Planet Earth - Fothergill/Attenborough

[Thomas Knierim]

I've just bought a 5 DVD box set (http://www.amazon.com/Planet-Earth-Complete-David-Attenborough/dp/B000MR9D5E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1205726102&sr=1-1) of a BBC's documentary series named Planet Earth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_Earth_%28TV_series%29), which ran in 2006 and 2007 respectively. Since I am knocked off my socks by the amazing footage, the areal shots, and the computer enhanced slow-mo and hi-speed scenes, I thought it's okay to let you know, although this might seem a bit like a promotional post. Our kids loved it, too. They could hardly contain their giggles at the mating birds of paradise and the swimming elephant underwater shots.

I think it's the best wildlife documentary I ever saw. - Anyone else saw it?

Cheers, Thomas

[the_aphid]

I think it's the best wildlife documentary I ever saw. - Anyone else saw it?

Cheers, ThomasYes, my girlfriend bought it for me this past Christmas. I was also blown away by the unbelievable footage in this documentary. I love watching anything and everything about nature, particularly when it is narrated by David Attenborough. I was awe-struck to see some footage I had never seen before, and simply never expected. Like a pride of lions taking down a full sized elephant, or a desperate polar bear attempting to kill a walrus! :o

[scameter]

I like it alot myself. Very vivid pictures and detailed documentation, and also very sweeping of the entire world. If I could afford to, I'd probably buy it too.

[Vlatko]

I think it's the best wildlife documentary I ever saw. - Anyone else saw it?

Yes, I saw it too, the whole DVD set. I was truly amazed.

In addition the last DVD is about the "saving the species" where number of authorities are interviewed about whether is important or not endangered species to be saved, which was also really interesting and I think it is worth discussing it here on tbv.

However during the whole documentary producers somehow decided not to show any actual kill of the predator over prey. The attacks are shown but the kill is not.

Cheers, Vlatko

[Flux]

I saw a short bit of it at my grandparents about two years ago. It was an episode about a mountinous region, with a waterfall, not sure where... In any case, I definitely agree that the footage was spectacular.

[the_aphid]

However during the whole documentary producers somehow decided not to show any actual kill of the predator over prey. The attacks are shown but the kill is not.Well, that's not exactly true Vlatko. There is footage of great white sharks slowed down to 40 frames per second to show the tremendous fury and force with which they attack the seals they prey on. I think in many of those shots the seals were killed almost instantly. Another fascinating and memorable shot was of the whale shark, which nobody had ever suspected fed on fish. But as shown on camera, the whale shark allows bait balls of fish to accumulate around his body offering them protection from yellowfin tuna. That is until he abandons them, diving deep into the water, then as the tuna group these fish near the surface, the whale shark returns taking in an enourmous mouth-full of bait fish...very clever ;)

However, I think you are right that wherever possible the producers limit the amount of gory or disturbing footage, probably keeping in mind the whole time that these videos are educational and likely to be viewed by children.

I also particularly enjoyed the final disk on Saving the Species. Many notable experts discussing the impact which we have on the environment is, I feel, one of the most important and beneficial things to be learned from the whole series.