Customer Reviews

National Geographic's Tropical Kingdom of Belize [VHS]

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Trying to capture all the mysteries and beauties of Belize in 60 minutes is impossible even for National Geographic. Such famous names as San Pedro City, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker, and the Blue Hole, are not mentioned even once. However, the coral reefs and local marine life are explored in a very generalized manner for the last 10 minutes or so, and this section has some brilliant moments. The narrator describes the reefs as a magnificent natural environment equal in quality to that of anywhere else in the world, and I would have welcomed more visual evidence of that very reasonable assertion. Had this video run a full two hours with more detailed commentary on the reefs, it could well have been a classic.

The first 40 or 45 minutes are mostly devoted to the exotic creatures of the country, particularly their predatory habits. Those who relish watching close-ups of a tarantula capturing an insect, only later to be the prey of a raccoon will thoroughly enjoy this section, although I found it less interesting than the end of the video. Still, the hummingbird and wild cat shots are very impressive, among others. Given the paucity of video material on Belize, one I suppose should be thankful for what is presented here. Suffice to say I would not want to be lost in the interior jungle, after watching natural law at work here.

I would welcome if possible a digital remastering of the original tape, as it dates from 1986 and the color resolution shows its age - although given the nature of some of the hunting scenes that is not always a disadvantage. The Caribbean Sea, above and below the water surface, in spite of the above observation, still looks absolutely magnificent.

The commentary throughout the video is very good, although he surprisingly mispronounces caye as kay instead of key.

This video is recommended albeit with some reservations, and is well worth its modest price.

I have several National Geographic videos. They set the highest possible standards for photography, commentary, soundtracks, and exotic wildlife. For some reason, though, they have completely failed to capture even the barest essence of the beauty and wilderness of Belize. Fully half the video is devoted to rather mundane animals such as armadillos, ants and turtles - all of which I can find in my backyard in Florida. The spectacular jaguar is almost entirely ignored. It is shown only once, for a handful of seconds, then forgotten. Howler monkeys, toucans, saltwater and Morolet's crocodiles, manatees and tapirs are all either mostly or entirely ignored. What a shame! The video could have been bailed out when the setting moved to the reefs and offshore islands, but these amazing attractions are quickly glossed over. I hoped for more from National Geographic. Still, there are a few nice aerial scenes of rainforests and reefs. It is a decent introduction to a country that is far more spectacular than most of the video would have you believe.