Watson (film)

Watson
Theatrical release poster
Directed byLesley Chilcott
Produced by
  • Lesley Chilcott
  • Louise Runge
  • Wolfgang Knöpfler
StarringPaul Watson
CinematographyLogan Schneider
Edited byGreg Finton
Music byChristophe Beck
Production
companies
Distributed byParticipant Media
Release date
  • April 28, 2019 (2019-04-28)
Running time
99 minutes
CountriesUnited States
Australia[1]
LanguageEnglish

Watson is a 2019 documentary film directed by Lesley Chilcott, which chronicles the life and activism of Canadian-American environmentalist Paul Watson, the youngest founding member of Greenpeace, and in 1977, the founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2019 and was later released theatrically before airing on Animal Planet/Warner Bros. Discovery in December 2019 and into 2020.[2][3][4]

Synopsis

Filmed over two years across Costa Rica, Kingdom of Tonga, and the United States, the documentary chronicles Watson’s decades-long campaign to defend ocean and marine wildlife, and the personal costs of a life devoted to activism. Through action sequences, interviews, archival clips of Sea Shepherd’s encounters, and what Animal Planet described as “spectacular underwater nature footage,” Chilcott portrays his evolution from environmentalist to a polarizing figure confronting whalers and seal hunters. The film was produced by Participant Media and Terra Mater Factual Studios.[5][6]

Release and Distribution

Watson premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2019 and was later released theatrically before airing on Animal Planet on December 22, 2019.[7][8]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7/10.[9]

Critics praised the film’s compelling storytelling and message:

  • The Los Angeles Times called it “a riveting documentary … required viewing for all.”[10]
  • The New York Times noted the film may be “deferential toward Watson, but it is never less than urgent.”[11]
  • The Hollywood Reporter praised the film’s juxtaposition of “gorgeous hi-res photography” and grainy visuals capturing encounters with marine destruction.[12]
  • Forbes wrote that the film “sheds light on more than just the plight of marine life, but also on the convictions driving Watson’s campaigns.”[13]

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Result Ref
2022 Friday Harbor Film Festival Explorers & Adventures Audience Choice Award Won [14]
2020 Cinema for Peace Awards International Green Film Award Nominated [15]
2020 International Wildlife Film Festival Best Feature Film Won [16]
2019 EarthxFilm Festival Audience Award for Best Feature Film Won [17]
2019 Camden International Film Festival Harrell Award for Best Documentary Feature Nominated [18]
2019 Hamptons International Film Festival Zelda Penzel Giving Voice to the Voiceless Award Won [19]
2019 Tribeca Film Festival Best Documentary Feature Nominated [20]
2019 Tribeca Film Festival Audience Award for Documentary Nominated [21]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kenigsberg, Ben (November 7, 2019). "'Watson' Review: Environmentalism on the High Seas". The New York Times.
  2. ^ "Documentaries Are King as New Films on Linda Ronstadt and Captain Paul Watson Get Ready to Shine at Tribeca Film Festival". April 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "'Watson': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. April 30, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  4. ^ "Animal Planet Premieres Documentary Film "WATSON"". WarnerMedia Press Release. December 5, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  5. ^ "'Watson': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. April 30, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  6. ^ "Animal Planet Acquires Worldwide Television Rights to Documentary Film "Watson"". Warner Bros. Discovery Press Room. September 20, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  7. ^ "'Watson': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. April 30, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  8. ^ "Animal Planet Premieres Documentary Film "WATSON"". WarnerMedia Press Release. December 5, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  9. ^ "Watson". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  10. ^ Walsh, Katie (October 24, 2019). ""Watson" delivers fierce message from eco-warrior and Sea Shepherd captain". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  11. ^ Kenigsberg, Ben (November 7, 2019). "'Watson' Review: A Portrait of an Environmental Provocateur". The New York Times. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  12. ^ Rooney, David (April 30, 2019). "'Watson': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  13. ^ Sunkara, Lavanya (December 22, 2019). "Sea Shepherd's Paul Watson on Conservation—and How Travelers Can Give Back". Forbes. Retrieved August 27, 2025.
  14. ^ "Awards presented at the 10th annual Friday Harbor Film Festival". San Juan Islander. October 30, 2022. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  15. ^ https://www.cinemaforpeace-foundation.org/honorees
  16. ^ "Watson • International Wildlife Film Festival". Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  17. ^ Wildman, John (May 1, 2019). "The 2019 EarthxFilm Announces Filmmaker Awards". AdChat DFW. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  18. ^ "The XV Camden International Film Festival: A Special Report". Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  19. ^ "INTERVIEW: Director Lesley Chilcott on Documenting the Life of Captain Paul Watson for New Documentary, "Watson"". October 18, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  20. ^ "Watson | 2019 Tribeca Festival". Retrieved September 2, 2025.
  21. ^ "Tribeca Film Festival 2019: WATSON: The Embodiment of Change, Resilience & Strength". April 26, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
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