Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #322 in DVD
• Released on: 2005-10-03
• Rating: Exempt
• Formats: Box set, PAL, Special Edition
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 4

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's hard to rain too many superlatives on The Blue Planet, surely one of the finest and most fascinating nature documentaries ever made. But nonetheless, we're going to try.

Long in the making, the idea behind the show was to, using some cutting-edge technology, film previously unseen areas of the ocean, and to investigate life beneath the waves. And in doing so, it pretty much encompasses the full spectrum of creature size. From the staggering, gigantic whale of the first episode, through the miniscule life that's documented as the programme progresses, it's a jaw-dropping experience.

It's also a very, very accessible one. Thanks to a diligent, warm narrative from Sir David Attenborough, there's plenty of fact married up to the sheer spectacle of The Blue Planet, although in many ways the stunning photography almost needs no accompaniment. It's timeless work, too, with immense rewatch value, uncovering both life that's never been photographed previously while charting the habits of the more familiar. Icing The Blue Planet's cake is a series of short pieces documenting just how some of the incredible pictures were captured, and these are almost as interesting as the main feature.

Enough of those superlatives, though. Because The Blue Planet simply demands to be seen and enjoyed. Prepare, like many before you, to be mesmerised. --Simon Brew

DVD Description
This definitive natural history of the world's oceans covers everything from popular shores and teeming shallows to the mysterious open depths. Two-thirds of the planet is covered by the oceans and yet they remain largely unexplored and certainly under-filmed. The TV series Blue Planet changes all that and subsequently changes our views of the deep. Advances in underwater photography have opened the doors to unknown territories never before explored.

Includes 3 new programmes: The Abyss, Dive To Shark Volcano & Amazon Abyss

From The Studio
This definitive natural history of the world's oceans covers everything from popular shores and teeming shallows to the mysterious open depths. Two-thirds of the planet is covered by the oceans and yet they remain largely unexplored and certainly under-filmed. The TV series Blue Planet changes all that and subsequently changes our views of the deep. Advances in underwater photography have opened the doors to unknown territories never before explored.

Includes 3 new programmes: The Abyss, Dive To Shark Volcano & Amazon Abyss.

Customer Reviews

Re Amazon Abyss extra
Just a note that the title "Amazon Abyss" on the 4th disc is just over 50 minutes long. This programme was originally broadcast by the BBC as 5 x 30 minute episodes. Hopefully the deleted 100 minutes was not of great importance!

A wonderful documentary
I have just received it this morning and saw only parts of this DVD BBC Collection.

Pictures are as wonderful as the ones of Planet Earth : I regret not having yet bought an LCD Full HD TV set, it's worthwhile for such a good documentary.

An important point for foreigners like me (French): it's subtitled in English for the Hard of hearing. The subtitles make easier for us to understand all the Sir Attenborough's commentaries. Even the extras are subtitled.

Obviously it would be better if the BBC had released this DVD, as Planet Eaerth, with other languages subtitles.

But nevertheless I recommend the buying of this item strongly to Amazon's customers.

Truly amazing
It is difficult to praise this series too highly. The photography, whether at the ocean's surface or in its depths, is stunning. The presentation is straightforward and free from glitz and gimmicks - no loud music or zoom shots, no endless repetition of the best bits. The presenter himself is as professional as ever, combining authority with friendliness, and without those annoying "we're now flying to our next location, here is some footgae of me in the plane to fill in time and let you know how important I am, and that we're spending money going to various places" scenes that characterise all too many documentaries. When David Attenborough is facing the camera he has somehting worthwhile to say. We learn from this series, as well as being entertained and inspired, not least because of the use made of new technology to push back the frontiers of what can be filmed.
So is there anything to complain about? Just one thing - once it has hooked you there just isn't enough of it. Oh to have had another episode or two......