Great Barrier Reef With David Attenborough [DVD]

This is another typical high quality product both written and narrated by David Attenborough who was a mere 88 years old at the time. The recording itself is an HD product, copyrighted in 2015. The programs use advanced satellite imaging and the specialised Triton submarine equipped with 8 cameras to explore the reef in ways not attempted or shown to the general public previously. Viewers watching this series will have a very up-to-date understanding of the reef and current expert thinking.The series consists of three 60 minute programs – Builders; Visitors and Survival. It commences with a general introduction to the reef, the largest living structure in the world and one that is visible from space. The reef is situated off the north-east coast of Australia and consists of some 3000 coral reefs and some 900 islands. It is 1400 miles long and up to 150 miles wide.The first episode, Builders, describes the structures of the reef and commences by visiting the Ribbon reefs and ends by visiting Lizard Island which is now an important scientific centre. The mangroves found there, as well as elsewhere, form an important nursery area from many species of creatures that are safe from larger predators which cannot gain access. Corral polyps are tiny creatures that live within limestone structures made from calcium carbonate which is extracted from the water. They feed at night and are very competitive over their individual spaces, referred to as corral cities, and both of these features are shown in this episode. The reefs are built upon shallow depths of water up to only 35m. This is the limit of useful light penetration essential for the lives of the polyps. These shallow areas are raised areas rising from much greater depths such as the flattened tops of mountains. The polyps spawn once a year at the same time throughout the whole extent of the reefs and this attracts considerable numbers of fish as a food source.The second episode, Visitors, concentrates on the range of visitors to the reefs. The reefs provide a considerable variety of habitats including 300 sand islands, 600 continental islands plus lush forests and deep ocean channels. This variety caters for over 1 million migrating animals annually. This episode focuses on just a few and visits Osprey Reef which is important as a result of its central position despite its remote location. This reef sits on top of a huge mountain and provides a shallow lagoon. It is thought to be an important staging post to aid navigation checks. It is also a popular destination for sharks. Green Turtles favour the sandy Raine Island which is under threat from rising sea levels which rise up from under the island and effectively drown the baby turtles while still in their eggs. Heron Island is a focus for birds and Lady Elliot Island is popular with Mantra Rays. All these venues are explored and explained in some depth including issues to do with their survival.The third episode, Survival, explores the past history and possible future scenario for the coral reef in total. The reef in total is newer than 10,000 years and dates from after the end of the last great Ice Age. During that time the waters rose sufficiently to submerge hundreds of meters every year. The same scenario is a real threat today, the difference being the source of the warming, human activity, and the rate of change. Over the last 30 years half of the reef has been lost for this reason and global warming continues to increase. The coral reef is a major nursery area for vast amounts of fish from around the world so there are significant repercussions in terms of fish survival and the related food chain. Additionally the increasing temperature is driving the incidence of violent cyclones with all the resultant global effects. Essentially this series makes the case that the coral reefs can be viewed as a barometer for global change and can only be ignored at our peril.In summary, this series does far more than show attractive images of an attractive area. It explores the coral reefs in the context of the Earth’s history and future and poses crucial issues of survival for all life.

I originally bought this blu ray a couple of years ago, having enjoyed the series on TV ( so I was aware of what to expect content wise).I was bitterly disappointed, and found it to be almost unwatchable due to terrible sound (speech very hard to hear over incessant background music) made worse by the lack of subtitles. (I have mild hearing loss).I have since updated to a 4K TV with sound bar and rear speakers (giving 5:1 sound), so dug this out from the back of a drawer to give it another try - WOW what a difference! With the cinema sound this disc is transformed sound wise - I can hear the dialogue without subtitles, although they would still be welcome - and the picture quality up scaled to 4K is brilliant.So, if you have a TV that is more than a few years old and/or suffer hearing loss, give this a miss; however if you have a good TV/sound system - highly recommended.Now given 4stars - one deducted due to no subtitles.

A great piece of film which obviously took time to make. It is very interesting, and it is hard to think that David Attenborough is 89, and still doing this type of thing. Picture quality is excellent.Unfortunately, Koch media have failed in putting no subtitles on. This does not help when there is music in the background, and David is talking. Fortunately, I can make out what David is saying, and also having watched the programme (with subtitles I might add) I can follow the programme.However, I can only give it four stars due to the lack of subtitles. Monty Hall's DVD of the Barrier Reef has them on, so why cant this?

Anything David Attenborough does is good, the BBC don't choose him for nothing, it's because he is the best around.And gives us all the opportunity to see below what the Barrier Reef has to offer.

Magnificent- Not only is it spectacular photography but extremely intresting in exploring the habitats on the barrier Reef. Extremely well done and useses the latest technology. Engrossing from beginning to finish. Nothing to dislike here

I have to take my hat off to David Attenborough..Once again he has helped make what is a fascinating and informative nature program.And true to form, David is not just content to do just a voiceover, oh no..He is quite ready to pop into a submersible and actually go down to see and describe the subject.It is sad to think that David might actually decide to retire, but at least we can carry on enjoying these wonderful series.

Good photography, good informative narrative. But the reason for the 3 star is that there is too much side tracking for me - details about the diving vessels and support vessels, interviews with specialists and conservationists. I was hoping for more filming of the actual reef fish of which there was only a little. I also dislike the "diaries" at the end of each episode which tell of the way the filming went - though I accept many will find this very interesting. There is a wealth of back ground scientific information given in DA's personal style. A bit of a disappointment overall.

Thank you for the DVD which arrived today I enjoyed the TV series I hope David Attenborough will always be making wildlife documentaries for a few years yet he is one of the best I have always enjoyed his narration or commentary ever since I was young. I hope it will always be there the great barrier reef and not disappear due to climate change both on earth and caused by planes in the sky.