Customer Reviews

Wolves: A Legend Returns to Yellowstone

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

A century ago, wolves were still common in the American West. By 1930, they had been wiped out in the lower 48 states. This video chronicles the reintroduction of three wolf packs, transported from Canada, to Yellowstone National Park.

The video primarily follows one pack of wolves - the "Druid's Peak" pack, named for the territory they claimed after release - for about two years after they were transported to Yellowstone. You'll see some of the wolves' first hunts, and how they pick out one target animal from the herd and coordinate to run it down - and you'll also see other hunts under different conditions, on powder and crusted snow and at night. You'll see how the pack defends its territory from other wolves, and how it reacts to scavengers trying to steal bits of its kills.

The video also shows how the pack's internal hierarchy works, with an alpha male and alpha female at the top, and new puppies being integrated at the bottom. Individuals that threaten the positions of the alphas are thrown out of the pack to become lone wolves - but the alphas themselves can also be replaced. One of the most interesting sequences covers how the pack tests a new male after their own alpha male is lost.

There is some footage of the people doing the filming and the research - but not too much. As in all the best wildlife videos, the focus is not on the humans, but on the wildlife. If you want to learn about wolves, you won't go wrong with this video.

Well, this is a quick review, well the first one, since I own this movie, and it's amazing, anyone who ever like wolves, and would like to know more, or see them in their environment must have this DVD.

The story, well it's a documentary, but it's very rich, from normal basic info on the wolves themselves (like life span, birth etc...) All the way to the complex human relation toward the wolves, which is sad in general.

Quality, definitely a 10/5 it's just unbelievable, some scenes are so detailed, it's never been seen like that before on DVD (since IMAX is so big, once shrunk for DVD/T.V. screen, the details are just the most mazing thing ever.

Music, perfect, the Native music match exactly what it should be, and the richness of it, touch our harts, and fallow the life of the wolves.

Last, the extra, a whole 1h + movie on the wolves from the park, and (as indicated on the DVD) extra deleted scene from the original presentation, trailers for wolves and others IMAX DVD, it's a must have!!!

So why are you still ready, go buy it, watch it and enjoy it !!!

This is a GREAT documentary on Wolves. I've seen most others IMAX films and this one ranks in a tie at the top (the other is Antartica), what with the scenery, sounds, and the visualization. It's breathtaking to watch the interaction between the pups and the adults. There are helicopter shots that puts you right in the midst of the pack, as well as ground cameras stationed at strategic locations to make you want to reach out and touch the wolves. Another excellent part of this DVD is the added documentary on the main wolves and how the wolves were raised in an environment that reflects their own habitat. After viewing this DVD, I signed up to be an active member in bringing back the wolves. If you collect any of the Imax films, this is a must to have - you will not be disappointed.

Doug Smith has one of the best jobs in the world - he's the head of the Yellowstone wolf reintroduction project. He spends his time observing the various packs within Yellowstone, and conducting research about the ecology there. What a perfect job!

This film follows Doug as he watches the Druid Peak Pack, one of Yellowstone's most famous packs. He explains a lot about the pack in particular, and the wolf in general. There is fantastic footage of hunts, kills, social behavior, puppies, and interactions with other species. The wolf is a very complex social creature, and the National Geographic people have found a wonderful way to show it to us.

An educational and enjoyable film, I'd imagine anyone who owns it will watch it much more than once. I've seen it probably 10 times now, and each time it illicits a strong emotional response. Fabulous stuff.

"Wolves" is a truly extraordinary look at some of the Yellowstone wolves and up-close portrayal of their complex social interactions. The producers and director did a wonderful job of getting very close to the wolves to bring them into our homes, and hopefully into our hearts, as we realize that these are not the Big Bad Wolves of European myth.

The feature IMAX film itself is, sadly, very short; however, there is a wonderful additional film on the DVD, "The Survival of the Wolf in Yellowstone" that's simply outstanding. Narrated and hosted by Matthew Fox, featuring several noted wolf biologists and conservationists, and set largely in Yellowstone itself, this feature closely examines the many sides of wolf reintroduction, and prominently features some of the well-known wolves, most notably Numbers Nine and Ten, and their bittersweet stories.

I definitely recommend watching this film and its accompanying features on the disc, as it will raise awareness of the wolf's struggles during the reintroduction process, and why it's so very important that we allow this magnificent, keystone predator back into its historic ranges.

First of all, this is NOT the IMAX video. This is a wonderful film about the initial reintroduction of several wolf packs into Yellowstone in 1995, and the joy and controversy surrounding it. There is terrific foootage of the famed Druid Peak Pack in particular, and great commentary by wolf biologist Doug Smith. I do not recommend the IMAX "Wolves" nearly as much for home viewing, since it was filmed specifically to be seen in a "surround" type theater, and on a television screen - even a big one - much is lost. THIS film, however, is marvelous, and should be seen by wolf advocates and opponents alike.

I first saw this feature in the West Yellowstone IMAX theatre and I was moved and blown away. The soundtrack is excellent! The footage is breathtaking! As one who is passionate on Wolf conservation, Yellowstone, Bison preservation, and Ecology, I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who enjoys wild life, especially Wolves.

I aggree with Laura in that this is not an Imax film. It is a wonderful program about the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone. I highly recommend it. It gave me a greater appreciation on wolves.

I also recommend the Imax program on Wolves. I didn't like the main feature as well but I loved the segment on the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone. I had seen it on PBS and I had to get it. I was quite pleased.

The other people doing the reviews [may have] evaluated the wrong program. I had to purchase a copy myself to make sure the programs were different. They are not the same. They were done by the same person at the same time though.

Absolutely Powerful. The story, footage, and music stay true to the heart through its entirety. A must see for all nature lovers, and wolf reintroduction opponents. This film dives deep into each and every soul and will take your breath away.

i knew what to expect before i bought this DVD. this DVD, and any others describing/showing wolf behavior should be a mandatory must watch for politicians, ranchers, and the cattlman's lobbists! wolves have been de-listed thanks to greed and ignorance! maybe watching and understanding wolves would help said groups to want to protect the wolf and help re-balance Nature.