The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos

As with most nature documentaries the visuals and soundtrack are stunning. The flamingos are beautiful and interesting to watch. While we usually watch Disney with the kids, We happened to put this one on without kids and are glad we did. There is way too much time spent watching baby chicks get throttled to death, my wife who loves animals started crying and we turned it off. We understand nature is cruel but there's a way to tell the story while sparing much of the gory details. I would not watch this with kids unless you're prepared to have some hard conversations about circle of life. Do better Disney.

Highly recommended, especially if you want a clean, family-friendly. Viewing experience. There is a profound beauty to the eco-system depicted in the Lake Natron in Tanzania. The "lesser flamingos" breed, give birth, live, die, and keep coming back to their breeding grounds. I was drawn in by what appeared to be a group-strut performed by the flamingos as they sought ought their mates. Focus on those skinny legs. It's an unexpected eye-candy. It puts a lump in the throat to realize that there are countless little worlds like this on the earth. We are spared a live trip to this harsh environment, thanks to cinematography that is impressive, without trying too hard to be impressive. You are there. The music was spot-on, including the cult favorite "Arrival of The Birds". The narrator was sweetly perfect too, but I though they could have given her a bit more volume.

Magnificent pictures, beautiful music, poetic narration, although the pace is too gentle, but it is still a documentary worth watching. The film does not render the harshness of nature, but more presents the poetic side of nature. Sometimes, you don't need to know too much biological knowledge, just think that the earth is so beautiful, nature is so good, look at the side that is presented and feel good enough.

Like MARCH OF THE PENGUINS, THE CRIMSON WING is a nature documentary focused on a single subject, produced by Walt Disney Studios of all people. Thankfully this isn't a twee or sentimental type account of the material, rather a solid, fact-focused documentary packed full of gorgeous photography of the birds. It turns out that Lesser Flamingos are the birds behind the myth of the Phoenix, and the correlation of their lifecycle to that of the legendary bird rising from the ashes is an engaging one. But this is a film that offers more to the casual viewer, with plenty of tragedy and chaos along the way. There are the inevitably tear-jerking scenes involving the chicks that didn't make it, and such moments are tragic beyond belief. THE CRIMSON WING offers strong commentary by experienced narrator Mariella Frostrup and a lean, mean, running time which excises extraneous material from the narrative. Best of all, though, it has fantastic cinematography that helps to fuel a colourful, engaging and thorough exploration of the topic.