Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20677 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-12-03
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Number of discs: 3
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 3
• Running time: 535 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
An epic, eight-part series that took five years to complete, The Blue Planet firmly re-establishes the BBC as the world's pre-eminent producer of top quality nature documentaries. Exploring every aspect of marine ecosystems, from coastal marshes to deep-sea trenches and from polar waters to tropical reefs, The Blue Planet is thorough and informative, yet never less than thrilling.

Sir David Attenborough is one of the most well-respected (and well-known) personalities in the field of nature programmes and his narration is flawless as he educates and inspires without patronising his audience or anthropomorphising his subjects. Spectacular camera work (of a standard not seen since the BBC's classic Life on Earth series) captures images of a fascinating world rarely seen by human eyes--in fact, in several instances, the subjects and behaviours filmed for this series have never been witnessed before, let alone caught on camera. This is particularly apparent on the series highlight, "The Deep" (Programme 2), where film crews discovered two new species in the depths of the ocean: a grotesque fish named the Hairy Angler and a fantastic, pink octopus-like creature, which is so new that it remains unnamed (but was nicknamed "Dumbo"). Both are testament to the fact that, although oceans cover two-thirds of the Earth, we know less about them than we do the moon. It is proof that, to us land-dwellers, much of our Blue Planet is alien indeed. A handsomely illustrated companion book is also available. -- Robert Burrow

Video Description
DVD Special Features:
Making Waves--The Making of The Blue Planet
Deep Trouble--Ecological Documentary
Blue--Five-minute theatrical short
Exclusive interviews with the Production Team
Photo Gallery
Subtitles: English SDH
Dolby Digital Stereo
16x9

Synopsis
This acclaimed BBC series, narrated by David Attenborough, focuses on the world's oceans--from the darkest depths to the most vibrant coastlines. The programmes, accompanied by an excellent George Fenton score, explore every aspect of these vast--and still largely mysterious--ecosystems.

Customer Reviews

Breath-taking and Eye-opening
Only few people i know of, can teach you hundreds of things in a matter of hours without in anyway causing you to lose interest if even for a short minute. David Attenborough is without doubt one of these people, and if anything, your interest will more likely grow as the series continues.
The most famous naturalist today shows us scenes that one would only expect to come from the minds of fantasy and sci-fi writers. Aliens and dragons are in many ways a close description of some of the animals portrayed in this series. The sights and sounds of the footage used will humour, shock, dazzle and enthrall you at the least.
In no way has the ocean ever been so well explored and explained and undoubtebly it will be many years before this series is even rivalled.
Eight one-hour long episodes will show you five years worth of research and filming in some of the most desolate places on earth, whether from the cold plains of the antarctic or the deep canyons of the atlantic more than 3 miles beneath the surface.
The first episode gives you a basic introduction to the ocean and all that live in it. Thrilling action scenes for instance as you see a pod of dolphins, hundreds of shrarks and thousands of sea birds hunt in unison to catch an enormous shole of sardine.
The second will take you were only a handful of people have been before, the deep. Here is where you will meet the strangest possible creatures, and most beautiful(or horrid).
The third concentrates on the open ocean. Only here do you get a real impression on how big it really is. Here you see a schole, thousands of fish strong be reduced to nothing by several examples of the countless predators of the sea.
The fourth will take you to the poles where you're shown the few animals that mangage to bear temperatures of downto -70°C.
The fifth coveres the effect of the seasons on the oceans. Watch how the spring sun enriches the seas with minuscule life and how the food chain developes from then on.
The sixth covers one of the most beautiful places on earth, the coral reefs. With the most colour rich plants and animals imaginable.
Number seven covers the effect of the tides on maritime life around the world. And how even land animals depend on them to feed.
And lastly eight will show you the lives of the animals that balance their life between sea and land, such as seals and penguins.
Nowhere is the cycle of life and balance of nature more noticeable than in the ocean. Nothing is wasted, everything has a reason. And as much as you hate seeing a young whale been hunted by a pod of killer whales, you can't help but marvel at the countless animals dependant on the remains that will eventually sink to the depths.
The only beings that disturbs this whole cycle, is... you guessed it. Disk three has a wonderful featurette showing how mankind has devastated life underwater, and how we are now trying to repare our damage.
Also included is a marvellous making off featurette and interviews, showing just how much effort was actually put into the making of the blue planet. But it was well worth it, as i can't imagine a more valueable addition to your dvd collection. Unmissable to anyone who's even slightly interested in nature, and for those who aren't, i can confidently say this will quickly change their mind...

Best underwater sights ever - entertaining AND educational
The "Blue Planet" DVD-set is a study of the worlds' oceans narrated by David Attenborough, and with some of most awe-inspiring and weird sights I've ever seen in a nature documentary. It takes underwater-filming to a new level. The time and money they must have spent on this is unthinkable, but well worth it.

The 8-episode DVD is worth buying even for just two of the episodes: the "deep sea" episode, and the "open ocean" episode. The "deep sea" one looks at what happens right at the bottom of the deep ocean. It is spooky in the extreme - almost like looking at another planet. By far the best and most interesting deep filming I've watched. And the "open ocean" episode looks at what happens nearer the surface, but far away from shore - in the open oceans that cover two-thirds of our planet's surface. It is quite a savage episode in many ways - there is a lot of mass predation in the open seas. I won't say any more, I'll let you find out for yourself when you watch it.

It's a great vote of confidence for this DVD release that I bought it despite having already seen most of the episodes on TV.

The Blue Planet DVD-set is not only educational, it will fire your imagination. A world-beater documentary.

THERE AREN'T SUFFICIENT WORDS
I am just about to order the DVD having just finished watching a recording of the programs which aired on tv. All due respect to anyone who has previously reviewed this, but words are totally inadequate to describe the magnificence of the series. The content, it goes without saying, is 1000% fascinating, but the photography is beyond breathtaking. Half way through the section titled "The Deep" I realized that I was watching with my mouth hanging open - literally, not a turn of phrase! Watching one of the "Making Waves" segments I wanted to cry, realizing the dedication, patience, professionalism and talent of the people involved in making this series. Five stars are not enough. This is one of those rare creations which is just totally off the scale.