Rating: 
Summary: Commercials
Review: For the positive comments read the other reviews. I just want to warn other buyers of this set that the disc is encoded so that one is forced to watch the sponsor messages (ie, commercials) at the beginning of each disc (skip and fast-forward are disabled). Also, the excessively long introduction for each episode is at the beginning of the first track so that one cannot skip past it. Perhaps there are DVD players that ignore the encoding, but mine's not one of them. For a PBS/NatGeo production to do this on a ...set is more than a little annoying. Even commercial producers haven't gotten that obnoxious yet.
Rating: 
Summary: Some serious problems, and lacking extras?
Review: From the technical point of view, the images are crisp and the sound is excellent. However, this series was shot on film, and transfer to the NTSC 29.97 frame rate just isn't good. I think the PAL version must be so much better. As a result, there are many shots where motions are jerky. I am not talking about the timelapse, ok? Those are very well done! Second issue is that this compilation has no extras except the 1-hour "bonus" making-off, and soem web links. Where are the directors' commentary? Where are the multiple languages? The whole series doesn't even have subtitle!? This is such a shame. If you have seen an IMAX DVD before, you know what I mean, they pack so much extras into their DVDs, like 4-5 languages, closed captioned for the Hearing Impaired, trailers etc. Africa is a wonderful collection, only marred by its lack of extras, which are already becoming essentials in DVDs these days.
Rating:
Summary: Two Thumbs Up (...and the Big Toes Too...)
Review: I just treated myself to this DVD collection and didn't quite know what to expect. I must confess that it's well worth every penny I spent on it and I highly recommend the collection. The visuals and the sound are great, the stories are well-chosen and varied, and the narration is beautiful. Usually documentaries about Africa (and Africans) are all too predictable, too stylized, too hackneyed. Not this one. Whether it's the story of the dreams of the Ethiopian shoeshine boy, or that about the budding love of the Sahelian Tuareg girl and his herder boyfriend, there's a universality in the themes the various stories cover which most viewers will relate to. A word of caution though: some of the stories are tear-jerkers, and so have some Kleenex handy or else your macho cover will be blown.
Rating: 
Summary: This is Full Screen
Review: I was just about to order this set, but just before checkout i realized that Amazon is only offering this in the FULL SCREEN Version.
Unfortunately, I am not willing to watch this wonderful series with sides cut off............ FIVE STARS for the Content
Rating:
Summary: Africa made accessible
Review: Irresistible vignettes depict real Africans carrying out their life journeys presented in an intimate and compelling fashion. Eight stories (2 per disk) from divergent geographic and cultural settings illuminate the breadth and diversity of people who call this continent home.
I teach world history to students whose world view will be forever changed as a result of seeing these educational works of insight and beauty.
Vicki Whitaker
Teacher
Rocinante High School
3250 E. 30th St.
Farmington, NM 87402
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully touching
Review: This DVD series uses a refreshing and unique way to tell the story of the people, places and animals of Africa. The personal stories were touching, the landscapes were breathtaking and the close up on the animals was just amazing. I was very happy to see a series that did not just identify what's wrong with Africa, but took the time to tell us so much of what is right and is worth saving and exploring. Timely indeed!!! In so many ways this was more than just a documentary. This in-depth and honest look probably saved all the other documentaries or books that are about Africa. I am glad to see that so many Africans are proud of their culture, many preserve it in so many ways and yet realize that some changes are necessary to keep pace in a global environment. Thanks to all the wonderful people from the different countries on that beautiful continent that allowed me to peek into their lives. I am eternally grateful. Thanks also to the wonderful crew that did all the work to bring such remarkable stories into my living room. It was well worth the hard work. It was just wonderfully touching!!!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully touching
Review: This DVD series uses a refreshing and unique way to tell the story of the people, places and animals of Africa. The personal stories were touching, the landscapes were breathtaking and the close up on the animals was just amazing. I was very happy to see a series that did not just identify what's wrong with Africa, but took the time to tell us so much of what is right and is worth saving and exploring. Timely indeed!!! In so many ways this was more than just a documentary. This in-depth and honest look probably saved all the other documentaries or books that are about Africa. I am glad to see that so many Africans are proud of their culture, many preserve it in so many ways and yet realize that some changes are necessary to keep pace in a global environment. Thanks to all the wonderful people from the different countries on that beautiful continent that allowed me to peek into their lives. I am eternally grateful. Thanks also to the wonderful crew that did all the work to bring such remarkable stories into my living room. It was well worth the hard work. It was just wonderfully touching!!!
Rating:
Summary: An extraordinary voyage
Review: This series is absolutely stunning in many ways. First and foremost, the cinematography is breathtaking, from the verist handheld shots to the almost abstract compositions of aerial 90 degree and macro shots. Ron Fricke's Baraka has had a lot of influence on the documentary genre, and there are plenty of Baraka-type moments in here, with assorted new age-ish world music pastiches to support them.
But show is not all there is. The script is beautifully written, with just the right balance between narration and interviews, and editing that lets the product breathe, and the viewer reflect. The agility with which the episodes branch out from the story of individuals to natural, historical, social and cultural references is impressive. And amazingly, you never loose touch with reality, since the documentary's transcendence lies upon the day-to-day lives and thoughts of its subjects.
You also feel the respect the crews had for their subjects, and the «making of» bonus shows it well. Ethnological research ethics are respected, in a world where ethical rules towards the «Other» are too often pushed aside by the greed of producers and researchers.
All in all an amazing document to be viewed over and over again. This is one boxset I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Uplifting African stories, at last!
Review: This series is unique. No ponderous historical or anthropological perspective here. AFRICA simply introduces you to the lives, joys, sorrows and dreams of ordinary people who live in various parts of the continent. In each episode you will meet unforgettable characters, and you will discover how, despite ubiquitous poverty, they live with dignity, pride, and hope. You will discover the rich, vibrant arts and cultures which permeate everyday life. You will be moved by the heart-breaking beauty of the land and its people, and their vulnerability as well.
Despite its modest ambition -or perhaps because of it- AFRICA touches the viewer like few other documentaries ever have. We are indeed one world, one people.
Rating:
Summary: Africa- GOD'S GIFT
Review: Two Words. National Geographic. I subscribed to the magazine, saw the atlas, and rented the movies at the Anna Lemmon Wheelock Library in Tacoma very frequently. National Geographic took us through the enchanted Amazon, and great cities like Rome, Baghdad, and Sydney. They took us through the terrifing wars of Iraq and explored the top of K2 and Mount Everest. They did documentaries on cats, tigers, lions, lizards, and traveled with Steve Irwin through Australia. Now they take on the biggest challenge yet. AFRICA "GOD'S GIFT". I call Africa "God's Gift" because in my prospective, he did something special with it. Every continent has something special to it but Africa has a little bit more. It was featured on CBS's "Survivor Africa" as they went through exciting challenges and tasks in Kenya. The northern part of Africa, now in a country called "Egypt", had ancient lands in early times. The people built sphinxs, prymids and had very hard jobs which they did for most of the day for little or no pay. National Geographic did their best for this and accomplished their mission at the same time. Their mission for "Africa" was to get a television special and feature Africa's best features. I can definatley tell you, that if you want to see something neat and experiance Africa at the same time, this is for you. Don't get overeactive about this it is a great special but, you shouldn't get carried away. OK maybye you can get carried away. It's wonderful without a doubt and shows everything about this splendid continent. Give it a try. Go ahead! Have a good life America!,
Jeffrey Alan Cote'
(brazilgamer_tacomawa)
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