Expedition Africa

Imagine National Geographic producing a version of the reality show Survivor and you'll have an idea of what to expect in this eight-episode 2009 History Channel series (Survivor's Mark Burnett is executive producer), which puts four Western explorers in the heart of Africa to recreate Henry Morton Stanley's 1871 search for the lost Dr. David Livingstone, guided by only a compass, maps, and Stanley's original journals. Expedition Africa may disappoint reality show fanatics—the adventurers are well-trained professionals rather than self-promoting dilettantes—while those with a penchant for natural history documentaries are likely to be annoyed by the bickering among the foursome, as well as the truncated recreation of the Stanley odyssey (30 days, as opposed to the original nine-month trek), and the obvious fact that the participants are probably experiencing nowhere near the level of physical danger that the show's narration suggests (after all, they are being followed by a camera crew). In a weird way, the series also helps to perpetuate the age-old stereotype of “darkest Africa,” with “Great White Hunters” hiring natives to help them navigate the supposedly uncivilized wild. Nonetheless, Expedition Africa is a handsomely produced program that nicely captures the African ecosystem while also carefully explaining the challenges that Stanley overcame, making this of some interest to both history buffs and armchair travelers. DVD/Blu-ray extras include a behind-the-scenes documentary, as well as bonus footage. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (P. Hall)