There were quite a number of reasons for watching 'Relentless Enemies'. My love of nature documentaries. Admiring a lot of the work from National Geographic and the work of the couple Dereck and Beverly Joubert. Being a big fan of actor of Jeremy Irons, who also coincidentally narrated two other Joubert documentaries named 'Eye of the Leopard' and 'The Last Lions' (both must see). And of course being somebody always fascinated by lions and how they are portrayed on film.
'Relentless Enemies' is also very highly recommended. Between this, 'Eye of the Leopard' and 'The Last Lions', this is maybe my least favourite with it being the one with the most patchy narration writing, it wasn't a problem at all in 'Eye of the Leopard' and for me it was only occasionally in 'The Last Lions' but was mixed to mostly good here. 'Relentless Enemies' is a fine example of a documentary that tells a emotionally wide-ranging and dramatic story and has animals worth rooting for, while mixing them with an uncompromising approach to the material, facts that educate and makes one think and affected emotionally.
My only issue is the way some of the narration was written, some of it did feel heavy-handed and lacking in subtlety (the repetition of "relentless" for instance got a bit much) as well as being too philosophical in a slightly rambling way.
However, so much is absolutely brilliant in 'Relentless Enemies'. It looks wonderful, with absolutely stunning scenery and photography worthy of cinema that adds so much to the emotions of many scenes. The music has a real presence and heft, especially in the more intense scenes, yet to me it didn't come over as too overwrought or like it was trying too hard to be anything more than needed. There are sympathetic parts in more intimate scenes.
Another big selling point is Irons. His voice is one of my favourite speaking voices for any actor and one of not many truly unique, unmistakable ones. His delivery of the narration, which in many other places is thought provoking, eloquent and honest, purrs with gravitas-filled authority and sincerity.
Learned a lot about all the animals featured, their lives and their conflicts. Also found it very easy to be engaged and moved by them as well as relating to what they go through. The Tsaro family parts are especially intense and heart-rending. The storytelling is a truly powerful one in its tension and emotional impact, even with the animals being individualised it doesn't feel over dramatised or over-explained. While there isn't anything that is too disturbing, nothing is held back at the same time. The animals are amazing and easy to identify with.
Concluding, very, very good despite imperfect narration writing. 8/10.
