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PLANET EARTH II

David Attenborough presents a stunning documentary series from the BBC Natural History Unit

In 2006, Planet Earth broke new ground. At the time it was the most expensive wildlife documentary of all time. Now Sir David Attenborough and the BBC Natural History Unit return with a sequel that spans the globe. In the ten years that have passed, new technology means we can get closer than ever to the animals of the world. Conversely, the ravages of pollution and over population during the last decade mean the planet’s ecosystem has never been so fragile.

The opening episode focuses on island life and their mini ecosystems. Marvels include a pygmy sloth swimming through the ocean, gigantic Komodo dragons in combat, lemurs leaping through the thorny forests of Madagascar and packs of snakes chasing baby iguanas. There’s also an unashamed environmental message as we watch ants, inadvertently introduced by visiting ships, killing indigenous crabs. It’s not always an easy watch, showcasing the brutal reality of Mother Nature in unsentimental but fascinating footage. From 1979’s Life on Earth onwards,

Attenborough’s work with the BBC represents the high watermark in wildlife documentaries, his warmth and knowledge resonating through every episode. The final ten-minute ‘Diaries’ section that closes each show is a testament to the dedication and commitment of the film teams. The lengths they go to are extraordinary, but the scenes they capture are spectacular, sometimes filming aspects of animal behaviour for the very first time.

This is exactly what television was invented for. Planet Earth II also marks the first BBC production in ultra-high 4K definition. So find the biggest TV you can and immerse yourself in the wonders of the natural world. (Henry Northmore) Planet Earth II starts on BBC One, Sun 6 Nov ●●●●●

126 THE LIST 3 Nov 2016–31 Jan 2017