I do indeed remember the series “The Secret World” narrated by the great Christopher Lee. I also saw it in NJ, during the summer of 1990. I think it came on about 11pm or so (Friday nights?) on either WWOR channel 9 or WPIX channel 11.

What a cool and interesting program! Mnynames’ description is spot on. All animals have an evil side; there was even the sinister fieldmouse! It was basically a montage of older animal documentary clips re-edited for the series darker theme, but Christopher Lee’s narration made it absolutely riveting. My roommates and I would darken the room, light candles and await Mr. Lee’s dark introduction. Awesome!

I want to thank Mnynames for his recollection; I have spent YEARS trying to find any reference to this wonderful program. After finding no sign of it anywhere, I started doubting myself- was it really Christopher Lee (of course it was, how could he be mistaken for anyone else?), did the program really exist? Am I crazy???

After looking at every filmography for Christopher Lee I could find, there is never any mention of The Secret World, although you’ll find every minor project or obscure role he ever played. WHY IS THIS? I even wrote a letter to Christopher Lee asking him about it, but my letter was returned unopened (I probably sent it to the wrong contact).

My most vivid memory of the show was the one about the “EEEEVIL piranyyyyah!” (Mr. Lee vocal style) (everything was evil) where the unsuspecting capybara “falls” into the river and is devoured by a school of piranha. The film crew obviously flung the animal into the water, it was so obvious. Macabre, yet hilarious at times!

So thank you, Mnynames, for restoring a shred of my sanity by sharing your memories. If anyone else out remembers this wonderful program, please share your comments. And if anyone has or knows where to get copies of “The Secret World” PLEASE let me know; I’m willing to pay!

I do indeed remember “The Secret World” narrated by the great Christopher Lee, and I have spent years trying to find evidence of it’s existence, convincing people that it did exist and that I’m not going mad, so thank you for your recollection; your description of the show is also spot on.

It was a very cool and interesting show. I saw it in NJ; summer of 1990. It came on (I think) Friday nights around 11pm or so on either WWOR cannel 9 or WPIX channel 11.

I’m puzzled that every filmography for Christopher Lee I’ve ever seen makes no reference to this TV show, although many list even his most minor and obscure contributions. WHY?

I even tried to send a letter to Mr. Lee asking him about it, but I never got a response. I know it sounds a bit crazy, but all I have wanted was confirmation that it was him (unmistakable)narrating this show. I tried to track down tapes of the show to no avail, not surprisingly.

If anyone else remembers this show, please post a comment and share your memories. And if anyone has videos of the show, I would be interested in buying them.

My fondest and most vivid memory of the show was the one about the “EEEVIL pirhanyaaaah” (Mr. Lee voice) where the unsuspecting capybara “falls” into the water and is devoured by a school of pirhanna, but was obviously flung into the water by the film crew. Macabre, yet hilarious!

Thank you Mnynames, you have restored a bit of my sanity, but the search continues.

Where I lived in New Jersey, it was followed by another show called “The Secret World”, narrated by the occasionally on-screen Christopher Lee, whose voice could make phone book entries sound like excerpts of the Necronomicon. This show was, for the most part, about the myths and folklore associated with animals, with an obviously macabre bent. In effect it sounded like a nature program written by a medieval sorcerer.

I have to say that both were quite influential on me, does anyone else remember them?

I look forward to another series and good on them for putting it out. The BBC’s X-Creatures still rules as the best cryptid series so far on tv in my opinion.

I thought the show was a good idea but ultimatly poorly executed. Oh well at least someone is trying to make mainstream Crypto television which is indeed a good thing.