Galapagos with David Attenborough [DVD]

It seems that David Attenborough and the team he works with at Sky, are at the forefront of 3D documentary filming and this is another in a series of high quality film packages on Blu Ray. Attenborough brings his own unique style of commentary but also a commitment to high standards in terms of scientific rigour and quality of images.Throughout, the photography is stunning and the 3D footage in HD, adds to the overall experience. It feels like you are following the presenter, while he explains how the Galapagos demonstrate the inexorable process of evolution and adaptation in flora and fauna.Apart from the 3D nature footage, there are many models and maps, created in 3D, to show the currents of winds that intersect here and the situation underneath the islands, as the magma flows into a hotspot that creates volcanoes. We also get to see amazing film of microscopic animals in 3D and there are 3D models of animals, showing how they have adapted from the creatures that first arrived at these isolated islands. So you can see a demonstration of how Penguins have changed shape and Cormorants lost their wings, for example.All of these wonderful images go to enliven the scientific 'story' that David Attenborough tells us of how islands emerged from the sea and were populated by floating insects and lizards, as well as birds and seeds from small plants - although not trees. The lack of trees and mammalian predators lead to the unique evolution of species and diversity on the Galapagos.Overall, we get 3 separate full-length programmes and a 50 minute "making of" film, totalling 220 minutes of 3D or HD - great value, considering the shortness of some IMAX films presented as a single Blu Ray disc. Sound is excellent in surround or stereo, with a full orchestral score that adds to the whole soundtrack, as you would expect in a high class documentary from the BBC - although this is of course the Sky 3D team, who gave us Kingdom of Plants in 3D (Blu-ray 3D),The Penguin King 3D (Blu-ray 3D + Blu Ray) and so on.If you are interested in 3D nature documentaries, this is a "must have" and a top recommendation on every consideration.

We watched this as a family one evening and it was well worth the set up - projector, 3D glasses etc. It's so impressive, the kids were just awestruck by the 3D efffects, how close they seemed to be to the action! And, of course, all the life on Galapagos is impressive without any effects, but the extra dimension certainly does add to the entetainment!

I was very happy with this series. i already thought it would be good, but i was blown away. the images are awesome. and it has that old school david attenborough style meaning he talks you through the evolution of the islands and the animals on it. starting with how the islands were created, how the animals got there and the gradual process of evolution. you see attenborough also very often like in his old life series. i was very happy with that. its one of my favorite nature docs among the about 200 nature doc dvds i own.

I liked this DVD because one can learn about this Island that it is not frequented much with human and there is much that one can learn, I myself love Documentaries about nature and there is one thing that is good that the narrator is a professional one Sir David Attenborough. A must every enthusiast have.

So you get yourself a big tv, you know its got 3D and you want it to be impressive to yourself and to others,so what should you look for. There are some big movies out there, but you want something not to long, and no boring bits. This is where galapagos comes in. Close ups of real monsters and even the jungle itself looks good with 3D giving everything a sense of natural depth, this is a perfect demo 3D.

Galapagos, a ''Place of Wonders'' as Attemborough says...Origins, Adaptation and Evolution in 3 Episodes and still 50 minutes of a 'sugestive' 'making-off'.Computer Models, X-Ray and Sattelite Images, help our understanding of the 'Birth' (Origins) Geological changes and 'metamorfose' (Evolution) of Its inhabitantes. Help us to understand how Its privileged position in the Pacific Ocean and the unique confluence of Currents help the extraordinary development of the various types of Life.All these Islands ( over 16 ) are Volcanos, some dormant some active and 6 were chosen to film this Series: Isabella. Alceda, Fernandina, Sta. Cruz, Española and Tortuga, each one with a specific Geology and Life.After following Sir David's Programs for 20 years with no reason to question the superb quality of all them, I feel extremely unpleasant considering this version of Galapagos a ''dejà vu''...Everything is ( as always was ) very well written and presented by Attenborough, but for those like me who have the 2006 BBC remarkable Blu-ray Documentary ''Galapagos the Islands that changed the World'', this version in terms of contents has very few inovation...Of course Sir David knew it well! I'm sure his purpose was not to 'reply' anything ( He doesn't need it...) but to achieve the dream of building the first 3D Documentary about Galapagos!He made it and made it well! He...and his Sky Team! Hard work indeed in such terrain and I hardly suggest everyone not to miss the 'Making-off'.Still speaking about contents, there are only 4 new details to consider:In Isabella, something very sad and intriging to Science is happening protagonized by Giant Tortoises, and one more type of Iguana was discovered living in borroughs in the remote areas of the Volcano. A very 'charming' Pink Iguana...In Sta. Cruz, a handful of new arrivals to Science live inside the Lava Tubes of its Subterranean Worlds. Some Biologists give us a fresh 'panorama' of these new Species most of them thriving in complete darkness.At last, the death of ''Lonsome George'' the eldest Giant Tortoise and Ícone of Galapagos, over two weeks after the end of the filmaking. It seems He knew this was the last chance to say good bye to Us and to Sir David, who was side by side with Him.The DVD has not an appealing Image but as I don't know the Bluray I can only guess it must be better!And the rest... is 3D...Enjoy itAnyway, for those who don't know the 2006 BBC Doc I have to insist : don't miss it...