The Blue Planet: Seas of Life BBC One episode by episode overview, as presented across two BD-50 discs in the original UK broadcast order: Only the most jaded natural history buffs will scoff, though, as most will ignore such easily overlooked shortcomings and sink into the series and everything it has to offer. While by no means a deterrent, the production's age does take a small toll, from its standard definition video source (more on that below) to some of the once astonishing, now familiar discoveries that made a bigger impact in 2001. The game-changing culmination of what came before it and the inspiration for much of what has come after, The Blue Planet remains a fairly absorbing experience, even if it's been surpassed by more in-depth natural history series in the twelve years since its debut.
Filmed over the course of five immensely challenging years, it remains a fascinating eight-episode exploration of the world's oceans, beautiful underwater expanses and coastal vistas, and rich, diverse sealife, with narration from David Attenborough and music composed by five-time Academy Award nominee George Fenton. One of those pre- Planet Earth series is executive producer Alastair Fothergill's The Blue Planet: Seas of Life.
Along with renowned naturalist (and British national treasure) Sir David Attenborough, who joined the BBC in 1952, the BBC Natural History Unit has made dramatic strides in the field, eliminating the once unbridgeable chasm between viewers around the world and some of the most amazing sights on Earth, above the waves and below. Established in 1957, the BBC Natural History Unit has been on the front lines with many a landmark series. But the BBC has been producing outstanding programming for the better part of seven decades, from radio broadcasts like The Naturalist in the 1940s to groundbreaking television like Life on Earth in the late '70s to, most recently, stunning, riveting shows like Africa. Unconverted standard definition video all but sinks the ship.įor some, natural history documentaries and series begin and end with Planet Earth and its 21st century progeny. The Blue Planet: Seas of Life Blu-ray Review