The Cove
The Cove is the latest documentary to hit the big screen this year that tackles a major environmental issue.
The largest supplier of dolphins in the world is located in the picturesque town of Taijii, Japan.
But the town has a dark, horrifying secret that it doesn't want the rest of the world to know. There are guards patrolling the cove, where the dolphin capturing takes place, who prevent any photography.
The only way to stop the evil acts of this company and the town that protects it is to expose them....and that's exactly what the brave group of activists in The Cove intend to do.
Armed with state-of-the-art surveillance equipment, the members of the small group, led by the most famous dolphin trainer in the world, devise a covert plan to infiltrate the cove to document the horrifying events that happen there.
To celebrate the release of this powerful and harrowing movie we take a look at some of the biggest grossing documentaries at the box office.
1. Fahrenheit 9/11 - $222,446,882
Controversy seems to surround filmmaker Michael Moore and 2004's Fahrenheit 9/11 was no different as it took a critical look at the Bush presidency and the war on terror.
Despite it's sensitive subject matter the film debut at the Cannes Film Festival and went on to win the Palme d'or, the festival's top prize.
2. March of the Penguins - $127,392,693
March of the Penguins was a French nature documentary that was released in 2005 and directed by Luc Jacquet. The film follows the journey of the emperor penguins of Antarctica.
March of the Penguins, which included the voice of Morgan Freeman as narrator, went on to win Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars.
3. Bowling for Columbine - $58,008,423
A second feature for Moore inside the top ten biggest grossing documentaries, and the film that brought Moore international attention as a rising and uncompromising filmmaker.
Bowling for Columbine looks at the Columbine High School massacre as well as gun culture and violence in America. The film went on to win Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars.
4. An Inconvenient Truth - $49,756,507
2006's An Inconvenient Truth kicked off the latest trend of environmental documentaries that concentrate on the damage of global warming.
Presented by Al Gore, former US Vice President the film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and it also went on to scoop an Oscar.
5. Sicko - $35,767,758
Sicko marks a third entry inside the top five for Michael Moore and this was the director's most recent movie back in 2007.
The film looked at the health care system in America before going on to compare it to Canada, UK, France and Cuba. Sicko was Oscar nominated.
6. Winged Migration - $32,257,753
Winged Migration was a 2001 documentary that was directed by Jacques Cluzaud, Michel Debats and Jacques Perrin and depicted the journey birds go on during migrations.
Following birds such as geese and storks the movie was shot over four years and on seven continents to show the long journeys that these animals endure. And yes you guessed it Winged Migration was Oscar nominated.
7. Madonna: Truth or Dare - $29,012,935
Released in 1991 Madonna: Truth or Dare followed the life of American singer Madonna during her Blond Ambition World Tour in 1990.
The entire documentary is filmed in Black-and-white, except for onstage sequences which are in full colour. It went on to be a commercial and critical success.
8. Super Size Me - $20,641,054
Super Size Me led the way for the documentary to really break through on the big screen in 2004 as Morgan Spurlock conducted a unique experiment.
Over a thirty day period the filmmaker limited himself to eating just McDonald's food to see what impact that had on his physical and psychological well being. He gained over 24 lbs and had a 13% body mass increase.
Super Size Me was also Oscar nominated.
9. Religulous - $13,366,398
Religulous follows Bill Maher as he travels around the globe interviewing people about religion.
Known for his astute analytical skills, irreverent wit and commitment to never pulling a punch, Maher brings his characteristic honesty to an unusual spiritual journey as he investigates organised religion and religious beliefs.
10. Mad Hot Ballroom - $9,079,042
Released in 2005 Mad Hot Ballroom looked at a ballroom dance program at a public school in New York over a ten week period ending in a dance competition.
The Cove is released 23rd October
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw