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Defend, Conserve, Protect is a riveting documentary movie about the controversial environmental activism of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a non-profit marine conservation organization founded by Captain Paul Watson in 1977. The movie follows the Sea Shepherd's dangerous and often life-threatening missions to protect marine wildlife and habitats from illegal fishing, whaling, and other forms of exploitation.

The movie features exclusive interviews with the Sea Shepherd crew, footage of their impressive ship maneuvers, and some harrowing confrontations with fishermen and whalers. It also delves into the legal and political challenges faced by the Sea Shepherd, and their strategies to expose and disrupt illegal activities in international waters.

Dan Aykroyd narrates the movie with his trademark gravitas and passion for environmental causes. Aykroyd is an experienced actor and comedian, but he is also a committed environmentalist and has lent his voice to other documentaries about climate change and conservation.

One of the main characters of the movie is Paul Watson, the charismatic and controversial founder of the Sea Shepherd. Watson is a former Greenpeace activist who broke away from the organization due to ideological differences and formed his own group, which he sees as more aggressive and effective in protecting marine life. Watson's persona is that of a determined and uncompromising fighter, willing to put his life on the line to defend whales, dolphins, sharks, and other creatures he considers sentient beings with rights.

Peter Hammarstedt, another key member of the Sea Shepherd crew, is also featured prominently in the movie. Hammarstedt is a young and passionate Swedish activist who joined the Sea Shepherd as a volunteer and rose through the ranks to become the organization's director of campaigns. Hammarstedt's job is to plan and execute the Sea Shepherd's missions, which involve intercepting and harassing illegal fishing vessels, gathering evidence of illegal activities, and launching media campaigns to raise public awareness.

The movie's title, Defend, Conserve, Protect, reflects the Sea Shepherd's motto and summarizes their philosophy in three words. The Sea Shepherd sees its role as defending marine wildlife from harm, conserving their habitats for future generations, and protecting them from human exploitation. The movie shows how these three goals are interconnected and how they require a complex mix of tactics, technology, and passion to be achieved.

The Sea Shepherd's campaigns are not without controversy, and the movie acknowledges some of the criticisms and challenges faced by the organization. Some activists and politicians accuse the Sea Shepherd of being vigilantes, of putting human lives at risk, and of disrupting legitimate fishing operations. The movie offers a nuanced and balanced perspective on these issues, showing the Sea Shepherd's side of the story and some of the legal battles they had to endure to defend themselves.

One of the strengths of the movie is its stunning cinematography and soundtrack. The movie features breathtaking shots of ocean waves, wildlife, and the Sea Shepherd's ships, all accompanied by a powerful score that enhances the emotional impact of the scenes. The movie also uses archival footage from previous Sea Shepherd campaigns and news reports, adding historical context and depth to the story.

Overall, Defend, Conserve, Protect is a must-watch movie for anyone interested in marine conservation, activism, and environmental justice. It offers a gripping and inspiring portrayal of the Sea Shepherd's work and its impact on the fight against illegal fishing and whaling. The movie reminds us of the urgent need to protect our oceans and the life they sustain, and how a dedicated group of activists can make a difference against all odds.

Defend, Conserve, Protect is a 2019 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.0.