User Reviews

TravelTalks goes to Auckland. It's basically England or at least, that's the claim. Then they see some landscape and it's magnificent. It's also a lot of sheep. They visit a hot springs and the Maori in traditional garb.

They could do more with the landscape but TravelTalks is not a BBC nature show. It's a bit too English but I do like the traditional Maori section. It's old fashion but it is what sold back in the day. They didn't do the Haka dance but instead, they showed the ladies doing a canoe dance. That says more about the show.

James A. Fitzpatrick sends the Technicolor cameras to New Zealand under the supervision of Hone Glendinning. He seems to have picked up a local cameraman, Ron MacIntyre. Together they shoot some excellent footage. So beautiful is the camerawork that it seems to be impressionistic. There's a shot of the thermal springs, spewing steam into the air, while behind them, the clouds sit unmoving.

Fitzpatrick tries to include his usual assortment of almanac facts, but he talks a little less than usual. The sound track is filled with the Rangitoto Maori Choir. For that, I am grateful.

Picturesque New Zealand (1952)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

TravelTalks entry takes us to Auckland where we see how the city has developed over the past generations. We see a museum where many belongings to the original settlers are held as well as the Christ Church, which is near Canterbury University. Also on hand is Lake Wakatipu, which was been the main inspiration of many artists and we also see various farms with sheep and how New Zealand has become one of the best fishing grounds in the world. This is yet another good entry in the series as we get some great stories and some wonderful visuals. The only thing I would question is the image of Lake Wakatipu because what we see here looks like a painting. We see an artist sitting in front of the lake drawing it but to my eyes it appears that the artist is sitting in front of a painted lake. Once again we get the great narration by James A. FitzPatrick and some glorious Technicolor shots.