Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People

Top 9 Billed Cast

Bertie Carvel
Bertie Carvel

Narrator (voice)

Penny Patterson
Penny Patterson

Self

Robin Williams
Robin Williams

Self

Koko
Koko

Self

Leonardo DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio

Self

Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel

Self

Isabella Rossellini
Isabella Rossellini

Self

William Shatner
William Shatner

Self

Sting
Sting

Self

Loading Trailer Videos...
  • HomePage

  • Overview

    Documentary telling the extraordinary story of Koko, the only 'talking' gorilla in the world, and her lifelong relationship with Penny Patterson. Project Koko started as a PhD project to teach sign language to a baby gorilla, but as Koko began to communicate with Penny, an intense bond formed between them. Penny has now been with Koko for over 40 years and claims Koko can reveal fresh insights into the workings of an animal's mind. Koko's unique life with Penny has been filmed every step of the way. Over 2,000 hours of footage chart the most dramatic moments - Penny's battle to keep Koko from being taken back to the zoo in which she was born, Penny's clash with academic critics who doubted her claims and the image of Koko mourning the death of her kitten.

  • Release Date

    2016-06-15

  • Average

    7.6

  • Rating:

    3.8 starts
  • Tagline

  • Genres

  • Languages:

  • Keywords

Similar Movies

An Apology to Elephants
80%

An Apology to Elephants(en)

2013-04-13

Elephants are among the most majestic and intelligent creatures on Earth--but for hundreds of years, they have suffered at the hands of humans. Narrated by Lily Tomlin, this documentary short traces our long history with elephants and explores the many problems that arise when they are brought to live in captivity in zoos and circuses.

Savages: The Story of Human Zoos
78%

Savages: The Story of Human Zoos(fr)

2018-09-05

For more than a century the great colonial powers put human beings, taken by force from their native lands, on show as entertainment, just like animals in zoos; a shameful, outrageous and savage treatment of people who were considered subhuman.

Alpine Zoos and You
0%

Alpine Zoos and You(en)

2020-07-16

This moving, family documentary goes behind the scenes at The Big Bear Alpine Zoo, which is only one of two high elevation, Alpine Zoos in the United States.

The Tuba Thieves
80%

The Tuba Thieves(en)

2024-03-15

A spate of robberies in Southern California schools had an oddly specific target: tubas. In this work of creative nonfiction, d/Deaf first-time feature director Alison O’Daniel presents the impact of these crimes from an unexpected angle. The film unfolds mimicking a game of telephone, where sound’s feeble transmissibility is proven as the story bends and weaves to human interpretation and miscommunication. The result is a stunning contribution to cinematic language. O’Daniel has developed a syntax of deafness that offers a complex, overlaid, surprising new texture, which offers a dimensional experience of deafness and reorients the audience auditorily in an unfamiliar and exhilarating way.

Glimpses of Western Germany
65%

Glimpses of Western Germany(en)

1954-02-13

This James A. FitzPatrick Traveltalks short visits the West German cities of Hamburg, Bremen, Munich, and Heidelberg. Included are scenes of World War II destruction that lingered at the time.

Lords of the Forest
60%

Lords of the Forest(fr)

1958-11-21

Documentary about the inhabitants, both human and animal, of the Belgian Congo. Released in 1958.

30 Years of National Geographic Specials
70%

30 Years of National Geographic Specials(en)

1995-01-25

Celebrates 30 years of televised specials by The National Geographic Society.

Zoos of the World
0%

Zoos of the World(en)

1970-10-15

Travel around the globe to some of the best zoos, which are striving to fill a new role that relates directly to environmental education.

Regard Silence
0%

Regard Silence(es)

2023-07-27

“I love poetry because it makes me feel like my mind expands.” In Regard Silence, that's the very first sentence expressed—in sign language of course. Watching the poems signed by deaf people in this film has a similarly mind-expanding effect. That’s because sign language—the Mexican version in this case—is a very different means of communication than written or spoken language.

Checkpoint Zoo
0%

Checkpoint Zoo(en)

2024-06-06

In the early stages of the Russian-Ukrainian War, almost 5,000 animals were trapped behind enemy lines in a wildlife park. The film relates the story of their dramatic rescue.

The Miracle Worker
63%

The Miracle Worker(en)

1979-10-14

The true story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan, a gripping battle to overcome impossible obstacles and the struggle to communicate. As a young girl, Helen Keller is stricken with scarlet fever. The illness leaves her blind, mute, and deaf. Sealed off from the world, Helen cannot communicate with anyone, nor anyone with her. Often frustrated and desperate, Helen flies into uncontrollable rages and tantrums that terrify her hopeless family. The gifted teacher Annie Sullivan is summoned by the family to help the girl understand the world from which she is isolated, freeing Helen Keller from her internal prison forever. Television remake of the 1962 film which also starred Patty Duke in the role of Helen Keller.

Talking Hands
0%

Talking Hands(fi)

1959-01-02

Spring is coming. Deaf-mute girl and boy feel the warmth of the sun on their faces, the air is flooded with light. The world of these young people lacks sound and their language is different, but they are happy about spring and each other.

Mountain Gorilla
70%

Mountain Gorilla(en)

1992-03-25

Mountain Gorilla takes us to a remote range of volcanic mountains in Africa, described by those who have been there as ""one of the most beautiful places in the world"", and home to the few hundred remaining mountain gorillas. In spending a day with a gorilla family in the mountain forest, audiences will be captivated by these intelligent and curious animals, as they eat, sleep, play and interact with each other. Although gorillas have been much-maligned in our popular culture, viewers will finally ""meet the legend"" face to face, and learn about their uncertain future.

Virunga
79%

Virunga(en)

2014-11-07

Virunga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s oldest national park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a contested ground among insurgencies seeking to topple the government that see untold profits in the land. Among this ongoing power struggle, Virunga also happens to be the last natural habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorilla. The only thing standing in the way of the forces closing in around the gorillas: a handful of passionate park rangers and journalists fighting to secure the park’s borders and expose the corruption of its enemies. Filled with shocking footage, and anchored by the surprisingly deep and gentle characters of the gorillas themselves, Virunga is a galvanizing call to action around an ongoing political and environmental crisis in the Congo.

A Sonorous Melody
0%

A Sonorous Melody(id)

2023-08-03

Growing up as a Deaf individual in Indonesia, Mufi was taught to speak instead of sign. As an adult, now she carves her music career to inspire others to express themselves through sign language.

Titus: The Gorilla King
0%

Titus: The Gorilla King(en)

2008-01-01

The compelling story of one of the most successful mountain gorillas that has ever lived - a huge silverback called Titus. The programme starts in 1967, when the researcher Dian Fossey first made contact with a group of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. She opened up a window on to their secret lives. Forty years on, this film reveals the complete and dramatic life story of one individual animal. Titus's father was murdered by poachers in front of his very eyes. His mother abandoned him in the subsequent chaos. His family disintegrated. He should have died. But we reveal how Titus survived against all the odds. Titus's present day trials and tribulations take the viewer back in time to reveal key moments in Titus's history. Using testament from eyewitnesses, the film relives one individual mountain gorilla's extraordinary battle for survival.

Garden, Zoological
60%

Garden, Zoological(ko)

2019-09-05

The keepers are kept busy with animals under their care. These animals, although they've got the hint of their natural instinct left, are unlikely to survive if released back to the wild. It'd be difficult for them to take part in the pack and they lack the skills to find food. Nevertheless, the ultimate goal for everyone at the zoo is to send the animals back to where they truly belong.

Audism Unveiled
0%

Audism Unveiled(en)

2003-04-23

In American Sign Language (ASL) with subtitles available in English, Spanish and Canadian French. This powerful documentary uses real life experiences from Deaf people of varied social, racial, and educational boundaries showing how this form of oppression does lasting and harmful damage. Bonus materials include directors' comments from Ben Bahan and H-Dirksen Bauman and additional scences. Teachers: This film is a wonderful tool for beginning ASL students, as an introduction to a side of Deaf culture that cannot be found in any textbook.

Recommendations Movies

The Three Friends
61%

The Three Friends(ar)

1966-06-16

Three friends are arrested after committing an accident with their car. After finishing their sentence, they become partners with the owner of a decoration workshop. But he deceives them and spends the money in gambling. They force him to sign a waiver of his workshop but he wants to get it back.

The Wild Soccer Bunch 4
53%

The Wild Soccer Bunch 4(de)

2007-02-01

With the victory against "The Beastly Beasts", "The Wild Soccer Bunch" showed it to everyone and then won every single game. Only one victory now separates them from the "Pott", the Freestyle Soccer Cup. For this they have to compete against the "Wolves of Ragnarök". But the wolves are not normal opponents! They have a dark secret - and behind them lurks a power stronger than all of them: the girl Horizon and the "Silver Lights" from the fog...

Friends Jokes
66%

Friends Jokes(ar)

2006-09-01

The film tells a story speaks of "Yusuf ", a plumbing Man, who is exposed to many pranks by his friends.

Decalogue IV
77%

Decalogue IV(pl)

1989-05-16

A father and daughter, Michał and Anka, have a unique intimacy, which the college-aged Anka is beginning to feel conflicted about. When she finds an unopened letter from her deceased mother, it seems to justify her attraction to Michał, who may not in fact be her father.

Mutiny on the Buses
75%

Mutiny on the Buses(en)

1972-06-02

Bus driver Stan Butler agrees to marry Suzy, much to the anguish of Mum, her son-in-law, Arthur, and daughter Olive. How, they wonder, will they ever manage without Stan's money coming in? Then Arthur is sacked, and Stan agrees to delay the wedding. Meanwhile, he hits on an idea: Arthur should learn to drive a bus. Somehow he does just that, and even gets a job. Stan then blackmails the Depot Manager into giving him the job of driver on the new money-making Special Tours Bus. A great idea ...if only the inspector hadn't taken Stan on his trial run to the Windsor Safari Park

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
67%

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials(en)

2015-09-09

Thomas and his fellow Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles. Teaming up with resistance fighters, the Gladers take on WCKD’s vastly superior forces and uncover its shocking plans for them all.

Detective Conan: Full Score of Fear
70%

Detective Conan: Full Score of Fear(ja)

2008-04-19

Serial murders involving all kinds have happened. All the victims are from a Music School led by a famous pianist. Conan and company have been invited to a opening concert of the Music Hall built by the pianist. The biggest attraction of this concert is the world famous violin called "Stradivarius" and a special appearance of a singer who has perfect pitch.

Android Re-Enactment
71%

Android Re-Enactment(en)

2011-08-28

Ermus Daglek, retired Empathtek engineer, commandeers a defunct factory where he creates androids based on persons from his past and recreates a dinner party where he lost the love of his life - until they malfunction and escape.

Bibi & Tina: Girls vs. Boys
63%

Bibi & Tina: Girls vs. Boys(de)

2016-01-21

At summer camp, young Bibi and her friends are pitted against the boys in a treasure hunt. But what's a witch to do when she loses her powers?

American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile
55%

American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile(en)

2006-12-01

When Erik Stifler realizes that he's the only Stifler family member who might graduate high school a virgin, he decides to live up to his legacy. After some well-meaning advice from Jim's dad, Erik's ready to take his chances at the annual and infamous Naked Mile race, where his devoted friends and some uninhibited sorority girls will create the most outrageous weekend ever.

Decalogue X
79%

Decalogue X(pl)

1989-05-16

Jerzy and Artur’s father dies, leaving behind a valuable stamp collection, which, they discover, is coveted by dealers of varying degrees of shadiness. The more involved the brothers get in their father’s world, the more dire and comical their situation becomes.

American Pie: Revealed
60%

American Pie: Revealed(en)

2004-01-02

Documentary about the making of American Pie (1999), American Pie 2 (2001) and American Wedding (2003).

Hercules and the Circle of Fire
65%

Hercules and the Circle of Fire(en)

1994-11-05

When all the earth's fire begins to go out, Hercules and Deianeira must go in search for fire to stop the world from cold. "Hercules and the Circle of Fire" is the third movie-length pilot episode of the television series "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys".

Balto II: Wolf Quest
63%

Balto II: Wolf Quest(en)

2002-02-19

Balto and his daughter Aleu embark on a journey of adventure and self discovery.

Monster High: Freaky Fusion
77%

Monster High: Freaky Fusion(en)

2014-10-06

While attempting to help Frankie Stein learn more about her freakycool scaritage, the fashionably fierce ghoulfriends travel back in time to the first day ever of Monster High! There, they meet Sparky, a skullastic teen with an obsession for creating life. But when Sparky follows the ghouls through a killer time portal to modern-day Monster High, the event results in eight of them fusing together into four creeperiffic hybrid Monsters. Now, they'll really have to work together to control their bodies in the big Bitecentennial Play and stop one of Sparky's experiments from destroying imperfectly perfect Monster High!

Detective Conan: Captured in Her Eyes
74%

Detective Conan: Captured in Her Eyes(ja)

2000-04-22

Police officers around Tokyo are being murdered by an unknown assailant. When Ran witnesses an attempt on the life of one of her friends in the police, she loses her memory. Now, Conan and Inspector Megure must find the murderer while Ran attempts to regain her lost memories.

Natale a New York
50%

Natale a New York(it)

2006-12-15

During the holidays of Christmas, three groups of funny characters depart from Italy to spend the Christmas season in New York City.

The Garden of Sinners: Paradox Spiral
77%

The Garden of Sinners: Paradox Spiral(ja)

2008-08-16

In the middle of October 1998, Tomoe Enjou is attacked by bullies from his old school and saved by Shiki Ryougi. He asks her to hide him at her place and admits that he killed someone. Several days after the incident there are still no broadcasts about the murder as if it didn't happen.

The Lower Depths
71%

The Lower Depths(ja)

1957-10-01

Residents of a rundown boardinghouse in 19th-century Japan, including a mysterious old man and an aging actor, get drawn into a love triangle that turns violent. When amoral thief Sutekichi breaks off his affair with landlady Osugi to romance her younger sister, Okayo, Osugi extracts her revenge by revealing her infidelity to her jealous husband.

Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind
66%

Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind(en)

2019-04-27

From the song he refuses to perform to his admiration for Drake, a songwriting legend reflects on his lyrics and longevity with candour and humour. At 80 years young (and currently recording another album), Gordon Lightfoot continues to entertain and enlighten. Personal archive materials and studio sessions paint an intimate picture of an artist in his element, candidly revisiting his idealistic years in Yorkville's coffeehouses, up through stadium tours and the hedonistic '70s.