Say Goodbye is a 1971 American documentary film about the relationship between man and nature, directed by David H. Vowell. It was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
It was narrated by poet Rod McKuen, and sponsored by the Ralston-Purina Corporation for its initial broadcast. The theme song, "Say Goodbye," was composed and performed by Dory Previn. The show depicted the plight of various animal species at the hands of man and his influence. Some segments included the clubbing of seals on the Pribilof Islands, the effect of DDT on brown pelican populations in Texas, and the plight of severely endangered animals.
In one segment, various species were shown, with the narration reciting how many animals were left in the world. Included were black footed ferrets, prairie chickens, and many more. One was the Japanese Crested Ibis. A small flock of the bright white birds was seen from overhead against the backdrop of a beautiful, verdant forest. The narrator said, "there are 11 left in the world; you are seeing eight of them." In the decades since, a Chinese effort to preserve the species has resulted in about a fifteen-fold increase in their population.
Famous quotes containing the word goodbye:
“The colicky baby who becomes calm, the quiet infant who throws temper tantrums at two, the wild child at four who becomes serious and studious at six all seem to surprise their parents. It is difficult to let go of one’s image of a child, say goodbye to the child a parent knows, and get accustomed to this slightly new child inhabiting the known child’s body.”
—Ellen Galinsky (20th century)