Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Pilot Productions
• VHS Release Date: May 27, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00009PJQW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,372 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Possibly worst travel report ever, January 11, 2005

By 

F. Nielsen "Whitehat" (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Globe Trekker: Peru (DVD)

This DVD has no subtitles or language options. The reporter speaks a British dialect which is nearly unintelligible to an American listener. His Spanish language skills are perhaps on the level of a London cabbie with a Cockney dialect (pronounce name of Taquile Island like "takwuil").

The report starts in the capital of Lima and shows a few glimpses from the city, then covers mostly the shantytown of Villa el Salvador. Most major sights of Lima are not covered at all. Nearby ruins of Pachacamac are not mentioned, the historical quarter in Lima, Barranco, Costa Verde, Miraflores are not mentioned. Why would anybody skip all the major sights, but cover the shantytown in detail?

The report goes on to Huaraz and shows mostly the ice and snow on nearby mountains. There is no coverage of important nearby temple ruins at Chavin. There is no coverage of the beautiful alpine lakes, or the nearby disaster area, where an entire village was buried in an avalanche in the 1970's.

Next is Trujillo with coverage of fishermen on reed rafts. No mention of the important ruins of Chanchan, or the archaeological dig at nearby Sipan. Chanchan is just on the outskirts of Trujillo and covers a huge area. It is incomprehensible, how it could be missed. No coverage of the traditions of marinera music and dance, or the famous Peruvian Paso horses.

The footage from Iquitos is also inadequate and uninformative. The DVD shows mostly a scene from Belen at the river - not the main part of Iquitos, and then skips to the Amazon and the jungle hut hotel.

The trip goes back to Lima (no additional coverage from there), then to Nazca. I have not been to Nazca, myself and won't comment on this.

Next point is Puno (no information about the city itself, not much to report anyhow) and Lake Titicaca. There is a brief report about the Uros and their floating islands, then a report about Taquile Island. Most of the opportunities for scenic photography are entirely missed. The differences between Aymara culture (on Taquile) and Quechua culture (in most of Peru) are not explained. Why was Arequipa not included in the itinerary?

The trip continues by train to Cuzco. The history and old architecture of Cuzco are not covered at all. Most of the report is on the Inti Raymi festival, which is a historically questionable revival of an old Inka tradition.

Finally, the trip to Machu Picchu and the Inka trail is included. Some erroneous historical "facts" are mentioned. The beauty of Machu Picchu is not done justice.

Don't waste your money on this DVD. If you have to see it, check your local library first. You'd be sorry spending your money.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sadly, but reality nonetheless........, March 18, 2006

By 

Johan (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Globe Trekker: Peru (DVD)

I am Peruvian American and saw this video on PBS. Although I see why it would offend most peruvians, it is the TRUTH of what a beautiful and culturally rich country has become. Those people that criticize this video should instead be urging their government officials to "clean up" their city and show a more presentable view to tourists throughout the world. I myself visited Peru back in 2003 and as a tourist was disgusted by how "unclean" Lima was. I felt ashamed that people living in the capital could let their city go to waste like this and all the blame goes to the President and the Mayor of Lima for not cleaning up their city. As soon as you step out of the airport you don't have to go very far to see that this video all is doing is showing how Lima really is(at least in most parts since the part where 'los blanquitos, pitucos' live, isn't like this at all and is where most tourists if not all go to stay.
People say: "This not not the entire Peru". Yes indeed, but why would tourist be lied about, then be dissapointed once they see the sheer reality? Because they cannot purchase a ticket back home on their first day of travel so they have to stay the entire trip?
All in all, I must say I enjoyed the video especially Iquitos and Cuzco. I can say that the provinces outside Lima are more attractive to go visit. Beautiful scenes!!! Someday I hope I have the privilige to explore Peru the way it is meant to be enjoyed.. Chauuuu

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Globe Trekker - Peru :[, March 18, 2006

By 

John O - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Globe Trekker: Peru (DVD)

Not enough emphasis on the positive side of Peru. Macchu Picchu was about a one minute segment. Some shots were nice but not worth the money ! Sorry I wasted it on this DVD !