National Geographics Tigers of the Snow

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(5 stars) - "Hope Is The Last To Die."
I have always had an interest in the big cats, and have had a particular interest in the Siberian tiger since reading the compelling book "Tigers in the Snow" by Peter Matthiessen and Maurice Hornocker, which I also recommend. These beautiful cats have been hunted to near extinction since the collapse of the Soviet Union, and are now extremely endangered by the twin perils of poaching and industrial deforestation.

This documentary is an absolute must see for anyone who cares about the potential extinction of these magnificent creatures: it is brilliantly made and photographed, well written and narrated, and emotionally compelling. The film documents the Siberian tiger, the biggest cat on earth (males are up to ten feet long and weight up to 660 pounds) and the perils it faces. Unfortunately the single biggest peril it faces is poaching. The pelt alone can bring over $10,000 on the black market, and various other parts are used in medical quackery. I was nearly moved to tears in the introduction as video of a poaching operation was shown. The fear on the cat's face is haunting, and while I wouldn't show it to a child, I think it's important to see the senseless violence for what it is. Sadly, the Russian agents must destroy the pelts and other items of contraband made from the tigers when they catch the poachers to ensure they never get to market and support further demand for tiger products. Watching the agents burn tiger pelts was one of the saddest things I have ever seen.

The bulk of the film follows Russian and American researchers working in tandem to track, study, and save these beautiful creatures. Their love for the animals is clear in the risks they take in their studies: rappelling from a helicopter into the forest with a partially sedated tiger, tagging the ear of a cub in his den while his mother hunts, giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to an adult male tiger with labored breathing, etc.: we can all be glad that they take these risks in the effort to conserve the Siberian tigers, and unravel the mysteries of their lives.

Also on the DVD are several bonus features including still photos and a very interesting documentary, "Tiger's Eye," about photographing tigers in India. I enjoyed all the extras immensely.

The Russians have an old proverb "Hope is the last to die." These researchers and filmmakers are doing everything in their power to keep hope alive for the Siberian tigers, and I wish them the best for us and all the future generations who deserve to know these beautiful, majestic, and endangered creatures.

(4 stars) - Extremely well-made and interesting documentary
Superb footage of these very elusive, nearly extinct cats in the Siberian wilds. Typical National Geographic production, which is to say: well made movie, nice and clear narration, clear photography. For those of you who are into watching live chases of prey by predators, there isn't much here. But you won't be bored by the documentary at all. There are many riveting moments when you are holding your breath to see what's going to happen next. This is certainly a DVD to buy and keep.

At the end, I was in awe of the pioneering work being done by the Russian and American scientists portrayed in this movie. Also in despair about how man is destroying the last of the few remaining major jungles in the world, all in the name of lumber so that we can have nicer and nicer furniture, and more meat (by raising cattle on land that was previously forested) - but no fresh air or water.

(4 stars) - Nice movies about the Siberian Tigers
A nice one about the Siberian Tiger. It tells about the endangered tigers of Siberia and the efforts to save them. The videography is very good and all in all it is an interesting and educative movie for wildlife lovers.

(2 stars) - Not much!
There was not very much footage of the tigers here. It looks like the fillmakers spent a lot of time in some town in Siberia, which is apparently a lot like white trash America. So instead of feeling taken away, I felt like I was taken back to the Ohio. Also, the scientists spend lot of time looking for tigers or avoiding seeing the tigers so they don't get eaten. And not much time actually running with the tigers.
There is one really cool part about hunting tigers from a helicopter (with dart guns to put radio trackers on them.) They should make a video game out of that part.
I think the whole idea of a nature documentary about one animal sounds good on paper, but it works a lot better to watch a documentary about a geographic region - you get more variety in your movie.

(5 stars) - They Must Survive
This video is heart wrenching. All the effort that goes into saving these magnificant cats, and it's likely too late. Human greed is the worst enemy any species can face, and the Siberian Tiger is in the crosshairs now.

A world without these Tigers will be a poorer place indeed. Blake's words, once so potent, will only echo hollow in the ears of generations to come who can only see Tigers on TV, or in captivity. What that says about humankind is undeniable, we are truly inept (or uncaring) when managing the resources of this planet, myself included.

The biggest and most powerful of all cats, these Siberian beauties are so majestic. What gorgeous footage of these mammoth cats in action. Take a good, close look at your kitty and you will see the same fire smouldering in those attentive eyes. Lets save these magnificant animals!!

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