Koko: The Gorilla Who Talks to People

Story

Synopsis

Documentary telling the extraordinary story of Koko, the only 'talking' gorilla in the world, and her lifelong relationship with Penny Patterson. Project Koko started as a PhD project to teach sign language to a baby gorilla, but as Koko began to communicate with Penny, an intense bond formed between them. Penny has now been with Koko for over 40 years and claims Koko can reveal fresh insights into the workings of an animal's mind. Koko's unique life with Penny has been filmed every step of the way. Over 2,000 hours of footage chart the most dramatic moments - Penny's battle to keep Koko from being taken back to the zoo in which she was born, Penny's clash with academic critics who doubted her claims and the image of Koko mourning the death of her kitten.

Director

Jonathan Taylor

Language

English

Country

United Kingdom

Release date

15 June 2016

Ensemble

Cast

• 

  Bertie Carvel

  Narrator (voice)

• 

  Koko

  Self

• Penny Patterson

  Self

• Dale Djerassi

  Self

• Lisa Schuster

  Self

• Ann Southcombe

  Self

• Mitzi Phillips

  Self

• 

  Robin Williams

  Self (archive footage)

• 

  Leonardo DiCaprio

  Self (archive footage)

• 

  Peter Gabriel

  Self (archive footage)

• 

  Isabella Rossellini

  Self (archive footage)

• 

  William Shatner

  Self (archive footage)