Massive Nature (2004)

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General		Extras
Category	Documentary	Main Menu Audio
Rating
Year Of Production	2004
Running Time	175:22 (Case: 180)
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	4	Directed By	None Given
Studio Distributor	Roadshow Home Entertainment	Starring	Sean Pertwee
Case	Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip
RPI	$24.95	Music	Neil Cartwright

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	None	English Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
Video Format	576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures	No
Subtitles	None	Smoking	No
		Annoying Product Placement	No
		Action In or After Credits	No

    The BBC Natural History department sure knows how to crank out quality nature documentaries either with or (as in this case) without David Attenborough. This series was produced in 2004 and focuses on massive natural phenomena involving animals in incredible numbers. All of the episodes (6 in total) involve a major movement of creatures and the predators which try to get them. The dramatic and sometimes droll voiceover discusses what each of the creatures can do (if anything) to increase their chances of getting away rather than getting caught and eaten. The stories follow a number of months in the life of each of the animals and examines the build up to the moment of impact between the species both from the perspective of the prey and the predator.

    As usual the cinematography is spectacular and is in this case combined with some 3D graphics to illustrate various points. Some of the footage used here was also used on the Greatest Wildlife Show on Earth DVD which I reviewed recently but there is not that much crossover. The stories are told in a dramatic and detailed way with each half hour episode only focusing on one clash between predator and prey, thereby allowing time for extra detail than on many such shows.

    The six episodes (each of approximately half an hour) are:

1. The Deep - A massive shoal of sardines make a 1000 mile journey up the coast of Africa being attacked by thousands of predators including seals, dolphins, sharks and gannets. Why do they do it and how do the predators know where to find them?
2. The Trap - Flamingos flock to a soda lake in Africa to feed despite the poisonous water. They are attacked by baboons, eagles and other birds. Why do some survive and others not?
3. The Crossing - One million wildebeest cross the Mara River in Africa every year to get to the rich grazing lands on the other side. They need to watch out for crocodiles, leopards, lions and their own stupidity.
4. The Falls - Salmon return to the river they were born in to spawn and die, but only if the grizzly bears don't get them first.
5. The Edge - Tiny Adell penguins leave their breeding grounds in the deep south before winter closes in but leopard seals and hunting birds are waiting for them. Which of the young will survive and why?
6. The Exodus - Millions of bats all leave a cave together in Florida but they need to get past the snakes, birds of prey, raccoons and flesh eating bugs first. Not an episode to watch over dinner.

    A fascinating and high quality documentary series which focuses on the major global clashes between predator and prey. I would not recommend this show for younger children as there is a significant amount of animal violence.

Video

    The video quality is very good.

    The feature is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio 16x9 enhanced which is the original aspect ratio.

    The picture was very clear and sharp throughout, with no evidence of low level noise. Shadow detail was pretty good. There was some light grain in some shots which may mean they were archival footage.

    The colour was wonderful, rich and solid throughout.

    From an artefacts perspective, there was some mild macro-blocking especially during underwater scenes and other expanses of colour and a few white lines. Nothing much to whinge about really.

    There are no subtitles.
    

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    The audio quality is very good.

    This DVD contains an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo soundtrack encoded at 224 Kb/s.

    The voiceover was clear and easy to understand.

    The score of this series by Neil Cartwright is great, adding to the drama inherent in these scenes from nature. It is modern and funky in style.

    The surround speakers added some mild atmosphere when played with ProLogicII.

    The subwoofer added some bass to the music which is more a function of my amp's bass management than anything else.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

    None.

Menu

    The menu was very simple allowing for the selection of episodes only.

    This series does not seem to currently be available in other regions.

    The video quality is very good.

    The audio quality is very good.

    The set has no extras.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall