Have said many times about loving David Attenborough and his work, always have and always will do. His best work is some of the best ever produced, in the documentary genre and overall and when it comes to documentary presenting and narrating he is pretty much unrivalled. That is high praise coming from somebody who is a big documentary fan and has been on a more than fullfilling documentary binge.
Attenborough's filmography is a rare case of not having anything bad in it, which is a distinction that applies to very few including other personal favourites. One where gems are so many that if asked what is my favourite of his it would actually be impossible to give an answer. 'The Life of Birds' is though one of his masterworks, superb in its own right and when it comes to documentaries on birds it is ground-breaking and it would be difficult to find one better. It has everything that makes so much of his work so wonderful and deserves everything great that has been said about it.
Episode number seven of 'The Life of Birds' "Finding Partners" covers mating rituals and the roles the male birds play. Anybody who loved the previous six episodes will love this one too.
"Finding Partners" as always for 'The Life of Birds' looks wonderful, done with a natural intimacy (a great way of connecting even more with the birds), way, never feeling static. Its remarkably near-cinematic look makes one forget that it is a series, with the editing flowing smoothly and coherently and the scenery is gorgeous. Animation is also brought into the mix, not only does it hold up well it also is used sensibly, making an impact without being over-used and never jars.
Music is never overly grandiose while never being inappropriately placed or over-bearing. Have at times found music intrusive in some documentaries, Attenborough's work not exempted, but did not find that here or the rest of 'The Life of Birds'.
Once again, "Finding Partners" is both entertaining and educational and continually transfixes. In terms of the facts there was a very good mix of known and unknown, written tactfully and sensitively. It is all well-researched and backed up, speculation and too much storytelling are traps easily fallen into but not here. Likewise with the different species themselves, the information presented was illuminating and saw any familiar ones in a different light so familiar information instead felt fresh. The frigatebird and hornbill parts educated me the most.
Never have had any problems with how Attenborough presents and it isn't any different here, and he has always been instrumental to why he and his filmography are so highly regarded. Not many presenters and narrators in documentaries know and live their content better than Attenborough, if at all, and he knows what to say, when to say and how to say it. His delivery is ever sincere and enthusiastic, similarly it is understated yet always riveting, never preachy.
The birds' wide ranging traits make them interesting and rootable without making them too human. They also look amazing, especially the Trogopan and the Himalayan Monal. "Finding Partners" sees some of the most unusual birds of the whole series, some unfamiliar to me. For a short length, "Finding Partners" doesn't feel too cramped with information, amazing for an episode with a lot covered, and it doesn't feel rushed in pace and the information doesn't feel cliff notes.
"Finding Partners" has a beautiful flow. There is plenty of emotional investment. It is beautifully structured, it is easy to follow, we're guided along gently without any choppiness and it doesn't feel episodic. Facts are not compromised in favour of telling a story without any backing up and it doesn't get speculative. They are easy traps to fall into, both are easily done and have been in documentaries, like the rest of 'The Life of Birds' "Finding Partners" does not.
In conclusion, continues the consistently brilliant standard set by the previous six episodes. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Attenborough's filmography is a rare case of not having anything bad in it, which is a distinction that applies to very few including other personal favourites. One where gems are so many that if asked what is my favourite of his it would actually be impossible to give an answer. 'The Life of Birds' is though one of his masterworks, superb in its own right and when it comes to documentaries on birds it is ground-breaking and it would be difficult to find one better. It has everything that makes so much of his work so wonderful and deserves everything great that has been said about it.
Episode number seven of 'The Life of Birds' "Finding Partners" covers mating rituals and the roles the male birds play. Anybody who loved the previous six episodes will love this one too.
"Finding Partners" as always for 'The Life of Birds' looks wonderful, done with a natural intimacy (a great way of connecting even more with the birds), way, never feeling static. Its remarkably near-cinematic look makes one forget that it is a series, with the editing flowing smoothly and coherently and the scenery is gorgeous. Animation is also brought into the mix, not only does it hold up well it also is used sensibly, making an impact without being over-used and never jars.
Music is never overly grandiose while never being inappropriately placed or over-bearing. Have at times found music intrusive in some documentaries, Attenborough's work not exempted, but did not find that here or the rest of 'The Life of Birds'.
Once again, "Finding Partners" is both entertaining and educational and continually transfixes. In terms of the facts there was a very good mix of known and unknown, written tactfully and sensitively. It is all well-researched and backed up, speculation and too much storytelling are traps easily fallen into but not here. Likewise with the different species themselves, the information presented was illuminating and saw any familiar ones in a different light so familiar information instead felt fresh. The frigatebird and hornbill parts educated me the most.
Never have had any problems with how Attenborough presents and it isn't any different here, and he has always been instrumental to why he and his filmography are so highly regarded. Not many presenters and narrators in documentaries know and live their content better than Attenborough, if at all, and he knows what to say, when to say and how to say it. His delivery is ever sincere and enthusiastic, similarly it is understated yet always riveting, never preachy.
The birds' wide ranging traits make them interesting and rootable without making them too human. They also look amazing, especially the Trogopan and the Himalayan Monal. "Finding Partners" sees some of the most unusual birds of the whole series, some unfamiliar to me. For a short length, "Finding Partners" doesn't feel too cramped with information, amazing for an episode with a lot covered, and it doesn't feel rushed in pace and the information doesn't feel cliff notes.
"Finding Partners" has a beautiful flow. There is plenty of emotional investment. It is beautifully structured, it is easy to follow, we're guided along gently without any choppiness and it doesn't feel episodic. Facts are not compromised in favour of telling a story without any backing up and it doesn't get speculative. They are easy traps to fall into, both are easily done and have been in documentaries, like the rest of 'The Life of Birds' "Finding Partners" does not.
In conclusion, continues the consistently brilliant standard set by the previous six episodes. 10/10 Bethany Cox
