This is the story of Park Rangers. A front line story of the human spirit fighting to save what is precious and rare. A story about the future, inspired by hundreds of Park Rangers from around the world, working on the frontline of conservation.

Sean Willmore, a Park Ranger from Warringine Park in Victoria, Australia sold his car and remortgaged his house 3 times to make this film. In 2003 he met his ranger colleagues from across the globe at an International Park Rangers Congress at Wilson's Promontory National Park, near Melbourne. It was here that he developed his vision to document and bring to the wider community the real picture behind the postcards of international parks and reserves.

The selfless commitment of individuals who face the real prospect of death from poachers, wild creatures and other challenges. By filming rangers at work he wanted to open up a different way of looking at and communicating the wonders of our world and the daily threats to its very survival.

Sean spent most of 2004 filming the lives and stories of rangers on 6 continents and 19 countries. There were some incredible experiences: volcanoes, ascents by horseback in Chile and Argentina, a charging elephant in South Africa, drowning rivers in Costa Rica, Mountain Gorilla protection in volatile Virungas of Uganda, helicopter rescues in the Rockies, dangerous anti-poaching patrols and chases in South Africa, Galapagos, Uganda and India, and violent threats by rebel soldiers, antagonistic poaching communities, and protesting fisherman. Sean counts himself lucky to be alive.

These experiences set the tone for the life stories and challenges facing the professional Park Ranger.

Filming the journey inspired Sean to deepen his belief in the devoted men and women who sometimes give their lives for their devotion to nature, people and conservation. The "Rangers' heart" helps them cope with corruption, poor re-sourcing, ignorance, politics and greed.

This documentary moves away from the cute, cuddly or dangerous animals seen in traditional wildlife documentaries. The animals themselves become the backdrop for the human face of conservation.

The aim of the film is to expose ‘The Thin Green Line’ in the hope that others will join Park Rangers to save what is endangered.

Each Ranger has threads to add to the story, from different locations, personal histories, cultural influences, and political environments. The making of this film has helped to unify rangers from many diverse backgrounds and cultures around the globe, all with the same inspiring goal:
to try and save the planet.

It may be only a small piece of a large jigsaw puzzle that needs putting together for a sustainable planet, but "The Thin Green Line", set to contemporary, emotional and heart pounding music, is an important document for rangers and the communities worldwide. It’s not up to Rangers alone to protect what is priceless: we all need to work together for a sustainable future.

This is a totally non-profit venture. All profits from the sale of this documentary will be returned to support Rangers on the frontline, including the International Ranger Dependency Fund, which supports the families of committed rangers who have lost their lives, or those rangers who have been severely injured in the line of duty.

Any surplus funds to this will be directed to positive Ranger / conservation projects. The project has already raised over AUD $10,000 to support Rangers globally.

Fill in the register your screening(s) form now and continue supporting rangers on the frontline!