Slow Train Through Africa (TV Mini Series 2015) Poster

User Reviews

Review this title
2 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
7/10
Train themed travel through Trans-Africa
futuretype23 February 2018
Griff does a commendable job as amenable host sampling parts of Africa under the theme of railroads. Travel varies from riding in open ore cars in Namibia (providing his own mattress) to luxury coach to Capetown. Portions of history as well as geography are covered through the use of pleasant narration and splendid photography.

Sidetrips are necessary to see various aspects of contemporary Africa yet only a fraction of the attractions are touched on. For instance in South Africa there is no mention of Vredefort Meteor Crater (worlds largest at 300 km across and two billion years old) nor Insharwalda (where the Zulu defeated the British). I would tave rather seen more of each country and less of the railway connections. It didn't include an episode of the railway through Botswana (Bulawayo to Mafikeng) perhaps account train passenger travel suspended during the filming period. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botswana_Railways

In the early 1980s (some by train) I had been through parts of Egypt, Sudan*, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South West Africa (now Namibia), South Africa and Mozambique*. It was interesting how some things had not changed. However I wondered if requisite bribes to get through borders still went on or that just wasn't shown.

* yes during their civil wars
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Surprise!
mmunier25 August 2021
I was going through my 200 dvd I recorded through the years, often with 2 on one disk and came up at "Slow train to Africa" having no idea of what movie it was.... So I searched for it and low and behold I was in Zambia and Zimbabwe!

Since I have been in Africa including the Victoria Falls It was most enjoyable and more than I saw on foot! I understand it's more like a documentary, of course about train Journeys, but most interesting and enjoyable with "Griff's" charming personality!

I understand there are several series /episodes of it but I was very satisfied with this one.
0 out of 0 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed