What makes Michael Palin's trips so special is the enthusiasm, wit and charm he brings to the endeavor. Plus the ability of the crew to find extremely interesting people for Michael to talk to and very interesting activities for him to sample. And the whole thing is beautifully photographed, making you want to visit the various places yourself.

Among some of the most interesting points on the trip are a wedding ceremony in South Korea, the Russian Gulag in Siberia, the CaoDai religion in Vietnam, Philippine women learning how to be foreign workers, lassoing camels in Australia, a French shaman in the Amazon valley, narcotics problems in Bogotá, and illegal immigrants from Mexico to the USA.

My only criticism is that the west coast of the USA and Canada got glossed over. I'm guessing that Michael Palin, after nine months of traveling, just wanted to get home.

The DVD version of this TV program consists of three discs. These discs contain the ten 45-minute episodes (7 1/2 hours) plus some extra material:

- a very interesting interview with Michael Palin (28 minutes)
- some scenes that didn't make it into the TV program (almost 50 minutes)
- a funny meeting with Eric Idle, with lots of inside jokes for Monty Python fans (8 minutes)

Even without the extra material I'd give these DVDs a "highly recommended" rating. The extra material, especially the interview with Michael Palin, makes it even more wonderful.

Note that there is also a beautiful and well-written book available that covers this trip - also highly recommended.

Rennie Petersen


An epic from the modern day adventurer   December 6, 2004
 20 out of 21 found this review helpful

OK, you've been around the world in 80 days, and you've travelled from the North Pole to the South Pole. Is there anything else that you can do? Well, yes if your Michael Palin, you can go on a monumental journey around the largest ocean in the world visiting Russian goulags, Cow racing competitions and hidden Inca cities on the way. This really is travel on a grand scale, 18 countries, over 50,000 miles and still the mans spirits never seem to flag; how does he do it? His wit and enthusiasm are truely infectious and everytime, you wish you could see more. Here in lies the problem and the reason why I haven't given it 5 stars. It's so big an undertaking that some things, especially near the end just seem to be skimmed over which is a great shame. For instance at the end of episode 5 we see him having to abandon the boat he's on in Borneo as the weather conditions aren't right to take them to Australia, however at the start of the next episode, he's on a road train in Adelaide! It would have been nice to see or even hear some kind of explanation on how he did it. Also, his journey across the East Coast of America and Canada is barely touched on which seems a great shame. I know there is only so much footage you can fit into a ten part series but I think some things could have been explained a little clearer. Having said that, the footage that is in, from the stunning beauty of North Eastern Russia, the towering gauges of the Yangtze river which by now thanks to the damming will be under water, to the breathtaking scenery of the Amazon rainforest, is fantastic! Palins enthusiasm for everything that he see's and all the people he meets is wonderful; he's at ease with every situation that the journey throws at him although by the end, you can tell he's beginning to flag, but who can blame him after almost a year away from home.
On the whole, this is my favourite Palin adventure just because it's so damn big! You get to see so many different customs and traditions and some truley humbleing moments; I defy anyone not to feel moved when Michael visits a former Russian goulag death camp with one of it's survivors.
The DVD itself is great, 3 discs, deleted scenes, out takes and an interview with the great man himself, what more could you ask for? This is a must for anyone who's interested in travel even if it just from your own armchair, but it's a fantastic show in it's own right. Long may this man go on travelling and making brilliant television! Top Class


Go the distance   August 31, 2004
 11 out of 12 found this review helpful

After the great 80 days and Pole to Pole, Palin come back again with the 3rd of his wonderful travel series. This one really does have you wondering what will happen next. He travels through contries so close, but yet so far in terms of culture and the people populating them. This one contains many surprises, even to those who think they can predict Palin by now, you are wrong! The DVD is also packed with extras, deleted scenes and an interview to name but afew. So if you enjoy Palin, and his tavels, and want a bit more than the other sereis, then i urge you to buy Full Circle.