The Tiger Next Door (2009/First Run Features DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C+ Documentary: B
Camilla
Calamandrei’s The Tiger Next Door
(2009) tells us yet another story about two ways exotic animals are
exploited. One way is the obvious direct
way where they are grown and killed for their parts, but the other is more
complicated and that is what this documentary is all about. By focusing on fan and business owner Dennis
Hill, who loves these animals, he becomes the target of sorts of the government
over having so many tigers, panthers, bears and others. They want him to pair down his holdings, but
the ordeal shows the laws and regulations do not help the animals enough.
They need
the help the most as they are helpless, out of place and these practices can
endanger them in the long run. As Hill
battles to help the animals and meet government rules as he looses his license,
wee learn much more about the whole world and industry surrounding these incredible
animals and just how many private owners actually exist in the U.S.
alone. There needs to be more action in
the short term and quickly to protect the animals and people for that matter.
Because
of the nature of the story, this can be very graphic and disturbing, reminding
us how outright irresponsible the worst people involved (Hill is one of the
good guys) can be. This is a landmark
work in some ways and I hope enough people see this and will encourage others
to take the time to see it as well, because it does one of the best jobs I have
ever seen of explaining and showing why no animal is just token property, but
as serious a responsibility as having children.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 is comprised mostly of new video footage, but
being a documentary, we see our share of analog NTSC video, usually archival
footage. The animals look good, but you
will note some softness and motion blur at times from the digital
recording. Then Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
mix is also not bad, though some location sound can be limited. Extras include a Resource Guide, Trailers and
Bonus Scenes.
-
Nicholas Sheffo
