Coming from somebody who is a big aficinado, and it is increasing the more seen, when it comes to documenraries and has been on a more than fullfilling documentary binge for over a year, saying that David Attenborough is unequalled when it came to nature documentary presenting/narrating is very high praise. There have been some great non-Attenborough documentaries, but Attenborough's work trumps them all and his best work is some of the best ever produced as far as documentaries go.
In decades-old worth of work that is remarkably consistent in that there is not a bad thing in it, something extremely rare for anybody, gems are a great many. If asked what is my favourite of his it would actually be impossible to give an answer as it keeps changing as more is seen of his work beyond 'Planet Earth' and 'Blue Planet'. 'The Life of Birds' is though by any standards one of his masterworks, it is ground-breaking as a documentary on birds, perhaps the documentary of first choice for many, and as a documentary overall. While it is also superb in its own right. It has everything that makes so much of his work so wonderful and deserves everything great that has been said about it.
It is sad that "The Limits of Endurance" is the last episode of 'The Life of Birds', and it is a wonderful way to end. All the qualities that made the previous nine episodes so great are here, and it is remarkable that it touches upon heavy themes but handled them tactfully, didn't feel preached at and it didn't feel misplaced despite a different slant to the material.
Visually the episode still looks incredible, it is made with no signs of feeling choppy or feeling static. Its remarkably near-cinematic look makes one forget that it is part of a series, with the editing always succinct and who cannot help love the scenery. Animation is also brought into the mix, not only does it hold up well it also is used sensibly, making an impact without being over-used and never jars.
Have at times found music intrusive in some documentaries, Attenborough's work not exempted, but did not find that here or the rest of 'The Life of Birds' and it is also quite stirring.
Once again, a great job is done on the educational, emotional and educational side, found myself captived throughout and caring for what was said, that is something that has never faltered in Attenborough documentaries. In terms of the facts once again there was a very good mix of known and unknown, written with the usual tact and sensitivity. It is all well-researched and backed up. Likewise with the different species themselves, the information presented was illuminating and saw any familiar ones in a different light. "The Limits of Endurance", on top of talking about birds, talks of human independence, conservation and how humans impact birds. Life in the city for some birds as a habitat is explored (not unfamiliar territory for Attenborough but does this matter), luckily this didn't come over as preachy and contrary to my worries before watching it didn't feel out of place with the rest of the series.
For me, nobody is, as far as documentary narrating/presenting goes, on the same level or better than Attenborough, being consistently one of the main reasons as to why his vast body of work is so highly regarded. Not many presenters and narrators in documentaries know and live their content better in the way Attenborough does, if at all, and he times and pitches it all beautifully.. The typical sincerity and enthusiasm of his delivery has never failed to captivate, a distinctive voice that one can listen to for hours on end without ever being bored or annoyed. Similarly it is understated yet always riveting, never preachy.
All the wide-ranging traits of the birds continually interest the viewer and one roots for them, while not being too humanised. How the episode talk about human dependence may not be new territory but it's very relatable. It is really amazing for an episode with a lot covered in a short space of time, but it doesn't feel rushed in pace or cluttered and you still find youself learning a lot without feeling like you're not being told enough.
"The Limits of Endurance's" flow is completely natural, never does it feel disjointed or choppy and it's always tight and coherent with no rambling or long-windedness. Did feel some emotion, though the other episodes had more of it, remembering that some species are now long extinct like the dodo and Attenborough's closing lines are profoundly thought-provoking, talking about how we should appreciate the birds' beauty and variety and that there should still be a place for them. He's right in this regard. It's always comprehensible and like all the other episodes of 'The Life of Birds' it didn't feel like a string of scenes unconnected with each other. Some nice storytelling but it is careful not to speculate too much or distort facts. Both have been in documentaries in the past, not here.
All in all, a perfect way to conclude one of Attenborough's most ground-breaking masterworks. 10/10 Bethany Cox
In decades-old worth of work that is remarkably consistent in that there is not a bad thing in it, something extremely rare for anybody, gems are a great many. If asked what is my favourite of his it would actually be impossible to give an answer as it keeps changing as more is seen of his work beyond 'Planet Earth' and 'Blue Planet'. 'The Life of Birds' is though by any standards one of his masterworks, it is ground-breaking as a documentary on birds, perhaps the documentary of first choice for many, and as a documentary overall. While it is also superb in its own right. It has everything that makes so much of his work so wonderful and deserves everything great that has been said about it.
It is sad that "The Limits of Endurance" is the last episode of 'The Life of Birds', and it is a wonderful way to end. All the qualities that made the previous nine episodes so great are here, and it is remarkable that it touches upon heavy themes but handled them tactfully, didn't feel preached at and it didn't feel misplaced despite a different slant to the material.
Visually the episode still looks incredible, it is made with no signs of feeling choppy or feeling static. Its remarkably near-cinematic look makes one forget that it is part of a series, with the editing always succinct and who cannot help love the scenery. Animation is also brought into the mix, not only does it hold up well it also is used sensibly, making an impact without being over-used and never jars.
Have at times found music intrusive in some documentaries, Attenborough's work not exempted, but did not find that here or the rest of 'The Life of Birds' and it is also quite stirring.
Once again, a great job is done on the educational, emotional and educational side, found myself captived throughout and caring for what was said, that is something that has never faltered in Attenborough documentaries. In terms of the facts once again there was a very good mix of known and unknown, written with the usual tact and sensitivity. It is all well-researched and backed up. Likewise with the different species themselves, the information presented was illuminating and saw any familiar ones in a different light. "The Limits of Endurance", on top of talking about birds, talks of human independence, conservation and how humans impact birds. Life in the city for some birds as a habitat is explored (not unfamiliar territory for Attenborough but does this matter), luckily this didn't come over as preachy and contrary to my worries before watching it didn't feel out of place with the rest of the series.
For me, nobody is, as far as documentary narrating/presenting goes, on the same level or better than Attenborough, being consistently one of the main reasons as to why his vast body of work is so highly regarded. Not many presenters and narrators in documentaries know and live their content better in the way Attenborough does, if at all, and he times and pitches it all beautifully.. The typical sincerity and enthusiasm of his delivery has never failed to captivate, a distinctive voice that one can listen to for hours on end without ever being bored or annoyed. Similarly it is understated yet always riveting, never preachy.
All the wide-ranging traits of the birds continually interest the viewer and one roots for them, while not being too humanised. How the episode talk about human dependence may not be new territory but it's very relatable. It is really amazing for an episode with a lot covered in a short space of time, but it doesn't feel rushed in pace or cluttered and you still find youself learning a lot without feeling like you're not being told enough.
"The Limits of Endurance's" flow is completely natural, never does it feel disjointed or choppy and it's always tight and coherent with no rambling or long-windedness. Did feel some emotion, though the other episodes had more of it, remembering that some species are now long extinct like the dodo and Attenborough's closing lines are profoundly thought-provoking, talking about how we should appreciate the birds' beauty and variety and that there should still be a place for them. He's right in this regard. It's always comprehensible and like all the other episodes of 'The Life of Birds' it didn't feel like a string of scenes unconnected with each other. Some nice storytelling but it is careful not to speculate too much or distort facts. Both have been in documentaries in the past, not here.
All in all, a perfect way to conclude one of Attenborough's most ground-breaking masterworks. 10/10 Bethany Cox
