106 out of 119 people found the following comment useful :- 11 out of 10, 9 February 2007
Author:
Robert from Netherlands
I don't think I can add anything to the previous 10 out of 10 comments,
other than that I'd give it a full 11 out of 10 if this were possible.
I have seen my share of nature documentaries, but this takes the cake.
Utterly awe-inspiring, mesmerizing and brilliant. I own an extensive
DVD-collection, but if I had to choose 1 title and had to throw away
everything else I had, this would be the one I'd keep. I have no better
DVD-title in my collection. Period.
David Attenborough is my personal hero. Although he merely provides the
commentary for this series (as he did with the also terrific Blue
Planet), but his work for the BBC's Natural History division (setting
it up and making several brilliant series himself) and his inspiring
personality make him one of the true greats.
Miss this at your peril.
76 out of 95 people found the following comment useful :- A visually impressive and memorable look at the world that we live in, 1 May 2006
Author:
bob the moo from Birmingham, UK
As the influence of man expands across the globe, fewer and fewer truly
untouched wilderness exists. This series aims to use technology never
used for nature programmes before to take us into these wildernesses
and see the environment within them and the creatures that live there.
Starting with a journey from one pole to the other, this series
explores the extreme conditions of mountains (from the birth of one to
the coldest of those existing), deserts, caves, oceans, fresh waters
and others to present some of the most impressive footage ever seen in
a nature documentary.
With a budget of about £40 million, the BBC were going to have to
deliver something pretty special to avoid the usual accusations of
waste tax payer's money, catering to a small audience etc etc. However
with Planet Earth they have easily silenced the critics to present a
nature programme that is interesting and education. The biggest selling
point is the footage which, at its worst is impressive but at its best
is simply breath-taking and actually had me saying "wow" at some
points. I am not naturally a nature programme viewer but this show had
me hooked from episode 1 where a quick glance at the opening minutes
had me staying with it for the following eleven weeks. The footage is
impressive and, although it is the weakest part of each hour, I did
enjoy some of the "Planet Earth Diary" sections where we actually saw
the technology, techniques and sheer trial of getting the views that we
get. My words can't really do it justice but the series gives footage
that you won't have seen anywhere else before with episode 1 claiming
that the footage of a pack of dogs hunting told experts things they
hadn't previously known.
However I have seen some a couple of nature documentary feature films
recently that have also had impressive footage but Planet Earth backs
it up with a typically informative and engaging narration from David
Attenborough. For me he added enough educational value to prevent the
series just being televisual wallpaper which of course is what it
also does in terms of providing some beautiful material that would work
even if the sound broke on your television. Like many others though, I
would have liked there to be more connection made to the impact that
man's actions are having on the ecosystems and animals that we are
shown for example are they getting rarer or having their habitats
shrinking? Occasionally it does this but nowhere near enough which is
partly why some critics have labelled it "environmental porn", which I
can understand but do not totally agree with.
Overall this is a great series that does a great job of presenting the
beauty of the natural world but just about having enough educational
value to it to avoid it just being the television equivalent of
wallpaper for your computer. The shots are impressive and the range of
creatures and habitats that are presented makes this well worth seeing.
I'm sure that wildlife fans will long for more detail but as a casual
viewer this was just what I was looking for. An impressive and
memorable look at the world that we live in.
64 out of 77 people found the following comment useful :- An amazing trip around our beautiful planet., 28 August 2006
Author:
ultimorn from Orange County
I have seen many nature documentaries in my life and none have left me
in such amazement of our planet as this series. The sheer work that
went into its making alone is impressive. The shots that are captured
on film are like none ever seen and remind us of both the power of
mother nature and her fragility. I highly recommend this series to
people of all ages as there is something for everyone. If you do watch
any of the episodes, do watch "Pole to Pole". It is a great
all-encompassing view of many animals and their habitats. David
Attenborough does a great job as narrator. If you enjoy this series
also check out "The Blue Planet", a series by the BBC on oceans (also
narrated by Attenborough).
54 out of 68 people found the following comment useful :- The most amazing achievement in natural history TV has ever given, 16 December 2006
Author:
cmcoveos from Greece
The subtitle of the series is not an exaggeration; it has a literal
meaning: This is indeed our planet as "never seen before". Right from
the outset you are witnessing the most amazing pictures modern
technology has ever produced: Views from space, but close enough so we
may see the glorious beauty of specific regions of our home planet.
Birds of paradise of such beauty that can convince you this is the real
paradise and you need not ask for anything more; All the creatures are
filmed in unique settings and situations (a polar bear with two cubs
emerging from their den as spring comes and gliding down a snow covered
slope, the strategic genius of wild dogs encircling a herd of impalas,
rare views of a snow leopard and her cub, a white shark in chase of a
seal bursting completely out of the sea and hanging in the air for a
second and hundreds of other breath-taking shots. Feeling happy for the
gift you are given and the next moment plunged in bitter thoughts about
how unbelievably brutally has mankind treated it. My rating: Definitely
10/10.
39 out of 50 people found the following comment useful :- Brilliant Documentary Series, 16 January 2007
Author:
bs3dc from United Kingdom
Planet Earth is a worthy documentary series that looks not just at the
animals and plants in remote areas, but at the ever-changing ecosystems
that look prone to collapse in the near future. This is the sort of
programme that the BBC excels at and makes better than anyone else.
The camera-work is fantastic and the sections at the end of each
programme where they look at how certain parts were filmed is
interesting as you see the dedication of the crew who go out to these
desolate spots for months to film sections that will last only a couple
of minutes on screen. Much of the wildlife has barely been filmed and
some such as the wonderfully agile Wild Amur leopard have probably only
been seen by very few living people in the flesh.
It is narrated by David Attenborough who has the perfect voice for
wildlife documentaries and his presence is almost a guarantee of
quality in itself. His record speaks for itself.
Some of the sequences shown are very brave, most notably the struggles
of the polar bear to find food on the ever-decreasing Arctic ice. Too
many nature documentaries succumb to "niceness" and show only cute
animals looking sweet. To understand how Man is changing the planet it
is crucial to show how wasting energy may be affecting wildlife in
distant lands (or seas). Sadly it is also important as it seems all too
likely that much of the footage will become museum property in the near
future, showing subsequent generations the marvellous diversity of life
Earth used to enjoy.
Overall it has some good educational value as it can be enjoyed both by
young children and was recommended by my tutors during a conservation
module of my degree.
32 out of 37 people found the following comment useful :- Simply put, stunning, 2 September 2007
Author:
Jaakko Hyry from Finland, Oulu
I have never, ever given any title a perfect ten. Mainly because I
never thought that there will ever be something that truly deserves the
praise. I was so wrong. Watching this amazing display of planet earth's
resources in high definition is just simply breath taking. In addition
David Attenboroughs commentary is spot on. Calm, informative and quiet
in just the right places. Sometimes the picture is so beautiful, that
one just simply forgets the commentary and just starer in awe on the
beauty of the landscapes and other details. Sometimes the director
feeds the viewer with juicy bits of slow motion scenes to add to the
effect of the moment. I simply can't recommend this title enough to
everyone. Just pick it up anywhere you can find it. Spectacular.
35 out of 43 people found the following comment useful :- Astonishing Series, 14 June 2007
Author:
hootleboot from Canada
I'm an avid nature doc lover and I haven't seen anything like this
series. Everything is so top notch it's unbelievable. Put any
criticisms behind you and enjoy the union of the best in photography,
technology, ingenuity, bravery, and the definite love and appreciation
that go into capturing life on this planet. It all comes together in
the magnificent imagery that we are given.
David Attenborough delivers his usual infecting and inspired narration
like a village sage telling the story of the "life out there." This
just goes to further the project. I heard Signourney Weaver does the
American version? Why this change I haven't a clue.
Planet Earth pulls no punches and shows both the majesty and harshness
the wild world can offer without romanticizing it too much, so beware,
some scenes are very difficult to watch.
The shows are well developed and intriguing, but of course they can't
cover everything. Don't imagine you're going to get an intensely
in-depth study of the earth, but instead a glimpse of certain aspects
of the subjects that are explored. It's more than enough to be
informative and to whet your whistle for more.
What's great is we also get to see behind the scenes footage of how
parts of the series were made, which goes to show how much these people
put into capturing a few precious moments.
It's hard to imagine how anyone could not be amazed by this series.
Hell, I find I'm a pretty jaded person at times, but this is an amazing
look at this little blue dot we live on. Enjoy it while you're here.
54 out of 81 people found the following comment useful :- Beautiful, 21 July 2006
Author:
Cabrone from London
This is a beautifully shot series looking at nature in all it's natural
wonder, showcasing a breathtaking diversity of life from the poles to
the deserts.
With the spectre of global warming rapidly looming I wonder just how
much of these wonderful ecosystems are going to survive. I just hope
that in 100 years time people will not watch 'Planet Earth' with the
same curiosity that I have when look at etchings of the Dodo from old
books.
TV like 'Planet Earth' has made me think a lot more about the natural
world that surrounds me and the impact I am having on it. We can't sit
back and let this disappear. It's for all future generations, not just
this one.
24 out of 26 people found the following comment useful :- Marvelous, 8 April 2008
Author:
Qwertius from Netherlands
I don't get the critics.
Some claim it's only about killing. Well I watched every episode and
some have every little killing , like Jungle or Ice Words. But I see
majestic trees, flowers, scenery. I see the amazing bond between two
penguins and the care for their chicks. It looks more like 'love' than
I witness between most humans.
Some claim that we should not watch it but go out DOING something about
protecting the environment. Well nobody told me this film was forcing
us to save the environment. Although I think and hope that watching
this magic series does encourage more people into thinking about their
own life in context with out planet than not watching it would do.
Some claim it may be dull or shallow.
This film never claims to be a hardcore scientific nature doc. It shows
the planet, areas of the planet more or less linked together and gives
brief GLIMPSES of the flora and fauna in those areas! If you want more
info, more science, more data, go to a library or university! I saw it
for what it is. And for me it more than deserves a 10 out of 10
18 out of 20 people found the following comment useful :- In A Word: Amazing, 5 January 2009
Author:
ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States
Thankfully, I caught a couple of these episodes on American television,
which led me to this 11-part series on Blu-Ray DVDs and over five hours
of outstanding entertaining and education. Looking back, I still shake
my head in amazement at the things I saw on these discs.
Obviously, the incredible photography and sharpness/color (please see
this on high-def, if you can) is the first thing that captures the
viewer's eye, but as the series went on I appreciated the objectivity
in here ("aw, cute" shots mixed in with the brutality of existence) and
the lack of environmental propaganda, which one usually gets in
boatloads in these "nature" films. Here, the writers and narrator David
Attenborough just present the world as it is. Only at the very end do
you get a short environmental message. It isn't needed: the beauty of
this earth says it all, and the writers were smart enough to figure
that out during this series.
After viewing 11 discs, you come to the obvious conclusions that in the
Earth's world of animals, birds and fish come only a few objectives:
where to find food, water, a mate, and escape being devoured by a
predator. That's it, except for pets or zoo animals. On land or in
water, it's simply a matter of survival, as this BBC series shows us.
What makes this so special is that, thanks to incredible work by
cameramen, we are privy to many extraordinary sights we would never
see, if left on our own, and never imagined existed on this planet.
Much of this series is simply mind-boggling to view, especially all the
overhead shots, which were stunning.
There are too many positive adjectives I could use to even begin, in
recommending you watch this. Just give it a try - any of the 11
segments - and see if you don't want to then watch all of them.
Own the rights?
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106 out of 119 people found the following comment useful :-

11 out of 10, 9 February 2007
Author: Robert from Netherlands
I don't think I can add anything to the previous 10 out of 10 comments, other than that I'd give it a full 11 out of 10 if this were possible. I have seen my share of nature documentaries, but this takes the cake. Utterly awe-inspiring, mesmerizing and brilliant. I own an extensive DVD-collection, but if I had to choose 1 title and had to throw away everything else I had, this would be the one I'd keep. I have no better DVD-title in my collection. Period.
David Attenborough is my personal hero. Although he merely provides the commentary for this series (as he did with the also terrific Blue Planet), but his work for the BBC's Natural History division (setting it up and making several brilliant series himself) and his inspiring personality make him one of the true greats.
Miss this at your peril.
76 out of 95 people found the following comment useful :-
A visually impressive and memorable look at the world that we live in, 1 May 2006
Author: bob the moo from Birmingham, UK
As the influence of man expands across the globe, fewer and fewer truly untouched wilderness exists. This series aims to use technology never used for nature programmes before to take us into these wildernesses and see the environment within them and the creatures that live there. Starting with a journey from one pole to the other, this series explores the extreme conditions of mountains (from the birth of one to the coldest of those existing), deserts, caves, oceans, fresh waters and others to present some of the most impressive footage ever seen in a nature documentary.
With a budget of about £40 million, the BBC were going to have to deliver something pretty special to avoid the usual accusations of waste tax payer's money, catering to a small audience etc etc. However with Planet Earth they have easily silenced the critics to present a nature programme that is interesting and education. The biggest selling point is the footage which, at its worst is impressive but at its best is simply breath-taking and actually had me saying "wow" at some points. I am not naturally a nature programme viewer but this show had me hooked from episode 1 where a quick glance at the opening minutes had me staying with it for the following eleven weeks. The footage is impressive and, although it is the weakest part of each hour, I did enjoy some of the "Planet Earth Diary" sections where we actually saw the technology, techniques and sheer trial of getting the views that we get. My words can't really do it justice but the series gives footage that you won't have seen anywhere else before with episode 1 claiming that the footage of a pack of dogs hunting told experts things they hadn't previously known.
However I have seen some a couple of nature documentary feature films recently that have also had impressive footage but Planet Earth backs it up with a typically informative and engaging narration from David Attenborough. For me he added enough educational value to prevent the series just being televisual wallpaper which of course is what it also does in terms of providing some beautiful material that would work even if the sound broke on your television. Like many others though, I would have liked there to be more connection made to the impact that man's actions are having on the ecosystems and animals that we are shown for example are they getting rarer or having their habitats shrinking? Occasionally it does this but nowhere near enough which is partly why some critics have labelled it "environmental porn", which I can understand but do not totally agree with.
Overall this is a great series that does a great job of presenting the beauty of the natural world but just about having enough educational value to it to avoid it just being the television equivalent of wallpaper for your computer. The shots are impressive and the range of creatures and habitats that are presented makes this well worth seeing. I'm sure that wildlife fans will long for more detail but as a casual viewer this was just what I was looking for. An impressive and memorable look at the world that we live in.
64 out of 77 people found the following comment useful :-

An amazing trip around our beautiful planet., 28 August 2006
Author: ultimorn from Orange County
I have seen many nature documentaries in my life and none have left me in such amazement of our planet as this series. The sheer work that went into its making alone is impressive. The shots that are captured on film are like none ever seen and remind us of both the power of mother nature and her fragility. I highly recommend this series to people of all ages as there is something for everyone. If you do watch any of the episodes, do watch "Pole to Pole". It is a great all-encompassing view of many animals and their habitats. David Attenborough does a great job as narrator. If you enjoy this series also check out "The Blue Planet", a series by the BBC on oceans (also narrated by Attenborough).
54 out of 68 people found the following comment useful :-

The most amazing achievement in natural history TV has ever given, 16 December 2006
Author: cmcoveos from Greece
The subtitle of the series is not an exaggeration; it has a literal meaning: This is indeed our planet as "never seen before". Right from the outset you are witnessing the most amazing pictures modern technology has ever produced: Views from space, but close enough so we may see the glorious beauty of specific regions of our home planet. Birds of paradise of such beauty that can convince you this is the real paradise and you need not ask for anything more; All the creatures are filmed in unique settings and situations (a polar bear with two cubs emerging from their den as spring comes and gliding down a snow covered slope, the strategic genius of wild dogs encircling a herd of impalas, rare views of a snow leopard and her cub, a white shark in chase of a seal bursting completely out of the sea and hanging in the air for a second and hundreds of other breath-taking shots. Feeling happy for the gift you are given and the next moment plunged in bitter thoughts about how unbelievably brutally has mankind treated it. My rating: Definitely 10/10.
39 out of 50 people found the following comment useful :-

Brilliant Documentary Series, 16 January 2007
Author: bs3dc from United Kingdom
Planet Earth is a worthy documentary series that looks not just at the animals and plants in remote areas, but at the ever-changing ecosystems that look prone to collapse in the near future. This is the sort of programme that the BBC excels at and makes better than anyone else.
The camera-work is fantastic and the sections at the end of each programme where they look at how certain parts were filmed is interesting as you see the dedication of the crew who go out to these desolate spots for months to film sections that will last only a couple of minutes on screen. Much of the wildlife has barely been filmed and some such as the wonderfully agile Wild Amur leopard have probably only been seen by very few living people in the flesh.
It is narrated by David Attenborough who has the perfect voice for wildlife documentaries and his presence is almost a guarantee of quality in itself. His record speaks for itself.
Some of the sequences shown are very brave, most notably the struggles of the polar bear to find food on the ever-decreasing Arctic ice. Too many nature documentaries succumb to "niceness" and show only cute animals looking sweet. To understand how Man is changing the planet it is crucial to show how wasting energy may be affecting wildlife in distant lands (or seas). Sadly it is also important as it seems all too likely that much of the footage will become museum property in the near future, showing subsequent generations the marvellous diversity of life Earth used to enjoy.
Overall it has some good educational value as it can be enjoyed both by young children and was recommended by my tutors during a conservation module of my degree.
32 out of 37 people found the following comment useful :-

Simply put, stunning, 2 September 2007
Author: Jaakko Hyry from Finland, Oulu
I have never, ever given any title a perfect ten. Mainly because I never thought that there will ever be something that truly deserves the praise. I was so wrong. Watching this amazing display of planet earth's resources in high definition is just simply breath taking. In addition David Attenboroughs commentary is spot on. Calm, informative and quiet in just the right places. Sometimes the picture is so beautiful, that one just simply forgets the commentary and just starer in awe on the beauty of the landscapes and other details. Sometimes the director feeds the viewer with juicy bits of slow motion scenes to add to the effect of the moment. I simply can't recommend this title enough to everyone. Just pick it up anywhere you can find it. Spectacular.
35 out of 43 people found the following comment useful :-

Astonishing Series, 14 June 2007
Author: hootleboot from Canada
I'm an avid nature doc lover and I haven't seen anything like this series. Everything is so top notch it's unbelievable. Put any criticisms behind you and enjoy the union of the best in photography, technology, ingenuity, bravery, and the definite love and appreciation that go into capturing life on this planet. It all comes together in the magnificent imagery that we are given.
David Attenborough delivers his usual infecting and inspired narration like a village sage telling the story of the "life out there." This just goes to further the project. I heard Signourney Weaver does the American version? Why this change I haven't a clue.
Planet Earth pulls no punches and shows both the majesty and harshness the wild world can offer without romanticizing it too much, so beware, some scenes are very difficult to watch.
The shows are well developed and intriguing, but of course they can't cover everything. Don't imagine you're going to get an intensely in-depth study of the earth, but instead a glimpse of certain aspects of the subjects that are explored. It's more than enough to be informative and to whet your whistle for more.
What's great is we also get to see behind the scenes footage of how parts of the series were made, which goes to show how much these people put into capturing a few precious moments.
It's hard to imagine how anyone could not be amazed by this series. Hell, I find I'm a pretty jaded person at times, but this is an amazing look at this little blue dot we live on. Enjoy it while you're here.
54 out of 81 people found the following comment useful :-

Beautiful, 21 July 2006
Author: Cabrone from London
This is a beautifully shot series looking at nature in all it's natural wonder, showcasing a breathtaking diversity of life from the poles to the deserts.
With the spectre of global warming rapidly looming I wonder just how much of these wonderful ecosystems are going to survive. I just hope that in 100 years time people will not watch 'Planet Earth' with the same curiosity that I have when look at etchings of the Dodo from old books.
TV like 'Planet Earth' has made me think a lot more about the natural world that surrounds me and the impact I am having on it. We can't sit back and let this disappear. It's for all future generations, not just this one.
24 out of 26 people found the following comment useful :-

Marvelous, 8 April 2008
Author: Qwertius from Netherlands
I don't get the critics.
Some claim it's only about killing. Well I watched every episode and some have every little killing , like Jungle or Ice Words. But I see majestic trees, flowers, scenery. I see the amazing bond between two penguins and the care for their chicks. It looks more like 'love' than I witness between most humans.
Some claim that we should not watch it but go out DOING something about protecting the environment. Well nobody told me this film was forcing us to save the environment. Although I think and hope that watching this magic series does encourage more people into thinking about their own life in context with out planet than not watching it would do.
Some claim it may be dull or shallow.
This film never claims to be a hardcore scientific nature doc. It shows the planet, areas of the planet more or less linked together and gives brief GLIMPSES of the flora and fauna in those areas! If you want more info, more science, more data, go to a library or university! I saw it for what it is. And for me it more than deserves a 10 out of 10
18 out of 20 people found the following comment useful :-

In A Word: Amazing, 5 January 2009
Author: ccthemovieman-1 from Lockport, NY, United States
Thankfully, I caught a couple of these episodes on American television, which led me to this 11-part series on Blu-Ray DVDs and over five hours of outstanding entertaining and education. Looking back, I still shake my head in amazement at the things I saw on these discs.
Obviously, the incredible photography and sharpness/color (please see this on high-def, if you can) is the first thing that captures the viewer's eye, but as the series went on I appreciated the objectivity in here ("aw, cute" shots mixed in with the brutality of existence) and the lack of environmental propaganda, which one usually gets in boatloads in these "nature" films. Here, the writers and narrator David Attenborough just present the world as it is. Only at the very end do you get a short environmental message. It isn't needed: the beauty of this earth says it all, and the writers were smart enough to figure that out during this series.
After viewing 11 discs, you come to the obvious conclusions that in the Earth's world of animals, birds and fish come only a few objectives: where to find food, water, a mate, and escape being devoured by a predator. That's it, except for pets or zoo animals. On land or in water, it's simply a matter of survival, as this BBC series shows us.
What makes this so special is that, thanks to incredible work by cameramen, we are privy to many extraordinary sights we would never see, if left on our own, and never imagined existed on this planet. Much of this series is simply mind-boggling to view, especially all the overhead shots, which were stunning.
There are too many positive adjectives I could use to even begin, in recommending you watch this. Just give it a try - any of the 11 segments - and see if you don't want to then watch all of them.
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