Customer Reviews

Life on Earth: A Natural History [VHS]

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It is rather unclear what the intentions of this grotesquely abridged version of Life on Earth were, but what stands out above everything else is that this two video tape set does little justice to the original series. I had seen several episodes complete while in college and a few years back purchased this edited version--knowing quite well it was edited. But the severity of the cuts was never clear until viewed side-by-side with the original version. It might seem that the episodes were perhaps 30 minutes long but instead they were a full 50 minutes. Given that many of the episodes on this tape are little over 10 or 20 minutes, you can imagine just how much has been lost.

And what did they choose to lose? As another review made clear, the most interesting, the most novel and the most educational elements were discarded leaving a program that is still interesting if nothing else is available, but chopping out almost everything that made this program one of a kind.

The truth is, unlike many of the other fantastic 'life' installments, 'Life On Earth' is quite intellectual, and really oriented toward the college level viewer. That doesn't mean that younger people won't like it, but seeing it next to 'Life of Mammals' for instance, the difference in the target audience is abundantly clear. Unfortunately, almost all the college level material is dropped from the 4 hour version. Comparison to fossils, extensive discussions of evolution, co-evolution, speculations on the adaptive function of certain forms...almost all of this is gone!

I for one am a fan of all Attenborough's work, but 'Life on Earth' is by far one of the most amazing efforts in nature films and probably Attenborough's crowning achievement. It is (as tht title suggests) an overview of the world's natural history, crammed into thirteen fifty minute episodes with beautiful examples of every kind of life from all over the world. In the scope of science/nature documentaries, it is undoubtedly the finest of its kind.

For those who question where they might be able to purchase the entire series, I would suggest checking Amazon's UK branch as the BBC has issued the entire series there (though I don't imagine US machines will play it.)

I bought this set from Amazon 4 years ago and watched it. It is an extremely edited version of the 13 part tv series by Sir David Attenborough. I wqs disppointed that most episodes were edited down and many neat parts, such as fossil discussions and habitat discussions, were left out. The complete series on DVD is available in the UK, but, unfortunately, not available in the uS. However, a Chinese DVD business sells the complete unedited series on a DVD set along with Living Planet and private Life of Plants. I recently won a copy of the set from E-Bay and will be getting that soon in the mail.

The original TV series 'Life on Earth' ran for 11 hours in all; this is an edited version, reduced to under 4 hours. Lots of beautiful sequences are still in there, although there are a few odd transitions. If you're used to watching Attenborough on television, this will seem unsettlingly briskly paced.

This video series was the inspiration for our two month Natural History tour in Fall 1998. My two children (9, 7) were captured by the very in depth way David Attenborough puts together the development of life on Earth.

He actually travels to the sites where fossil evidence has been found, and plainly describes the evolutionary developments with living examples. His almost "Uncle David," manner is very engaging. His approach allows time to absorb the atmosphere, and feel that you're there with him.

His treatment of early life, the migration to land, and physical adaptations that led to success or failure in the Earth's changing environment is consistant and understandable. The series includes a good description of dinosaurs' world, and a very well done overview of life for the first humans.

We watched one episode every few days, and found that we were looking forward to the next step in the development of life. Perhaps the best and most complete series about the history life.

'Life on Earth' was quite an event in 1979 - the BBC took and gamble, gave their natural history department a blank cheque and several years, and in return they received the first of the 'David Attenborough Natural History Blockbusters', a hugely-popular sequence which has gone on, every five or so years, to include 'The Living Planet', 'The Trials and Life', 'The Secret Life of Plants' and most recently 'The Blue Planet'.
'Life on Earth' is essentially an overview of all the above, no less than the story of all life on earth, especially some of the most exotic species in the harshest of environments. 'The Bit with the Apes' became an iconic piece of television and Attenborough himself became famous through his breathy, hushed narration and propensity for being calm whilst exploring bat caves. Attenborough wrote the series, too, and is truly a God amongst men (he was knighted in 1985).
The original series consisted of thirteen fifty-minute episodes. As mentioned in the reviews here, this release is unfortunately edited down to just four hours - similar treatment having been meted out to 'The Living Planet' as well, although there's currently a...boxed set of all the tape available right here. Presumably a DVD boxed set (with commentary to show us which species and environments have subsequently died off) will appear at some point in the future, as I can't imagine it being the same with half of the series missing.

This set is a poor excuse for the original version of Life on Earth. It is still an acceptable review of the evolution of life on our planet with an emphasis on the vertebrates. However, it is too brief in many aspects. The original series was outstanding! As always Attenborough has the keen ability to provide an enormous amount of factual information in regards to the different adaptations found in animals as he unfolds the story of life on our planet. It would be appropriate to give access to the full series in the near future. It is embarassing that such a great documentary is not available. When will the ORIGINAL series be available on DVD (or VHS for that matter)?

The Amazon-UK has this video available in all of its original length and glory. When will we be so lucky? I bought the abridged version out of despersation - it would be good if I didn't know whwat I was missing.

Please release this DVD/Video for the USA.

I was very disappointed that the original 11 hour groundbreaking version of this program is not available. This much reduced version wastes time showing the same sort of footage that while important to the story can be seen on many nature programs, for instance; a great deal of time is spent on lions hunting their prey on the African plains, zzzzzz. Almost completely left out are the original version's visits to the world's great fossil sites and the many interesting correlations between fossil species and existing forms that were really what the show was all about. Demand the original!

This is a good 4hour video but it pales in comparison to the 11 hour original masterpiece.

My father is a botanist and I remember sitting with him in rapture as David Attenborough took us on a journey of discovery. I've been waiting for years for the Attenborough series to be released in their original form (preferably on DVD), but for some unexplained reason the BBC haven't managed it yet.

My advice, is to keep waiting (and to email the BBC to encourage them to get their act together).

If anyone can find the 11 hour series you have found a masterpiece. What a work of art the BBC and Dr. Attenbourough have created. The Blue Planet is also extraordinary.