Himalaya with Michael Palin

Michael Palin's comic genius is rarely disputed, but something he is equally good at and less well known for is his ability with people, no matter what their nationality, language, religion, or culture.

In this documentary series Palin travels the Himalaya, and in the process meets many different people, from Royals and Ministers to ordinary shepherds, and even the Dalai Lama. On his journey through visually stunning landscape, he shows the lives of those whose livelihoods depend on the mountains of the Himalaya. It is difficult not to be enthralled and amused with every new country he visits.

Palin's respect for others and ability to laugh at his own way of living makes Himalaya a worthwhile documentary with real impact. Excellent.

Actually, I think I liked the first three of Michael Palin's travelogues ("Around the World in 80 Days", "Pole to Pole" and "Full Circle") better than the three that follow ("Hemingway Adventure", "Sahara" and "Himalaya"). So from that point of view it's not correct to call "Himalaya" the high point of Michael Palin's career.

The big difference is that each of the first three series was documenting a trip made by Michael Palin, and the trip itself was the central element that provided a focal point for the TV series.

In the last three series, and especially in "Himalaya", one gets the feeling that the traveling was secondary, and that the purpose of the whole exercise was primarily to find places and people and events that would make "good TV".

"Himalaya" was, of course, a fantastic trip, and the TV series that covers it is very interesting. Many countries around the Himalayan Mountains were visited, some of them well off the tourist track and some of them with security problems such that the team needed armed guards. Specifically, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, China, Nagaland, Assam, Bhutan and Bangladesh were visited. A total of 3000 miles was traveled during 125 days (6 months), and many beautiful and exciting images, encounters and interviews resulted.

Some of the best parts in the series include Michael Palin making several treks on foot up into the mountains, the highest trek going to Everest Base Camp at 5480 m (18000 ft). Well done, considering that Michael was 60 when he did the trip.

Other high points (ha, ha) include visiting the Dalai Lama, milking a yak, talking to a retired headhunter, buying booze in Pakistan, having an almost-encounter with Maoists in Nepal and sailing off into the sunset in the Bay of Bengal. All situations where the special Michael Palin wit and charm comes through strongly.

The down side is that it all seems a bit too artificial, a bit too motivated by "is this good TV?" The traveling itself is hardly mentioned at all, and in reality the filming and traveling was done in several visits to the area over a period of 11 months. Nor is there a continuous route from start to finish; instead Michael and the team seem to jump back and forth from place to place in order to find the elusive "good TV" locations and events.

The DVD version of the TV series is on three discs containing the six one-hour programs. In addition there is the following extra material:

• an introduction by Michael Palin, 3 minutes.

• 125 minutes of additional scenes - mixed quality, some good, some not so interesting.

• an interview with Michael Palin, 27 minutes, very good.

Highly recommended. Despite my negative feelings about the producers focusing on finding "good TV" instead of focusing on the trip as an undertaking, this is, of course, really good TV.

Rennie Petersen

Without a doubt Michael Palin is a true explorer out of his time. He would have been at home with the greats such as David Livingston, Cecil Rhodes, Albert Arrbuthnott and Fred Bloggs to name a few, tramping up them thar hills makes me feel breathless just watching T'Lad and he's nowt but a sprog of a lad at 62, Keep it up Lad your get better each trip. When the Telly is this good who needs the rubbish.

Michael Palin and his various trips are something to look forward too. You don't have to wonder if it's going to be good, just how much better than the last one.

His easy going, pleasant style reminds me a lot of Sir David Attenbourough's own way. Maybe the two of them should meet up some where and do a trip together.

Having planned a two-month trip to the Northeastern India next year I immediately snatched up disk one of Michael Palin's Himalaya. I was so blown away by the first two hours that I immediately drove back to the video store to rent 2 and 3. This is one of the few programs I have watched that I can say is truly perfect. Palin is more than a great comedian and traveler; he is a kind and humble man that brings cheer to the people of battered places like Kashmir, Pakistan and Bangladesh. The 3 DVDs are 6 hours in total and even the snippets in the special features section are highly entertaining. Bravo to Michael Palin for being such a great ambassador of goodwill and sharing his great travels with us all.

I loved the scene where Michael stole a furtive glance at that native woman--and it was deliciously sensual for just a moment! And who if not Michael could sit in a room with the Dali Lama and make small talk seem as natural and effortless as talking to one's local minister? We are drawn into his genuine curiosity for the world and its peoples like static electrical particles seeking a place to bond. One can travel miles upon miles and relearn everything from 3rd grade but much more pleasurably with Michael as our guide and teacher. He is the epitome of a National Geographic color man...may he trek the globe for us many more times!