This initial foray into Antarctica introduces viewers to the area and how ice governs all forms of life there.This initial foray into Antarctica introduces viewers to the area and how ice governs all forms of life there.This initial foray into Antarctica introduces viewers to the area and how ice governs all forms of life there.
- Writer
- Star
Photos
Storyline
Featured review
Introducing Antarctica
David Attenborough, in his long, distinguished and remarkably consistent career, has been nothing short of a national treasure. He may apparently dislike the term, but it is hard to not say that about such a great presenter who has contributed significantly to some of the best programmes (of the documentary genre and overall) the BBC has ever aired/produced and with an output where even lesser efforts like 'The Penguin King' are good still.
Like has been said before, picking favourites from a consistently good to masterpiece body of work from a national treasure with a long and distinguished career is very difficult. Is 'Life in the Freezer' among the best and most ground-breaking work Attenborough has ever done? No, but even when Attenborough was not at his very best he and the programmes in question still put most other documentaries to shame.
Something that is very apparent in 'Life in the Freezer's' outstanding first episode "The Bountiful Sea", introducing Antarctica and its inhabitants, their struggles and how the surroundings are adapted to.
First and foremost, "The Bountiful Sea" looks amazing. It is gorgeously filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate (in a way where one feels closer to the animals) way and one actually has to check as to whether it was made for TV because the production values are so cinematic. The editing is always succinct and smooth and the scenery is stunningly majestic. The music also has a cinematic quality that doesn't overbear what's going on, instead enhancing the impact and sounding beautiful as music in its own right.
Again, like so many Attenborough nature/wildlife documentary series and individual episodes, "The Bountiful Sea" fascinates, teaches, moves, entertains and transfixes. In terms of the facts there was a very good mix of the known ones and the unknown, some facts being familiar to us while also dealing with very complex and very much relevant issues with tact. Fans of penguins like me will be in heaven, my heart melted every time they appeared.
Narration by Attenborough helps significantly. He clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more. As hoped, what we're told is detailed, comprehensive and very honest.
Loved the animals as expected, caring for them in the same way that one would a human. Have always adored penguins and "The Bountiful Sea", and 'Life in the Freezer' in general does nothing to change that. The albatross stuff was cute and interesting too. The humpback whales and the air bubbles part was a standout sequence as was the harrowing one with the whale carcass (don't watch this while eating).
"The Bountiful Sea" doesn't feel like an episodic stringing of scenes, but instead like the best nature documentaries it feels like its own story and journey, with real, complex emotions and conflicts.
Overall, outstanding start to yet another Attenborough winner. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Like has been said before, picking favourites from a consistently good to masterpiece body of work from a national treasure with a long and distinguished career is very difficult. Is 'Life in the Freezer' among the best and most ground-breaking work Attenborough has ever done? No, but even when Attenborough was not at his very best he and the programmes in question still put most other documentaries to shame.
Something that is very apparent in 'Life in the Freezer's' outstanding first episode "The Bountiful Sea", introducing Antarctica and its inhabitants, their struggles and how the surroundings are adapted to.
First and foremost, "The Bountiful Sea" looks amazing. It is gorgeously filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate (in a way where one feels closer to the animals) way and one actually has to check as to whether it was made for TV because the production values are so cinematic. The editing is always succinct and smooth and the scenery is stunningly majestic. The music also has a cinematic quality that doesn't overbear what's going on, instead enhancing the impact and sounding beautiful as music in its own right.
Again, like so many Attenborough nature/wildlife documentary series and individual episodes, "The Bountiful Sea" fascinates, teaches, moves, entertains and transfixes. In terms of the facts there was a very good mix of the known ones and the unknown, some facts being familiar to us while also dealing with very complex and very much relevant issues with tact. Fans of penguins like me will be in heaven, my heart melted every time they appeared.
Narration by Attenborough helps significantly. He clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more. As hoped, what we're told is detailed, comprehensive and very honest.
Loved the animals as expected, caring for them in the same way that one would a human. Have always adored penguins and "The Bountiful Sea", and 'Life in the Freezer' in general does nothing to change that. The albatross stuff was cute and interesting too. The humpback whales and the air bubbles part was a standout sequence as was the harrowing one with the whale carcass (don't watch this while eating).
"The Bountiful Sea" doesn't feel like an episodic stringing of scenes, but instead like the best nature documentaries it feels like its own story and journey, with real, complex emotions and conflicts.
Overall, outstanding start to yet another Attenborough winner. 10/10 Bethany Cox
- TheLittleSongbird
- Feb 15, 2018
- Permalink
Details
- Runtime30 minutes
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content
Top Gap
What is the broadcast (satellite or terrestrial TV) release date of The Bountiful Sea (1993) in Australia?
Answer