Sharks Up Close with Bertie Gregory (2025)
Story overview
This documentary follows wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory as he travels to South Africa to film great white sharks up close in their natural habitat. Without the protection of a cage, he enters shallow waters to capture footage of these powerful predators while exploring the environmental challenges they face in our changing oceans.
Parent Guide
Educational documentary suitable for most children with parental guidance for younger viewers due to intense wildlife footage.
Content breakdown
No violence shown, but scenes of sharks hunting fish and swimming close to the filmmaker create tension. The documentary emphasizes scientific observation rather than danger.
Close-up footage of large sharks may be intense for sensitive viewers. The sharks are shown as powerful predators but within an educational context.
No inappropriate language. Scientific and conservation-focused dialogue throughout.
No sexual content or nudity.
No substance use depicted.
Moments of tension when sharks approach the filmmaker, but overall tone is educational and respectful toward wildlife.
Parent tips
This documentary features real-life footage of great white sharks in their natural environment. While educational and focused on conservation, some scenes may be intense for younger viewers due to the sharks' size and proximity to the filmmaker. Consider watching together to discuss ocean ecosystems and wildlife protection.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- What colors did you see in the ocean?
- Did the sharks look big or small?
- What other animals did you see in the water?
- Why do you think Bertie wanted to film the sharks up close?
- What makes great white sharks good hunters?
- How do sharks help keep the ocean healthy?
- What environmental challenges do great white sharks face according to the documentary?
- Why is it important to study predators like sharks?
- What safety precautions did Bertie take while filming?
- How does this documentary challenge common misconceptions about sharks?
- What conservation strategies are mentioned for protecting shark populations?
- How does climate change affect marine predators like great white sharks?
🎭 Story Kernel
The documentary transcends the typical nature-documentary tropes by focusing on the intelligence and social dynamics of great white sharks in the waters of New Zealand. Bertie Gregory’s mission is not merely to capture spectacle, but to document specific, rarely-seen behaviors that challenge the perception of these animals as solitary killing machines. The film expresses a profound respect for the shark’s role in the ecosystem, emphasizing that their survival is linked to our own understanding of their behavior. The narrative follows the technical and physical challenges of the expedition, highlighting the vulnerability of a species often misunderstood as invincible. It is a study of patience and precision, aiming to dismantle primal fears through direct, scientific observation and high-stakes exploration, ultimately framing the shark as a sophisticated sentient being rather than a mindless monster.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
Director Will West utilizes high-frame-rate cinematography and cutting-edge drone technology to provide perspectives that were previously impossible to capture. The visual language relies on the contrast between the turbulent surface of the New Zealand coast and the eerie, disciplined calm beneath the waves. The use of specialized tow-cams and macro lenses allows for an intimate look at the sharks' sensory organs and scarring, which serves as a visual record of their life histories. The color palette is dominated by deep teals and sharp whites, emphasizing the raw beauty of the environment. Symbolically, the camera often lingers on the eye of the shark, bridging the gap between predator and observer. This cinematography transforms a scientific mission into a high-stakes visual poem, emphasizing the scale of the animals against the vastness of the Pacific.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
Bertie Gregory is a renowned National Geographic Explorer who began his career as a protégé of legendary photographer Steve Winter. Director Will West has a long history of collaborating with Gregory on high-stakes wildlife projects, including the series Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory. This special was produced as a flagship program for National Geographic’s Sharkfest 2024. Filming in the remote waters of New Zealand presented significant logistical challenges, including unpredictable Southern Ocean weather and the requirement for specialized permits to film protected Great White populations. The crew often spent weeks at sea to capture specific behavioral sequences.
Where to watch
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- Disney Plus
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