'Wildest Africa' couldn't be recommended highly enough, and all the previous nine episodes range from very, very good to excellent. Regardless of whether the stuff covered is old or new, it was the production values, how it was written and how it was delivered that mattered much more to me, and 'Wildest Africa' delivered brilliantly in all those respects.
But to be perfectly honest, judging from the 'Wild' and 'Wildest' documentaries, that it would deliver in those respects was never in doubt. Like "Cape World: Where Worlds Collide", "Congo: The Untamed Heart" is one of the lesser 'Wildest Africa' episodes to me. For the same reasons as that episode, while having all of the strengths seen throughout the whole series. The other episodes educated me more, made me feel more and focused on subjects that were a little more interesting to me. Despite how this sounds, that does not mean that "Congo: The Untamed Heart" isn't good. Actually it's great and still very interesting, but not an awful lot new here as such.
Visually, it doesn't disappoint with everything shown looking amazing on film. The scenery is more than just beautiful scenery, it's unforgiving too and gorgeously photographed. How such a lot of it managed to be filmed so intimately with such full impact is anybody's guess, meant in the best possible way. The music rouses and also has edge.
"Congo: The Untamed Heart's" large amount of information is always engaging, with this mysterious location being very much a wilderness and the inhabitants fascinatingly mysterious, and still learned a lot (i.e. how long it takes for the water to get to the Atlantic) despite other 'Wildest Africa' episodes doing this aspect better.
Once again, Colin Salmon proves to be a perfect match for this material. He narrates with enthusiasm and sensitivity, his narration adding to any tension and emotion.
Summing up, very, very well done. 9/10
But to be perfectly honest, judging from the 'Wild' and 'Wildest' documentaries, that it would deliver in those respects was never in doubt. Like "Cape World: Where Worlds Collide", "Congo: The Untamed Heart" is one of the lesser 'Wildest Africa' episodes to me. For the same reasons as that episode, while having all of the strengths seen throughout the whole series. The other episodes educated me more, made me feel more and focused on subjects that were a little more interesting to me. Despite how this sounds, that does not mean that "Congo: The Untamed Heart" isn't good. Actually it's great and still very interesting, but not an awful lot new here as such.
Visually, it doesn't disappoint with everything shown looking amazing on film. The scenery is more than just beautiful scenery, it's unforgiving too and gorgeously photographed. How such a lot of it managed to be filmed so intimately with such full impact is anybody's guess, meant in the best possible way. The music rouses and also has edge.
"Congo: The Untamed Heart's" large amount of information is always engaging, with this mysterious location being very much a wilderness and the inhabitants fascinatingly mysterious, and still learned a lot (i.e. how long it takes for the water to get to the Atlantic) despite other 'Wildest Africa' episodes doing this aspect better.
Once again, Colin Salmon proves to be a perfect match for this material. He narrates with enthusiasm and sensitivity, his narration adding to any tension and emotion.
Summing up, very, very well done. 9/10