“Le Peuple migrateur” is Jacques Perrin third animal film, after “Le Peuple singe” and “Microcosmos.” The theme is the beauty of Earth and the animal populations that share it with mankind. Our planet's vulnerability is also evoked – and how we are all responsible for ensuring its preservation. The theme emerges not only through the observation of migratory birds, but through the eyes of the birds themselves. Of all vertebrates, in fact, birds are the only ones to have become the rulers of the skies. Living the ancient dream Icarus, we soar above the world's continental regions, scale high mountain ranges like the Himalayas, glide over the vast Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The world's largest lakes and rivers are so many way-stations for the migrating flocks. In their company, viewers will discover landscapes as startling as they are beautiful because everything is experienced in an entirely different way. In order to guarantee authenticity, many scientists specialized in the behavior of various species have participated in the production. The Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (Paris), the World Wildlife Foundation and the League for the Protection of Birds/Birdlife International are partners in the project.

The filmmakers adopted the scientific method developed by the renowned ethnology pioneer, Konrad Lorenz, in order to get close to the birds. New-born birds are "imprinted" by close contact with human beings, who become their surrogate parents. Once they've played their part, the birds are entrusted to competent ornithological associations who oversee their return to nature.

To convey the extraordinary saga of migratory flight, Galatée Films employed aircraft capable of flying at the birds rhythm (paragliders, microlights, balloons, helicopters); the camera is right at the heart of the action. A constant dialogue was generated between Man and Bird, between sophisticated human science (which must be acquired) and the natural animal heritage (instinctive) that unfailing guides the birds to the end of their voyage.