Search - Nature: Big Cats on DVD

Great wildlife documentaries

Critic | california, USA | 04/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD containing two NATURE programs is a great bargain. "Chasing Big Cats" shows hunting techniques of Africa's large cats: Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and the elusive Serval and Caracal. It has some of the most extraordinary hunting footage I have ever seen. "Jaguar, Year of the Cat" covers a year in the life of Jaguar in central-American country of Belize. Supporting cast of this documentary is the exotic fauna and flora of tropical forest with crisp and vivid scenes throughout.
Both programs live up to high standards of wildlife filmmaking that we have come to expect from the NATURE series. The DVD has my highest recommendation."

Superb photography, bone-chilling hunting scenes

Y. Deshmukh | New York, NY USA | 01/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This two-part documentary is superbly shot, nicely put together and has many hunting scenes that are expertly shot. One long scene in particular - about lionesses jumping on and killing a buffalo - is bone-chilling. There are some other scenes of smaller cats jumping in the air to catch a bird that is already airborne that you would never believe until you saw them.

The photographers are a couple that has spent over 14 years shooting in Africa. They have introduced techniques of shooting wildlife film that are unusual and enable them to get so close to the predators that you can almost smell them! The DVD is nicely put together, in good sequence and is very compelling viewing. The photography is top quality and the narration and editing very good. Highly recommended.
"

Rather impressed by the little cats

AVI PELEG | RANANA Israel | 10/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Superb job extraordinary and unique footage unfortunately Owen and Amanda very imprecise and incorrect commentating, Leopard has total darkness visibility, does not depend on the ears for the catch rather for the surroundings, like warnings etc (see one of National Geographic film on the Leopard.
The patient and devotion of Owen and Amanda bringing us the pictures some will never see in their life, with best selected spot and on the mark, requires a Pulitzer Prize.
Raise a thumb for the devotion and the educated pictures
"

5 stars for first program, 3 for second...

David T. Brady | Phoenix, AZ United States | 01/02/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The first documentary giving us a glimpse of 5 cats, the cheetah, the leopard, the serval, the caracal, and lions, is outstanding. The memory of the aftermath of a fight between four male lions from one pride and two male lions from another will stay with me forever, truly awesome! Coupled with some great shots of cubs of all sorts and their mothers, this is a documentary worth seeing over and over.

The second documentary, concerning the jaguar, is a disappointment despite some beautiful shots. It is filmed at an extremely slow space and with the jaguar itself representing just 20% of the entire program, the rest on various animals, birds, and insects in the jungle. The shots of the jaguar are memorable but too few and far between, hence the 3 star rating for this documentary, and probably generous at that. The first program more than makes up for this though. Well worth seeing!"