This is one of my favorite shows! It shows people what really happens in the world. Kids should know this stuff.
Whale Wars
(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Starring Paul Watson, Peter Brown, Peter Hammarstedt, Where to watch: Animal Planet, DVD)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Intense reality of extreme conservation work.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–15
What to watch out for
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What Parents Need to Know
This review of Whale Wars was written by Emily Ashby
Parents need to know that this often-intense reality series includes many scenes of whales being harpooned, dragged aboard ship, and dismembered, which could upset young children (especially those too young to have their own opinions on the show's stance/politics). Injuries among the activists are common, too, including both gunshot wounds and ailments from the frigid elements. While the conservationists are unquestionably devoted to their cause, not everyone will agree with their their methods -- which include tailing the ships to throw stink bombs at them and attempting to board uninvited. There's also a fair bit of tension and confrontation among the people featured on the show.
Families Can Talk About
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- Families can talk about the show's messages. What does it want viewers to take away from watching? Do you agree with the point it's trying to make? Why or why not?
- How do the cast members' personalities affect your response to their message?
- Did this series change your feelings about conservation? How?
Have you seen it? Review It!
More on Whale Wars
What’s the Story?
WHALE WARS chronicles the attempts of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society to deter whale poaching and habitat destruction in the waters off the coast of Antarctica. Led by society founder Captain Paul Watson, the hardy group of volunteers is willing to risk their own lives to defend the whales that are being hunted by a Japanese crew that says they need the whales for research. For three months, Watson and his "eco-warriors" live aboard his ship, the Steve Irwin (named for the popular late conservationist), facing the brutal elements of the open sea to wage war on a six-ship Japanese whaling fleet. The show explores their conservation goals as well as the ins and outs of daily life aboard the ship.
Is It Any Good?
Whale Wars offers an intense look inside conservation work that's so gritty it boasts only this small handful of volunteers. The people featured on the show put everything on the line and often face life-threatening danger for the chance to save just a few of the whales they're devoted to. Their tactics may seem radical to some viewers, but it's hard not to admire their whole-hearted devotion to their cause.
That said, this isn't a show that's meant to be shared by the whole family. The content is very mature, and images of dead and dying whales are likely to upset even some adult viewers. Some of the activists are injured in accidents aboard the ship or in physical exchanges with the whalers, and -- in at least one instance -- are taken hostage by the whalers. And, in the end, this is a reality show, so there's always plenty of interpersonal drama and tension among crew members to keep things heated.
Our Members Say
See 7 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
So Awsome!
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
PErfect for tweens and animal loooovers
I love this show because it is adventurous and the people save awesome animals...... DIE NISHAN MARU!
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Perfect for teens and over.
This is the greatest series I've ever seen. Why? Because it shows real passion to protect and defend whales, that no other group is willing to do. After 20 years of the monotorioum on commercial whaling, Japan still freely kills 1000 whales every year, and no posturing and petitions will ever stop whaling. If stink bombs need to be thrown so be it! In Africa, poachers are killed on site...the japanese are lucky in this regard. There is some blood when whales get killed, but it is nessessary to see it otherwise people wont realise how much pain these beautiful creatures go through.
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I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
INCREDIBLY AWESOME!!!
ALL of you people who say that this show is stupid, you are CRAZY. THIS IS A FACT. Paul Watson is soo awesome. He is my role model. The Japanese are stupid for killing the whales like that. The Sea Shepherds are the BEST!
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I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate language
dumbooo
stupid show. It was okay in the beginning, and i enjoyed watching how they saved the whales, but I should have known ultimatley it would turn violent, and have nothing to do with whales. Dont waste your time watching this show. It's like battle ship, add a whale, and call it whale wars.
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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