Natural history/Attenborough fans - new series, "AFRICA"

**bassybill** · #1 01-06-2013, 05:11 PM

I wasn't even aware this one was coming up until the first episode got broadcast here on Wednesday. Just watching it again on BBC iPlayer. Totally amazing, as we've come to expect - photography, subject matter and presentation all up to the usual standard.

I thought the last series Attenborough made (The Frozen Planet) was the best he'd ever done, technically, but this could match it, I think. Life On Earth is still the best introduction to biology ever made, but from a technical point of view it does look dated now (it is 35 years old, after all).

Anybody else here seen the first Africa episode "Kalahari" yet? The giraffe battle was totally stunning!

I don't know when this series will get over to the USA.

EagleMoon · #2 01-06-2013, 05:22 PM

Haven't seen it, but looking forward to it. I love ol' Dave.

NML1986 · #3 01-06-2013, 05:46 PM

Yes I thought it was rather good, one of the few things worth watching on TV (online for me).

Tituscrow · #4 01-07-2013, 12:06 AM

Awesome stuff. Reminds me why I pay a license fee.

'Galapagos' was pretty damn impressive too.

Attenborough one of my true heroes. Inspirational.

SoVeryTired · #5 01-07-2013, 02:49 AM

I'm thinking of trademarking 'Battling Giraffes' as a game for smartphones and tablets. Except I don't know how to do that.

That was a fantastic programme. The watering hole scenes were like the sort of thing you only ever see in Disney cartoons.

**bassybill** · #6 01-08-2013, 03:45 PM

This is great - there's a few good biology lessons here crammed into a two minute vid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTvD6ldMDfI

Tituscrow · #7 01-08-2013, 04:01 PM

That's brilliant. I think I'll start all five lessons with that clip tomorrow.

So many beautiful, beautiful moments.

It'd go down well in that cat thread

**bassybill** · #8 01-08-2013, 04:06 PM

I think if I could swap careers with any person in the world alive or dead, it would be David Attenborough. What a way to earn your crust. And what an impact he has had. One of my heroes of the last 40 years along with Dawkins, Jaco, Michael Palin and Douglas Adams.

EagleMoon · #9 01-08-2013, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

I think if I could swap careers with any person in the world alive or dead, it would be David Attenborough. What a way to earn your crust. And what an impact he has had. One of my heroes of the last 40 years along with Dawkins, Jaco, Michael Palin and Douglas Adams.

I totally agree. He's been such a big promoter of the natural world. Jane Goodall is another person I admire for the same reason.

Tituscrow · #10 01-08-2013, 04:27 PM

I always wished he was my grandad.

EagleMoon · #11 01-08-2013, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tituscrow

I always wished he was my grandad.

Wouldn't that be awesome.

I'm a little older than you so for me he would have probably been my dad. But imagine the things you'd hear about...and maybe get to see.

I love his voice. It's so soothing.

macaroni tony · #12 01-09-2013, 08:18 AM

Came on last night. DVRd it and I'll watch it in the coming days

**bassybill** · #13 01-09-2013, 04:45 PM

Good to hear you're getting this over in the US more or less the same time as us. It took a few months between the last series being aired over here and it making its way across the pond, iirc.

Great stuff again this week in part two of the Africa series, "Savannah".

Here's a clip from last week's programme to whet the appetitie of those who might not have had the chance to catch this yet. I think/hope this clip will work for you in the US. as it's not a full BBC iPlayer broadcast (which I believe won't play over there for licensing reasons).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p012zlh0

ErebusBass · #14 01-10-2013, 10:28 AM

Is there anywhere on the interwebz that someone who isn't in UK can find a full video?

Tituscrow · #15 01-10-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErebusBass

Is there anywhere on the interwebz that someone who isn't in UK can find a full video?

Good luck trying to fleece the BBC

hbarcat · #16 01-10-2013, 05:54 PM

Another huge Attenborough fan here, and I can't wait to see his new BBC series.

darius8 · #17 01-11-2013, 12:23 AM

I try to watch anything with David Attenborough, "Life of Mammals" is my all-time favorite. I just found out Richard Attenborough, in the movie "Jurassic Park", is his brother.

SoVeryTired · #18 01-11-2013, 12:51 AM

Hence all the wildlife in the film.

**bassybill** · #19 02-06-2013, 03:12 PM

The final programme in Attenborough's "Africa" series was without doubt the very best (and most moving) television programme I have ever seen. What a fantastic piece of work - so poignant.

elgecko · #20 02-06-2013, 03:15 PM

Ooh...will have to setup the DVR to record that.

On a related note, when they showed Frozen Planet stateside, it was narrated by Alec Baldwin instead of David Attenborough.