ENTERTAINMENT, EDUCATION, & ART: The BBC's Planet Earth

WHAT: The BBC produced a wonderfully glorious, gorgeous series called Planet Earth. It's a nature documentary series narrated by David Attenborough (the American version is narrated by Sigourney Weaver, but - please - get the Attenborough version) that shows you the planet as you've never seen it before. Available as a five-disc DVD collection, the series consists of 11 themed episodes that take you to the most remote places on the planet, plus 3 extra episodes that explore the issues raised even further.

WHY: Because it is beautiful. It makes you breath a little easier. It reminds you that you're part of something greater than yourself. It reminds you to live, to be alive, to inspire.

Filmed entirely in high-definition, the patience that the filmmakers had to have to capture this footage is amazing. Going six weeks before capturing an image of the animal they sought to film was not uncommon. At the end of each episode, there is a short "Diary" segment that takes you behind the scenes to see what was involved in capturing this extraordinary footage. Utilizing modern technology, helicopters, gyro-stabilized cameras, and good old-fashioned patience paid off: even if the idea of watching a nature film turns you off, this film will certainly change your mind. From the brilliant photography to the expansive score, you'll be astounded - and educated - at the same time.

Breathtaking.

You can find this disc in the States at major electronics outlets such as Best Buy, online at Amazon, and elsewhere. Make sure you get the version (Standard Def, HD, or Blu Ray) that suits your player when purchasing your copy.

The official site is
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/animals/planetearth/

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