Project Nim

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Project Nim

PG-13,

2011,

1h 39m,

Documentary

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Watchlist

97%

143 Reviews

Tomatometer

84%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

143 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

In the 1970s, professor Herb Terrace and his team raise a baby chimp as a human child, as part of an experiment intended to break the language barrier between animals and people.

Critics Consensus

Equal parts hilarious, poignant, and heartbreaking, Project Nim not only tells a compelling story masterfully, but also raises the flag on the darker side of human nature.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 31, 2018

This is a compelling and engrossing film but, like I said, it's not pretty, and it will break your heart. It broke my heart and, I'm not going to lie, I full-on wept.

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David Rooney

The Hollywood Reporter

Jan 4, 2012

This haunting life story is an exquisite example of non-fiction filmmaking as full-bodied, emotionally complex drama.

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Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Dec 9, 2011

2.5/5

There is no question Nim was exploited for human gain, yet there are important aspects which Marsh leaves unexplored.

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Eve Tushnet

Patheos

Jul 1, 2021

The filmmaker doesn't actually hold these foolish humans' emotions, longings and aspirations in contempt...

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Dustin Chang

Floating World

Mar 21, 2021

Nim is obviously a sentient being and also a wild animal. While not making a villain out of just one person, Marsh reflects on how we tend to treat animals in general. It's a heartbreaking doc and one of the year's best.

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Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

Nov 19, 2020

4/5

Sleek editing and a wealth of archival footage unveil a sad, and thought-provoking tale of humans overstepping their reach in the name of science without regard to the well being of other living creatures.

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George S

Apr 1, 2017

This movie is on like any other documentary, very intellectually simulating.

Luke R

Jul 15, 2011

We humans can be such idiots. We can be great, we can be generous and kind, but we are mostly cruel, self-involved schmucks. In the story of NIM the chimpanzee we are especially vindictive characters. In a nutshell NIM is taken from his mother at birth. He is given to a human family to raise. The point? To teach him sign language. So we can communicate with another species. Whoop, whoop. Best performance NIM cannot speak. He cannot string together full sentences in sign language either. Yet we never doubt how much he loves, and how much he ends up hating, human beings. Stand-out scene The scene is not filmed, but retold by NIM's "human" mother. After years and years of neglect she at last decides to visit NIM as an adult chimpanzee locked up in a cage on a farm for lost and injured animals. She enters his cage. What he does next is riveting. Negatives Humans. Is the film relevant today? Have we learnt how to live in harmony with the planet? With other species? No. I guess the film is super-relevant.

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James Marsh

Director

Bern Cohen

Dr William Lemmon

Reagan Leonard

Stephanie LaFarge

Anna May Marsh

Signing Girl

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Synopsis

In the 1970s, professor Herb Terrace and his team raise a baby chimp as a human child, as part of an experiment intended to break the language barrier between animals and people.

Director: James Marsh
Producer: Simon Chinn
Screenwriter: Elizabeth Hess
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Red Box Films
Rating: PG-13 (Drug Content|Disturbing Images|Some Strong Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 8, 2011, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 3, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $410.1K
Runtime: 1h 39m

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