OK what are doper’s choices for the best science and nature documentaries available on dvd (now or soon)?
The blue planet series with David Attenborough link is fantastic, with enough information to appeal to a nature buff.
I highly recommend Evolution, an eight-part PBS series from 2001. If enough people would watch this instead of listening to Kent Hovind, the whole ID thing would have nowhere to go.
I liked March of the Penguins quite a bit. And Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man is also outstanding – though more about the relationship of the documentarian to what s/he is filming than it is about the animals themselves.
harumph. I was going to nominate David Attenborough’s Life on Earth from 1979 but sadly it’s only available in a severely edited 4 hour VHS version. It was pretty amazing stuff for back then. Nothing since has held my attention like that show did.
Cosmos might be worth looking at for curiosity’s sake. It might be kind of hokey now, but maybe rent an episode or two if you can and check it out.
If you can play Region 2 DVD’s* then this would make a great xmas presie
or
all his stuff can be found here
I’ve got most of them and they are excellent quality.
*If you put you model number with “region unlock” into google you’ll most likely find the code/remote control button sequence that will open up all regions on your DVD player.
The Science Channel, for those who have it, is re-running Cosmos starting on the 27th. Apparently, they’ve updated the graphics and animations. Hard to believe it’s been 25 years since it first aired!
I love The Shape of Life series. If you’re into understanding “lower” life forms like starfish and jellyfish, and want great underwater cinematography, this is an edutainment deal.
I also like Living Edens, Lost Worlds: Venezuela’s Ancient Tepuis, which is about nearly inaccessable mountaintops. The landscapes are uttery alien.
The two part Nova on string theory called the Elegant Universe was very well done.
I liked “Supernature” for natural science documentaries. And for Science and Tech, nothing beats James Burke’s Connections series.
I liked the film Winged Migration. You have to say it with a French accent.
Connections will always be my fave. Especially the episode about refrigeration leading up to the rocket launch. Now that’s how you host a Science show.
I think it’s only available on VHS, but National Geographic’s Eternal Enemies: Lions and Hyenas is the best nature documentary ever made IMO.
Another vote for Connections, and a shout out to The Story of English from back in the 80s. (The companion book wasn’t bad either.)
And Microcosmos by the same guy I believe.