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List Price: $9.95 | | Label: Animal Planet
Salesrank: 74153
Released: February 19, 2008 |
| Our Price: $4.19 |
| Used Price: $4.19 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
The recent mysterious killings of four critically endangered gorillas in the Virunga National Park, bordering Rwanda and Congo, sent shockwaves through the international conservationist community. In a twist of fate, Animal Planet recently filmed a television special documenting gorillas from this region and their desperate struggle to survive. Golden Globe winner and Oscar®-nominated actress Natalie Portman (Closer, Garden State, the Star Wars trilogy) partnered with Animal Planet to appear in this new special as part of her recent travels to Rwanda. There, she witnessed firsthand the plight of the diminishing number of gorillas in the region shortly before the recent accounts. Welcomed by the Rwandan government, Portman and animal icon Jack Hanna spotlight the gorillas — who so closely resemble humans — in an international effort to bring attention to their dire crisis. GORILLAS ON THE BRINK, slated to air this fall as part of Animal Planet's Emmy® Award-winning series SAVING A SPECIES, is an intimate journey through the mysterious lives of these endangered primates.
Saving a Species: Gorillas on the Brink Reviews:
Wonderful Documentary! 
2009-10-17 - I bought this documentary with expectations and doubts, but now I can assure is really espectacular!... I enjoyed very much the good quality of image and sound and the story itself. If you are curious and interested in documentaries about wildlife conservation, this is one for getting. It is shown in the new format (widescreen), very far from those bored documentaries related to wildlife... In conclusion if you are interested in mountain gorillas and to know the reality around the conservation of these creatures, if you like to see beautiful landscapes, as well as to enjoy a good story beside natalie portman in a different face to her traditional work in the cinema... I recommend you this documentary 100%...
A lot of Natalie, A little Gorilla
2009-08-04 - I thought Gorillas on the Brink was well-produced with beautiful shots of Africa and good information on the things that people are doing to save the gorillas. Natalie Portman is an interesting, sincere host. If you like her as an actress, you will probably like this DVD.
The only reason that I give it 4* instead of 5* is that I wish there was more footage of the actual gorillas. There are a significant number of segments where Natalie is interviewing/having conversations with conservationists and experts, but there isn't a gorilla in sight. Since this isn't shot in a zoo, you have to remember that the camera-people are trying to get shots of the gorillas in their natural habitat, and sometimes it is hard to get close enough to get that perfect shot. That said, there is an especially interesting segment where Natalie, Jack Hanna, and Natalie's mother are standing and observing a group of gorillas (in very close proximity). Great shots and also great tension during this segment!
If you are interested in gorillas, this DVD provides plenty of information and perspectives, and it will give you some memorable footage of them, but it isn't jam-packed.
Portman serving the world 
2008-08-28 - Thought I tend to watch documentaries more then anything else (at least in preference), I'll admit to staying on this film as opposed to skipping past it because of Portman. She strikes me as genuine.
The film does what is supposed to. It shows that these animals seem to have qualities that mimic our own. It shows they are suffering like many of our own. It shows that it doesn't take many people to really make a difference in the world.
These gorilla's are in essence becoming Refugees.
4 stars for the film + 1 star for the host
/s refugeeX
