From National Geographic Television and Thirteen/WNET New York AFRICA is a groundbreaking eight-hour series captured over two years of filming in 11 countries. This epic series presents Africa through the eyes of its people conveying the diversity and beauty of the land and the compelling personal stories of the people who shape its future. AFRICA contains 8 hours PLUS one-hour bonus program "The Making of AFRICA".System Requirements: Running Time 540 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. UPC: 727994760078 Product Description
 |  | Africa is more than animals |  |
This is the best documentary on Africa I have seen. I grew up in Africa, but have not returned since my family returned to the US. I watch every documentary on Africa I can get my hands on, and except for this one, they almost all completely ignore everything except large animals in game preserves. Africa is so much more, and I feel that this DVD is the first I've seen that actually captures a bit of real life in Africa. It is funny, happy, and inspiring, just like the people it is about. This does not come at the expense of amazing footage of the landscape or shots of exotic animals (including a short spot on the wildebeest, which is apparently a requirement for all documentaries of Africa). The human perspective makes the scenery and animals even more awesome. This DVD is a brief glimpse of Africa right now. It's amazing.
December 18, 2007After reading all of the glowing reviews I couldn't wait to watch the series. Unfortunately, it was a little disappointing. Visually it is stunning and offers a broad view of the vast continent. The problem is in the narration. Ugh! While viewing some of the most exciting scenery in the world and gaining some insight into the many cultures of Africa the narrator seems determined to put the viewer to sleep. And rather than give the viewer a real taste of the local music, whenever someone bursts into song, whether in a children's game or at a funeral, they have chosen to pipe in some over-produced studio version of "African" music that is full of western influences. Indiginous African music is so beautiful in its rawest form; don't insult your audience by assuming that we can't appreciate music that hasn't been cleaned up and westernized.
November 29, 2007 . . . I have just begun to view this series via NETFLIX, and if the first disc is indicitive of the rest of the series then this is something i will be sure to purchase. As i cannot honestly review the series in it's entirety, this "review" is to make clear that despite any misprint here on amazon or on the packaging -(don't have the box so i can't say)- this series IS in full 16X9 anamorphic widescreen - it does state as much on the discs themselves. many people, like myself, will not buy/rent dvds if the aspect ratio is not preserved on disc. For those concered; have no fear, it's in gorgeous widescreen. 5-stars for disc 1 and the beautiful transfer
September 21, 2006 | | National Geographic "Africa" Series | |
Beautifully photographed. However, if you're interested in Africa from a political and historical standpoint, as I am, this is not really the video series for you.
Excellent wildlife and nature footage (just as you'd expect from National Geographic) and even an attempt to convey some sociological lessons about "urban" vs. "tribal" differences.
Overall, well worth watching, but don't look to it for very deep historical or political enlightenment about the continent.
October 30, 2005| | | National Geographic Africa | |
To know a country is to know its people. Previously apart from South Africa, Africa was a homongenous blur to me. This series looks at the different regions of the continent through the eyes of the people who live out their lives there. It contrasts the traditional ways with the ways of change giving both a glimpse into the past and into the future. The flora and forna also feature but are featured more to show the struggle to survive in different habitats and a changing world.
August 10, 2005More reviews at Amazon.com ...
Daily Birthdays
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