AllMovie

This is one of two nature and cultural documentaries by director and writer Heinz Seilman (the other is the 1973 Vanishing Wilderness). He shares the directorial and writing honors with Henry Brandt. Focus is on the wildlife and indigenous peoples in the former Belgian Congo (later Zaire, and now the Democratic Republic of Congo). A backdrop for the action is a central volcanic range of mountains flanked by green jungle on the one side and a dry desert on the other. The scenery changes as much as the animals that inhabit the different zones. Even though some of the local customs may have been especially staged for the camera, the people are still interesting, the images and animals striking, and the commentary informative.