The Elephant Queen

2018's 'The Elephant Queen' appealed to me straightaway. Am a great fan of nature documentaries, especially the work of David Attenborough. Love elephants and have done ever since seeing 'Dumbo' for the first time and instantly relating to the titular character, such majestic beautiful animals. Chiwetel Ejiofor is an actor of considerable talent, evident in '12 Years a Slave', and has the right sort of voice for this kind of documentary.

'The Elephant Queen' is a triumph. Have not seen a better documentary on elephants anywhere (much, much better than last year's DisneyNature documentary 'Elephant', which was chiefly let down by disastrous narration), and it is a truly beautiful documentary and film in its own way. Also the best nature documentary seen since 'Eye of the Leopard', reviewed in January. This is a primary example of how to balance educational facts and telling a very human but not over-humanised story that resonates. Also a primary example of how to have more than one tone and balance them expertly.

Visually, 'The Elephant Queen' looks gorgeous. Have not seen the savannah look so imposingly beautiful yet uncompromisingly unyielding in quite some time. The elephants are a spectacular sight and everything is spectacularly photographed, with no cheap gimmicks in sight, the vivid colours popping out on screen. The music is an expert balance of the grand and the subtle, without sounding over-scored or lacking in presence.

Can find absolutely no fault with the elephants, they are amazing and it was very easy to root for them, their triumphs and struggles every step of the way. The narration has no clumsy or childish attempts at humour and is not too serious, it also doesn't spell things out too much and doesn't over-explain. Instead it entertains, it teaches (with a good mix of the familiar and the not so familiar) and moves. Ejiofor delivers this great material with dignity and charm.

Absolutely loved the storytelling, which had amusing humorous moments but it's the dramatic and emotional moments that fare even better. There are parts that are darkly disturbing, but not in a traumatising way. This was necessary though, as the struggles that elephants have to endure are very harsh and life-threatening. Their journey really warms the heart, not since 'The Last Lions' has a portrayal of the love of a mother animal warmed my heart or moved me to this extent. And it also moved me to tears, this is quite the emotional experience.

Summing up, absolutely wonderful. 10/10.

Such a raw and beautiful chronicle of Athena and her family. Elephants are beautiful, loving family oriented creatures. I loved watching their struggle to survive the dry season. I was moved to rears and elated share in their triumphant return to their homeland. Beautifully shot and narrated! A must see!

This documentary has so much story to it. The characters make you laugh and smile. And it's amazing to see the stories that elephants bring among them. Probably one of the best nature documentaries I've watched in a while!

I love this film. It makes you open you eyes on another reality. Wonderfull photography and incredible situations. There are some funny moments, but it shows you the cruelty of the wild nature.

Viewing this documentary has additional resonance in the week when the plight of Botswana's elephants has been widely reported. A mysterious cause has resulted in the mass death of hundreds of these endangered creatures, in a country home to one third of Africa's elephants. So watching this movie has been doubly moving as we become witnesses to a tribe of elephants led by the brave Athena. At times funny, as they tip toe around tortoises and frogs, they must navigate drought and other challenges. Magnificently filmed to the standard we would expect from David Attenborough's BBC crew. I hope it makes people wake up to the real dangers these magnificent creatures face, and that we help their future in the wild.