Great White Shark: Beyond the Cage of Fear

I saw Jaws when I was a kid. It scared the crap out of me. I wouldn't even go swimming in our pool. Hey, I was a kid. For years I bought into the hype generated by the movie and by the subsequent media attention. "If it bleeds it leads" doesn't just apply to traffic accidents and plane crashes - every shark 'attack' gets played up. We humans are scared of them. Why not? They're just mindless eating machines.

This documentary shows us that the creatures are much more intelligent and complex than we've been led to believe. A cynic might question whether that narrative was invented to make it easier to demonize them so corporations could profit off them. The distinction between the much beloved Orcas of Sea World and the much hated monsters of the deep is clear.

The movie tells the story of researchers as they study Bruce, a Great White that has traveled from Hawaii to the coast of Mexico. Director and narrator Steve Morris takes us on a brilliant journey beneath the surface. Understanding that sharks were attracted more to the metal than the people, the film follows divers as they leave the cage behind and venture into the open ocean to go swimming with sharks. What is revealed is breathtaking and will change your perspective of the giant beasts. The movie also takes advantage of a camera mounted on Bruce's dorsal fin to give us a glimpse into his life under the waves. The final minutes of the film simply must be seen to be believed.

I am not ready to don my swim trunks and take a dip with Bruce and his companions, but I'm more than happy to live vicariously through Steve, Hannah and the crew of the Captain Jack as they study - and bond with - the gentle giants.

I loved this! If you have been traumatised by Jaws or have kids that fear the sea, this is the perfect antidote.

The quirky crew is has such a wide range of experience with animals and the sea, there could be (and probably is) a documentary made on each of them alone. The real joy of this film is watching them make discoveries in the uncharted territory of the Great White's world.

I particularly love that among all the cautionary tales about anthropomorphising animals, the 'lead' shark is called, Bruce.

The doco isn't all warm fuzzies, it has bite (excuse the pun). However, in the tradition of Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall, this film is ultimately a celebration of the respectful relationship that is possible between humans and the animals we share the planet with.

We need more films like this.