You can learn a lot in 20 years--just ask Jane Goodall. She spent much of her life with the chimpanzees of Gombe in Tanzania and changed the way we see these bright, playful animals. Filmmaker Hugo von Lawick followed her progress and shares the fruits of his labor in People of the Forest, an epic look at birth, life, and death in the jungle. The individual personalities of the chimps stand out so clearly it's sometimes a strain to remember these creatures aren't human, and their struggles with other tribes, predators, and the forces of nature are alternately thrilling and heartbreaking. The photography is lush--with 20 years of footage to pick through, it should be--and Donald Sutherland's narration is clear and unobtrusive. People of the Forest lends a strong sense of empathy to the viewers and leaves us with greater respect for our closest cousins. --Rob Lightner
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: great entertainment Comment: This amusingly narrated movie about the life of a troop of chimpanzees is one of my favorite movies of all time. You can watch this over and over again. While I'm sure this production is guilty of a touch of anthropomorphization, it's nonetheless a good buy. I'm here writing this review because I want this on DVD. This is one of my favorite movie purchases of all time.
If you're sick of handing money to the Hollywood machine for more Ben Affleck movies, buy this quality entertainment.
Customer Rating: Summary: "People of the Forest: The Chips of Gombe" Comment: A wonderful program. I would like to have a copy of this program. Please let me know if you know where I can get one. Especially by Christmas. It was well done film and took you to the chimps' world. My e-mail is: bsblawli@in-tch.com Customer Rating: Summary: Wonderful Comment: A wonderful program. I would like to have a copy of this program. Please let me know if you know where I can get one. Especially by Christmas. It was well done film and took you to the chimps' world. My e-mail is: bsblawli@in-tch.com Customer Rating: Summary: INCREDIBLE Comment: One of the most touching stories ever seen. Beautiful!A MUST SEE. I lost mine...anyone know where I can get copy? Will pay..please email me mslack@dca.net Thanks Customer Rating: Summary: Absolutley captivating of your heart Comment: I,ve yet to see a video about any type of animal life outside of the human race that could capture my attention and my heart the way this one did.In so many cases you feel the joy,the sadness and sometimes the silliness the chimps endure in the lives that they live.You're made to feel that you could bring one of them into your home and have no language or lifestyle barrier between you.If you ever need convincing that we are all alike in one way or another-animal or human-this is the movie to see.
