Customer Reviews:
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 a rare and beautiful epic January 26, 2007
this unusually fine work captures the imagination and takes one beyond animals in the wild (though they are stunning to watch), and makes you think about things like conflict, destiny, tragedy, etc. it's superb. if you like your documentaries darkly told and thoughtful, you will get a lot out of this one.
a savage, riveting documentary May 20, 2005
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
This is without question the most violent, horrific animal documentary I have ever seen; the fight for survival between the lions and hyenas is brutal, but goes beyond fighting over food, to actual territorial warfare. The cruelty shown in this footage should not be seen by children, but is extremely educational for those who have the stomach for it.
There is also a segment on the agony of a poisoned lioness that is terribly sad, and hard to watch.You will learn things about hyenas that will surprise you: It is a matriarchal society, where the males are smaller, and their role in the pack quite marginal. The females also have the appearance of hermaphrodites, and engage in "mock mating", caught on film here for the first time. We also witness their habit of fratricide, where the most powerful of the young will kill its weaker brother or sister.
The ferocity of the hyenas, coupled with their "laughing" sounds, make these scavengers truly "the horrors of the night". Much of this documentary is chilling, some of it is very moving, and all of it is unforgettable. Filmed in the northern regions of Botswana, the creative forces behind this film are Dereck and Beverly Joubert, and the narration of the beautifully written (and often quite poetic) script is by Powers Boothe.
Watching a film like this puts the harshness of nature into perspective, and also says a lot about our lower instincts, and the "endless cycles of life and death", shown here with some spectacular cinematography.
Total running time is one hour.
HE WHO GREETS WITH FIRE September 28, 2004
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It's all been said in the previous reviews, and not a false word amongst them. Yes, He Who Greets With Fire certainly wasn't forgotten by this viewer, nor ever will be. Everything about this documentary is spellbinding (though, at times, quite gruesome), especially the narration.
Violently good !! March 8, 2003
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
After viewing this tape, I was surprised to see how a natural bloody war takes place between these two super predators. The footage is shocking sometimes, but totally riviting, and narrated so well. The sight of a slain lioness being tucked into by her enemies is something I never thought happened, I had a fair idea before seeing this film that these animals killed one another but never thought their hatred ran so deep.
Superb September 18, 2001
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is the most rivetting documentary about African predators I have viewed. You will see things you haven't seen before. Parts of it are very chilling!
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