BBC Documentary: Planet Earth
by Michael Graham Richard, Gatineau, Canada on 04. 4.06
If you ever start to forget why you are a treehugger, please watch the Planet Earth documentary series by the BBC. It has made me - if such a thing is possible - even more passionate about protecting all the different forms of life and ecosystems on our planet, and I've only watched the first episode. It is: "The most ambitious factual series ever commissioned by the BBC and a breathtaking exploration of our world." It doesn't address environmental issues directly, but there's no time for that as the camera moves rapidly from pole to pole in search of natural magnificence. But not mentioning environmental problems isn't really a downside because anybody who watches these films can't help but fall in love with our wonderful planet; there will be other occasions to learn more about the ugliness of pollution and habitat destruction. These films are certainly a good starting point to raising awareness and should be showed in schools all over the world. If you have the chance, please see these movies (preferably with your non-treehugger friends and family). Thanks to Øystein H-O for the tip. ::BBC - Planet Earth, ::Pre-Order the Book or DVD
I remember hearing about this series. I believe Sir David Attenborough is involved, though I don't think he appears in it. He's a very passionate conservation advocate. In 2000, he made a powerful series called State of The Planet which defined the five ways that humanity is changing the world to it's detriment.
I was in the UK last week and caught an episode of this fantastic series. It was the caves episode which was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. The behind the scenes part was amazing, showing how they managed to capture all those shots.
I will be buying this on DVD for sure and play it non stop for my 6 month old boy so he grows up appreciating just how wonderful this planet of ours really is!
Unless I'm mistaken, Sir David Attenborough is the narrator.
David Attenborough and the BBC have done several great nature documentary series. They were a major influence on my environmental views. The Blue Planet, an 8 part series on seas and oceans is fantastic.
David's been a busy man for someone who reached retirement age about 15 years ago. He recently did 3 seperate series on the Life of Mammals, Birds, Plants and the fourth on Insects is due to be done soon.
The Mammals and Bird series are amazing. I've only seen bits of the Plant series, but they used some very creative filmmaking to make a boring subject become very interesting.
David Attenborough's work is amazing - unfortunately he appears to have had little involvement with this series
While the photography in this current series is incredible, the narrative script is often mind-numbingly stupid with idiotic and unprovable blanket statements and an obvious anti-human ideology.
If you are going to watch it I suggest you turn off the audio and watch with some of your favorite music.
I just picked up the DVD set and watched the first disc, and it is simply incredible. There are scenes and events captured in Planet Earth which aren't found anywhere else - some of which have never been witnessed in such detail. The commentary is engaging and the music is thoroughly moving.
For anyone who has an interest in nature photography or cinematography, or considers themselves environmentally conscious, I suggest Planet Earth as required viewing.