Dogs might chase cars, but only a cheetah could actually catch one. These big cats, the fastest land animals in the world, can attain speeds of 60 miles per hour, if only for short sprints. Still, that's all they need to nab a hapless Thomson's gazelle in Season of the Cheetah, a still-timely National Geographic Video Classic. Following small groups of these lithe, graceful killers as they return to the Serengeti for the spring rainy season, we can see their complicated social life, their struggles with competitors such as (much larger) lions, and their reliance on quick kills for their everyday sustenance. While their situation and numbers have improved somewhat over the years, their fight for life is just as gripping as ever. Add to that the absolutely smashing footage of the Serengeti during and after a storm--the inescapable torrents, the churning clouds, and the eerie light that follows--and you'll find Season of the Cheetah irresistible. --Rob Lightner |
