The British Academy Award-winning series of ten programmes 3: The Story of Alexander von Humboldt and his amazing exploration of the Orinoco River in 1799 Written by ROBERT MULLER
Introduced and narrated by David Attenborough from the Royal Geographical Society, London
Humboldt was a genius. He was the father of modern geography and the first truly scientific explorer. He was an aristocrat with money but by the time he had completed his travels he Was broke. But rarely has a private fortune been so well spent. On his journey through Venezuela he studied giant electric eels for the first time; he brought back the deadly Indian poison curare; he collected thousands of plant specimens never before seen in Europe; and he proved conclusively that there was a natural waterway linking the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. Calaracts, disease, dangerous wild animals - Humboldt faced them all with courage and intense curiosity.
This series has provided some of the viewing highlights of the year.
(SUNDAY PEOPLE)
What a first-rate series this has turned out to be - imaginatively told and often brilliantly and painstakingly filmed.
(SUNDAY EXPRESS)
A compelling programme with marvellous pictures. (GUARDIAN)
Director FRED BURNLEY
Producer MICHAEL LATHAM
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