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Filmed during a brutal drought in central Africa, this brilliantly photographed video from National Geographic follows the punishing predicament of animals living along the dwindling Luvuvhu River. As the water level sinks during the dry season, animals, including baboons and impalas, are forced to seek water in pools filled with hippos and deadly crocodiles. At one point the crocodiles, who are the focus of the filming, are described as "artists of violence," and the term seems entirely apt when they are seen striking out with lightning speed from places of total concealment in the water and mud. As the camera lingers on the watering hole, the behavior of increasingly desperate and thirsty animals is shown in all its brutal detail, and portions of this video will have the squeamish averting their eyes. Even though the violent outbursts are handled as tastefully as possible (it is, after all, a National Geographic production), some scenes, such as a violent confrontation between crocodiles and baboons, are heartrending. And while some of the video is inevitably difficult to watch, the photography is always spectacular; some of the shots, such as scenes of a baby hippo blithely wallowing among the crocodiles under the mother hippo's watchful eye, are astounding.This video is both brutal and beautiful, and puts the viewer as close as possible (and desirable) to some of Africa's most amazing wildlife. --Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Brilliant
This was a brilliantly made documentary about the relationships between different animals on the brink of survival. Definitely one of the best documentaries I have ever seen.

Excellent work
I don't think this film is as violent as some suggest. Although there are several shots of crocodiles lunging onto land an striking out at prey, most of the killing is implied. The interaction between animals in this documentary is fascinating, particularly the hippo-croc relationship. At one point in the film, a mother hippo nudges her baby into a feeding frenzy of writhing crocs. Of course the crocodiles wouldn't dare harm the offspring of a two ton parent. And although we see some violence in the animals, we also see a lighter side with a croc and her babies, and two determined birds doing their best to protect their young. The confrontation between baboon and crocodile mentioned above is not so heart-wrenching when you consider that the baboons are also predators. One scene with a fawn comes to mind. Overall, Last Feast of the Crocodiles is an intriguing look at wildlife during harsh times, and the strength of survivors.

Brilliant!
I do not find this documentary to be so much about crocodiles as the struggle to survive. As the pool shrinks animals are forced into ever more brutal circumstances fighting for a small drink of water in what is ultimately a futile battle. This documentary is well shot and beautifully written and I applaud the filmmakers. Sometimes everything comes together in a film and this is one of those wonderful occasions. And, as in all great films, this one manages to say far more than just what it is showing on the screen.

Nature at it's most brutal
The croc kill footage here is for the most part not the best I've ever seen and not the reason to buy this video. What it's really about is how the animals of Africa react to a particularly bad drought, and it's one of the best of it's kind. This is also for hippo fans, showing some pretty bizzare behavior on their part that another NG special will hopefully someday be able to explain.

"A great movie about wildlife survival struggles."
While this was not the best Crocodile movie I have in my video library, it was very enjoyable. It focuses on the life and death struggles of a number of different African species as they try to survive a record drought that slowly dries up the last water in a normally flourishing river. While the crocodiles have the lead roles, other animals are also followed closely such as the enormous African Hippos. While not a "must see" it is definitely worth the price. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great for language stimulation
I bought these for my three yr old who was speech delayed. He loves these tapes and his languange skills improved immediately. I would highly recommend these tapes.

Could be better....
I bought the three pack of Action Verbs (Tapes 1,2, and 3). I feel that they could be better. They are not terrible, but when I compare them to Baby Einstein or So Smart, it is obvious that Bee Smart's quality is not nearly as good. It seems they spent more on advertising than on making the tapes as good as they can possibly be. For example, along with each cassette there is a pamphlet of advertising material for more bee smart tapes--but nowhere do they include a list of the action verbs for the tapes I bought. (I have to go to the web site for a list of the action verbs.)
Here is how each tape is set up:
Throughout each tape children are shown doing various actions. There are a few puppets, but 95% of the time it's children. There is no animation.
A voice says the action verb twice for each verb. This lasts about ten to fifteen minutes. Then the verbs repeat, and the voice says a sentence using each verb. There is classical music in the background, but it doesn't particularly match what is shown in the video.
There are NO breaks anywhere in the video. It justs jumps from verb to verb. This is very annoying as it makes it hard to watch with out little pauses between verbs.
The best things about these videos is that they do show various actions in various forms. Also, the kids are real kids, no actors. A baby wears glasses, which I thought was neat.
You have to decide if this is what you want for your kid, but personally I thought that this could have been done better. I prefer So Smart First Words much better (but So Smart doesn't have an action verb tape.)

Exciting First Language Tool
My daughter couldn't hear until she had tubes at 22 months. We started the Baby Bumblebee tapes soon after and her excitement was evident. I'm convinced her first understanding that words and objects went together came from this video....and quickly. She has responded so positively to the series that we've purchased more.

It's simple, repetative and includes the printed word for print awareness. Tolerable for Mom as well.

Non-verbal son is talking
My son is nearly three and getting help from the early intervention program for speech. This tape has helped him so much. At first he would cry when I put it on (he wanted to watch Monsters, Inc.), but now he loves Action Words and by the second day he was picking up verbs such as eat and using them appropriately. I am buying the next couple of tapes in the series and highly recommend them. The music is great too. But the thing that I like best is that they do not exhibit the visual flash patterns that most videos do, which keep kids addicted to the tv. They are soothing and can be used in the background and the kids can do other things and still be learning. Get the tapes!

Great for language delayed children
These are simply fantastic tapes ... my 3-yr old son has a language delay/slight autism and within a week he had learned the 30 or so verbs on these tapes. He loves to watch them and even makes a special request for the tapes. He's taken the words he's learned and started using them in everyday life. For the first time he started requesting that we do things for him like "Smile!" "Cry" and "Wave". While they might not work for everyone they have been an amazing tool for us. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here, kitty, kitty!DK has done it again with Eyewitness: Cat, fusing state-of-the-art graphics, crystal-clear film footage, and smooth, snappy writing to capture all nine lives and then some.Whether fearsome predators or cute household pets, cats have fascinated us for centuries, and some of us can't get enough of that feline stuff.Stalking, chasing, playing, napping--we see them all doing what they do best, secure in their regal splendor.Though the narration might seem a bit disjointed, it actually flows with the images to create a seamless, sinuous composition reminiscent of its subjects.Eyewitness: Cat balances wild with tame and large with small to create a kind of moving snapshot of this family of hunters. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Roar!
We got this tape as a promotional freebie, and I probably wouldn't have thought of buying one of the DK videos otherwise, even though I and my family are great fans of the DK books. However, having seen the Cat video, I am inclined to purchase some more. While in some respects it is a lot like any animal program you might see on TV, the DK "white background" technique and computer animation makes it unique. A lot of information is crammed into the slightly over half-hour video. If you like the DK Eyewitness books you should check out the Eyewitness videos.

My daughter (age 5, and a "serious" cat lover) loved the video, and I think she learned a lot. I liked it too! I think folks of different ages will get different things out of this tape - the truly little ones will love watching and identifying the animals, bigger kids can learn a great deal of information for a school project, really big kids (i.e. adults like me!) will admire the interesting photography and special effects, and learn some new tidbits about cats.

I'm going to try the Ape video next ... ... Read more

Description

Get both videos! Are negative roots keeping your grades down? Having a tough time with absolute value? Then it's time to let the Standard Deviants demystify the confusing world of pre-algebra with their award-winning style. ... Read more

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From the moment a flapping bouquet of brightly colored macaws bursts out of a single egg, Bird earns the full attention of its audience. Martin Sheen narrates the brisk look at this creature, whose different species number around 8,500. In classic D.K. style, this chapter in Dorling Kindersley's fascinating Eyewitness series treats viewers to sharply focused close-ups and a superrealism that almost gives a 3-D effect. The information flows smoothly, offering brief but memorable lessons in history, biology, math, geology, language, music, and religion. A metronome clearly compares an average human heart rate to a bird's. Popular myths and sayings are explained and sometimes challenged (for example, despite their wise eyes, owls aren't particularly smart). But while cruising on an eagle's wing or watching an ostrich run 40 miles per hour should please the very young viewer, phrases such as "metabolic rate" and "couriers of scandal" hint at an older target audience. --Liane Thomas ... Read more

Amazon.com

Spectacular cinematography used in an innovative framework featuring noted actor and native Egyptian Omar Sharif provide a highly entertaining glimpse of ancient Egypt in this documentary from National Geographic.Sharif, playing a grandfather who is explaining the archeological wonders to his inquisitive granddaughter, does a fine job of explaining such puzzles as how the pyramids would have been built and what knowledge their builders must have possessed.The interludes between grandfather and granddaughter are handled well, but the star of the production is Egypt itself.Gorgeously composed shots linger over the pyramids, the Sphinx, and a plethora of temples, and a camera flown over the Nile provides stunning footage of the great river's meanderings.Reenactments of events, such as the building of the pyramids, the burial of King Tut, and the 1922 opening of his tomb, are presented intelligently.This production is sure to spark curiosity about ancient Egypt, and even without the careful handling of the history it would probably be worth watching just for the wondrous cinematography. A bonus at the end of the tape is a making-of documentary detailing how the film was shot on location.--Robert J. McNamara ... Read more

Reviews (18)

A quick tour through the wonders of ancient and modern Egypt
This National Geographic IMAX film sure gets your attention at the start, not by offering stunning vistas but an Egyptian grandfather telling his granddaughter about the glories of ancient Egypt. This does not sound like much, until the camera reveals the grandfather is played by Omar Shariff! "Mysteries of Egypt" offers the expected spectacular footage of the colossal monuments and vast landscapes, but the highpoints are the beautiful falls on the Nile and the visit to an ancient burial chamber. The only real complaint is that this IMAX film covers so much in 40 minutes that you end up feeling that you are just getting a sampling of what Egypt has to offer. This is one of those times where less would be more.

Ancient Egypt at its best
I admire the movie' portrayal of Egyptian ancient history. As an Egyptian, I felt alot of pride as I saw the ancient history of my nation and people recreated in awesome historical accuracy infornt of my eyes. The only negative thing that I saw in the movie was the absence of a link between the ancient history and the modern history (what do you expect from a movie which has the word "mysteries" in its title) It narrates history as if Ancient Egyptian civilization died two thousands of years ago with no heir, which is incorrect. Until his day we find its influence still strong not only on Egypt itself as a heir to the Egyptian heritage and culture, but also on the whole world. If the movie could have been extended to include the Egyptian history up to modern day, it would probably have been a historical treasure.

Very Basic review of ancient Egypt.
Great for a student or anyone who is looking for an introduction to egyptian history. Slow moving for most adults. There are wonderful videos on egypt ,that are much more informative and exciting to watch.

Stories of King Tut
I bought and watched this before going on a trip to Egypt. Very good quality imax movie and good overview of the stories of King Tut. But if you want a lot of details you have to dig some where else. A good introductory movie for people interested in Ancient Egypt. A little bit short though.

A nice overview on Ancient Egypt
Very nice picture format for TV viewing matched with a great dolby sound. Narrated by Omar Shariff, this docummentary gives you an acceptable information on ancient Egypt, not for academic purposes though. It's not boring at all and the Pyramids views and sunsets are spectacular. Great if you plan to visit Egypt in the near future, it will put you in the right mood !!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Imagine a 60-foot wall of water seemingly coming out of nowhere and destroying your home, killing friends and family members, and destroying your city.This is what happens when a tsunami slams the coast. Killer Wave: Power of the Tsunami from National Geographic explains what causes these giant waves, documents the damage done by past tsunamis, and demonstrates how coastal towns can best prepare themselves for future tsunamis.

There is not much footage of actual tsunamis, aside from some impressive, though grainy, black-and-white film shot in Hawaii in the late 1940s. However, the video still manages to be an interesting and educational look at one of nature's lesser known but most deadly freak occurrences.Pull up a beach chair and get ready to watch as the ocean takes over the land. --Michelle Riggen ... Read more

Reviews (2)

National Geographic Video Lacking in Compelling Footage
I was once again disappointed with a tsunami documentary which lacked much actual film footage. Instead, the program is padded with close-ups of ordinary beach waves, better suited for a surfing documentary. This is not only disappointing, but scientifically inaccurate, since tsunami rarely appear as conventional waves, but usually as tumultuous floods or walls of water. I continue to be puzzled at the seeming dearth of video documentation of this fascinating natural phenomena. After all, National Geographic sends intrepid photgraphers to the rims of volcanoes, chasing tornadoes, and flying into hurricanes. There are warning systems that can predict potential landfall for tsunami, so why don't scientists wait for them in helicopters with video cameras? But for an organization like National Geographic to depict tsunami as large surfing waves is surprising and misinforming.

The Killer Wave "TSUNAMI"
This film of the Killer Wave should be viewed by many people to understand the powers that are shared by the Tsunami before one day it's to late and you become a victim of Mother Natures worst and most fatal disaster.Hearing about it's power,speed,and distruction means nothing.You have to See it to Believe it. ... Read more

Book Description

"This combo pack includes a video and audiocassette of songssung in Spanish and English.Designed to help children learn. Thetopics in Series 1 include "At the Supermarket", "At the Beach," and"At the Zoo." ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Disappointed customer
I bought this video for my two-year-old daughter and was very disappointed. The people on the tape are a strange orange color and the quality is very poor. Also, my daughter became bored with the tape after about ten minutes. I would not recommend this video.

GOOD MATERIAL TO TEACH SPANISH!
Kids really enjoy being able to see what they're learning and they make you interact with them and the music. Great to use with teaching purposes for toddlers (2-5), if you really want your kids to have an easy start to a foreign language.

Well done, entertaining and kid-friendly
This video provides kids 3-8 a great introduction to foreign language. Using a kid-relevant approach, this video makes learning a foreign language fun for the whole family! ... Read more

Description

National Geographic examines the fascinating issue of cloning ? where remote scientific possibilities are now coming into being. From the genetic engineering of animals and people for human benefit, to the realities of reproductive cloning, Clone explores how close we are to cloning people and what possibilities and consequences that may bring to the human race. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Clone Movie
I found this movie full of more information than I personaly needed. It is full of facts and fictions of Clones and provides a brief history of cloning. Personaly I belive this can help sort out some of the miths of cloning and straighten out some of the clone stories out there.

A National Geographic documentary on the science of Cloning
"Clone" is a 2002 program from National Geographic Television that looks at the cloning as the ultimate technological Pandora's box. This 60-minute documentary provides a basic introduction on the topic for students, covering not only the realities of cloning (at least as of today), intriguing science-fiction scenarios, and the hotly debated ethical concerns. The two most important things you will learn from "Clone" are that cloning has been happening throughout human history in form of fraternal twins formed in the womb and that the dream of perfect human duplicates is an absolute impossibility.

The documentary explores the miraculous potential and frightening possibilities of genetic cloning as it covers the history, controversy, and cutting-edge developments of recent scientific breakthroughs. Although "Clone" touches on such things as copyrighting the DNA of celebrities and the "brave new world" dreams of the human cloning industry, it devotes more time to the creation of super chickens and Dolly the famous cloned sheep. There are also the personal stories of people who are awaiting the development of "spare parts" and reproductive cloning that could help people without kidneys or paraplegics. Actor Christopher Reeve is the most notable layperson talking about the wonderful possibilities from cloning research, while a minister is the recurring voice denouncing such efforts as the effrontery of playing God.

"Clone" obviously takes the middle ground, never bringing the opposing viewpoints into direct confrontation, but always trying to temper each "extreme" (if you will) with a good dose of scientific reality. Young students will at least have an understanding of the distinct and different types of cloning, as well as a better understanding of what is and what is not possible. This might make it difficult to enjoy some works of science fiction regarding cloning, but science always has a tendency to do this to that particular genre. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Horrible!!!
It is not just the inane monster unintelligibly squealing like "Cousin It" nor the equally banal teaching style that make this tape offensive. When a child repeatedly lunged at a soda can with a hunting knife to help illustrate a phonics lesson we removed the tape from the VCR and disposed of it promptly. ... Read more

Amazon.com

How did the elephant get its trunk? That question, and many more, are answered in DK Vision's Eyewitness: Elephant, a wild exploration of the world's largest land animals. From their evolutionary ancestors (some, smaller, some even bigger!) to their interactions with the modern world, their lives are displayed in fascinating detail via the magic of DK Vision's expert graphic artists and videographers. Family members of all ages will find something to interest them, whether it's the brilliant images, the beautiful animals, or the pachydermal facts so well conveyed by Martin Sheen's narration. And, since we're not like elephants--we sometimes forget--Eyewitness: Elephant is a video that's well worth watching again and again. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Some disturbing images/sounds for very young children
I bought this video for my two-year-old, who loves elephants. And he does love this video, but doesn't like to watch it alone. First, there are a couple of graphic shots of dead elephants. Then, there are some dramatic sound effects and intimidating angles of elephants' feet coming down. Also, one shot shows a man (in a studio), aiming a rifle at an elephant, and shooting. The elephant disappears, so we don't see the animal dying. Still, our son has focussed on that, talking about people shooting elephants. The bottom line is, it's an excellent video for older children, but I don't recommend it for the very, very young.

Elephants-A Toddler's Delight/A Parent's Pleasure
My son, like many toddlers, loves elephants and would always demand that any elephant segment in his kid vids get replayed over and over - ad nauseum. Well, we finally decided to purchase a tape that focuses exclusively on elephants. We bought "Elephant". This is one of the best contributions we have made to his, in fact, our own, video library. The tape is perfect. It is the right length for a parent - doesn't keep the kid glued to the tube forever and never gets boring to the parent or toddler. It has lots and lots of what my little one wants - elephants, elephants and more elephants. The visuals are spectacular; the score is a dream; Martin Sheen provides wonderful narrative. It is a directorial model of vivid and lush scenery - blending historical detail and images with contemporary footage. It delights with a great mix of ever changing and stimulating images of elephants - animated and real. There are elephants in a studio in a magnificent white setting whom we come to love as well as we do the elephants in the wild. The image of the female elephant herd marching across the plain single file behind the matriarch is one of the most majestic I've ever seen on the screen, the music underscoring the mood that the viewer is indeed witnessing one of the most amazing marvels of nature. I could go on. I am not a naturalist or animal lover, but this tape has certainly made me a convert -an enthusiast of God's creatures and the earth. I thank my little son for stimulating my purchase of such a tape that is sure to be a joy to him, me and the rest of my family for years to come. I look forward to other tapes by this producer. ... Read more

Description

Inspired by Brazilian dance styles this video is a fun and effective workout. It brings together the rhythms and energy of Afro-Brazilian percussion and the sensuality of Brazilian dance! Filmed in a beautiful outdoor setting, this video will inspire you to shape up!

The Brazilian Dance workout is a energetic 60 min. cardio workout for all fitness levels. The easy-to-follow workout combines the rich and intoxicating dances and rhythms of Brazil: Samba, Samba Reggae, African, Axé and Frevo moves and many others. It is a great routine that will make you sweat and put a smile on your face. It's all about letting the rhythm move you and celebrating life! Brazilian Style!

Brazilian dancer Vanessa Isaac produced this video with her husband, composer and musician Randy Tico. Her wildly popular dance classes feature live music; these classes served as the inspiration for this video. The Brazilian Dance workout features LIVE PERCUSSION by an ensemble of great BRAZILIAN musicians. The video has already received interest around the globe: from England to Australia and great reviews by critics and fans! ... Read more

Reviews (13)

This workout is exciting and motivating
I have over 50 exercise Videos & DVD's and this one is the best! The great instructor & brazilian music (live band) are upbeat & really makes you want to move! Vannessa breaks down the moves so that they are learnable and then goes through them in a set together. Before I knew it I was able to dance, (even with my two left feet). It's also terrific because the participants in the video are normal everyday people. I would recommend this workout to people that want to be entertained and have fun while they work out. Also, this video worked muscles I didn't realize needed working out. I hope they make more videos like this.

Great major calory burn workout with a lot of fun!
This is by far the best video workout I have owned. I LOVE doing it!!! Her personality is amazing. She is very uplifting and makes you want to dance. The moves are funky and fun to follow, "funky chicken" cracks me up ;-) by the end of workout I can FEEL how my body is melting the fat away.
I strongly recomend it to anyone who is trying to loose weight and have fun at the same time. I have already lost several pounds by doing this video plus walking for 30 minutes every day.

Great workout for all shapes & sizes
I tried this work-out once and was hooked! I use it on alternating days between high intensity kickboxing work-outs. But don't get me wrong-- you WILL get your heart rate up and you WILL sweat. You'll just feel really good doing it! The difference is that this is a work-out for ALL fitness levels since the movements can be adapted to your own body's needs or comfort level. The best part of this work-out is how you feel doing it. Since you're learning and dancing to incredible live music, you hardly notice how much of a full body work-out you're getting.

By the 3rd or 4th time you use the work-out you'll have learned most of the basic movements so you can just really DANCE and have fun! Its a great low-impact work-out for almost anyone who wants to really dance. I'm even buying a copy for my mother for her birthday this year!

Brazilian Dance Workout
I really enjoyed this workout. I do a lot of weight training and Tae Bo, so I wanted something a bit more feminine that would still work up a sweat. This was it! The dancers are regular people, the rhythm is contagious, and even though it takes doing it a few times to get the moves down, it's worth the effort. The reason I gave it four stars instead of five is that it doesn't burn as many calories as Tae Bo, and I would like to find a dance-based workout that does. However, even if you're a beginner, this is a great cardio workout!

Moves for the Unmovable
I ran this tape for the first time tonight. I am 80 lbs. overweight and haven't had such a great time moving in 20 years! It's fabulous, sexy, fun and a godsend for me. If you need help and motivation getting yourself moving again, try this one! ... Read more

Video Description

3 vhs tapes: "With this program, you can learn how to double or even triple your reading speed, increasing not only your rate, but your comprehension and memory of the text as well." ... Read more

Description

Get both accounting videos! Join the Standard Deviants in their journey through the world of assets and liabilities. Financial accounting is now fun and easy to learn through informative skits, engaging graphics, and great mnemonic tips. ... Read more

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This entertaining documentary skims along the surface of what isarguably the most compelling question known to humankind: What is life? In an effort to answer this question, the simple, kid-friendly graphics move the narrative quickly along from the first stirrings in the primordial soup through reproduction, natural selection, and the eventual inevitability of death. Complicated concepts such as hereditary genetics and how DNA is structured are explained using clever, eye-catching graphics in a way that even an 8-year-old should have no trouble understanding.Religious and mythical explanations for life's origins are given a cursory mention, but in this film, science is god. If you are looking for an introduction to set a future scientist's mind spinning, this video may be just the thing to help fuel a further quest for knowledge. --Michelle Riggen ... Read more

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These wild horses of Africa make a 300-mile migration every year,braving a host of predators from lions to hyenas to gun-toting humans. It's no wonder narrator Brian Dennehy describes this journey as a "gauntlet ofdeath" in this 50-minute installment of the famed National Geographic series.Beautifully shot in Botswana by husband and wife team Dereck and BeverlyJoubert, the documentary focuses on zebra family life--which centers around strictly organized kinship groups--and some of the unique ways this animalcopes with the constant threat to life. For example, given a warning call fromDad, Mom can delay giving birth for hours. From floodplain to forest, the camerasfollow these striped creatures during day and night, birth and death,wrapping up with a chilling statistic that reminds us how humans can be the most lethal predators of all. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Nothing out of the ordinary
OK if, like me, you don't know of any better documentaries available - but it's not "a classic".

Beautiful and educating - a classic!
This is one of the best African Wildlife National Geographic Videos. The video is well made, as most Natl Geographic Videos are, and is organized by following the great zebra migrations. Interesting facts about social strucure, group dynamics, role of bachelor males, etc make this an instant classis. Highly recommended!!

Excellent Documentary
This film does an excellent job on documenting the migration and dangers of the Zebra in Southern Africa. National Geographic does an outstanding job with this tape of living up to the standards that they set on nature documentaries. With the help of movies such as these, hopefully we will be moved to save these animals before they die off.

Another masterpiece from Jouberts!
I would like to give praise to "Zebra: Patterns in the Grass" nature documentary. The footage shot in Northern Botswana by husband and wife, Derek and Beverly Joubert, is an example of a mature work. It describes the 300-mile zebra migration from Lynianti region to Savuti and back. The documentary focuses on all expects of zebra's life, the birth, herd structure and individual zebra status within a family group, migration difficulties, stallion responsibilities and interactions with others, relationship of a mother and a foul and death. The amazing footage combined with excellent narration really creates an interesting drama of zebra's life set in and around the ancient migration routes in this beautiful but unforgiving region. We experience the crucial first hours of a newly born zebra foul during which the mother tries to hide from her new baby any other zebra's form but her own in order to imprint her unique stripe pattern, which will play the most important part in identifying the mother. This behavior cannot guarantee the survival of the foul since there are many other dangers in the young foul's life, such as high mortality rate from such predators as hyenas and lions, which abound in Savuti march. We are present on numerous hunts of these striped horses by the lions, the pressure of which finally push the zebra herds to move on from Savuti. On route to Lynianti there are nomadic lions following the herds in hope of a meal, as well as men who are in pursuit of the zebra's skin leaving the rest to the scavengers. In the midst of this we experience the drama of everyday life in the zebra society including the great footage of the stallions fight for a mare. The Jouberts manage to bring a viewer a world hidden from the eyes of humans. The story almost makes a viewer to experience the sights and smells of wild Africa while conveying a powerful message about our impact on the natural world in that wild place. It is one of the best nature documentaries to date and I recommend this video to anyone interested in wildlife. It has great footage as well as great story. Great job Derek and Beverly! Definitely worth five stars! ... Read more

Amazon.com

If we stop to think about horses, these beautiful animals become all the more amazing. Our culture once relied on them just as we now rely on cars ("horseless carriages"), but now only a few people know much about them.Eyewitness: Horse sets out to rectify that, and the video is a delight for everyone with an interest in the natural world. DK Vision dazzles us with their trademark brilliant graphics, showing horses' evolution, their cousins like zebras and donkeys, and how the modern horse coevolved with another species--our own! Fascinating and engaging for all ages, Eyewitness: Horse makes perfect family viewing and once again shows that learning can be fun. --Rob Lightner ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Well Worth the Rental
I'm a big fan of the Eyewitness series. Where else can you find such a great blend of history, science, and myth? This series is sure to delight youngsters and adults with a particular interest in science and horses. Let me first say, that Eyewitness Horse has some of the most beautiful cinematography in the series. The scenes of the beautiful wild horses, and the interesting insight into the origination of mules and other crossbreeds were well presented. I thought the lipizanner horses were beautiful, and the commentary about horse 'speech' was quite well thought out.

Overall, and excellent video. Fans of this film, should check out Eyewitness: Plant, and Eyewitness: Bird. Both were fascinating!

Beautiful video!!!
I would highly reccomend this video for kids and adults who love horses! Very well produced, good background music, and very informative. The photography was breathtaking! And I liked the bit about horseshoes and other horse-related myths and legends. The simulated Pegasus is neat, and the Shetland Pony is a doll!

Bad points: some misinformation: horse used in Napolean scene was described as an "Arabian", the horse was obviously a Lippizan.

Also the segment on horse gaits was funny: the music and scenery was beautiful, the narrator was going on about how beautiful and graceful the galloping horse is, and here they're using a FAT and rather homely looking horse to demonstrate the gaits! They could have done MUCH better there.

I would also have liked to see more pictures of equine ancestors. I know they're out there!

But, this is otherwise a worthwhile, and for once ENTERTAINING educational video! END ... Read more

Amazon.com

The astonishing footage and poetic narrative that National Geographic isknown for bring pure drama to a slice of African history. Filmmakers follow Botswana's Savuti Channel for seven years at it is dries up, causinghippopotamuses, elephants, and other wild animals to struggle, often in vain, to survive. While the words spoken are stirring--"Death is everywhere inAfrica, but it is never in vain"--the pictures are sensational. Often many seconds elapse as the filmmakers allow their work to speak for itself.Elephants knock their young away from the precious water to ensure that the adultswill survive, a herd of hippos desperate for moisture stand like statues in mud, and eerie night shots show unrelenting hyenas wait to attack (and it's discomforting to watch when they do). The studied portrait highlights thewisdom of animals and the unpredictable rhythms of African life. --Valerie J. Nelson ... Read more

Reviews (3)

a classic
I saw this documentary on PBS and recorded it when it first came out. Since the time I've first seen it up to now, I think I must have watched it well over a hundred times. The narration by Peter Strauss is flawless as is the sound track and the filmography and editing. The sound track and the poetic narration make this one of the most compelling nature documentaries I've ever seen.

This documentary film is a seven year chronicle following the lives of African wildlife in Botswana as they struggle to find water after the Savuti channel has dried up due to drought. To the north in Botswana, there is a place called the Lynyanti River. Instinctually, many of the animals know what direction to go for water but not all of them will make the journey. As the animals migrate, they are drawn into close competition with one another. We see all kinds of interesting dramas unfold, but the film primarily focuses on a hippopotamus and her calf. The film begins with a pregnant hippo struggling to pull herself out of a drying up lake.

Some of the most dramatic scenes in the film include the following:

Young lions hassle a small group of hippos.

A female warthog tries to protect her young against a group of jackels.

An exausted elephant is reluctantly left behind by it's herd to die.

Cape hunting dogs attempt to break through a herd of zebra's line of defense. The zebras form a protective line and stand their ground to protect the young.

The one thing I got out of this documentary is that the journey was more important than the destination which was the Lynyanti River. This understanding applies to all things in life.

Something special about this one
One of the most beautiful/incredible things I've ever seen or heard. Seven years of filming distilled into one hour. One scene completely amazes me - I had no idea elephants could do that! The narration and music are closely connected to the spirit of what's going on(very rare). Some very sad things happen in this. Parents might want to watch this before letting children see it. Get it before it goes out of print.

Great Story!
This nature documentary is set in Northern Botswana, a place famous for it's unspoiled wildness. The drama is set in Savuti region. This place was a water paradise for it's wildlife inhabitants until in 1982 it began to dry up, which caught the eye of husband and wife wildlife photographers Derek and Beverly Joubert. The filmmakers began to document the dramas that evolved in a place of plenty going sour. We see many animals struggle once the water begins to mysteriously evaporate from the channel. Some begin the migration to Lynianti river area, others continue to stay hoping for the best. Nature, however, has its own mind on the matter. What develops is the story of survival, a struggle for life in the place of death. We follow the elephants, hippos, crocodiles and other denizens of this place in their struggle and fight for survival. It is an amazing footage of a great drama set in the wild and unforgiving place. ... Read more

Amazon.com

On Canada's Ellesmere Island, on the tundra 500 miles south of the North Pole, award-winning photographer Jim Brandenburg and biologist David Mech gain the confidence of a pack of arctic wolves and are allowed to spend the summer months filming their behavioral patterns. Released in 1988, this video still stands as remarkable documentation of humankind's first interaction with the isolated white wolf. Never persecuted or hunted by humans, they are more tolerant than other wolves to their human observers. In fact, Brandenburg astonishingly goes into a cave where a mother white wolf is raising her pups and, after several failed attempts, even follows the pack on a hunt. Brandenburg and Mech return for two summers, and their observations reflect a dramatic change in the social structure of the pack. --Cristina Del Sesto ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Beautiful, myth-busting film
Reknowned wildlife photographer Jim Brandenburg and wolf biologist David Mech travel to one of the remotest locations, Canada's Ellesmere Island, to observe a wolf pack living there. These wolves have not been persecuted by humans, as their more Southerly brothers and sisters have, so they do not fear people. This allows Brandenburg and Mech to gain their trust quickly, and to have incredibly intimate encounters with the pack's members.

This film was made before we knew very much about wolf social behavior, and it's fascinating to watch and the two men try to understand what unfolds before them. They spend the entire summer with the pack, and then return the following year to see what has happened to them over the long, dark, Arctic winter. As we watch them watching the wolves, and the wolves watching them, we come to see that the wolf is not a vicious, heartless, cold-blooded, unfeeling killer - it is a highly social, affectionate, intelligent and caring creature. Neither of the two men were ever threatened or menaced by any of the pack; rather, the two species gradually formed a trust and tolerance of each other, and the wolves come to accept the humans' presence without being afraid.

I do weekly volunteer work with wolves at Wolf Haven International, located in Tenino, Washington, and thus have a huge interest in this so often misunderstood species. I've read many books and have watched many films, and this one is pretty good. In my opinion, National Geographic's "Legend: The Return of the Wolf to Yellowstone" is a better overall piece, offering more education, information, and exceptional footage of the reintroduced packs in the park; however, it does not show close human/wolf interactions as this film does. There is also a piece by the Dutchers, called "Wolves at Our Door" that is, despite the methods the Dutchers used, an outstanding movie in terms of showing the public how remarkable the wolf truly is.

I cannot encourage people to see these films enough - we need to spread the word that wolves are not the Grimm's Fairy Tale's version of the Big Bad Wolf, not the evil, satanic killer that has been storied for hundreds of years. The wolf plays a vital role in our ecology, and we need to allow it to return to its historic habitats to help balance out the damage we have done by erradicating it.

Superb, unstaged wolf footage!
I own this film and I never tire of watching it. As a passionate wolf advocate, I am always grateful to see films which show the true nature of wolves made available to the general populace - not just scientists and environmentalists. Another terrific wolf film, "Wolves at Our Door", made by wildlife film maker Jim Dutcher, has done wonderful things for the public's awareness of the intelligence, complexity, and devotion to family that are the keystones of the nature of the wolf. The film is carefully pieced together, however, with gorgeous backround music, etc. It's a beautiful film about beautiful animals - but it lacks the raw realism that this film shows: this is about two men, Dave Mech (famed wolf biologist) and Jim Brandenburg (famed wildlife photographer and wolf lover), freezing their charms off on Ellesmere Island to observe a pack of wolves who have never before known human contact. Apart from great footage, the beauty of this particular film is in the unstaged way in which it shows the life of this wolf pack - and the remarkable tolerance - and trust - that the wolves come to show to both these extraordinary men. I recommend this film to everyone, not merely to wolf lovers. I particularly hope that those who do NOT love the wolf will see it. Perhaps they will learn something, besides the error of their ignorance.

Wolves of the High Arctic
The documentary, Wolves of the High Arctic, from National Geographic is an excellent depiction of wolves in an area where they have not had the harassment that wolves who live in populated areas have had to endure. The information obtained by L David Mech from his many summers observing these wolves close up is the most in depth information available because of his ability to be so close to the wolves. L. David Mech and Jim Brandenberg did an excellent job. If you are a fellow wolf advocate, I would suggest you check out some of L David Mech's books about these same wolves. He also had other very educational books available. Another site to check out is for The International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota. They are currently raising two arctic wolf pups there and you can view their progress on their web site. L. David Mech is the founder of the center along with Nancy Gibson, who also has an excellent book about wolves available. This documentary and their books and web site are an excellent source of accurate, up to date information.

One of the best videos on wolves I have ever seen!
This video is an excellent choice. IT shows what a pack of wolves are really like, and photographer jim brandenburg does an excellent job of portraying them both honestly nad beautifully. A real find! Go for it! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Don't Be Deceived
I purchased this video with the intention of showing it to my Early Childhood (3-5 year olds) after they studied Ocean Life. The video was disappointing. The words used were too sophisticated for this age group. The animated lizard led me to believe it would be on the appropriate age level for my needs. However, the video contained scenes of a fish being eaten by a shark and an octopus being attacked and subsequently losing a tentacle, which was shown hanging from the fishes mouth! It was too graphic for early childhood. Just be aware of these scenes and the fact that even though there is animation, this is deemed too intense for a young audience. ... Read more