Fulvue Drive-In.com
Current Reviews
In Stores Soon
 
In Stores Now
 
DVD Reviews, SACD Reviews Essays Interviews Contact Us Meet the Staff
An Explanation of Our Rating System Search  
Category:    Home > Reviews > Documentary > Animals > Nature > Preservation > Crime > The Tiger Next Door (2009/First Run Features DVD)

The Tiger Next Door (2009/First Run Features DVD)

 

Picture: C+     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Documentary: B

 

 

Camilla Calamandrei’s The Tiger Next Door (2009) tells us yet another story about two ways exotic animals are exploited.  One way is the obvious direct way where they are grown and killed for their parts, but the other is more complicated and that is what this documentary is all about.  By focusing on fan and business owner Dennis Hill, who loves these animals, he becomes the target of sorts of the government over having so many tigers, panthers, bears and others.  They want him to pair down his holdings, but the ordeal shows the laws and regulations do not help the animals enough.

 

They need the help the most as they are helpless, out of place and these practices can endanger them in the long run.  As Hill battles to help the animals and meet government rules as he looses his license, wee learn much more about the whole world and industry surrounding these incredible animals and just how many private owners actually exist in the U.S. alone.  There needs to be more action in the short term and quickly to protect the animals and people for that matter.

 

Because of the nature of the story, this can be very graphic and disturbing, reminding us how outright irresponsible the worst people involved (Hill is one of the good guys) can be.  This is a landmark work in some ways and I hope enough people see this and will encourage others to take the time to see it as well, because it does one of the best jobs I have ever seen of explaining and showing why no animal is just token property, but as serious a responsibility as having children.

 

The anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 is comprised mostly of new video footage, but being a documentary, we see our share of analog NTSC video, usually archival footage.  The animals look good, but you will note some softness and motion blur at times from the digital recording.  Then Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo mix is also not bad, though some location sound can be limited.  Extras include a Resource Guide, Trailers and Bonus Scenes.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo


Marketplace


 
 Copyright © MMIII through MMX fulvuedrive-in.com