Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa!

Mt. Kilimanjaro is a stratovolcano, a mountain made of lava and pyroclastic material that rises to an impressive height of 19,340 feet above the plains of eastern Africa. The locals have many names for this mountain, including Oldoinyo Oibor, which means White Mountain in the Masai language, but Kilimanjaro is actually a Swahili name meaning "shining mountain." In the 19th century, Queen Victoria's prime minister once scoffed that Kilimanjaro was "that mountain behind Zanzibar with the unremarkable name." Today, "that mountain" attracts thousands of climbers to its slopes annually, including filmmaker David Breashears (Everest [VL-3/99]), whose IMAX film Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa! follows the week-long journey of six trekkers, ages 12-64, as they make their way to the summit. Offering an intimate, close-up look at one of the most beautiful spots on Earth, this gorgeously shot film is visually striking, even if some of the interviews seem a bit wooden (as if they were prepared in advance), and it lacks the overall punch of the superior Everest. Still, this DVD--which includes a bonus making-of documentary and a production slide show--will appeal to both sports enthusiasts and armchair travelers and is therefore recommended. Aud: P. (J. Asala)