Crimson Wing [DVD] - Documentary [DVD]

Product Description One lake, a million birds, an incredible story... In a remote and forgotten wilderness, one of nature's last great mysteries unfolds: the birth, life and death of a million crimson-winged flamingos. Against a dramatic backdrop of never-before filmed landscapes, these secretive birds struggle to survive and prevail over danger and fate. This inspiring story, set in the extraordinary 'otherworld' of Lake Natrona in northern Tanzania, the cradle of humankind, reminds us: here on earth is a universe waiting to be discovered. DVD Extras Lake Natron Diaries - Behind The Crimson Wing: Life at the Camp Life of the Flamingo Making of Lake Natron Music From  Harking back to the nature films that regularly used to inhabit video rental shops, Crimson Wing sees Disney revisiting a successful strand of its past. Under the Disney Nature banner, the documentary focuses on Lake Natron in northern Tanzania. There, directors Matthew Aeberhard and Leander Ward point their cameras at a real sight of natural beauty: flamingos. Lots and lots of flamingos. The film traces the life cycle of flamingos in a measured, absorbing, non-flashy manner, and that helps make Crimson Wing such a fascinating watch. It’s terrifically shot, which helps, but over the course of its gentle running time. And it follows the creatures through life, death and the day-to-day challenges that they face. It’s not the kind of film that tends to pack multiplexes out, but Crimson Wing is a diligently made nature documentary. It’s very accessible, boasting both solid narration and a very good musical score. And it hopefully paves the way for Disney to consider more films of this ilk in the years ahead. Granted, they don’t help shift merchandise, but Crimson Wing has the power to enchant as well as the majority of family movies on the DVD shelves. Warmly recommended. --Jon Foster