NATURE: Octopus: Making Contact

This was rerun on tv right after I bought it. The netflix film my octopus teacher is much better. but it was good if you dont know anything about octopus

This one hour PBS documentary is built around the experiences of a marine biologist living in Anchorage, Alaska, who installs a large tank in his living room for an octopus. The story revolves around his and his daughter's interactions with their octopus. These interactions are coupled with film footage of other octopuses in the wild and in laboratory settings.The commentary makes clear what very different creatures octopuses are, and yet how easily they may interact with humans. The documentary is aimed at a general audience and may therefore be a little light on the hard science. It is well worth watching, however, as a wonderful introduction to the topic for the student and the general viewer. Highly recommended.

I did a search for a different Octopus documentary, where a person befriended an octopus in the wild. So I ordered this one in error. It is interesting and the people obviously cared for the octopus. BUT to keep such an incredibly intelligent being confined in a tank in your living room for it’s whole, short life, making it perform tasks to get food....just as a hobby to film?! Not ethical or enlightened. You have to study them in the wild to understand their true nature. Of course that requires much more work and commitment. I learned some interesting facts but it left me with a sense of disquiet about exploitation. Not recommended.

I got this DVD as a gift for my sister, but I couldn't resist watching it. Turns out octopuses are amazing creatures and we know practically nothing about them. There's no need to explore outer space for incredible intelligent life forms; we just need to look around our home planet more closely. I highly recommend this revealing look at an amazing fellow earthling. It's a treat for all ages.

This is wonderful! Everyone should see this. I had no idea how smart and social octopus are.

It's a one hour show. I wish they had used the rest of the space on the CD for more hours of octopus video.

Really enjoyable if you are looking to own an octopus

I receive the DVD, and the first time I go to play it, all I get is a screen message saying, "This operation is currently prohibited for this disc". What kind of a rip off is this? I pay for a DVD that can't be played. I will never order another one.

Excellant dvd and well photographed. Excellent information on octopuses and their intelligence.