The Life of Mammals is a BBCdocumentary
series about the most diverse groups of animals ever to live on planet earth,
mammals. As with all BBC documentaries the quality of
the series is excellent. The locations, research,
cinematography and David Attenborough’s narration are first
rate.
Footage
Almost all of the footage shot for the series was used solely in the series, so
it is unlikely you will have seen it before. After all these years (50+)
of making documentaries the BBC continue to have their own style (when compared
to National Discovery, etc.) which many consider the
best. The respect they show to the animals and their habitats is
respectful itself. Scenes that are often the cliché of such programs,
such as a lion bringing down another animal such as a wildebeest is rich and
stimulating in the Life of Mammals, as if we have never seen it before.
The cameras continue to roll, allowing us to watch the scenes other film makers
leave behind.
Structure
The series is structured allowing the difference between mammals and reptiles
and birds to be clear. The egg laying mammals of the world, the platypus
and echidna are also featured. The series shows how mammals can adapt to
their environments and other animals, whether that is for food or defence.
Animals
The classic cats of Africa are of course included, but you will be please to
see the water animals - the whales, the small pygmy, the slow sloth, the quick
cheetah and the strange naked mole rat. You may be surprised to see the
human baby included, we are after all mammals.
DVD box set
The DVD box set consists of all ten episodes on 4 DVDs. The customary
behind the scene extras are also included. Photo gallery and fact files
are also present. It’s a great box set, one of the best produced by the
BBC.
The Life of Mammals is a wonderful series and box set, which is recommended.
