The story of a 400-pound, lowland gorilla named 'Otto' who for more than 10 years of his life lived in a small cage with his mate, ‘Mumbi’, and then one day is moved to a spacious new home.  The one-hour television documentary follows Otto’s daily routine and playful interaction with his caretakers and explores how his life is changed by his new surroundings. 

Despite its minuscule advertising budget, the film's prime-time PBS broadcast was widely viewed and surpassed the average audience numbers of National Geographic specials, which at that time (pre-cable) were aired by the commercial networks.  Subsequently, ‘Otto' was re-broadcast annually for more than 10 years (includ­ing numerous airings on the then newly-launched Discovery Channel), distributed internationally, and pointed the way for the massive commitments to wildlife and animal behavior programming by PBS and several cable networks that continue today.

In addition to underscoring the modern, vital roles of zoos in animal husbandry research, providing field efforts to protect species endangered in the wild, and, as importantly, engendering public enthusiasm in these roles, the film also served to re-establish for its already highly-accredited presenting sponsor, Lincoln Park Zoo, a national television presence before a new generation of viewers — first brought to network TV by the weekly, 1950's show, ’Zoo Parade,’ starring Marlin Perkins (eventually of ‘Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom’ fame) and broadcast live from Lincoln Park Zoo.  This renewed stature for the Zoo became of particular benefit to its fund-raising, both among local philanthropists as well as national corporate sponsors.  

The video clip herein presents the middle portion of Otto's three-part story: his transfer from his antiquated, iron-barred cage to spacious new quarters — a delicate and highly time-sensitive process that afforded a team of veterinarians, physicians and scientists an opportunity to gather important data for use by zoos worldwide and zoologists in the field.  

    “Insightful comments supplementing the illuminating narration…fine camera work and thoughtful editing allow viewers to savor the distinctive attractions of the featured star and to pleasurably share the moments of meaningful interaction between humans and beasts…an enjoyable tribute to zoos."  — Booklist

Emmy® award nomination; First Place in category, Festival of the Americas (Virgin Islands) and Chicago International Film Festival; Red Ribbon, American Film Festival; invitation to Robert Flaherty Film Seminar'; inclusion in the American Library Association's 'Selected Films for Young Adults' (since 2009, 'Fabulous Films for Young Adults'); named to film critic Jonathan Rosenbaum's "List of Outstanding American Feature Films."

PRODUCTION NOTES:

• In order to research Otto’s daily routine — literally learn the ropes of Otto’s interaction with his keepers — and be able to rely on the natural behavior of Otto and the zoo’s other apes during filming, Rosalini suited up and worked for several days as a zookeeper to acclimate them to his presence. (Rosalini even learned from Otto how to hold and peel a banana with one hand, and then down it in a single bite!)

• The film was shot entirely with a single camera and a crew of four. Care in moving about in the tight quarters of the old Ape House was especially heightened as the apes were capable of reaching crew members through the cage bars.

• Produced by Rosalini Films. Conceived, directed and edited by Dugan Rosalini, co-written by Dugan Rosalini and Richard Vohs, camera by Robert Seaman, and narrated by film, television, stage and voice-over artist Hershel Bernardi.

• 'Otto: Zoo Gorilla' was Dugan Rosalini's first independent film and the project upon which he founded his company.  

Funding sponsor: Sears, Roebuck & Co. Foundation

PRINCIPAL EXHIBITION: television

SECONDARY: cinema/event venues 

• Request viewing the entire program here. 

• Full poster here.