Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5429 in VHS
• Released on: 1998-02-02
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: HiFi Sound, PAL, Colour
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 290 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Not just tigers, but a wide range of indigenous creatures are the subjects of Land of the Tigers, a two-tape set. In a fascinating contrast with the curatorial reverence with which most narrators of wildlife programmes treat their subjects, the hyperanimated Valmik Thapar not only presents some superb footage of the wildlife of the Indian sub-continent but describes how these animals are regarded within Indian culture--sometimes deified and revered, or the subject of dance or art or part of daily life.

Of course, one disadvantage of transferring nearly five hours of factual TV programming to video is that the continuity and the revisiting of key ideas and impressions can become grindingly monotonous if, as here, no attempt is made to edit the material into a single-package format. However, treat it exactly as it was first broadcast, by rationing yourself to one programme-sized chunk at a time and letting Thapar's recapitulations and lingering, revelatory moments happen as they were originally intended and, if you've any interest at all in the wild life and cultural heritage of the region, you won't be disappointed. --Roger Thomas

Synopsis
An exploration of some of the most fascinating habitats in the natural world across the Indian sub-continent.

From the Back Cover
In a celebration of the incredible diversity of wildlife across the Indian sub-contintent, naturalist Valmik Thapar explores some of the mosr fascinating habitats in the natural world. His journey takes us from the icy vastness of the Himalayas, home of the elusive snow leopard, to the lush forests dominated by the world's largest tiger population; from vast plains and the arid beauty of the Rajasthan deserts to mighty rivers and the superabundant life of the oceans. This magnificent new BBC TV series includes unique footage of a dazzling array of creatures from rhino to flying lizard and gibbon to great whale.

Customer Reviews

Land of Enchantment
I first saw Land of the Tiger in 1997 shortly after returning from a trip to India. This ravishingly beautiful series is a tour de force at presenting the magnificence of the Indian sub-continent's indigenous wildlife. It was almost like continuing the holiday. India's wildlife is so overlooked compared to that in Africa. It is truly the only area of the World which is comparable in the diversity and splendour of its megafauna. Here are found deer and antelope, bison and buffalo, tigers, lions and leopards, wild dogs and wolves, elephants and rhinos, wild goats and wild asses. From the realm of the snow leopard in the snowy wastes of the Himalaya to the maneating tigers of the Sunderban mangrove forests, from the richly populated seas of the Indian Ocean to the forested hills of Khana (the land of Kipling's 'Jungle Books') this superb series is perfect in every respect. Valmik Thapar is a charismatic and knowledgeable guide and narrator. No more than one would expect of the curator of Ranthambore National Park and tiger reserve. The fact that India's wildlife survives on a knife edge, sharing the sub-continent with a billion people who add twenty million more to their number each year, makes this a particularly poignant series. Watch the animals while you can, buy this - it's great.

Enchanting
An outstanding visual and factual meander through the entire Indian sub-continent exploring not only the world and lives of the most splendid feline species on earth but also the mammals and birds that inhabit the same breathtakingly beautiful and diverse land and seas. The series also serves to subtly remind just what we stand to lose should we humans continue destroying our fagile biosphere. The narrator, Valmik Thapar, has an obvious deep affection for the jewels in India's crown, with which he effortlessly infects the viewer. A magnificent, entralling tale (especially the stripey ones!). An absolute must-have.

Utterly STUNNING and BEAUTIFUL.
The programmes are shot brilliant and superbly. Extremely interesting. I am a Tiger lover and adore the creatures.

Valmik Thapar is outstanding. The way he talks with so much passion and enthusiasm. The tales he decribes with the mix of Indian faith (Buddhism and Hundi). As you listen to Valmik, you fall under his spell and you feel his passion for the programme.