A Blank on the Map

As said many times, David Attenborough is a national treasure. He may apparently dislike the term, but it is hard to not say that about such a great presenter who has contributed significantly to some of the best programmes (of the documentary genre and overall) the BBC has ever aired/produced.

It is really hard picking favourites, let alone a definite favourite, among what Attenborough has done because he has done so many gems, it is the equivalent of trying to choose your favourite ice cream flavour or your favourite operatic role (for examples) and finding you can't pick. 'A Blank on the Map' is one of the one-off specials featured on the "Attenborough in Paradise and Other Personal Voyage" DVD, and it's to me one of the best. It's not one of the wildlife/animal documentaries of his that connect with me somewhat more on an emotional level, but it is always nice to see something different and something that is deserving of more exposure than it gets.

Main differences and interest points being the subject, where one really does get a sense of what it was like to be an early explorer back when there wasn't the advanced technology we have now, jungles were without trailers and finding an undiscovered tribe with no means of outside world contact. It also captures the fun and dangers of this. The other is seeing a much younger Attenborough back in his mid-40s, even back then he looked and sounded great, clearly knew what he was talking about and had so much enthusiasm, seeing him in his earlier years while still being reminded of why he is so well-loved now was really interesting and refreshing.

'A Blank on the Map' has everything that makes so much of his work so wonderful, hence some of the reiteration of my recent reviews for some of his work, and deserves everything great that has been said about it.

First and foremost, 'A Blank on the Map' looks great, even now. It is beautifully filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate, way and never looking static. The editing is always succinct and smooth and the scenery is spectacular.

Regarding the content, it's very entertaining and thought-provoking. There is some wildlife featured along the way, and one learns interesting things about them, while the interaction with the tribe fascinates just as much in the behaviour, the reactions and the cultural differences.

The presenting by Attenborough helps significantly. He clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more. 'A Blank on the Map' never feels episodic and leaves one glued for an hour regardless of any initial scepticism of whether it'd be your thing.

Overall, must-watch early Attenborough. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Documentary by David Attenborough (The People of Paradise) for the Australian and British Broadcasting Corporations, filmed by the young Hugh Miles (Round Robin). Attenborough takes part on an expedition to explore an unknown area in the North West part of Papua New Guinea, led by the patrol officer or kiap Laurie Bragge, later author of the History of the Sepik Region, available on the PNG Association of Australia site, where he explains on his own the adventure. The aim is not only to "fill one of the last blank on the map", but also to seek a still uncontacted tribe only spotted by aerial photographs.

The traditional trip through the "thick and sticky" jungle begins, a "primitive paradise scourged by diseases", from Ambunti to Inaru, the last known village, where people eat swarms of mayflies once a year, first by plane, then boat, canoes and finally by walk. The only difference with the former Walk into Paradise is that canoes are now motorized and no more female paddled. On their way, Attenborough shows us the weird fauna of New Guinea, with no big mammals but marvellous dancing birds of paradise, hunted for their plumes to buy "pigs and wives", extraordinary decorated goura pigeon with "silver-spotted tiara", "absurd, clumsy but endearing" tree kangaroos, "engaging, lunatic, amiable and nonsensical" echidna, poisonous snakes and green pythons, ugly terrestrial leeches, and "the most dangerous animal" of the jungle, which can "rip you of one kick", the cassowary.

As the journey becomes tougher through ridges, mud and rivers, crossed on bridges built by the carriers, will the expedition manage to find the lost tribe, called the Biami by their neighbours? Will they get rather a friendly or a hostile reception? Will they succeed in acting in the right way to make contact with these people of unknown language, as their constable Kaius has failed to find a proper interpreter? Attenborough pleads for a very gradual way to get the Biami acquainted with the outside modern world, as the Carpentaria mining company on its side gets interested in prospecting throughout their country.