There was a wonderful Nature film, narrated by George Page, about the
dry season in Africa. It was called something like "Africa - the dry
season", or "A season in the sun". Is it available ? I haven't been
able to find it anywhere, but it was so good, and the photography was
so amazing, I can't believe it isn't available on VHS or DVD. Can you
help? Thanks, Jim Hunt

---

Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 08 Nov 2004 03:05 PST

Hi brianskunk,

Is there anything else you can remember about this film? Was it part
of the Nature series on PBS, narrated by George Page? When did you see
it? Was it about animals or the people of Africa?

Any other details will help. Thanks.

Best regards,
Rainbow

---

Request for Question Clarification by markj-ga on 08 Nov 2004 10:49 PST

brianskunk --

From your description, I have a very strong suspicion that I know the
broadcast you are referring to (I saw it myself and was similarly
impressed), but I have one important point of clarification to raise
with you.

Are you certain it was narrated by George Page, or did you assume it
was because of the subject of the broadcast or where it appeared on
the broadcast schedule?  The broadcast I have mind was not a Page
narration, but there is a reason why one might have mistakenly assumed
that it was.

markj-ga

---

Clarification of Question by brianskunk-ga on 08 Nov 2004 19:20 PST

Mark - I may be wrong about the George Page part but the voice is
similar. The show was about how animals in Africa survive the dry
season. There were several memorable scenes; one in particular was a
herd of Hippos in a drying up mud puddle with catfish writhing all
over their backs. I hope you are successful. Thanks for trying, Jim
Hunt

---

Clarification of Question by brianskunk-ga on 08 Nov 2004 19:22 PST

I'm also not certain if it was part of a Nature series but I think it
was. I saw it probably 10 or more years ago. Jim

---

Request for Question Clarification by markj-ga on 09 Nov 2004 04:16 PST

Jim ?

Thanks for your clarification.  It has helped me to reorient my
research and to develop a few tantalizing leads.  However, those leads
as to the identity of the broadcast,  even if they pan out, may or may
not result in finding a copy of the broadcast for purchase.

Unfortunately, I won?t be able to get back to this question until
later today, but here is a status report.

First, based on what you had to say, the program I had in mind clearly
is not the one you are looking for.  However, since its subject is
similar and features stunning high-definition images, you may be
interested in it anyway.  Here?s a link to its ?main page? on the PBS
website:
PBS: Nature: Kalahari ? The Great Thirstland
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/kalahari/index.html


Based on your clarification, I have found references to a documentary
with a very similar title to the one you remember in the right time
frame, although some of the sparse online information about it is
inconsistent.   For example, it is variously described as being about
one-half hour in length and almost one hour.  It is also variously
described as having won an Emmy or a Peabody award.  I have also found
no indication (yet) as to whether George Page was the narrator.

While the episode is not mentioned on the PBS or WNET-TV websites,
which contain comprehensive information about the ?Nature? series, I
have found one reference to it that indicates that it was indeed a
?Nature? episode in the late 1980s.  However, it (or a broadcast on
the same topic and the same name) is mentioned on an undated British
TV schedule that associates it with an international outlet operated
by the Discovery Channel.

Finally, I have found (so far) no indication that a VHS or DVD copy of
the program is commercially available for purchase.  However, there
are several references online to video copies of the broadcast in the
libraries of local U.S. school systems.

My current working theory is that the program you remember was an
early Nature episode, but the distribution rights to it were not
obtained by WNET-TV or PBS.  I have found a reference to a distributor
of the program, which may or may not still be in existence.  When I
resume the search, I will try to contact that distributor.

Before I resume this very interesting quest, though, would you let me
know if you would be interested in borrowing a library copy of a tape
of a broadcast if I found one that you could obtain locally or through
an interlibrary loan?  If so, it would be useful to know in what state
or city you are located.


markj-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by markj-ga on 10 Nov 2004 12:31 PST

Jim --

Here's another update.  

First, take a look at this summary of a documentary called "A Season
in the Sun," which was produced about 15 years ago by a renowned
wildlife filmmaker and apparently broadcast by PBS and others sometime
during the next few years.  After being transferred from 16mm to VHS,
it was  marketed to school systems and libraries as an educational
video and not marketed in the consumer home video marketplace.  Here
is the summary:

"This film follows the life cycles of many animal species throughout
the wet or dry seasons of Africa. An excellent script complements the
beautiful cinematography of renowned nature photographers Alan and
Joan Root. The video begins with the drying of the African plains in
Tanzania and Kenya, a time when lush pastures wither, food becomes
scarce, and lakes and rivers begin to dry up. The film introduces
several animal species that live in or near water; only the fittest
will survive to see the rains come again, such as a small variety of
pond frog that secretes a mucus to make its skin watertight, helping
it to preserve moisture. The film discusses aestivation, a
hibernation-like state in which animals' body functions are reduced so
that they can cope with environmental extremes. It also shows the ways
different animal species attempt to survive the dry season: tortoises
take cover under bushes, snails seal their shells, lizards slip into
termite mounds, and Killey fish mate feverishly and then die. As the
drying of the plains and water holes progresses, many other animals
die. The filmmakers capture the struggle of a wildebeest stuck in a
drying swamp, and the heart rending plight of a mother elephant that
can no longer nurse her dying calf. A highlight of the film is the
unique footage of the lungfish, which buries itself in the mud and
secretes a mucous cocoon in which it can sleep for up to two years. A
stunning scene shows giant catfish and over 600 hippos huddled in a
drying pool, suffering from sunburn."


I have found and spoken with the U.S. distributor of this
award-winning film, who turns out to be an interesting and friendly
guy who is intimately familiar with its history and its editing.  (The
film is one of a series of 13 that he represents as being equally
breathtaking productions.)

As noted above, he generally markets the films he distributes in bulk
to school systems and libraries, but he would be interested in
speaking with you about the film and about your interest in it.  While
he may be willing to sell you a single copy for private use only, the
economics of his business require him to quote a price of $145
(although I sensed that the price may be negotiable).

He has consented to my posting of his business contact information, so here it is:

Mike Solin, President
Benchmark Media
569 North State Rd.
Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510 USA
Tel 914 762 3838 Fax 914 762 3895 
Email benchmedia@aol.com


I am not posting this information as an answer because I just don't
know whether you would be interested in paying a "three-figure" price
for this video.  I urge you to give Mike Solin a call or send him an
email.  Even if you can't reach a deal, the conversation about the
fascinating film and its history should interest you greatly.  I look
forward to a report on your conversation.

If this contact works out for you, please let me know and I will post
the information as an official "answer."  If it doesn't work out, I
can still try to find a library copy that might be accessible to you.

markj-ga

Jim --

Below are blurbs and a brief summary of "A Season in the Sun,"  which
Mike Solin of Benchmark Media has emailed to me:

_________

Science Books & Films: ?Highly Recommended?, ?excellent script?,
?beautiful cinematography?, ?stunning scene shows giant catfish and
over 600 hippos huddled in a drying pool, suffering from sunburn and
heat exhaustion?, ?highly recommended for its factual content as well
as its excellent visual and audio qualities.?

Video Rating Guide for Libraries: Four stars, ?impressive technical
skills, the dramatic back-lighting and microphotography .. provide a
startling and humbling perspective of life?, ?production with a long
probable shelf-life and significant insight.?

Landers: ?Recommended?, ?informative and beautifully photographed.?
? Winner Peabody Award
? Winner Emmy Award
? Best Wildlife/Outdoor Documentary: Banff F.F.

Renowned wildlife photographer Alan Root has made another classic.
East Africa has only two seasons, wet and dry. After the short rainy
season, as the land and lakes dry out, all animals, great and small,
must find ways for themselves or their offspring to survive, but only
the strong will succeed. When the rains finally return, there is only
a short time of plenty for all living things to feed and breed before
the long, hot, dry season begins again."


markj-ga