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| Africa - The Serengeti (Large Format) | 
| Category: DVD
Buy New: $0.99
Buy New/Used from $0.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  (35 reviews)
Sales Rank: 74631
Languages: German (Original Language), English (Original Language), French (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language)
Media: DVD
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5 x 0.6
ISBN: 1584480122
UPC: 017078980226
EAN: 9781584480129
ASIN: B000056OZ5
Theatrical Release Date: April 1, 1994
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
This spectacular IMAX documentary has been meticulously transferred to provide one of the most stunning DVDs available, with image quality so vivid that it seems almost three-dimensional. Of course, it doesn't hurt that the images themselves are amazing, consisting of some of the finest nature cinematography you're ever likely to see, following a year of seasonal change in the "circle of life" of East Africa's Serengeti plain. Photographed entirely on location in Kenya and Tanzania, the 40-minute film chronicles a natural phenomenon that few humans are privileged to witness in their lifetime: the annual great migration, during which over two million wildebeests, zebras, and antelope travel 500 miles across the plain to ensure their survival. It's an awesome display of natural wonders, and of course there's danger as well as beauty, with lions, crocodiles, and cheetahs among the predators of migrating wildlife. The images range from wondrous to horrifying to hilarious, forming a portrait of life and death that remains powerful even after repeated viewings. The DVD is truly intended for a global audience, with eight optional audio tracks in English (narrated by James Earl Jones), Bavarian, French, Castilian, Catalan, Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin. --Jeff Shannon
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| Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...
 Buyer beware... December 5, 2008
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
If you own BBC Planet Earth in Blu-Ray and purchase this, YOU WILL BE VERY SORRY. First the quality is not good when you compare it to Planet Earth. Yes, it's better than DVD but the shooting, dynamic range, and image quality is just bad (not to mention the poor transfer/encoding). This would have been amazing 10 years ago but not by Blu-Ray standards today. You even see dust particles show up in some frames and some are huge. There is no reason for this at all in this day and age. I have no idea why people are rating this so high.
The second biggest problem that I have is the narration and quality of the content. It's childish, boring and almost pointless. "Look at the pretty lions. Now look at this animal, it lives here too.". Please. Again, if you have seen the BBC's documentaries, then this is just below average. Not horrible or pure garbage but simply worth $4.99 in my books. And no, I am not from the UK.
One last thing. Blu-ray has three codecs people can use. One thing that baffles me with this video is why on Earth they used MPEG2 (older, slower) instead of VC1 or AVC and why didn't they do some kind of re-processing to adjust the colors and provide more dynamic range in many scenes??? Yes, the MPEG2 is at 1080p but why?? In some scenes you can see the good old "I don't have enough colors to display this scene Moire pattern" you get with several DVD movies. I have a Pioneer Elite and this thing looked bad. And no, I am not an audiophile or video enthusiast. I just got very mad when I saw this. I was shocked given the price, ratings and the fact that this is a Blu-Ray disc. It took me off guard completely. There are many other videos from this company that are just as bad. The re-production is horrible. At least if that had been good then I could have gotten a bit of eye candy. Nothing.
If you do not believe me, buy it and watch Planet Earth or Galapagos right after in Blu-Ray. Day and night. If you argue it's because the movie is older, fine, no problem but buyer beware. I never would have purchased this had I seen the video. It's not total crap but it's a boring slightly better than DVD video with poor narration and so-so cinematography which probably looked really good when it came out. In 2008, it's a disappointment.
 "There is a place on Earth where it is still the morning of life and great herds run free" November 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
XXXXX
The title of this review is what the narrator says at the beginning and end of this fantastic documentary (first shown in IMAX theatres) that profiles a place where the equation of life is as follows:
(1) Herbivores eat plants.
(2) Carnivores eat herbivores.
The place profiled is the Serengeti, a huge area of grassland in Tanzania, East Africa. The narrator is Darth Vader himself, James Earl Jones, whose voice adds another dimension to this mesmerizing and revealing film.
Here's a sampling of what you will see:
(1) The Great Migration (a sight few have seen and considered a great wonder of the world)
(2) "One of the natural wonders of the world"
(3) One of the "most famous archaeological sites on Earth"
(4) A sampling of millions of diverse creatures found here including the "horses of Africa"
(5) The proud people who live here
(6) Miracles of the Serengeti
My knowledge of the Serengeti before viewing this film was...nothing. I found this film a great and exciting way to be introduced to this important region of the world. You couldn't ask for better cinematography and photography.
I found the background music throughout to be interesting and unique.
What I especially liked was that the narrator did not attempt to overwhelm me with too many details. I got the impression that only the most important and interesting information was carefully selected and presented.
Finally, the DVD itself (the one released in 2005) is perfect in picture and sound quality. It has no extras.
In conclusion, there is indeed a place on this planet where it is still the morning of life and the great herds run free. This place has been captured for all to see in this extraordinary film!!
(1994; 39 min; wide screen; 13 scenes)
<>
XXXXX
BEAUTIFUL October 9, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
The is why you buy blu-ray disk and Plasma TV. The images are off the charts if you are into nature and nature shows this is a must for your collections. AWESOME!!!
Wow! October 9, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
This was a great video if you believe in the Circle of Life. I watched it 3 times in one sitting because I wanted to see more. And each time I watched it, I noticed more detail and heard more facts! Should be viewed w/ low lighting in the room and you'll feel like you're on the Serengeti with James Earl Jones!
SUPERB September 17, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This is a fantastic armchair look at the Serengetti, a place I'll never see on my own and can only rely on professional cinematographers to make it live. It appeals to all ages and the photography is so vivid, it seems like the animals can come directly through the screen. James Early Jones is the perfect narrator.
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