HOME   News   Reviews   Adv Search   Features   My DVD   About   Apps   Stats     Search:
  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Widescreen 1.78:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  • Commentary - English: Dolby Digital Stereo
  Subtitles
    English - Hearing Impaired, Commentary - English
  Extras
  • Audio commentary
  • 3 Featurette
  • Production notes
  • Filmographies

Great Wildlife Moments

BBC/Roadshow Entertainment . R4 . COLOR . 109 mins . G . PAL

  Feature
Contract

The BBC’s Natural History Unit is renowned as the best when it comes to nature documentaries. Some of its fantastic series' have captured some amazing events in the natural world that would simply still be a mystery to most of us without their outstanding efforts. Series such as The Trials of Life, The Blue Planet, Wildlife On One, Life in the Freezer and Life of Mammals are all fine examples of this unit’s incredible history and are only some of the series where samples are extracted. The unit is celebrating its 50th year of filming nature and Great Wildlife Moments has been released to celebrate that fact. This release contains a collection of some of the finest moments from the unit. There is nothing really on offer from the early years and to satisfy everyone with a release such as this would constitute a ten disc release, so the collection found on this single disc release is fine, but will leave the viewer wanting more.

The release begins with an introduction from the man many consider the consummate wildlife presenter, Sir David Attenborough. He has been with the unit for much of its lifespan and is easily their best-known figurehead. In this collection there are 31 separate clips featuring some very familiar footage. The killer whales hunting seals by charging up the beach, chimpanzees hunting monkeys and the use of a camera in a lion den are examples of what can be found. There are, of course, many more snippets contained and many will be familiar to fans of this unit’s work and for the minority that have never seen a lot of them, this will be a terrific introduction.

It is also really interesting to see the differing styes of filmmaking from each series. The Trials of Life, for instance, went more for cameramen being in the thick of the action, swimming in the ocean alongside killer whales hunting seals. In a section on the serpent taken from Wildlife Special the art of technology is used to show via graphics how a large python disengages its jaws in order to consume an animal much larger than its head. These are just two examples of differing filmmaking skills adapted over time and this is a great way to see the difference.

There is no disputing the outstanding work of the Natural History Unit, the problem, however, is to make a collection of its finest moments for a release such as this. There really isn’t a weak segment in this collection, so it boils down to the viewer’s perception as to whether they are the best or not. The other big problem with watching this selection is the need for more. To see only a brief glimpse of certain animals' behaviour will leave many asking the question “what happened next?” and sadly the only answer to this question is to go out and get the full series that the snippet is taken from. This is not a bad thing though, apart from the cost, as all of this range make wonderful viewing. Many of the series' featured in this series have not yet been released on DVD, so this compilation is a great addition to any DVD collection and a good way to enjoy many items until the full series' are released.

  Video
Contract

Although the majority of footage used in this collection is from more recent series', it does go back quite a few years and they have done a terrific job with its transfer to DVD. Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and 16:9 enhanced for widescreen owners, this is generally very good. Sharpness is of wonderful quality with the more recent footage being of a much higher standard than the older, but even the latter is of surprisingly good quality for its age. This is the type of release where you really have to take into account the source material's age and variety and, overall, this passes the test very well. There are the odd problems with slight grain, lack of detail and wash out of colours, but these are all of expected levels and, for the most part, better than expected. The other noticeable issue here is the lack of film to video artefacts, these are extremely rare and a credit to the transfer. Subtitles are supplied in English for the Hearing Impaired and these are accurate to what is said on screen.

  Audio
Contract

Audio is supplied in English Dolby Digital stereo and is more than adequate for this type of release. Being predominantly dialogue driven, the only real need for stereo is during the surrounding sounds of the scenery, for both purposes this soundtrack does a sufficient job. Dialogue is always crystal clear and natural sounds are realistic and also clear. Synch is never an issue and the supporting variety of music is well balanced. There are no problems with dropout or distortion.

  Extras
Contract

You often wonder how they fit so much onto one disc and after watching a collection of clips totalling 109 minutes there is little expectation for much in the way of extras. This release, however, has a few nice additions.

Filmmakers Commentary
This is an interesting commentary and although not all clips are covered, the ones that are offer information on the filming of the footage featured and the difficulties faced.

Making of – The Blue Planet
The 'Making of' collection of featurettes can be viewed individually or as a complete featurette. This first featurette looks at The Blue Planet and runs for 4:42. Although brief, this feature looks at the making of the segment on blue whales and offers some interesting information. It is supplied in the same format as the main feature.

Making of – Life in the Freezer
This feature looks at the filming of seals and emperor penguins and runs for 5:02. Again it is brief, but offers some interesting information and is also offered in the same format as the main feature.

Making of – The Trials of Life
The longest featurette, this one runs for 6:29 and looks at many different areas from the popular series. The actual series contains a full 'Making of' special as an extra and this is a brief extract from that. Again it is supplied in the same format as the main feature.

Natural History Unit
This feature contains eight pages of notes looking at the achievements of the world's leading unit when it comes to nature docos.

Heads of the BBC Natural History Unit
Two more pages of notes can be found here detailing the heads of the unit since its inception.

  Overall  
Contract

Put simply there is no way to select the best bits from a range of series' covering 50 years of work into a single disc release and satisfy everyone. The perfect scenario for this band of outstanding filmmakers is to release everything they have ever done on DVD, but this is not going to happen in the near future so in the meantime, if you're a nature lover then it is highly recommended that you either purchase this release or save up and buy the entire set of series' that have so far hit the DVD shelves.

Overall it is hard to be disappointed with anything released by the NHU as no matter what the subject matter may be, they make it interesting and informative for all ages. The video and audio transfers are surprisingly good considering the range of source material and a nice little collection of extras make this well worth the purchase price.


  • LINK: http://www.dvd.net.au/review.cgi?review_id=3506
  • Send to a friend.

    Cast your vote here: You must enable cookies to vote.
  •   
      And I quote...
    "It's hard to put the greatest moments from several brilliant series' onto one disc, but this is a nice attempt."
    - Adrian Turvey
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Sony DVP-NS305
    • TV:
          AKAI CT-29S55AT 68cm
    • Receiver:
          Sony STR-DE685
    • Speakers:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Centre Speaker:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Surrounds:
          Sony SAVE815ED
    • Subwoofer:
          Sony SAVE815ED
      Recent Reviews:
    by Adrian Turvey

    The Rise & Rise of Australian Rugby - The Bledisloe Cup: Deluxe Edition
    "This is a quality package for fans of rugby, as well as fans of Australian sporting history."

    Youssou N'Dour - Live at Union Chapel
    "The talented African singer gives a fine performance in this show."

    The Wailers - Live
    "Keep the pizza delivery phone number handy for this one!"

    Matchbox Twenty - Show: A Night in the Life of
    "Great band, great spectacle, great sound, great show!"

    Manchester United - Beyond the Promised Land
    "Fans of Manchester United should enjoy this release, for others it may induce vomiting! "

      Related Links
      None listed

     

    Search for Title/Actor/Director:
    Google Web dvd.net.au
       Copyright DVDnet. All rights reserved. Site Design by RED 5   
    rss