A herd of eland |
Did you watch Drakensberg: Barrier of Spears? We want your feedback!
Have a favorite part? Least favorite part?
Learn anything new or surprising?
If you’ve ever been to the Drakensberg, how did your memories compare to what you saw in the film?
Sound off in the comments field below.
36 Responses to “Did you watch “Drakensberg”? Tell us what you think!”
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it was very enjoyable. I really enjoyed the african background music. Can you tell me the name of the group doing the african chants.
I really enjoyed this documentary. I grew up in South Africa within view of this magnificent mountain range, and spent many days as a boy, hiking the peaks and valleys of the Drakensberg and it’s foothills. It is a beautiful, dramatic and unique landscape and an incredible treasure.
I hope to see more about this wonderful area!
I was glued to the screen! I have visited the Drakensberg and it was wonderful to see the magnificent mountain range again. I was also very pleased with the information you provided about Eland, one Africa antelope we don’t see much about on wildlife shows. Thank you.
I was fascinated by the Bearded Vulture! I enjoy all of your shows, but found this one especially good. I’ve traveled to 5 countries in the southern Africa continent, but hadn’t heard of the Drakensberg before. Excellent production. Thank you.
The photography was just spectacular, and in HD provided high-resolution images of vistas and animals, rarely seen since the Disney nature films of the 1960s.
Leading me to this site, tho, was curiosity about the narrator. What announcer would have such classical elocution — yet an ease of presentation and appropriate emotion — but F. Murray Abraham. He’s set a new standard for that genre.
I love the Drakensberg and know them well, so it was a delight to sit down and view this episode. The aerial shots were stunning – but I did miss a more intimate look at this extraordinarily beautiful, rich, and diverse landscape. However, a map and an indication as to which section of the Berg a sequence was filmed in would have made this episode of Nature even more impressive. For example – at one point the eland are shown in the Tugela River below the Amphitheatre (the northern end of the park, down on the edge of the lowlands in Royal Natal National Park) when the commentary suggests they are high up in the mountains; later they are shown in the Loteni region (or Giant’s Castle) – clearly impossible for the herd to make this trip. I understand the need to cut and paste, but it doesn’t do this wonderful region justice!
Seeing Barrier of Spears brought me back to the many years I spent in the veld growing up in South Africa. It was stunningly beautifuland highlighted the beauty of a stark landscape. I was particularly interested in finding out about the music, is it ladysmith Black Mambazo? I would really like to find out what cuts were used.
Like your first commenter, I too enjoyed the program, especially the african background music. I hope you will post the name of the group doing the african chants and whether their music is available.
It was wonderful. In fact, the whole family eventually tuned into the show. It was the music that first lured them to the TV room and then they couldn’t turn away. I plan to watch again. Thank you for bringing it to us.
The migration of the elan is a magnificient journey. I have recently retired from teaching and am feeling alot of anxiety due to the economic crash. However, the elan’s struggle to survive put things in perspective.
I live in Alaska, and I spent five years in East Africa working in the national parks. Africa never ceases to amaze me with its unique human, wildlife, geologic and political landscapes. This was truly one of my favorite Nature documentaries.
Fantastic! I want to go there.
Agree Kathy W….I was just there about 3 months ago in the Southern part , went up the Sani pass ,KZN wildlife preserve , didnt spot any Eland, baboons , did however see the three pools and the champagne water falls
Hi. I am 10. I love ice rats and saw them in your video. It was cool!!!
The visuals and music combined with commentary (words and speaking voice were just right) provided a most enjoyable experience. All those involved did such a great job. My only problem with Nature shows is the quick flash from one scene to the next too quickly. It would be nice once in awhile to see a really long, lingering shot that allows for a brief escape to the actual place. For instance in this show there were flowers very unique with great backgrounds such as sweeping valley and high mountains but for me they slipped away to another scene too soon. Keep a scene like that for 30 seconds with no voice or music just the sounds of nature (wind, insect landing). Many of us now have HDTV with decent sized screens which is ripe for cinematic moments yet most new HD films presented really leave out certain “wow” moments that only HD can bring. I think within each hour program there should be at least 4 or 5 long scenes unedited just allowing the viewer to sit as if they were a hiker/visitor taking a break. There were some scenes in that film that are like a painting you can’t take your eyes away from. Those seconds should be closer to a minute. Plenty of time within an hour to have a handful of very long “painted stills”.
I looked so forward to this show, because the Drakensberg is a favorite place of mine, so I was dismayed to discover the show was uber-dramatized schlock. So very sad, because the subject matter does not need the voice of someone who sounds like a caricature of a car salesman from The Simpsons, or the dramatized storylines focusing on the baby eland and the baby baboons (will they survive or will they die at the claws of the heartless vultures??). Perhaps the British are the only ones who should be allowed to make nature documentaries these days; no “angle”, no fading of one dramatic scene into another, just the facts ma’am. PBS can do better!
Incredible episode. The music and narration function well to capture the audience and transport them to the region of interest. As always, the cinematography is flawless and a joy to behold. Thank you for bringing these full episodes online so citizens of the world may enjoy them. Will continue to recommend Nature as it is a perfect example of the cinema of the natural world.
Thank you for your interest in the Drakensberg-music!
I produced the soundtrack in cooperation with the famous artists “Insingizi”. Working together was an outstanding, great challenge and finally a big success. The soundtrack is soon available at iTunes-store, please serach for “Kurt Adametz”.
If you have any questions or need help check out http://www.soundtracks.at or http://www.adametz.info – you are welcome!
I am watching this episode for the third time. It is one of my very favourite episodes of “Nature”, The soundtrack is amazing and the cinematography stunning. This is on my “life list: of places to visit.
Very much enjoyed this documentary, but was disappointed that no mention was made of the people who formerly lived, and those who still live, on one slope or the other of these great mountains. As an American who learned Sesotho in my 20s and became enamored of Lesotho(I’m now almost 74) I would have enjoyed the inclusion of the Drakensberg people, San, Sotho, Zulu and European.
Spectacular! The photography was amazing in detail. We liked the fact that the music was somewhat subdued and truly background, while it contributed to the viewing experience. The natural sounds of Africa are something that are most enjoyable to hear too though! It surpassed expectations. Wonderful series! Three trips to Africa and somehow we did not know of the Drakenberg! Our loss.
This is a wonderful show. I’ve never been to Africa but am facinated by its beauty. The music is beautiful and I am glad to see the info about its availability from Kurt Adametz.Thank you
how do i find out the name of the men’s or boys choir or group that was singing in the background?
Paula
thank you .
I were to die, I would want my ashes left at this mountain. It was breath taking filming and I cried when the papa baboon found the baby. I would also like to know the choir singing. It was as if the voices came from the land itself.
It was really nice seeing the the mountains but funny to know how this animals never stay in one place. Also was amazing to know how that bird swallow the big bone. Very nice film. Thank you for show in it.
Los Angeles, CA.
I loved the show but, please, could you tell me what the music is? It is the most peaceful sound I have ever heard. I would appreciate any information you could give me. Yours, Anne
LOVE IT, WANT TO GO THERE NOW, SOMEDAY. Only knew about southern S.Africa before and game reserves, but this is so big, wild, and beautiful!
Good field work with the camera. Awsome!
I was completely mesmerized by this program. The photography, dialogue, information were all so perfect. I had never heard of the Drakensberg area before and now feel that I have an intimate knowledge of the area and its inmates. Thank you so much! This is why I am a member of our local station.
I was mesmerized watching this program last night on Nature! I also would like information about purchasing the beautiful African chant soundtrack. Does anyone know a source for this?
Thank you for your continuous marvelous programming.
I LOVE TO BE ABLE TO FLY OVER PARTS OF THE WORLD I WILL NEVER GET TO SEE PERSONALLY. THE AERIAL SHOTS OVER THE HIGH PEAKS ARE BREATHTAKING. I REALLY LIKE THE NIGHT VISION PHOTOGRAPHY.
Utterly stunning and facinating ; was unaware of such an unusual mountain range in all of
AFRICA. A continuing study of mamalian life and instincts inherited from our upchain theory of Darwinian ancestors.
A beautiful spectacle of nature. I especially enjoyed the rich, melodious voice of the narrator, F. Murray Abrams.
As always with Nature, it was a wonderful show. I learned a lot about some of the different animals. The Hooded Vultures were interesting as was the River Frog.
I loved it. From start to finish, it was informative, interesting and well done. Not much more to say other than I loved it!