Customer Reviews

Living Planet 12-Tape Box Set [VHS]

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Having watched a substantial number of documentaries on nature and the development and diversity of life on earh, amongst them some excellent titles from IMAX, I have to say that is probably THE BEST I have seen.

This title covers just about every life form known to man, from the highest peaks of the Himalayas to the deepest troughs in the Atlantic ocean. The magnitude of what is presented is astounding, but still not overwhelming. Combined with the lively and interesting commentary by renowned ecologist Sir David Attenborough, this is one of those videos that will keep you spellbound for its entire length, after which you will be sorry that is has ended. Then al the more reason to watch it again . . .

The video starts with the beginning of life on earth, and how the continents were formed. Then it shows how previously barren, lifeless areas on earth (like Mount St Helens and Krakatau) are slowly being re-colonised by plant and animal life, just like it was done millions of years ago.

The video then proceeds to explore the different kinds of life forms on earth, and their relevance to their world.

This title is certainly not the cheapest around, but it certainly is worth every cent that you spend on it. What's more, is that it manages to be interesting to both young (pre-school) viewers, as well as those a little older in life.

Buy this video and enjoy it - you won't regret it!

Seemingly ignored and unshown in the US, 'The Living Planet' was the second of the BBC's massive David Attenborough natural history series, after 'Life on Earth'. It's essentially a 12X50m long, gorgeously-photographed and intelligently-narrated documentary on all life on the planet Earth, with some fabulous New Age music, but done well. At this price it's obviously not an impulse purchase, so unless it has been shown on PBS or something you probably won't buy it, which is a shame. Hopefully the BBC will release it on DVD at some point.

The video covers virtually every representative of life on earth and all the Kingdoms of living organisms. I used the series when teaching in South Africa to cover the Invertebrate and Vertebrate sections of Biology as that can get to be pretty dry just talking about the subject. I highly recomend it as a teaching tool and for general enjoyment. The highlight is David Atenborough's engaging style of commentary.