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Run, Sockeye, Run:  The
Life Cycle of the Sockeye Salmon.
Vancouver: Insight and Sound Creations, 1995. 23 minutes, VHS, $250.00
Grades 4 - 10 / Ages 9 - 14.
***/4
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excerpt:
Okay, sockeye, listen up! The sooner we get started the sooner we'll be on our way . . .
SO BEGINS the award-winning documentary Run, Sockeye, Run.
A computer-animated `Salmon Leader' coaches his `team' of Adam River
Sockeye on their formidable journey up the Fraser River to their spawning
grounds. The novel approach adds interest and variety to this depiction
of the life-cycle of the salmon.
Run,
Sockeye, Run uses appropriate vocabulary to accurately outline
the different stages of the salmon's journey from the Pacific Ocean to
the spawning grounds of the Adam River in British Columbia. The
spectacular photography clearly shows the geography of the route (with
map inserts to orient the viewer). The footage also provides an excellent
portrayal of the dangers and enemies the fish face on their upstream
adventure. Underwater close-ups offer valuable insights into spawning
activities ranging from males battle for a mating opportunity to the
wonders of egg hatching.
The `real-life'
sequences are enhanced by narrated information and musical interludes.
The film concludes in the same animated format with which it begins.
The video is well
paced to both sustain viewer interest and retrieve information. The
musical interludes prevent visual information powerfully without the need
for narration; these pauses encourage the viewer to watch closely and
make the video a good way to strengthen both visual and verbal skills.
And the computer-animated salmon `coach' is a clever technique, though it would
be more effective if the tone of his dialogue varied more; as it is, it's
not also easy to pull out the facts in his narration, especially where
the information isn't obvious in the visuals. The map inserts, though
useful, would be clearer if they were larger and better labelled.
But most of the
footage is clear and crisp, and overall, Run, Sockeye, Run
is an imaginative video well worth considering as a resource for educational
collections.
Highly recommended as an introduction to or elaboration on topics such as life cycles or animal science studies.
Janice Foster is currently the teacher-librarian/enrichment facilitator at Oakenwald Elementary School in Winnipeg.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cmeditor@mts.net.
Copyright © 1996 the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364