Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12331 in DVD
• Released on: 2004-08-23
• Rating: Exempt
• Formats: Box set, PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 200 minutes

Synopsis
All four programmes from the BBC Wildlife Specials series. Each film is a masterpiece of expertise and innovation: award-winning cameramen using revolutionary filming techniques, backed by the latest scientific research, and each features one of natures's superstars, revealing aspects of its life that have never been seen before.

Dangerous, powerful, but above all breath-takingly beautiful, tigers have for centuries sparked awe and admiration. Yet it is their very uniqueness that has made them a prized object for hunters. This film could be the last complete portrait of tigers in the wild as there is a real chance they could be extinct within the next decade.

The leopard is the least-known of all Africa's big cats. Until now, the leopard, and animal of the night, has been virtually impossible to observe. Using state-of-the-art camera equipment this film ventures into the night and follows the lives of two leopards in Zambia's Luangwa Valley, to reveal the night-time secrets of the cat that walks on its own.

Few birds have captured the human imagination as deeply as the eagle. Throughout the centuries this majestic bird of prey has been the symbol of strength and courage, such is the perfection of its design. There are 60 different kinds of eagle throughout the world - each type having adapted spectacularly to hunting different forms of prey. Remarkable aerial photography captures the dramatic life of eagles as never seen before.

One of the most successful species on earth is also one of the least documented. Miniaturised camers reveal the world of snakes for the first time from their point of view. Head-mounted cameras capture gripping images of the world's most dangerous snakes hunting and overcoming their prey. Using high-speed photography, x-ray imaging and state-of-the-art computer graphics, this is the most ambitious look at snakes attempted on television.

Customer Reviews

Package is wildly various in its production values & attraction
There are four DVDs in this collection - Tiger, Leopard, Serpent & Eagle. All have been made at various times over the last 10 years and the production values and style reflect the fact that these look to have been cobbled together as a set of four. There seems to be nothing in common with all four except David Attenborough as narrator.

Two of the titles are fairly modern and have been filmed in 16:9 widescreen (Tiger 1999 & Serpent 2002), whilst the other two are slightly older and are in 4:3 full screen (Leopard & Eagle, both 1997).

The absolute jewel in the crown of this set is the 'Tiger' DVD. An absolute gem of film making and totally engrossing in what it offers in breathtaking photography, story-telling pace, script & music-score. The 'Tiger' DVD completely outclasses the quality of what one would normally expect from a 50 minute wildlife documentary in terms of how much effort has been put in so superbly to such a magnificent effect. It is stunning.

The other three DVDs really do not capture the imagination with their offerings for the other three animals & the production style and quality is somewhat lacking and dare I say it slightly boring with little apparent attempt (or success) to involve the viewer's interest. This is especially pronounced when compared to the outrageously brilliant 'Tiger' DVD.

If you are into 'cherry picking', I would advise buying just the 'Tiger' offering which is sold separately as well as in this package. Search Amazon DVDs for 'Wildlife Special Tiger'. There are separate reviews for each individual DVD under their availability singly.

As a set of four, they are reasonable value depending on what price Amazon are currently charging (their prices go up and down hugely), but 'Tiger' singly is utterly brilliant and is a steal at the price.

Excellent wildlife series
I've recently bought the whole package and I think that it is a great work.
There are 4 DVD which present the way of life of Tiger, Leopard ,Eagle and Snake.I have watched a lot of wildlife documentary film in the past but never seen before scenes like those in the DVDs.
For example in order to film the Leopard which is well known as an elusive,noctural, very hard to find creature, they used infra-red cameras which can see in total darkness.The result is breathtaking scenes from a male and a female Leopard hunting.
The same goes for tiger and eagle. A lot of close-ups (which is very difficult, especially for eagles) and detailed description of their way of hunting, mating, fighting ect. My summary is that anybody who is interested in these creatures must buy these DVDs.