BBC Video // 2009 // 150 Minutes // Not Rated
Reviewed by Judge Kent Dixon (Retired) // August 21st, 2010
It is the very cradle of mankind.
With each new feature they release, BBC Nature entrenches their supremacy as the go-to source for high quality nature documentaries. When the same creative and scientific force that produced such great features as Walking With Dinosaurs, The Blue Planet, Yellowstone, the uber-documentary Planet Earth, and Life joins forces with Animal Planet and turns their attention to the Great Rift Valley of Eastern Africa, you know you're in for a treat.
It's hard to think of the African continent without thinking of flat, arid landscapes and animals like lions, giraffes, zebras, and elephants, but The Great Rift shows us there is much more to Africa, especially in the more mountainous eastern region. The mini-series is divided into three episodes:
* "Fire"
Lined by some of the world's largest and most
active volcanoes, the Rift Valley runs approximately 6,000 miles, from Lebanon
in the north to Mozambique near the southeastern tip of Africa. Within this
region, you'll find some of the world's most unique mammals and primates, many
of which are found nowhere else in the world. From the lush slopes of the
bordering peaks, to the Serengeti below, the violent volcanic forces that formed
the Valley have made it possible for a lush diversity of plant and animal life
to grow and flourish.
* "Water"
Beginning as rainfall, the region's two rainy
seasons bathe the landscape, fueling the wealth of aquatic life that is found in
the Rift's many lakes. Between the rainy seasons, the abundance recedes until
only the rivers carry any significant amount of water and the hot climate poses
a danger both in the amount of water animals need to survive and the amount of
water available. Fortunately, much of the region's water supply is immune to
drought, thanks to underground channels that feed water to springs along the
region, and the sister lakes Tanganyika and Malawe.
* "Grass"
Approximately 30 million years ago, Africa's
landscape was almost entirely forest, until the great volcanic upheaval created
a large flat landscape between the eastern and western borders of the Rift. The
volcanic ash and mountainous regions created soil and weather patterns that
proved inhospitable to larger trees, but perfect for the grasses and acacia
trees which now dominate Africa's central plains. The setting of complex mating
rituals, feeding behavior, and intense battles for survival, the plains of
Africa serve as a strong contrast to the mountain habitats of the surrounding
regions.
I received a pre-release screener copy of The Great Rift, so the final retail presentation may differ. The series arrives on Blu-ray in a VC-1 encoded 1.78.1 1080i transfer that varies quite widely from scene to scene. Some shots are stunning and certainly close to what we've seen with Planet Earth, but others come across far too soft. The audio mix is clear, giving the tribal rhythms and choral elements appropriate punch, but there's nothing overly immersive here to pull us into the HD experience. The only extras included are three 10-minute featurettes called "Inside the Great Rift" that follow each episode, showing some of the challenges and unique experiences the production crew faced while shooting.
I've really just scratched the surface of The Great Rift. Showcasing Africa's beauty and danger, filled with breathtaking vistas and dramatic animal diversity, this series is a must for nature fans. It's very likely you'll walk away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for one of the most unique regions on Earth.
Not Guilty.
Review content copyright © 2010 Kent Dixon; Site layout and review format copyright © 1998 - 2013 HipClick Designs LLC
Scales of Justice
Judgment: 81
Perp Profile
Studio: BBC Video
Video Formats:
* 1.78:1 Non-Anamorphic (1080i)
Audio Formats:
* DTS 2.0 Surround (English)
Subtitles:
* English (SDH)
Running Time: 150 Minutes
Release Year: 2009
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Distinguishing Marks
* Featurettes
Accomplices
* IMDb
http://us.imdb.com/title/tt1597624/combined