The famous footage taken in Rwanda back in 1979 Credit: BBC
It is arguably the most famous wildlife footage of all time, as Sir David Attenborough gets up close and personal with gorillas in the Rwandan wild.
But the broadcaster has revealed how the previous few moment of footage almost never saw the light of day, after the film team were captured by the military and jailed.
Sir David Attenborough, and his then cameraman Martin Saunders told how they were shot at while driving back from the jungle, before being accosted by the local army.
The footage was only salvaged after the quick-thinking Mr. Saunders slyly switched the labels from his used film to an unused roll, before feigning annoyance at having to hand it over.
It is arguably the most famous wildlife footage of all time, as Sir David Attenborough gets up close and personal with gorillas in the Rwandan wild.
But the broadcaster has revealed how the previous few moment of footage almost never saw the light of day, after the film team were captured by the military and jailed.
Sir David Attenborough, and his then cameraman Martin Saunders told how they were shot at while driving back from the jungle, before being accosted by the local army.
The footage was salvaged after the quick-thinking Mr. Saunders slyly switched the labels from his used film to an unused roll, before feigning annoyance at having to hand it over.
The footage, of Sir David lounging among the wild gorillas, has become one of the best-remembered moments of his career, and is credited with saving the endangered animal.