|
By Darren Thompson
One thing I`ve developed over the years as a hunter is an appreciation for truth in advertising. On more than one occasion I`ve been taken advantage of-- - getting stuck with something I wish I never would have purchased in the first place. But when the closing credits of The Mane Event: Tanzania`s Perfectly Shot Dangerous Game rolled on the screen, I was sort of bummed out that this safari DVD had to come to an end. So I restarted The Mane Event and watched it again, and again.
It was a great "movie," but to call it that would be disrespectful to Marc Watts who labels himself as a real-time safari video producer. Movies are acted out dramatizations. The Mane Event offers no dramatizations. Marc wrote and narrated the video but it`s his gun that does most of the talking. His marksmanship is simply phenomenal. From his opening salvo on a white-bearded wildebeest to the dramatic ending kill sequence, the viewer is provided revealing close-ups of actual bullet placements that have punishing effects on Marc`s targets---and from long distances too.
On day four as Marc hunts in a Masailand concession in Northeastern Tanzania he and his professional hunter, Peter Chipman hone in on a coke hartebeest. I use the term "hone in" lightly here because Marc doesn`t really need to get that close. It`s almost as if sometimes he wants the animal to get farther out. Finally as Marc and Peter close the distance to 450 yards, he takes the shot and flattens the "kongoni" in his tracks as he is walking. Did you get that? I`ll repeat. 450 yards...one shot...as animal walks...stone dead!
As they roll along on the 14-day Tanzania safari, one gets the sense this hunter cannot fail, as the momentum builds towards the climactic lion kill. The cinematography is breathtaking, at times resembling scenes from Born Free; or Redford`s classic Out of Africa, but let`s not go there. Those once again are movies. The Mane Event is an in-your-face real hunting docudrama, filmed entirely by award- winning videographer Emanuel Kapp, "Kappie."
Like a great quarterback and his wide receiver, Marc and Kappie click effortlessly—and seem to score at will on any animal when they want to. It`s hard to say who makes who look better. During the ostrich sequence, Kappie bets Marc that he can`t kill on ostrich with one shot from 400 yards. Marc finally accepts the bet for $200 and two Kappie-faced one-hundred dollar bills "ch-ching" onto the TV screen. At the risk now of spoiling the humorous outcome I`ll just say, Marc wins the bet.
He`s surrounded by a "Tanzania Dream Team" of professional hunters and trackers that guide him on this captivating safari. The "Dream Team" reference is something Marc borrowed from the O.J. Simpson trial back in 1995, for which Marc served as the lead correspondent for CNN. Marc showcases his warm correspondent-like gift of gab during his on-camera recaps and interviews with Peter. Their respect for each other`s craft is mutual and it`s easy to see that the relation extends far beyond the typical one of P.H. and client.
"I knew you were going to do it," Peter tells Marc as they kneel next to an impressive 41-inch cape buffalo that Marc shot from 157 yards. The second buff is even more impressive as Kappie`s video camera takes the viewer down the barrel of Marc`s .416 Rigby. Most safari videos would have cut to the chase and jumped to the final kill shot. But The Mane Event documents the passage of time in between the gunshots. And in the end Marc triumphs over a wonderful display of animal loyalty.
Along the way Marc one times a fringe-eared oryx, spanks a big croc, a hippo and tussles with a herd of elephants. It`s all presented in a thoughtful narrative, allowing the listeners to probe the hunter`s mind along the way.
The lion arrives unsuspectingly which is a compliment to the storytelling because at two previous moments, I told myself, "here it comes", but no, Marc keeps you guessing and then sells the climax. He keeps you there and you`re treated to an authentic lion sequence like no other. You hear the bullet smack. You feel yourself pulling the bolt back to reload the rifle. You clap and feel yourself taking part in the handshakes and celebration. I felt myself wondering what it must feel like for the African crew to watch an African-American man accomplish this. There`s no mistake why Marc has called this The Mane Event: Tanzania`s Perfectly Shot Dangerous Game.
It`s the most authentic, informative and entertaining safari video on the market today. I`ve practically bought them all (I should know) and I read the back covers before I watch them. For once the hype matched the product. As hunters we call em` like we see em.`
The DVD version contains several extras well worth the extra cost. There`s even a preview to Marc`s next release from Zimbabwe. I`ve already pre-ordered it.
*If you purchase all 7 Africa DVD titles in the Sable Trail Productions series, also known as the Magnificent Seven, you will receive One Shot: Hunting America's Original Game Preserve free, with free shipping (value of 34.95), and a FREE T-SHIRT ($12.00 value). That's a total savings of $46.95!
*The Elite 8 is similar to the Magnificent Seven with The Royal Showdown book included. Not only will you get a FREE T-SHIRT and a FREE DVD of One Shot: Hunting America's Original Game Preserve with free shipping, but you will also get free shipping on the book, saving a total of $56.95!
* For more information about The Royal Showdown, click here
| The Mane Event | ||