Elephant (2020 film)

Elephant (2020 film)
source
Name	Elephant
Director	Mark Linfield
Producer	Mark Linfield, Vanessa Berlowitz, Roy Conli
Music	Raphaelle Thibaut
Cinematography	Martyn Colbeck
Editing	Andy Netley
Studio	Disneynature
Distributor	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Released	03 April 2020
Runtime	86 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Elephant (2020 film) is a Disneynature documentary film directed by Mark Linfield. Narrated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, the film follows the epic journey of an African elephant herd across the Kalahari Desert. It premiered on the Disney+ streaming service in April 2020 as part of the platform's launch content.

Plot

The narrative centers on Shani, a young elephant, and her newborn calf, Jomo, as their family herd, led by matriarch Gaia, embarks on an annual migration. The film documents their perilous trek from the Okavango Delta in Botswana to the Zambezi River across the arid expanse of the Kalahari Desert. Key sequences depict the herd navigating threats from lion prides, enduring severe drought, and relying on the ancestral knowledge of Gaia to locate vital water sources. The journey culminates in their arrival at the lush, seasonal floodplains, showcasing the resilience and complex social bonds within the elephant family.

Cast

* Meghan, Duchess of Sussex as the narrator, providing the vocal performance for the film's English-language version. * The documentary features a real elephant family, with the primary subjects being the matriarch Gaia, her daughter Shani, and Shani's calf Jomo. Other notable wildlife captured includes various elephant herd members, lions, cape buffalo, and numerous bird species native to the Okavango Delta region.

Production

The film was produced by Disneynature, the documentary arm of The Walt Disney Company, with Mark Linfield serving as director and co-producer alongside Vanessa Berlowitz and Roy Conli. Principal photography was led by cinematographer Martyn Colbeck, renowned for his work on the BBC Natural History Unit series *Planet Earth*. Filming took place over several years in Botswana, utilizing advanced camera technology to capture intimate footage of the elephant herd's migration. The original score was composed by Raphaelle Thibaut, and the film was edited by Andy Netley.

Release

*Elephant* was released directly onto the Disney+ streaming service on April 3, 2020, in conjunction with the platform's launch in several markets including the United States and Western Europe. It was released alongside another Disneynature film, *Dolphin Reef*. The film was later made available in additional international territories as Disney+ expanded its global rollout. A portion of the film's proceeds from its first streaming month were donated to the Elephants Without Borders conservation charity.

Reception

Critical reception was generally positive, with praise directed at its cinematography and educational value for family audiences. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an approval rating of 88%. Critics from The New York Times and The Hollywood Reporter highlighted the stunning visuals of the Kalahari Desert and the compelling narrative structure. The narration by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex received mixed reviews, with some commentators noting its serene delivery. The film is considered a successful entry in the Disneynature portfolio, following the tradition of earlier releases like *Chimpanzee* and *Bears*.

Category:2020 films Category:American documentary films Category:Disneynature films Category:Films about elephants Category:Films set in Botswana