If you have ever pondered that there are wonderful, beautifully natural things in far away places, you will surely be proved correct by this stunning doco. From the appearance of it, shooting this amazing collection of stories of many animals in the Arctic circle and Antarticta would have taken months upon months. Attenborough's regard of the natural world and his pacing is solid as always, yet the unique aspect of this production is the images included. UNIQUE shots. Being a camera operator in the freezing cold landscape would have been my dream on such a production. Polar bears swimming across an ocean, filmed from 30 feet above, time lapse sequences that track the midnight sun as it skirts across the horizon for 24 hours, time lapse of a large group of penguins being battered by gales as they huddle together for warmth. The many camera operators of this are truly dedicated to their passion. As the credits rolled, I couldn't help but ask myself and everyone in the room - 'how the hell did they get those shots'. If a fan of stunning cinematography amongst the natural landscape, do yourself a favour and get the Planet Earth DVD.
4 Reviews
The Most Dramatic Changes On Earth
ccthemovieman-11 January 2009
Warning: Spoilers
The aerial photography of the "ice worlds" is absolutely beautiful: pure white or the bluest-blue, depending on the season (at least the Arctic). This look at the Antarctic and Arctic was better than anticipated. Frankly, I thought that looking at mainly ice for 50 minutes might get boring.....but, of course, it didn't. Nothing in this "Planet Earth" set is boring, especially if you have it on high-definition Blu-Ray.
However, I have to add there is some sadness to this particular segment, more than I've seen on others. That's because some animals (cute, and not-so-cute) tragically perish. Seeing a tiny little penguin chick freeze to death will bring a frown to your face.
One of the most amazing facts is that 90 percent of all the ice in the world can be found on Antarctica.
Also, in these polar regions, nowhere is the change of seasons more dramatic. When winter hits, it takes only a couple of weeks for areas almost the size of the U.S. to freeze over. It is fit only for the select few, like the amazing male penguins to protect their mates' eggs during 60-below zero temperatures. For a complete story of that, check out the documentary "March Of The Penguins."
However, I have to add there is some sadness to this particular segment, more than I've seen on others. That's because some animals (cute, and not-so-cute) tragically perish. Seeing a tiny little penguin chick freeze to death will bring a frown to your face.
One of the most amazing facts is that 90 percent of all the ice in the world can be found on Antarctica.
Also, in these polar regions, nowhere is the change of seasons more dramatic. When winter hits, it takes only a couple of weeks for areas almost the size of the U.S. to freeze over. It is fit only for the select few, like the amazing male penguins to protect their mates' eggs during 60-below zero temperatures. For a complete story of that, check out the documentary "March Of The Penguins."
People won't be left ice cold by this
TheLittleSongbird13 November 2017
Absolutely adore 'Planet Earth', one of the best documentaries ever made and actually is more than that. Have remarked a few times that it and its recent follow up (every bit as good) did for nature and out planet as 'Walking with Dinosaurs' did with the dinosaurs. David Attenborough is wisely considered a national treasure for very good reason, no matter how much he himself dislikes the term.
Every single one of the previous 'Planet Earth' episodes were never less than great. There was a very slight dip with the still wonderful "Deserts", but they are all great representations of what Attenborough is all about and what a good documentary should be like. "Ice Worlds" is no way a let down, quite the opposite. Throughout it's an awe-inspiring, utterly transfixing experience where one forgets they're watching a documentary and instead feeling like they're watching art. This may sound like extreme hyperbole, but to me and many others 'Planet Earth' is completely deserving of its praise and even deserving of more. To me as well, it is easily one of the best the BBC has done in years.
Where to start with the praises for "Ice Worlds"? for starters looks amazing. It is gorgeously filmed, those aerial shots are awe-inspiring, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate (a great way of connecting even more with the animals), way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic. The scenery is some of the most breath-taking personally seen anywhere, whether in visual media and real life and the rich colours positively leap out. The music is epic but has just as many quieter moments that speak just as much. The main theme is unforgettable.
Regarding the narrative aspects, "Ice Worlds" can't be faulted there either. The narration has a great well-balanced mix of facts that will be familiar to the viewer and others that will induce the right amount of surprise. In short, it's just fascinating, informative and thoughtful. Everything is intriguing and illuminating, with as much for children to be inspired by as well as adults, and there is just enough freshness to avoid it from becoming stale. Attenborough delivers it beautifully, there's a soft-spoken enthusiasm and precision about his delivery and he never preaches.
The animals themselves are a wonderful mix of the adorable, like the penguins, and the dangerous, and their struggles in the habitat and how they adapt feel very real. What also stands out is "Ice Worlds" sense of awe and emotional impact. Will admit to bawling my eyes out at the fate of the baby penguin.
Nothing episodic or repetitive here in "Ice Worlds" either. Despite covering a lot of animals and habitats, there is a real sense of the episode having its own individual story with real, complex emotions and conflicts and animal characters developed in a way a human character would in a film but does it better than several.
Concluding, brilliant once again. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Every single one of the previous 'Planet Earth' episodes were never less than great. There was a very slight dip with the still wonderful "Deserts", but they are all great representations of what Attenborough is all about and what a good documentary should be like. "Ice Worlds" is no way a let down, quite the opposite. Throughout it's an awe-inspiring, utterly transfixing experience where one forgets they're watching a documentary and instead feeling like they're watching art. This may sound like extreme hyperbole, but to me and many others 'Planet Earth' is completely deserving of its praise and even deserving of more. To me as well, it is easily one of the best the BBC has done in years.
Where to start with the praises for "Ice Worlds"? for starters looks amazing. It is gorgeously filmed, those aerial shots are awe-inspiring, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate (a great way of connecting even more with the animals), way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic. The scenery is some of the most breath-taking personally seen anywhere, whether in visual media and real life and the rich colours positively leap out. The music is epic but has just as many quieter moments that speak just as much. The main theme is unforgettable.
Regarding the narrative aspects, "Ice Worlds" can't be faulted there either. The narration has a great well-balanced mix of facts that will be familiar to the viewer and others that will induce the right amount of surprise. In short, it's just fascinating, informative and thoughtful. Everything is intriguing and illuminating, with as much for children to be inspired by as well as adults, and there is just enough freshness to avoid it from becoming stale. Attenborough delivers it beautifully, there's a soft-spoken enthusiasm and precision about his delivery and he never preaches.
The animals themselves are a wonderful mix of the adorable, like the penguins, and the dangerous, and their struggles in the habitat and how they adapt feel very real. What also stands out is "Ice Worlds" sense of awe and emotional impact. Will admit to bawling my eyes out at the fate of the baby penguin.
Nothing episodic or repetitive here in "Ice Worlds" either. Despite covering a lot of animals and habitats, there is a real sense of the episode having its own individual story with real, complex emotions and conflicts and animal characters developed in a way a human character would in a film but does it better than several.
Concluding, brilliant once again. 10/10 Bethany Cox
I will never forget this Episode.
dakuchonekobing11 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
It's really good episode. The Ice Worlds and the music have a fantastic combination. My favorite moment is the Polar bear swimming among the sea and beside the ice floating around, this is art. The bear attacks the pack of walruses is the most memorable scene for me. And the emperor penguins as well.
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