Have for a while been a big nature documentary fan, and have been watching the famous and highly regarded ones and pleasant new discoveries as part of a binge which so far has seen few disappointments. Also have love and admiration for David Attenborough, considered a national treasure for very good reason.
When it comes to documentary narration and presenting, it doesn't get much better than Attenborough and he is hard to beat, have yet to see anything bad from him. His very best works are instances of one feeling that they are not watching a documentary but instead a work of art, high and not to be hyperbolic praise indeed. It may not be my favourite of his work or one of his very best, or one of the standout documentaries of my binge, but 'Secrets of Wild India' is still a wonderful and fascinating series that should be seen more and regarded more highly. If one has to be recommended a documentary on Indian wildlife, 'Secrets of Wild India' should be strongly considered, though some argument can be made for which is the definitive documentary for this.
Having been so impressed by the previous two episodes "Elephant Kingdom" and "Tiger Jungles", the last one "Desert Lions" had a lot of pressure to face but overcomes it with aplomb in a fitting way to end a wonderful overlooked series.
First and foremost, "Desert Lions" is without fault visually. It is gorgeously filmed, done in a completely natural and intimate way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic and intimate, which are lovely qualities to see in a documentary series. The editing is always fluid and cohesive and one can never get enough of jungle settings.
Music score fits very well generally, not overly grandiose in sound while not being inappropriately placed. Occasionally it is a little intrusive and could have been used less, my only one of two complaints of the series, other being that it maybe could have been a little longer with so much to cover.
Again, "Desert Lions" entertains and educates and there was a very good mix of the known ones and the unknown, old and new, while also dealing with the subject with tact. As was expected.
It is great to know that Attenborough's contribution here, and in the rest of 'Secrets of Wild India', helps significantly. He clearly knows what he is talking about 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. Some may not find "Desert Lions" treating the respective animals in a human-like way in all the instalments to their taste, personally love it myself and it made it easier connecting and relating to the animals and the things covered. Yet remarkably it doesn't feel over-subjective or too speculative, a potential trap for documentaries, or have too much of a story approach that could compromise the facts.
"Desert Lions" is not just visually beautiful and informative. The animals, not just the lions, featured show a mix of playfulness, pathos, cuteness and ruthlessness. The biggest example here actually is the cobra and its shocking ruthlessness. There is a big load of personality. Was very much invested and fascinated by the information provided, and in the intimate portrayal of the animals featured.
Every bit as interesting is that it is not just the animals that "Desert Lions" focuses on. It also focuses on well-explored, well-researched and fascinating in detail the desert setting.
"Desert Lions" didn't come over in any way as episodic. Quite the contrary, it instead felt like a story of its own told in a riveting and emotionally investable way. With so much covered, one would naturally worry about "Desert Lions" being bloated but it thankfully was not.
In conclusion, fabulous. 9/10 Bethany Cox
When it comes to documentary narration and presenting, it doesn't get much better than Attenborough and he is hard to beat, have yet to see anything bad from him. His very best works are instances of one feeling that they are not watching a documentary but instead a work of art, high and not to be hyperbolic praise indeed. It may not be my favourite of his work or one of his very best, or one of the standout documentaries of my binge, but 'Secrets of Wild India' is still a wonderful and fascinating series that should be seen more and regarded more highly. If one has to be recommended a documentary on Indian wildlife, 'Secrets of Wild India' should be strongly considered, though some argument can be made for which is the definitive documentary for this.
Having been so impressed by the previous two episodes "Elephant Kingdom" and "Tiger Jungles", the last one "Desert Lions" had a lot of pressure to face but overcomes it with aplomb in a fitting way to end a wonderful overlooked series.
First and foremost, "Desert Lions" is without fault visually. It is gorgeously filmed, done in a completely natural and intimate way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic and intimate, which are lovely qualities to see in a documentary series. The editing is always fluid and cohesive and one can never get enough of jungle settings.
Music score fits very well generally, not overly grandiose in sound while not being inappropriately placed. Occasionally it is a little intrusive and could have been used less, my only one of two complaints of the series, other being that it maybe could have been a little longer with so much to cover.
Again, "Desert Lions" entertains and educates and there was a very good mix of the known ones and the unknown, old and new, while also dealing with the subject with tact. As was expected.
It is great to know that Attenborough's contribution here, and in the rest of 'Secrets of Wild India', helps significantly. He clearly knows what he is talking about 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. Some may not find "Desert Lions" treating the respective animals in a human-like way in all the instalments to their taste, personally love it myself and it made it easier connecting and relating to the animals and the things covered. Yet remarkably it doesn't feel over-subjective or too speculative, a potential trap for documentaries, or have too much of a story approach that could compromise the facts.
"Desert Lions" is not just visually beautiful and informative. The animals, not just the lions, featured show a mix of playfulness, pathos, cuteness and ruthlessness. The biggest example here actually is the cobra and its shocking ruthlessness. There is a big load of personality. Was very much invested and fascinated by the information provided, and in the intimate portrayal of the animals featured.
Every bit as interesting is that it is not just the animals that "Desert Lions" focuses on. It also focuses on well-explored, well-researched and fascinating in detail the desert setting.
"Desert Lions" didn't come over in any way as episodic. Quite the contrary, it instead felt like a story of its own told in a riveting and emotionally investable way. With so much covered, one would naturally worry about "Desert Lions" being bloated but it thankfully was not.
In conclusion, fabulous. 9/10 Bethany Cox
