National Geographic Classics Megapack

National Geographic Classics Megapack

Nine Classic National Geographic that are no longer so easy to find. Part of my recent megahaul at a Chinese public library AV section. A fantastic place for digital hunter-gathers like myself. Please enjoy and share as widely as possible among other public and private trackers

1. National Geographic's Those Wonderful Dogs (1994)
There are 350 recognized dog breeds across the world, and millions of dogs in the United States alone. In Those Wonderful Dogs from National Geographic, we learn that dogs are not just "man's best friend"; they are also one of the best partners to humans. Highlighting a domestic relationship that is more than 10,000 years old, this 60-minute documentary shows a number of important ways that dogs have been trained to work with and help people. These are the loyal and tireless dogs that act as shepherds, actors, sled power, aids to the elderly and handicapped, WWII soldiers, and even search-and-rescue team members. As we see and hear the different trainers with their canine partners, it becomes clear that the working relationship is one that is founded on warmth and affection. As you would expect from National Geographic, this video is as beautiful as it is informative.

Called by one philosopher "the noblest beast God ever made", dogs have served mankind in more ways than any other animal. In THOSE WONDERFUL DOGS, you'll see loyal canines at work as they searched for buried victims of an earthquake disaster, assist the physically disabled, and pull sleds in the blizzard conditions of Alaska. You'll see how dogs are trained to "act" on Lassie, and the dogs that served as messengers on the battlefields of WW II. Marvel at the tireless determination of these devoted creatures, and applaud the enduring partnership between man and his best friend. If you like dogs, this video is a "must"!

2. National Geographic - Treasures From The Past
A modern-day pilot in rural Virginia stitches Irish linen on the wings of one of four existing World War I "Jennys"; in Auburn, Indiana, Dusenberg autos, from the 1920s, are known as rolling sculptures and are restored with love; craftsmen meticulously repair a famous Russian palace destroyed by Nazi Germany; in Eastern Colorado a carousel made in 1905 but more recently used for grain storage is saved; and a tall ship, launched in 1877 in Scotland, sails again with help from volunteers in Texas. These well-told stories explain why each relic is so treasured. Made in 1987, Treasures from the Past will interest collectors and wannabes alike. Anyone remotely intrigued with preservation will enjoy seeing how individuals work to re-create these relics, projects that many might believe are impossible.
Restore a piece of the past with talented artisans, collectors, and dreamers who restore masterpieces of a bygone era. You will fly the skies in a WW I bi-plane, drive in the glamorous Duesenberg automobile, ride a turn-of-the-century carousel, sail aboard a magnificent tall ship, and finally, promenade through the halls of a breathtaking Russian palace. Saved from obscurity, these priceless TREASURES FROM THE PAST bring history to life once more.

3.National Geographic's The Savage Garden with Leslie Nielsen (1998)
Comedian Leslie Nielsen says that his garden is a "realm of stalkers, serial killers, and aerial combat" just as a bat swoops in and beheads a praying mantis. Is this a video for budding naturalists or for horror flick fanatics? It's unclear. While the cinematography may be noteworthy, the results are altogether too fantastic. Special effects create speed-eating fire ants devouring a dragonfly and a wildly dancing vine. The shrew in Nielsen's garden might as well be the pesky gofer in Caddyshack. The project has potential as a comedy but is not a good example of National Geographic's educational standards. Though Nielsen concludes that a garden is a place to pay attention and not wage war against animals you don't understand, the whole premise is that everyone's backyard is a war zone: gardeners are portrayed as the good guys and creatures are depicted as the enemies. Hey, here's a novel concept: if you want to introduce garden creatures to your children, turn off the television and take them outside instead.
Your average backyard garden may look tranquil and serene on the outside, but what lurks beneath will truly amaze you - as Leslie Nielsen is about to discover. As he strolls among the flowers, herbs and vegetables, there's a war for survival raging around him; from dangerous daddy longlegs and ferocious fire ants, to an eight-eyed jumping spider in a wrestling match with a belligerent bee. There's even a Top Gun-style air battle between a praying mantis and a bat. In this terrifying - and funny - new natural history comedy, National Geographic filmmakers use state-of-the-art cinematography to reveal what the world looks like from the insect's point of view.

4. Okavango: Africa's Wild Oasis (National Geographic: World's Last Great Places) (1996)
Amazon review
This is one of the best nature documentaries so far. The footage is exceptional. I have visited Okavango region in 1995, and in my opinion, Tim Liversedge really captured the essence and magic of the place. It almost makes you feel being physically present on location while watching this documentary. I strongly recommend this video to anyone interested in the natural world of Africa.

5.National Geographic: Panama Wild: Rain Forest of Life (1997)
With beautiful photography and informative interviews, this video is a wonderful introduction to the tropical forest. The video focuses on Barro Colorado Island and features information about monkeys, bats, frogs, plants, and a few small mammals. Interviews with international researchers make this a lively video.

6. National Geographic Kangaroo Comeback journeys with wildlife
The Red kangaroo survives in one of the harshest environments on Earth, Australia`s inland plains. The high summer temperatures keep the kangaroos inactive during the day, yet these animals thrive and over aeons have adapted to various climates creating a large network of cousins. National Geographic’s Kangaroo Comeback follows a red kangaroo mother and Joey while tracing the family of these extraordinary animals.

7. National Geographic - Naked Science - Landslides
Unlike many other natural disasters, landslides offer no real advance warning. Often triggered by heavy rainfall, landslides pose a danger to those who live in areas where humans have altered the local geography.
In addition to video taken of landslides in progress, this episode highlights efforts being made to protect motorists from rocks and boulders falling onto roadways.

8. National Geographic - Tundra Hunters
Before the coming of the Russians,the tundra and forest-tundra area of what is today the Sakha Republic was inhabited by nomadic (and near the Arctic Ocean semi-sedentary) tribes known as the Yukagir (sometimes spelled Yukaghir). Unfortunately, the Yukagir were devastated even more than most other Siberian natives by the combination of Russian economic exploitation and European diseases such as smallpox. Today only a few hundred remain, and these are divided into two separate groups speaking very different dialects of Yukagir. The Tundra Yukagir, who call themselves Odul (which means "the Mighty Ones") live in the extreme northeast of the Sakha Republic, in the Tundra near the Kolyma River. The Forest Yukagir, who call themselves Wadul (which also means "the Mighty Ones"), live in a small area of the hilly and heavily forested Upper Kolyma River basin. Today, fewer than 400 Yukagir speak either form of the language fluently (official sources disagree on the precise number). Most of the original Yukagir tribes are now completely extinct, and it is probable that the two language forms we call Yukagir today represent what had been a whole family of closely related languages before the coming of the Russians. The ethnonym Yukagir, which is of Ewenki origin, was adopted by the Russians from the Ewenki in the 17th century and now seems to have been accepted by the two surviving Yukagir groups.

9. National Geographic - Talons of Terror
Hawks, Vultures, Eagles, Raptors - natures birds of prey. This one is very rare. I could not even find it mentioned on Google. Please enjoy.