velozguy I first saw this dazzling gem of a mini-series when BBC aired it in, I believe, 1971. Until "I Claudius" came along I deemed it the finest television EVENT of all time. It literally is hypnotic in its many excellencies, and I scarcely known WHERE to begin in detailing them, so I simply will say that IF YOU CAN POSSIBLY TRACK DOWN this, evidently, now blacklisted BBC series, do your self that exquisite favor.My wife, I know not how, managed through her dogged determination to finally discover this buried epic in Germany, of all places -- you CANNOT find it in politically correct Britain any longer because, I believe, of its uncompromisingly Victorian nature, narrated beautifully by James Mason with a musical score magically reminiscent of Smetana's "The Moldau." My wife even had to include in her birthday gift -- the best I've ever received -- a special new DVD player that could handle the German format, though I don't understand any of such technical trifles. I just IMMERSE myself in this grand epic of African exploration which is many times more satisfying than actually visiting Africa itself, which I have also done and also immensely enjoyed, but there is nothing like the joy of re-watching and then re-watching again and again and again this unparalleled masterpiece.They made of movie on the same subject matter called "Mountains of the Moon" many years afterward which bitterly disappointed me due to its vastly inferior writing and casting, but how often can one expect a miracle such as 1971's "The Search for the Nile" to actually take place. Miracles are so very, very rare, of course. Whatever else you do, do NOT miss out on the profound pleasure of viewing for yourself this inimitable, somber epic, "The Search for the Nile."

morrowmmm Quite a few of the best BBC films have been locked away. There is a possibility that, in the minds of a very politically correct and left leaning BBC upper management, the advertising of Empire and Africa is not a truth that should be allowed anymore. The standard of documentary's, and that of the news itself for which the BBC used to be renowned, has been lowered dramatically over the past 20 years. The BBC are ashamed of British involvement in Africa in the nineteenth Century and do their best to make certain that any programs which reflect otherwise are not available. It's a great pity. No quality anymore just proselytizing. The BBC is being systematically dumbed down to make certain it reflects a government view of the world.

selicate I first saw the British mini-series THE SEARCH FOR THE NILE on PBS in 1973 and was enthralled. My favorite film is LAWRENCE OF ARABIA and I felt this was the television equivalent. As Peter O'Toole stunned in "Lawrence", Kenneth Haigh as explorer, scientist, (and REBEL) Sir Richard Francis Burton is equally impressive in "Nile." In 1980 (when video tape was available) I had the chance to record this masterpiece on PBS and took every possible precaution to get it right AND DID! (standard play,best tape available,etc.) The tape has held up beautifully all these years and still looks the same, however 1980 standards are not up to todays digital demands. Why this EMMY winner (1971-72 award for best Docu-Drama) is virtually unknown in this day and age is a mystery to me. It has everything you could want in a film; drama,sweep,humor,(that wonderful British humor)flawless performances and a marvelous production design to match the on location shooting. This film hasn't been available in at least 20 years and I'm thinking the copyright owners don't want to spend the money necessary to restore this virtually unknown gem (if possible after all this time)to it's Lawrencelike beauty. Number 1 on my wish list is a restored SEARCH FOR THE NILE on DVD,then I'd die happy but I don't think I'll ever see it.

Michael Johnston (ambrose) After watching Mountains of the Moon (1990), I was reminded of this excellent film made by the BBC for television in 1971. For reasons unknown to me, it has not been released in any home video format (as of 2001). The beautiful sweeping music of Smetana's Moldau and Kenneth Haigh's true Brit portrayal of Burton make this the romantic's choice for the film version of this story. The violence and graphic detail found in Mountains is absent in Search. I have always respected Michael Gough, who is perfect as the great David Livingstone. James Mason, one of the best narrators of all time, holds the mini-series together through its episodes. The BBC ought to release it so that we could have the chance to enjoy it as a whole.