User Reviews

A splendid documentary produced by the Beeb in 1982 and a stable-mate to the scientifically fascinating 'The Search for the Nile' (1971) and 'The Voyage of Charles Darwin' (1978). Like the aforementioned two documentary series it is academic and is directed with adventurism and enterprise - a rare commodity in these dumbed down times. Some of the tropical settings in Indo-China and Indonesia are compelling and the costumes, dialogue and props are splendid reflecting typically stolid B. B. C. Commonsense production values amidst the verdant abundance of the tropics. Patrick Allen does a good job as the Governor of Singapore, Sir James Brooke but seems a bit abrasive. Sporting sandy-coloured mutton-chops and imbibing white wine alongside Tim Preece's Wallace as the latter goes into detail on the topic of the mutation and reproduction of insect species - deep stuff.