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The Elephant in the Living Room

  • 2010
  • PG
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
The Elephant in the Living Room (2010)
Trailer for The Elephant In The Living Room
Play trailer2:08
2 Videos
19 Photos
Documentary

Take a journey deep inside the fascinating world where wild exotic animals are kept as household pets.Take a journey deep inside the fascinating world where wild exotic animals are kept as household pets.Take a journey deep inside the fascinating world where wild exotic animals are kept as household pets.

  • Director
    • Michael Webber
  • Writer
    • Michael Webber
  • Stars
    • Tim Harrison
    • Terry Brumfield
    • Russ Clear
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Michael Webber
    • Writer
      • Michael Webber
    • Stars
      • Tim Harrison
      • Terry Brumfield
      • Russ Clear
    • 24User reviews
    • 12Critic reviews
    • 69Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 5 wins & 2 nominations total

    Videos2

    The Elephant In The Living Room
    Trailer 2:08
    The Elephant In The Living Room
    The Elephant in the Living Room
    Trailer 2:11
    The Elephant in the Living Room
    The Elephant in the Living Room
    Trailer 2:11
    The Elephant in the Living Room

    Photos18

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    + 13
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    Top cast9

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    Tim Harrison
    • Self
    Terry Brumfield
    • Self
    Russ Clear
    • Self
    Casey Craig
    • Self
    Pat Craig
    • Self
    Zuzana Kukol
    • Self
    Raymond Little
    • Self
    Scott Shoemaker
    • Self
    Bill Stiffler
    • Self
    • Director
      • Michael Webber
    • Writer
      • Michael Webber
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews24

    7.31.1K
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    Featured reviews

    10scooterreed

    Absolutely Disgusted

    I can barely express how disgusted I am by what I saw in this documentary. Wild animals deserve to be free. Wild animals should not be bred for captivity, picture taking, or for people who have small appendages to "own". The person who has two lions in a horse trailer deserves to be severely fined and put in jail! The lions are laying in excrement, have no water, and have no food. This is just as bad as having a wild animal in a cement environment. The Lions obviously have no veterinary Care! Otherwise, how would four Cubs magically appear? Wild animals, especially large cats and primates, have no place in private ownership. Republican lawmakers, especially in texas, need to wake up and stop the abuse! Democrats already know that this is a really ignorant practice. I am a wildlife biologist by training and I'm just abhorred by this practice. Stop abusing wildlife!
    10robnjeannie

    In a backyard near us!

    This is the most amazing movie we have seen on the big screen in years! We were privileged enough to see the premier of this film in Dayton, Ohio tonight. We laughed, we cried, we were on an emotional roller coaster throughout the movie. Cant wait until its available to buy! You wont be disappointed! Eye opening on the issues we have in our country. It was enlightening, heartwarming, educational, and funny. My kids enjoyed it just as much as we did. This is the first time a documentary film has impacted me in such a way that I felt the need to get involved and help with the cause. It was amazing to see many of the problems in our own back yards that we never knew existed.
    Saganlewis

    The Elephant In the Living Room

    This film contains absolutely fascinating information.Its a story that hasn't been told and everyone in the U.S. should know about it.I watched the film twice and each time I was mesmerized. Tim is a character who is charismatic, devoted to his mission and sincere. He's a modern American hero and should probably have his own TV show on this subject. Terry is a little tough to watch.I wondered at his naive stance. If the content of this film is true (and I think it is)it should be required viewing at zoos, schools,and pet stores. We have an alarming epidemic in America and nobody is talking about it. Maybe THE ELEPHANT IN THE LIVING ROOM will help uninformed Americans wake up.
    10mingsphinx

    Engaging, informative and sincere

    It feels like your heart is getting ripped right out of you when you see what happens. Almost as if you are right there. Even though the narrative is told mostly through an animal lover's perspective -- which seeks to restrict the ownership of exotic pets -- we also hear from those who think otherwise. He may be the subject of much condemnation on these boards, but Terry's dilemma with his pet lions really does articulate the position many owners of exotic pets find themselves in: they love the animals and would defend them with their lives, but a wild and dangerous animal taken out of its natural habitat poses a threat to all.

    The sincerity of everyone involved in this film really does shine through. But the central character, Tim Harrison, comes across particularly as someone who genuinely cares about animals. It was Tim's authenticity that colored much of the material and it was the trust he fostered that made it possible to gain the kind of access needed to make this film.

    Well worth your time to watch this even if you disagree with the premise.
    10kimberlylcurtis

    Incredible, eye-opening film!

    This is a must-see for anyone concerned about animal welfare or the welfare of their community (which includes almost everyone!). We see exotic animal incidents from all over the country and closely follow a heart-breaking story of a man and his lions. Most people (including me until I saw this film) have no idea how easy it is to purchase exotic animals and simply keep them in your home as if they were no different from a dog or a cat. How is it possible that you need a license to keep a dog, but not an elephant? This film shows why it shouldn't be possible, and blows the lid off an industry that turns a blind eye to human and animal suffering.

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    Related interests

    Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)
    Documentary

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Connections
      Featured in Beyond the Call: The Untold Stories Behind 'The Elephant in the Living Room' (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      Heron Blue
      Written by Mark Kozelek

      Performed by Sun Kil Moon

      Courtesy of Caldo Verde Records

      By Arrangement with Bank Robber Music

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    FAQ16

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • February 11, 2010 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • California, USA
    • Production companies
      • NightFly Entertainment
      • MainSail Production Services
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 36m(96 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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