User reviews

I don't think I can add anything to the previous 10 out of 10 comments, other than that I'd give it a full 11 out of 10 if this were possible. I have seen my share of nature documentaries, but this takes the cake. Utterly awe-inspiring, mesmerizing and brilliant. I own an extensive DVD-collection, but if I had to choose 1 title and had to throw away everything else I had, this would be the one I'd keep. I have no better DVD-title in my collection. Period.

David Attenborough is my personal hero. Although he merely provides the commentary for this series (as he did with the also terrific Blue Planet), but his work for the BBC's Natural History division (setting it up and making several brilliant series himself) and his inspiring personality make him one of the true greats.

Miss this at your peril.

The camera work is truly breathtaking. Such amazing wonders captured on film, areas of the planet unspoiled by human domination.

DIfferences in culture seem to play a big part in the reviews of this documentary; some choosing to review based on "Disney" like criteria. Criticisms for the apparent emphasis on the viscous and dark side of animals and nature.

I guess some people would prefer a nice talking lion and perhaps an Elton john song thrown in.

Cutting slack on the sarcasm and returning to the point; This is a must watch documentary for anybody with a sincere appreciation for life and the planet in which we live.

An achievement for all those involved in the making to be proud of.

Thankfully, I caught a couple of these episodes on American television, which led me to this 11-part series on Blu-Ray DVDs and over five hours of outstanding entertaining and education. Looking back, I still shake my head in amazement at the things I saw on these discs.

Obviously, the incredible photography and sharpness/color (please see this on high-def, if you can) is the first thing that captures the viewer's eye, but as the series went on I appreciated the objectivity in here ("aw, cute" shots mixed in with the brutality of existence) and the lack of environmental propaganda, which one usually gets in boatloads in these "nature" films. Here, the writers and narrator David Attenborough just present the world as it is. Only at the very end do you get a short environmental message. It isn't needed: the beauty of this earth says it all, and the writers were smart enough to figure that out during this series.

After viewing 11 discs, you come to the obvious conclusions that in the Earth's world of animals, birds and fish come only a few objectives: where to find food, water, a mate, and escape being devoured by a predator. That's it, except for pets or zoo animals. On land or in water, it's simply a matter of survival, as this BBC series shows us.

What makes this so special is that, thanks to incredible work by cameramen, we are privy to many extraordinary sights we would never see, if left on our own, and never imagined existed on this planet. Much of this series is simply mind-boggling to view, especially all the overhead shots, which were stunning.

There are too many positive adjectives I could use to even begin, in recommending you watch this. Just give it a try - any of the 11 segments - and see if you don't want to then watch all of them.

The subtitle of the series is not an exaggeration; it has a literal meaning: This is indeed our planet as "never seen before". Right from the outset you are witnessing the most amazing pictures modern technology has ever produced: Views from space, but close enough so we may see the glorious beauty of specific regions of our home planet. Birds of paradise of such beauty that can convince you this is the real paradise and you need not ask for anything more; All the creatures are filmed in unique settings and situations (a polar bear with two cubs emerging from their den as spring comes and gliding down a snow covered slope, the strategic genius of wild dogs encircling a herd of impalas, rare views of a snow leopard and her cub, a white shark in chase of a seal bursting completely out of the sea and hanging in the air for a second and hundreds of other breath-taking shots. Feeling happy for the gift you are given and the next moment plunged in bitter thoughts about how unbelievably brutally has mankind treated it. My rating: Definitely 10/10.

I have never, ever given any title a perfect ten. Mainly because I never thought that there will ever be something that truly deserves the praise. I was so wrong. Watching this amazing display of planet earth's resources in high definition is just simply breath taking. In addition David Attenboroughs commentary is spot on. Calm, informative and quiet in just the right places. Sometimes the picture is so beautiful, that one just simply forgets the commentary and just starer in awe on the beauty of the landscapes and other details. Sometimes the director feeds the viewer with juicy bits of slow motion scenes to add to the effect of the moment. I simply can't recommend this title enough to everyone. Just pick it up anywhere you can find it. Spectacular.

I have seen many nature documentaries in my life and none have left me in such amazement of our planet as this series. The sheer work that went into its making alone is impressive. The shots that are captured on film are like none ever seen and remind us of both the power of mother nature and her fragility. I highly recommend this series to people of all ages as there is something for everyone. If you do watch any of the episodes, do watch "Pole to Pole". It is a great all-encompassing view of many animals and their habitats. David Attenborough does a great job as narrator. If you enjoy this series also check out "The Blue Planet", a series by the BBC on oceans (also narrated by Attenborough).

As the influence of man expands across the globe, fewer and fewer truly untouched wilderness exists. This series aims to use technology never used for nature programmes before to take us into these wildernesses and see the environment within them and the creatures that live there. Starting with a journey from one pole to the other, this series explores the extreme conditions of mountains (from the birth of one to the coldest of those existing), deserts, caves, oceans, fresh waters and others to present some of the most impressive footage ever seen in a nature documentary.

With a budget of about £40 million, the BBC were going to have to deliver something pretty special to avoid the usual accusations of waste tax payer's money, catering to a small audience etc etc. However with Planet Earth they have easily silenced the critics to present a nature programme that is interesting and education. The biggest selling point is the footage which, at its worst is impressive but at its best is simply breath-taking and actually had me saying "wow" at some points. I am not naturally a nature programme viewer but this show had me hooked from episode 1 where a quick glance at the opening minutes had me staying with it for the following eleven weeks. The footage is impressive and, although it is the weakest part of each hour, I did enjoy some of the "Planet Earth Diary" sections where we actually saw the technology, techniques and sheer trial of getting the views that we get. My words can't really do it justice but the series gives footage that you won't have seen anywhere else before – with episode 1 claiming that the footage of a pack of dogs hunting told experts things they hadn't previously known.

However I have seen some a couple of nature documentary feature films recently that have also had impressive footage but Planet Earth backs it up with a typically informative and engaging narration from David Attenborough. For me he added enough educational value to prevent the series just being televisual wallpaper – which of course is what it also does in terms of providing some beautiful material that would work even if the sound broke on your television. Like many others though, I would have liked there to be more connection made to the impact that man's actions are having on the ecosystems and animals that we are shown – for example are they getting rarer or having their habitats shrinking? Occasionally it does this but nowhere near enough – which is partly why some critics have labelled it "environmental porn", which I can understand but do not totally agree with.

Overall this is a great series that does a great job of presenting the beauty of the natural world but just about having enough educational value to it to avoid it just being the television equivalent of wallpaper for your computer. The shots are impressive and the range of creatures and habitats that are presented makes this well worth seeing. I'm sure that wildlife fans will long for more detail but as a casual viewer this was just what I was looking for. An impressive and memorable look at the world that we live in.

This is a beautifully shot series looking at nature in all it's natural wonder, showcasing a breathtaking diversity of life from the poles to the deserts.

With the spectre of global warming rapidly looming I wonder just how much of these wonderful ecosystems are going to survive. I just hope that in 100 years time people will not watch 'Planet Earth' with the same curiosity that I have when look at etchings of the Dodo from old books.

TV like 'Planet Earth' has made me think a lot more about the natural world that surrounds me and the impact I am having on it. We can't sit back and let this disappear. It's for all future generations, not just this one.

I'm just laughing at all these negative comments. I know it's hard for you PETA freaks to believe but, in the circle of life your precious animals actually kill each other. This movie is not a statement, it just shows the "Planet Earth". Kind of simple, don't you think? It's not an Al Gore "made up" movie. It just show images of our planet and what happens in the animal world. It's not a "made up" Micheal Moore film. It's just shows beautiful images of our planet. I mean my goodness, just watch it for what it is instead of making a big deal out of everything. I definitely recommend this film to anyone who is interested to see what goes on in nature.

Yes, I have watched all 11 Episodes. My favourite are Ep 1,3,6 and 10. I love the way the show talks to the viewers, the Planet Earth team and crew did a great job drawing a very beautiful and realistic picture about the animals on earth. And the nature as well, through all episodes, the nature is so mavelous, beautiful. I love the music they made, especially 4 episodes above. Although some episodes make me a little bit disappointed, but overall, this is one of the best nature & animals TV shows.

This is going to be an unpopular review. But if even just one of you find it helpful, then there is hope for the Universe.

Visually this is a stunning achievement. Read the other reviews about that stuff. But philosophically, it left me cold, empty and somewhat disgusted. This series focuses very heavily (almost exclusively) on two things: eating and procreating. It portrays animal life at its worst: savage, selfish and opportunistic. Having been intimately involved in wildlife studies & conservation, I can tell you that there's more to animal life than this.

Imagine a race of aliens doing a documentary about human life, and they focus exclusively on slaughterhouses and daycare centers. That would hardly be a fair portrayal of the wonders of which we humans are capable. As a human, I'm sure you'd be outraged that the higher pursuits, like art and study, had been overlooked in favour of the more sensational, dramatic and carnal elements of life.

The segments about predators (wild dogs, cougars, sharks, hawks) show them to be nothing more than killing machines (complete with the obligatory soundtrack - minor key, low cello note). They are invariably shown either hunting or eating. Or thinking about hunting. There is no footage of the fascinating wild dog "singing" rituals, playtime or simple leisure--the stuff they do when they're not ripping antelope to shreds, you know? Unfortunately documentaries like this only serve to reinforce the myopic opinion that "nature is savage". And in turn, humans feel it is their duty to emulate such savagery. If this documentary were indeed what it purports to be--an objective view of the planet Earth--then it would have offered not only the vulgar cycles of life and death but the inscrutable mysteries of life that do not fall into that category. Aside from a 5-second shot of a polar bear tobogganing down a hillside (which Attenborough narrates as "she may be cleaning her fur or simply enjoying herself"), this documentary claims to understand everything about animals, limited to killing and procreation, of course.

Serious nature enthusiasts may be offended. Werner Herzog would be proud ("I believe the common denominator of the Universe is not harmony, but chaos, hostility and murder"--Grizzly Man). Me, I was severely bummed out. I rate this a 10 for cinematography and a 5 for content. Watch it as a feast for the eyes. But make no mistake, there is a lot more to life on Earth than what this show implies. And Sir David Attenborough has a very anthropocentric view of the world. It is no wonder that, when asked why he does not endorse vegetarianism, he said, alluding to the superiority of the human species, that he has no moral problem with killing animals and also added that he "doesn't love animals, but is fascinated by them." He openly admitted hating rats and said that his favourite animal is the human being (source: funtrivia.com). Implied: "Animals suck."

Planet Earth is a worthy documentary series that looks not just at the animals and plants in remote areas, but at the ever-changing ecosystems that look prone to collapse in the near future. This is the sort of programme that the BBC excels at and makes better than anyone else.

The camera-work is fantastic and the sections at the end of each programme where they look at how certain parts were filmed is interesting as you see the dedication of the crew who go out to these desolate spots for months to film sections that will last only a couple of minutes on screen. Much of the wildlife has barely been filmed and some such as the wonderfully agile Wild Amur leopard have probably only been seen by very few living people in the flesh.

It is narrated by David Attenborough who has the perfect voice for wildlife documentaries and his presence is almost a guarantee of quality in itself. His record speaks for itself.

Some of the sequences shown are very brave, most notably the struggles of the polar bear to find food on the ever-decreasing Arctic ice. Too many nature documentaries succumb to "niceness" and show only cute animals looking sweet. To understand how Man is changing the planet it is crucial to show how wasting energy may be affecting wildlife in distant lands (or seas). Sadly it is also important as it seems all too likely that much of the footage will become museum property in the near future, showing subsequent generations the marvellous diversity of life Earth used to enjoy.

Overall it has some good educational value as it can be enjoyed both by young children and was recommended by my tutors during a conservation module of my degree.

OK, I'm writing this to explain few things to people who wrote their reviews and gave this documentary 1 or 3 point with argument that there were too much killing and gallons of blood were shed or something like that.

I've read where these guys are from, one from NYC and one from Toronto etc... it's pretty easy to forget what real life is about when you have full fridge in the kitchen, Wallmart next to your house and McDonald on your way to work, isn't it? It's pretty easy to forget when all you have to do to feed yourself is PUT THAT BURGER in your mouth. You guys forgetting what is wild reality about? To survive! In fact, animals spend most of the time (I think I've heard somewhere it's actually 16 hours of day!) searching for food or potential prey. So WAKE UP! What the hell did you wanted to see in the documentary?! How lion changing channels on his TV and playing computer games? Oh no, that's what YOU do all day instead of killing your future dinner! If you were thrown to savanna, or forest or anywhere else, you would probably die actually, but if not, you would spend your whole day looking for food. Believe me.

Yes, this documentary is sometimes brutal, it's no cute Lion King story. Nothing for kids. But it shows reality. It's probably best documentary ever made and I can't wait to see it on Full HD TV. Thanks everyone who created this masterpiece.

P.S.: Planet Earth: Diaries (2 episodes in the "Making of" style) is highly recommend to watch!

The production value is absolutely amazing and is so informative. You honestly can't believe what your watching because it doesn't seem possible. The shots they do are so creative and is well worth the time. A must watch for everyone.

Simply put, I have never seen a better series, or film for that matter. After re-watching the entire series for the 5th or 6th time this past week, I continue to be in awe. From the deepest oceans to the highest peaks, the coldest winters to the hottest deserts, Planet Earth makes you feel like you are there, experiencing the most incredible things are planet has to offer. From rare animals rarely spotted in the wild to incredible time lapses to beautiful panoramic shots from space, the film provides some of the most humbling images I have ever seen. Coupled with an AMAZING score and humble, sincere, and informative narration by David Attenborough, this epic piece of film making is Perfect in every way. Everyone I have ever shown it to is at the very least impressed, and usually in Awe. From nature lovers to computer nerds and jocks, the humbling images shown in Planet Earth makes everyone a believer in the power of nature once again. An Incredible series that should be included in all talks for the "Greatest of All Time".

There is nothing beautiful in the world! The shooting is so delicate that every frame can be used as a desktop! I heard that the male-only courtship dance was filmed for 6 months. I dare not imagine the whole project. I was particularly impressed by the struggle between mushrooms and ants, the battle between ape groups, and the great migration in Africa. While watching, I reflected on the meaning of life again and again: What is the significance of breaking the cocoon in 17 years only for the cicadas that survive for a day? Combined with Dawkins' book

This series is probably one of the best series I have ever watched. This fascinating documentary drags me in every time I watch it. David Attenborough's way of explaining of how creatures breed, eat etc is like no other before, he's the best wildlife narrator that will ever live. They spent five years on this wildlife, and I think that it was definitely worth it. It is the most expensive nature documentary series ever commissioned by the BBC, and it was the first ever in high definition. So really, it set the bar for high picture quality. The BBC did it perfectly in the way of organising it for the episodes, it just flowed perfectly. There won't be another nature documentary like this one.

So if you don't watch it, you're missing out massively.

A documentary series on the wildlife found on Earth. Each episode covers a different habitat: deserts, mountains, deep oceans, shallow seas, forests, caves, polar regions, fresh water, plains and jungles. Narrated by David Attenborough (of course).

An excellent documentary series on the wildlife of Earth: their habitats, seasonal patterns, how they survive and thrive (or sometimes don't). By breaking down the series into episodes that each cover a different habitat you can see how the different species compete and are often dependent on each other. This also highlights how these different species are suited to those habitats.

Cinematography is superb: amazing footage. Narration is by David Attenborough (as you would expect) and is excellent (also to be expected).

Well researched and very interesting, informative and edifying.

I have always been a huge fan of documentaries and nature TV shows and I consider the BBC the greatest studio that produces documentaries second only to National Geographic, and I may be exaggerating but I think that PLANET EARTH is MUCH better than 10 National Geographic documentaries put together!

What makes PLANET EARTH unique is that unlike the typical documentary that shows only animal footage it shows also some amazing shots of our world's marvellous environments and also some satellitar images when they are required. Add to this David Attenborough's great narration with that soothing voice of his and George Fenton's majestic soundtrack and you have probably the greatest nature show of all time. So if you have never seen it, don't ever miss it since it can make everyone speechless!

10 on 10 from my side, echoing the view of so many others who have felt the same. I think the team didn't waste a single penny of their enormous budget and captured spellbinding footage for eternity. Almost every episode is truly remarkable and capture enormous diversity and beauty of living things around us. Serious attention has to be paid to conserving our fish stocks, rainforests and mitigating the effects of global warming. I was brought to tears at the mention of polar bears plight, blue whale's dwindling numbers, Amur and snow leopard's measly numbers and Panda's heroic efforts at raising its young. We humans have blood on our hands at having reduced such magnificent creatures to a pale shadow of former glory. David attenborough is an apt choice for the narration lending his understated but perfect voice to the documentary, speaking only when necessary to make apposite comments and remaining silent at other times to let us marvel at the beauty of these creatures. In India this will cost more than 200 USD, a touch expensive by Indian standards where pirated DVD's are rampant. But without question this DVD is a collectors item. A must have.

So I have finally gotten around to watching Planet Earth after seeing it ranked as the Top ranked TV show of all time on IMDB's list. My observations are simply. The producers/directors did an amazing job of getting high definition gorgeous footage of animals in their natural habitat. The footage is absolutely beautiful buuuuuut....other than that this is basically just Wild Kingdom or any Animal Planet show. It's not entertaining in an exhilarating way. It's just pretty to look at which makes for a tough time watching 11- 49 minute episodes.

So I go back to my headline. This is the equivalent of dating an uninteresting hot girl. Sure she's great to look at but after awhile you need some substance.

"Planet Earth" certainly represents an enormous undertaking. 5 years in the making; hours of footage from every biome on Earth; pioneering and incredibly intimate footage of a diverse array of animals, many famed for their reclusivity and/or low numbers...

In the end, there's probably an amazing documentary there somewhere, but what's been refined from that excellent ore doesn't quite please the eye.

The main problem probably lies with the writing. The narration feels too sporadic, with huge gaps between the couples and triples of lines creating an atmosphere that's entirely too meditative and frankly puts one to sleep. It presents too little by the way of scientific fact, and when it does it oftentimes is inaccurate or imprecise. The wording occasionally feels quite clumsy, and David Attenborough really struggles pronouncing non-English words correctly, perhaps trying too "English-ify" them a bit too much.

Worse yet is that the editing is sometimes too scattershot, as we jump from animal to animal, from place to place, learning all too little about each one within the fairly flimsy narrative structures.

One last thing to note - this time of the positive kind - is that the music is fairly evocative, although somewhat formulaic. Still, the grand pieces that accompany an Alpine mountain's appearance or the compositions playing as we follow a school of dolphins, bringing to mind the aesthetic of the British high adventure, are worthy of note.

All and all, watching it once could very well be interesting, but it's not quite something that I'd put on a modern-day Voyager probe.