Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4797 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-09-01
• Rating: Exempt
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 4
• Running time: 715 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Life on Earth (1979) is an epic 13-programme series, presented by David Attenborough, offering a chronological account of the flora and fauna of planet Earth over a period of 3,500 million years. Whether recounting the first journey from the sea to the land, the development of insects and flowers, or "The First Forests" and "The Lords of the Air", Attenborough's enthusiasm is infectious. He guides us through "The Infinite Variety" of life from microbes to marsupials, via an unforgettable meeting with mountain gorillas, to conclude with "The Compulsive Communicators", mankind itself.

Three years in the making, involving 1.5 million miles of travel and featuring some of the most beautiful, breathtaking and ambitious photography then seen on television, Life on Earth was the first natural history blockbuster. It redefined TV by showing that an epic, serious wildlife documentary could be a massive success. As such, it remains a true television landmark and paved the way for Attenborough's The Living Planet and further entries in what became known as his "Life" series.

On the DVD: Life on Earth is presented complete in this DVD box set, with a total running time of 715 minutes (13 x 55 minutes). --Gary S Dalkin

Synopsis
Hosted by David Attenborough, this critically acclaimed TV series is a fascinating history of nature that captures the rarely seen mysteries and splendours of LIFE ON EARTH. It took Attenborough and his crew three years of painstaking, patient filming to capture this beautiful footage.

Customer Reviews

Fantastic look at evolution
Only 4 stars because of three reasons:

I think that Attenborough's style has improved over time, in particular his voice has developed additional richness over time.

While the photography was undoubtedly cutting edge at the time it now leaves a little to be desired.

I think that the music used on this series is not quite as good as some of the later series.

Please don't be put off however by these minor quibbles, it is a stunning series and well worth it. It is especially good at showing the development of species over time and makes excellent use of fossils.

Iconic, Breathtaking, Brilliant...
...add your own superlative here. This is television at its best- informative, amazing and full of sights and sounds to astound. David Attenboroughs presentation is note-perfect, and despite its age this program still ranks as one of the greatest programs ever made.

One of the first and the best by David Attenborough
I saw this series when I was 10 years old, and it was absolutely incredible. It is one of those programs that sticks with you, and even now (yes, it is a bit grainy on my plasma TV, and David Attenborough looks so young! :) I can sit and watch it with the sense of wonderment I felt all those years ago... Back then, it also prompted me to do several school science projects on scorpions, spiders, snakes, lizards and almost every other creepy crawly! I can't recommend this enough for all ages. Yes, Planet Earth, Blue Planet, Life in the Undergrowth etc. are mandatory viewing as well but this is one of the original and one of the best! Long live David Attenborough!