DAVID BECKHAM: INTO THE UNKNOWN

Publicity poster for David Beckham: Into The Unknown (© Anthony Mandler/David Beckham/BBC – reproduced here on a strictly non-commercial Fair Use basis for educational/review purposes only)

Time for another one-day-only transformation from Shuker In MovieLand to Shuker In TVLand, in order to present and preserve here the following TV mini-review by me – a shorter version of which I originally wrote exactly 5 years ago today [2 September 2015] (where does the time go??).

After buying it in December 2014 as a birthday present to myself, on 2 September 2015 I finally got around to watching the DVD of the 2014 BBC TV documentary/travelogue David Beckham: Into The Unknown, the DVD containing additional footage not shown on TV.

It records an epic trek by Becks and three mates (Derek White, football agent David Gardner, and movie director Anthony Mandler, who also directed this TV documentary) that begins with them flying 5000 miles from London to Rio de Janeiro in Brazil, then travelling from Rio to Manaus in the very heart of the Amazon rainforest, which is where their decidedly rigorous, far-from-comfortable jungle trek truly begins.

 

From Manaus they journey by motorbike and boat, guided by locals but battling the elements and confronting all manner of rainforest fauna, as they visit the tiny community of Angelin, cross the Rio Negro to the banks of the Rio Cuieras, then journey even deeper into the dense Amazon jungle in order to meet up with the remote Yanomami native tribe.

Once there, one of the highlights of their stay is their hapless albeit enthusiastic attempt to educate the Yanomami in the fundamental rules of the Beautiful Game. Equally memorable was the puzzled reaction of the Yanomami to the array of tattoos sported by Becks, and their no less perplexed, vain attempts to wipe them off this mysterious 'painted man' visiting them!

David Beckham: Into The Unknown is a very watchable, feel-good programme thanks to the natural, unaffected charm and likeability factor of one of the celebrity world's genuinely nice guys. I was also well impressed by how proficient Becks is as a biker – nice one!! And here is a trailer giving a concise insight of their experiences along the way – did I mention spiders, snakes, and a leaking boat?

And to view a complete listing of all of my Shuker In MovieLand blog's other film/TV reviews and articles (each one instantly accessible via a direct clickable link), please click HERE! 

The official DVD of David Beckham: Into The Unknown that I own (© Anthony Mandler/David Beckham/BBC – reproduced here on a strictly non-commercial Fair Use basis for educational/review purposes only)