Super Croc

Synopsis: Dr. Paul Sereno discovers Sarcosuchus imperator, a giant prehistoric crocodilian ancestor. With the help of Dr. Brady Barr, they try to uncover the secrets of Super Croc and its ancient world.
Viewed on: Youtube

I've seen this as a child, rewatched it recently and its still a great documentary. So much so that other docs that I have and will review try to emulate it (or have the same editor I guess). First off the narrator is freaking Sam Niell! Dr. Alan Grant of Jurassic Park fame. They don't really use as many celebrities anymore for pop science docs these days so that was a real treat. The pace of the program is fantastic, the science is interesting and engaging, and the crocodilian scenes are thoroughly entertaining.

We get a nice intro to the finding of the fossils which is kind of skimmed over. Although how much time can we really lend to digging bones in the deserts of Africa. Just would of liked more context to the environment in which Sarcosuchus inhabited. Probably the biggest and only complaint I have in this whole doc. I also really appreciate all the footage of the different crocodilian species in which bite forces and skull sizes are taken for scientific purposes relating to Super Croc. Really good stuff, especially when highlighting the publicly unknown gharial.

In the final phase of the doc we get to the sculpting of the life size replica. I will add that this doc was probably the first to implement that to documentary storytelling which other modern day docs probably take inspiration from. The pose of the sculpt is mentioned for a moment and it really got me thinking that these elements are really vital to capturing the imagination and awe of the public. The S shaped curve and powerful open jaws are important to selling the power and characteristics of this animal. I remember seeing the sculpt as a 5th grader and it hit me hard while it was traveling on the road to multiple museums. Its a powerful sight to behold. All in all check this program out!

My Score: Tyrannosaurus Recs