Wildlife Specials (TV Series) Gorillas: On the Trail of King Kong (2002) User Reviews

Poorly named but fascinating....

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 28 August 2015]

Warning: This show is NOT for anyone who is phobic about insects!!!

My guess is that the King Kong part of the title of this show was added by someone wishing to sensationalize the gorilla aspect of it. However, Kong and lowland gorillas have very little in common--so just watch the show for a nice and placid depiction of the animals. Don't expect to see horrible and terrifying beasts.

The film crew for this documentary went to the Congo--one of the more hellish places on the planet. While the highland gorillas of the Congo and Rwanda are very famous, they're rare animals. The much more common lowland gorilla, surprisingly, is much less talked about nor as well understood. Some of it could be because they don't have a champion like Diane Fossey and her highland gorillas or perhaps it's because the place where lowland gorillas live is a pest-infested swampland. Regardless, you really have to feel for the filmmakers--especially in a truly horrific scene where the cameraman is covered in bugs, as it's NOT a part of the show for anyone who is afraid of insects!! Overall, very interesting and well made, though I did have an occasional quibble because the narrator, David Attenborough, did occasionally make comments that tended to anthropomorphize the creatures. They aren't human and trying to explain their behaviors in human terms seemed a bit disingenuous. But, still it's a quality production and worth your time.

Gorillas in the Congo

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 10 September 2018]

Saw the 'Wildlife' specials as a big fan of the national treasure that is David Attenborough. As much as he may dislike the term it is a perfect way to sum him up, with his best works being documentary masterpieces and masterpieces in general.

As of now, fourteen episodes for 'Wildlife Specials' here are listed. There are actually twenty two, the others listed as one-offs. Eighteen of these up to 2008 were narrated/presented by Attenborough, the others ('Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice', 'Penguins: Spy in the Huddle', 'Swarm: Nature's Incredible Invasion', and 'Dolphins: Spy in the Pod')up to 2014 by David Tennant. All are must sees, have a preference for Attenborough's work here (being more familiar with his work and being a big fan of it) but Tennant's contributions are very well done too.

As has been indicated, 'Wildlife Specials' is highly recommended for nature lovers, documentary lovers and those who love Attenborough, also a good way of being introduced to Tennant's narrative work. It is very diverse/varied, looks great and shows a great deal of technological advancement in the camera work. This is apparent in "Gorillas: On the Trail of King Kong" once again, this time dealing with gorillas, their physical and psychological qualities, the different kinds of them and how they adapt and survive in their varied habitats.

First and foremost, "Gorillas: On the Trail of King Kong" looks amazing. It is gorgeously filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate (a great way of connecting even more with the gorillas), way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic and intimate, not the most innovative of the series in terms of camera work but that doesn't matter. The editing is always succinct and smooth and the scenery is pure magic.

The music score fits very well, never overly grandiose while never being inappropriate with some lovely sound.

"Gorillas: On the Trail of King Kong" fascinates, teaches, moves, entertains and transfixes. In terms of the facts there was a very good mix of the known ones and the unknown, of the well known species and more rare ones, some facts being familiar to us while also dealing with the subject with tact. Their intelligence comes out on screen crystal clear and how they live and their cultural aspects are handled in a way that does illuminate.

Narration by Attenborough helps significantly. He clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more.

It's not just visually beautiful and informative. The gorillas featured are great to look at and more complex than they seem, with a mix of playfulness, pathos and ruthlessness. "Gorillas: On the Trail of King Kong" also displays a wide range of emotions and found myself really caring for everything that was shown to us on screen. The conflict, which actually has more to do with the inclusion of insects rather than the gorillas themselves, has genuine tension and suspense in seeing moments of ferocity, seeing how the gorillas adapt and survive, there is some charm seeing the behaviours, though they are shown as more than just predators, instead they are portrayed quite sympathetically. Found myself really caring for what we're told and also felt sorry for the film crew, anybody with insect phobias will find it a stuff of nightmares.

"Gorillas: On the Trail of King Kong" doesn't feel like an episodic stringing of scenes, but instead like the best nature documentaries it feels like its own story and journey, with real, complex emotions and conflicts.

All in all, a trail that is a must go-on. 10/10 Bethany Cox