on Vancouver Island on the west coast of British Columbia, Canada.

It features intimate close ups and amazing shots of several species of elusive animals within a temperate rainforest coastline.

Mostly focusing on unique 'Sea Wolves' for part of the series, it also dives into the life and death survival of several other species such as bald eagles, sea otters, the rare and endangered Vancouver Island marmot, black bears and more.

Many scenes leave you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen to the animals as they proceed with their lives, with some bringing tragedy and others moments of joy.

All in all, a wonderful documentary with excellent narration by Will Arnett. A must watch for anyone curious about the wildlife in the Pacific north west as well as the unique ways in which they survive on the island.