![National Geographic's The Savage Garden with Leslie Nielsen [VHS]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CRJ1CEBSL.jpg)
Product Description Your average backyard garden may look tranquil and serene on the outside, but what lurks beneath will truly amaze you - as Leslie Nielsen is about to discover. As he strolls among the flowers, herbs and vegetables, there's a war for survival raging around him; from dangerous daddy longlegs and ferocious fire ants, to an eight-eyed jumping spider in a wrestling match with a belligerent bee. There's even a Top Gun-style air battle between a praying mantis and a bat. In this terrifying - and funny - new natural history comedy, National Geographic filmmakers use state-of-the-art cinematography to reveal what the world looks like from the insect's point of view. .com Comedian Leslie Nielsen says that his garden is a "realm of stalkers, serial killers, and aerial combat" just as a bat swoops in and beheads a praying mantis. Is this a video for budding naturalists or for horror flick fanatics? It's unclear. While the cinematography may be noteworthy, the results are altogether too fantastic. Special effects create speed-eating fire ants devouring a dragonfly and a wildly dancing vine. The shrew in Nielsen's garden might as well be the pesky gofer in Caddyshack. The project has potential as a comedy but is not a good example of National Geographic's educational standards. Though Nielsen concludes that a garden is a place to pay attention and not wage war against animals you don't understand, the whole premise is that everyone's backyard is a war zone: gardeners are portrayed as the good guys and creatures are depicted as the enemies. Hey, here's a novel concept: if you want to introduce garden creatures to your children, turn off the television and take them outside instead. --Cristina Del Sesto
R**S
a fine effort but not quite enough
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.
G**L
Very rapid pace
My 3-year old young son loves monkeys, so I thought this would be good. We've only watched it one time. The problem is that it is too fast paced. Rather than showing video of monkeys in their habitat and observing their behavior, it switches from shot to shot too fast, while trying to be funny. You never see monkeys behaving like monkeys. It almost makes me dizzy watching it. It might be better for older kids.
R**N
Typical Environmental Poppycock
I bought this hoping that it would be much like the "caressing the tiger" doc they did earlier. WRONG!!! Come on; a dude with that wears dead cats on his hat!!!!! If that was a spotted owl, these schmucks would be out protesting, tying themselves to trees, and throwing blood on him. Typical hypocrisy on the part of "naturalists." If you have kids, DON'T GET THIS!!!! Get Cats: Caressing the Tiger. If you are a wacko that feels I have to keep my cat inside 24/7 so he don't kill mice and other wonderful household pests, then by all means, knock yourself out, pal!
A**N
Leslie Nielsen: forever a kid :)
This is a short documentary with excellent photography as one would expect. See the battles that go on in the average garden, the kind most people never get to witness first-hand. We enjoyed it, and think it is a good nature "story" for kids and adults who think they want a garden.
V**Z
Time to remove Cats from the Outdoors!
A Great Argument for removing invasive cats from the environment. I don't think that you will enjoy it if you are a cat lover, but if you want to know the reality of having a dangerous invasive species assaulting our environment you may want to give it a try.
C**C
Three Stars
ok
E**C
Hilarious!
Came in perfect condition and earlier than expected. This documentary is hilarious and for all ages! It's a little outdoors mixed with comedy. Pure classic!
N**H
National Geographic has done it again!
For kids who love nature videos, this is great--quite a collection of fun facts and wonderful animal trivia. Great entertainment, and educational, too!
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