On the down side it was depressing to see the poverty and hints of political repression and social unrest in parts of Africa. And, of course, there's the beautiful photography showing the stunning nature that was found along the way. There are many impromptu encounters with the local people that are humorous and interesting. The wonderful thing about Michael Palin's travelogues is the enthusiasm, wit and charm that Mr. Transportation was almost non-existent in central Africa, parts of Africa had to be avoided due to civil war and Michael Palin was hit by several health problems including two cracked ribs. The trip took five months and was quite arduous at times. The trip attempted to follow the 30 degree east longitude line, down through Scandinavia, the then-existing USSR, Turkey and all the way down through the continent of Africa. The use of aircraft was only allowed when surface travel was not possible, and public transportation was used as much as possible. The trip was based on several self-imposed rules. This review is based on watching the DVD version of "Pole to Pole", the BBC TV program made in 1991 that showed Michael Palin traveling from the North Pole to the South Pole. This is an 8 part series, I believe, and seems to be over far too soon. Through it all he smiles and has a visibly great time, and so does the viewer. He interviews a Turkish masseur, who seems to have learnt his trade by watching World Wrestling Federation videos, and gets a massage that looks like it breaks a few bones he rides a rattletrap train in Africa, where the less-than-appetizing entree is a spiny fish that looks to be more bone than fish he travels across the Black Sea on a Russian steamer, hobnobbing with just plain Russian folk who are very, very friendly he takes part in the evening's festivities aboard a luxury liner going up the Nile, dressed as a Roman centurion. ![]() ![]() He never really goes over the edge, but he always seems to be about to. The best thing about the series is Palin, who seems to always be on the brink of some hilarity. Michael Palin travels from the North Pole to the South Pole by the most direct routes, runs into the most interesting people, places and situations, and lets nothing get in his way. This is one of those multi-part shows that I wish A&E would rerun every month it's a delight from start to finish.
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