Customer Reviews

The Blue Planet - Seas of Life 2 Pack (Parts 1 & 2)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Unlike what the previous reviewer said, these are not butchered copies. These volumes are only the first 4 episodes, if you look on Amazon.com they have the other two(which contain the final four of the eight part series) for pre-order aswell(coming out much later, May 7th). The order of the BBC episodes were changed some, but everything else is the same(they also changed the first episodes title from "Introduction" to "Ocean World", and I like the new one better) If you don't believe me, go to the official BBC website, and compare the episode titles, you will see they are the same, albiet mixed up in the order.

The first volume of the dvd contains "Ocean World" and Frozen Seas". Ocean World is the first BBC episode, and is the first Region 1 DVD(R1DVD) episode. Frozen Seas is the next R1DVD episode, and is on the same volume as the first. However, it was originally broadcast 4th on the BBC(see official bbc page). The second volume of the R1DVD contains episode "The Deep" and "Open Ocean" the Deep was originally broadcast 2nd on the BBC, and is moved to fourth for the R1DVD. Open Ocean remains at the same spot, episode 3. While the other two volumes information hasn't been released yet, they will both contain two episodes each, bringing the total up to 8 episodes, the original number. I hope this helps.

...

I saw the entire series when they came out on Discovery Channel. I was shocked to see the footage of killer whales taking out a blue whale calf. I was mezmerized to see funky green/blue lights 2 miles under the sea. I was wowed to see them go back to a whale carcass 18 months later to find sea life still thriving on it. They would show all levels of the ecosystem, from plankton and bacteria to whales to sharks, back to plant life and all the way back. The only drawback I found was only seeing it in fullscreen mode on a widescreen monitor. Now, with these DVDs in anamorphic widescreen, I can enjoy this with my whole family for years to come. the summary is true to form when they say it's a current complete natural history of the oceans, but think of it more as a tribute to aquatic life on this planet, this "bright blue ball, just spinning, spinning free, dizzy with Eternity!"

I'm not going to post my review that has been said by others.

What I'm saying here is that the series has a same named book.
To avoid you diffculty in finding the book (as many same named books may show up), the book ISDN is 0789482657, you can use it to pinpoint the book directly using amazon search engine.

The book is a great supplimentary to the DVD (in fact, I'd rather think the DVDs are the great supplimentary to the book), the book covers so many info how and why the ocean is as what we see today and on the DVD, the sea formation with each evolution, yet easy to understand, coupled with amazing photos and chaptered roughly equvalent as the DVD. The information is not duplicate with the narration found in the DVD series. Personally from knowledage points of view I got much more and with broader background knowledge while watch the series.

I highly recommend it.

(Proud owner of the book and the DVD series).

I live in Chicago, which is nearly a thousand miles from salt water, so I know very little about the sea. Normally, I'd skip a "nature series" like this, but a glowing review in the "Wall Street Journal" piqued my interest; so I bought the set. And am I glad I did! Each show is informative, yet dazzling entertainment: beautifully photographed, well edited, and framed with just the right narration and music. The series arouses your sense of awe at the world of nature around us.

Everyone in the family, from my teenagers to my four-year-old, enjoyed the series. However, the little guy was very upset when he saw the baby whale being taken down by the killers; you may wish to keep that from young children.

The DVD transfer is excellent; it looks great even on our old Toshiba using composite video. As a bonus, each program comes with a ten-minute "making of" documentary; and each disk has an in-depth interview with a member of the production staff.

I've pre-ordered the second set, and we're looking forward to the day it arrives.

I spent an entire afternoon viewing these DVDs, and am quite impressed with the completeness of this series. It has footage I've never dreamed of having the priveldge of seeing, and pretty much all I watch on TV is wildlife and environmental promgramming. The cinematography and accompanying score play well into each other -basically, if you want a first-class, close-up, stunningly unique view of the oceans, this would be the thing to watch. I'm still awed by the camera angles and lighting the photographers were able to obtain. Who would've thought that bioluminescence could be so absolutely beautiful, albiet otherworldly, or the panicked finesse of a giant shoal of sardines could be downright graceful and mesmerizing to watch?

However, if you're sensitive to the delicate balance of predator/prey, be warned. I was surprised to see this series so laden with predation. It seems to me the series should be called "The Food Chain of the Sea", as almost every sequence on both DVD's contained footage of one animal losing its life to another, including a lengthy sequence of a pod of Orcas attempting and succeeding at killing a grey whale calf. The calculated and perfectly-timed maneuvering of the Orcas is completely engrossing, but mothers and sensitive individuals will more than likely find it extremely disturbing to witness, since, although the event is part of the natural scheme of things, one can't help but be saddened at the way the event unfolds.

All in all, other than the heavy predation, this series is informative, educational and excellent viewing. You will not be sorry for your purchase.

A science fiction fantasy told and presented as reality. Which doesn't seem like much until you realize this *is* reality. Unearthly creations both monstrous and spellbinding, painstakingly caught on video and presented in the comfort of your living room. No prior knowledge of undersea life is necessary to enjoy this visual feast. Even my 5 and 7 year-old children find this video as fascintating as those about dinasours.

By the way, I brought this DVD series after reading the book of the same name. The book obviously goes into more detail but both are a highly recommended addition to your library.

I gave this as a gift to someone who knows a thing or two about marine biology and fully expected that person to cite all the discrepancies and untruths each video contained. To my utter surprise (and relief!) the recipient enjoyed all 4 episodes (2 per tape, also a surprise) and actually learned a few things too!
That other 2-pk (Part 3 and Part 4 of the series) is looking pretty good as a follow-up gift.

If the oceans fascinate you, it will be difficult to top this DVD collection. The cinematography, narration and the lengths through which the filmmakers must have gone to amass scenes that will take your breath away make this an amazing experience. The next best thing to being there.

This documentary is absolutely amazing! The lengths the photographers have gone through to capture this amazing footage raises the bar for all others. This is not your ordinary nature film. From Antartica, to undersea volcanos 3 miles down where few people have ever been, the footage is stunning. You'll see recently discovered sea life that few have ever seen. (More people have been into space then to the bottom of our ocean trenches) David Attenborough's narration is first rate. The DVD also includes some behind the scenes footage not seen on the Discovery special.

Assuming that the transfer is decent (a pretty safe bet), this DVD should be absolutely amazing. A few scuba diving friends that I know in England were raving about the series when they got to see it way back in September, and they were dead on the money. This show has amazing footage of the undersea world, scenes that I can only dream about seeing for myself, even with the travelling I do for my own scuba vacations. I had to stop saying "wow" whenever something breathtaking was shown, because I was saying it non-stop.