The Great Rift

This stunning BBC documentary uses state-of-the-art high-definition filming techniques to capture one of the world's most spectacular ecosystems—the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. Sometimes called the “cradle of humanity” for its role in human evolution, the Great Rift runs in a north-south direction for over 3,000 miles from Mount Kilimanjaro to the Red Sea, encompassing an impressive variety of land forms and wildlife that are displayed here in splendid imagery, set against narration from actor Hugh Quarshie and a score by Emmy Award–winner Barnaby Taylor. Offering both natural history and ecological perspectives, The Great Rift chronicles the valley's volcanic origins, as molten lava lifted up the earth's crust some 30 million years ago, creating a landscape that is today marked by active volcanoes, mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls. Here, the vast grassy plains are home to some of the world's great animal herds (jaw-dropping scenes of mountain gorillas, dueling hippos, and massive flamingo migrations are just some of the highlights), with many engaged in the daily struggle for survival. Viewers will also learn that human population pressures are now threatening some of the natural habitat, as dense woodlands are being cleared for firewood and farming. An informative and enthralling adventure for students, nature lovers, and armchair travelers alike, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)