The Movie

No animal is considered more sacred to the people of India than the Bengal Tiger. To them it is a majestic animal that possesses eloquent power while harboring the spirit of India deep inside. It is an animal to be feared and revered. In essence, to experience the Bengal Tiger, is to experience India. India - Kingdom of the Tiger takes you on a journey to one of the oldest civilizations in the world to encounter the heart of a beast, and of a people. By following the story of a famous hunter who both loved and respected the tiger, the viewer is taken on a whirlwind tour of India while learning its history as well as its possible future.

India - Kingdom of the Tiger is a fantastic visual journey that massages the mind as well as the senses. And even though originally intended for the gigantic IMAX screen, this movie does not fail to impress in the living room. India, with its rich culture and beautiful landscapes presents a perfect match to be showcased in IMAX theaters. I can only imagine how phenomenal this movie must have looked on the huge IMAX screen. The engine that drives this feature is the story of Edward James (Jim) Corbett, an Englishman who was born in India in 1875. Corbett became famous with his accomplishments in hunting the sacred tiger, but later altered his reputation as an animal conservationist. He was known throughout the region for his unrivaled hunting expertise, and his dedication to the native people and their land. Even today, India has not forgotten Corbett's cause, and has thusly named a national wildlife preserve in his honor.

India - Kingdom of the Tiger works so well because it looks extraordinary, and you happen to learn something in the process. This is what I like to see in IMAX movies. The sweeping shots of India are gorgeous, and the storyline the movie follows is very interesting. This movie feels special because the subject is obviously very important to the people of India. It effectively draws attention to the beauty India has to offer, and warns us of the problems that will happen if effort to save the Bengal Tiger isn't increased soon.

As a DVD, India - Kingdom of the Tiger is a solid package. Loaded with intelligent special features, and your choice of both a Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS audio tracks, this movie proves to be significantly better then a lot of IMAX features that have been released on DVD as of late. With great picture quality matched with astounding sound, this DVD is a real winner.


The DVD

Video: Originally filmed for IMAX theaters, India - Kingdom of the Tiger has been converted to 1.33:1 full screen. The picture is clean and detailed and fairly sharp at all times, but what really jumps out at you are the colors. Director Bruce Niebaur really took full advantage of the majestic, golden brown hue that's so abundant all around India. From the heart of the city, to the depths of the jungle, the colors never fail to dazzle.

Audio: I was pleasantly surprised to find both a Dolby Digital 5.1, and a DTS ES (Matrix) audio track available. Both are exceptional and offer great use of the full sound spectrum. The rear surrounds get a lot of use from the wonderful score that accompanies this movie. Dialogue was very audible and seemed to have the just the right dynamics at all times. Overall this is a fine sounding DVD.

Extras: The extra features included are very educational and compliment the main feature perfectly.

Making of India - Kingdom of the Tiger: This was very interesting did a good job at showing the thoughts and feelings of the crew while shooting this movie. It is also beautifully edited, and looks a lot like the finished product of the movie itself.

Tiger: A presentation of the National Wildlife Federation: This is a 45-minute documentary feature on the Tiger. The host takes you on a tour that begins in New York City, and ends in India, to show you all the beauty the Bengal Tiger has to offer, and increasing troubles it faces everyday. I liked this feature, but felt the host tended to be a little overly dramatic. However it is definitely worth a view.

Commentary by Director and Director of Photography: I was not expecting a commentary track on this DVD and felt it was a welcome addition. It is both informative and enlightening.

Theatrical Trailer: This is the theatrical trailer to the movie.

4 Language Tracks: You have your pick of English, French, Mandarin, and Hindi.

Fun Facts/Trivia: This is a trivia game where you have to answer several questions that pertain to the Bengal Tiger. The questions are fun, and can be challenging because they are not readily answered in the feature. Again, this was a welcome addition.

Final Thoughts

India - Kingdom of the Tiger is a beautiful-looking movie. The cinematography is first-rate, and the storyline is a perfect method to drive this film. The special features are extremely informative and are a wonderful compliment to this DVD. The video transfer is very good and the soundtrack is tremendous. If you have any interest in India or the Bengal Tiger, this DVD is worth a look. Recommended