Regardless of whether it is among the best work David Attenborough ever did, or among the most unique or among the most groundbreaking (personally don't think so in either case), 'Seven Worlds, One Planet' is still another gem from him. Also something documentary lovers and the whole family, like all his work, should see, though one has to be warned that there are scenes in all the episodes that are not easy watches.
"Australia", the halfway point episode, is a strong contender for the most poignant episode of 'Seven Worlds, One Planet'. And for one primary reason. Seeing rare chances of seeing now extinct or fast disappearing animals, which is enough to make anybody sad, in a way that really unsettles even those not easily unsettled. Am probably sounding really ignorant when saying that and sorry for that (actually aim all the time to be a subjective person), but that is my genuine stance. "Australia" really moved, no devastated me, and it would honestly make me quite surprised if it doesn't have that impact on others.
This poignancy can be especially seen in the thylacine footage. Also in anything to do with the dingo mother, in another relatable and powerful example of determination and instinct. Her hunting methods amazing to.
Plus seeing animals braving challenges posed by the environment and climate changes, like the snowstorms. All the information presented never stops being engaging and really fascinates, with seeing extinct and fast disappearing animals on screen the educational value is quite high here. A strong example of this being the tasmanian devil sequence.
It is hardly surprising that "Australia" is spot on visually, vividly photographed with landscapes and environments that are both beautiful and unforgiving. As said with other Attenborough documentaries and individual episodes, there is not a sense of just cute animals in beautiful scenery. There is actually a lot of dark edge and the tense moments are uncompromising. The photography shows quite a few amazing sights of behaviours and such up close, such as the thylacine footage and with the wild budgengars and the reptiles drinking through their skin.
Music is grandiose but never over-powering, and Attenborough's delivery is nuanced yet passionate.
Concluding, the superb quality of the series has not lessened. 10/10
