La Reine de la Montagne

Saw 'Ghost of the Mountains' as a fan of documentaries and of Disney, as well as somebody who has enjoyed (though with reservations) most of the DisneyNature documentaries. Was very interested in seeing a rare chance of seeing snow leopards on film and also to see the human aspect as one sees how the cruel conditions the crew have to work in and the sight of the animals affect them. The latter not something usually see in the DisneyNature documentaries.

'Ghost of the Mountains' is not a perfect documentary, but it more than serves its purpose of giving the viewer a chance to see snow leopards in a way that one is not going to find to this extent anywhere else. Although it is one of the lowest rated DisneyNature documentaries, and probably because viewers felt that there was too much emphasis on the crew and not enough of the snow leopards, to me actually 'Ghost of the Mountains' was one of the better ones.

Do think that there definitely could have been more of the snow leopards, though they do captivate when they're on screen.

The failure to mention Tibet once in the documentary, when it was one of the more prolific homes for the snow leopards, was disappointing and somewhat sloppy.

However, what is seen of the snow leopards, shown in their full nuanced glory, is really quite astonishing. Very tense, moving and how they, ruthlessness and methods of survival managed to be filmed is something of a miracle. The photography as always for DisneyNature is quite breath-taking and the scenery is both beautiful and unforgiving. Really loved the compassionate portrayal of the crew and what they courageously undergo to get this footage, one roots for them just as much as the snow leopards. 'Ghost of the Mountains' has charm but it is also suitably uncompromising, appropriate as the methods of survival should not be sugar-coated, and harrowingly so. While also done tactfully and with enough to make one think long and hard afterwards.

Of the DisneyNature documentaries, 'Ghost of the Mountains' is by far one of the best narrated. The writing of the narration itself is sincere and doesn't have any over-sentimentality or corny and out of place attempts at humour that the writing in some of the other DisneyNature documentaries did. The tone is serious without being gravely so or spelling out too much about feelings or what's going on on screen. The delivery of the narration is just right, it's the right type of voice and it shows an engagement with the material without being over-eager or too jokey. The music is also one of the better ones, tonally it's well suited and the placement isn't too much. It has presence but it doesn't try to be too sweepingly epic or be too cinematic.

All in all, very good. 8/10

Some viewers complained that there was no mention of Tibet. I am sure that that was a stipulation from the Chinese faction, otherwise you know they would have included the information. You can't just go into China and do whatever you want. There is protocol.

Another complaint people have is that there was minimal footage of the snow leopards. Not surprising! There's a rare leopard somewhere that people have spent decades trying to film, and were ecstatic when they got a couple of still photos at night. And yet, this crew, spending months in extreme conditions, managed to get a good bit of hi-res film of a mother snow leopard and her cubs, basking and playing.

It's not a lot of footage compared to what you'd get if you went to film flamingos in Florida, or monkeys in the rainforest. But for tracking a rare and elusive animal to the ends of the earth, and waiting months to film it, this is quite a coup! I didn't mind that most of the film centered on the crew and the elements; I enjoy people stories. Every moment of being able to see the snow leopards in the wild though ... that was priceless!

This was a very enjoyable documentary for me.. the human experience, the spectacular scenery, and close up views of snow leopards.. I got what I came for!

Wow, I'm stunned, after watching this incredible outstanding Film. 1st- I'd like to thank the good people who braved 9 mos of grueling filming, in the harshest of conditions, "on top of the world".

Never have I read, or seen film, pictures, let alone Video of this Quality, and overall amount of actual continued footage of not one, or 2 Snow Leopard's, but included Cubs also. Wow. Words fall short of the emotions one receives in seeing this very special and rare footage. Rare as many dozens of expeditions have climbed atop the world in the Himalayas to document, photograph or TRY to film these elusive gorgeous creatures.

I've had some experiences with Snow Leopards, that have been bred in Captivity, at the nearby Endangered Feline Breeding Complex in Rosamond, Ca. Of all the big or small non-domestic cats, I've always felt the Snow Leopards have a look unlike any Feline I've yet to meet. Of course there is nothing much more special than playing with a Bengal or Siberian Cub, (bred in captivity), 'tho the Snow Leopards look deep into one's Soul, unlike any Feline. If I didn't know better, I'd swear these heavenly elusive creatures are all reincarnated Tibetan Lama's, Rinpoche's, great Masters of Life.

Can't praise enough those film crew members, who supported and filmed with pure brevity; to carry on, endure these elements high altitude elements of extreme cold, winds, and high thin air altitudes; to obtain this footage. I more than admire their approach to not trying to get that elusive close up picture, for fear of losing the Leopards trust, of which they seemed to obtain. A feat very uncharacteristic of any snow leopard, IE trust in humans, especially when the cats know humans are nearby let alone in plain sight.

However one aspect of production, and narrative of this movie, deeply disturbed me, which IMHO, downgrades the perfect 10 score I gave this. I almost downgraded this films experience and rating, based on hearing how these gorgeous animals were in the "Chinese" Himalayan's. With not a brief mention, that this IS/WAS Tibet proper, and has been since the Chinese bloody occupation of Tibet and hostile take over of 1957. A simple brief admission would of been nice, instead of a failure to mention Tibet as once home of the largest quantities of these special creatures.

To this day Tibet exists in those persons hearts who have not forgot this bloody time in History. The Snow Leopards diminished greatly over the time of China's military invasion.

and of course Tibet was not the only home of the Snow Leopard, IE these nations have or had snow leopards since mankind first met them: Tibet, Afghanistan, Bhutan, China's Mongolian Plains, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Great work Disneyture, and outstanding work and kudos (hats off) to those who made this possible, IE those who physically ensured this film made it to the studio.... Bravo!!!

In bonus features, Disney film crew boasts how they had 24/7 access to ER care & air transport. This super mother snow leopard WAS a legend to local Mongolians, thus she was tracked, darted & UNNATURALLY COLLARED for THIS film. Those reviews admiring all filmography are NOT informed how Disney film crew caused her death & her twin cubs deaths bc streaming fails to show bonus clips. The film crew boasted they "laughed & ate food for 5 days few feet away" watching her slow death, her 2 nearby teen female cubs shivering & starving to death. The entire snow leopard family's death is entertaining to this horrible film crew.

IF she wasn't darted & filmed, the super mom snow leopard in her PRIME yrs would've raised her 2 cubs- an extraordinary feat, & she herself would remain alive, her incredible genes passed down to populate a near extinct species.

Disney crew caused her death by refusing to aide her after an illegally grazing ram severely injured her during a hunt. That's why she looks pleadingly into the camera lens often at the end. The worthless crap quote of "life's balance being Ying/ yang" is akin to Pinocchio's nose growing 10 feet long. Disney crew justifies their greedy motives & INaction to aide her by stating "it's nature." Is it "nature" to hunt her, dart her & Force a collar on her while she's raising 2 cubs so the crew can easily film her? She entrusted them- a huge gift, & Disney crew betrayed her. All reviews who mention her death due to THIS film have been removed.

I never would watch any film that causes the death a critically endangered creature, esp the lead.. I discovered this AFTER on blue ray bonus features.

Def SKIP this abhorrent profit only purpose film. There are better films of snow leopards filmed with hidden cameras that do not dart them nor Jeopardize their lives, esp when raising young.

I love animal docs. This was well edited and put together. I cried.