Life in the Undergrowth reviews

Life in the Undergrowth

By getting up close and personal with Life in the Undergrowth, this extraordinary BBC series sets a new standard of excellence in wildlife cinematography. Hosted by veteran nature expert David Attenborough and utilizing the latest advances in macrophotography, the five-part series is dedicated to bugs of all shapes and sizes, from microscopic gnats to cave-dwelling millipedes so large they can capture bats in mid-flight and feast for hours thereafter! The patience involved in filming such previously unseen marvels must have been grueling (as confirmed by producer Mike Salisbury in a splendid bonus interview), but the results are nothing less than astonishing, with a parade of sequences so impressive that even insect-haters will pause in amazement. With an emphasis on reproduction and mating behaviors, each program focuses on a different, generalized group of creatures, many of them never filmed before, so that lay-persons and entomologists will be equally enlightened by discoveries made in the process of filming.

As always, Attenborough serves as an expert witness, cordial, fearless, and quintessentially British as he explains what we're seeing, from the nocturnal fluorescence of scorpions (glowing at night in ultraviolet light, they perform a mating dance playfully described as "a nuptial pas de deux") to the mysterious, 17-year life cycle of the cicada. Throughout, we see everything, both frightening and beautiful, from an intimate, bug's-eye view, in detail so vividly colorful that you'll never view the insect world in quite the same way again. (Likewise for the diverse variety of critters on view in episode 3: "The Silk Spinners," which according to Salisbury is capable of curing arachnophobes from their irrational fear of spiders.) Just when you think Life in the Undergrowth couldn't get any more fascinating, it does: episode 4, "Intimate Relations," shows how many insects symbiotically depend on other species for food, shelter, or completion of their reproductive cycles, and episode 5, "Supersocieties," focuses on the social complexities of insect colonists like ants and termites. Enough to give you the creeps for days, you say? Think again, for after seeing Life in the Undergrowth (a perfect companion piece to the Nova episode "The Unknown World"), you may find yourself in the garden, on your knees, eager for a better look at the countless millions of tiny creatures that surround us every day. --Jeff Shannon ...(click for less)

Release Date - 02 May, 2006 MPAA Rating - NR (Not Rated) Number of Discs - 2 Media Format - DVD	Features: Closed-captioned Color

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Anonymous

David Attenborough. Anything with him is tops.

(Review From Amazon)

General Comments:
Don't miss this miraculous masterpiece that makes all other documentaries pale before it. There is nothing better. The BBC is producing the finest documentaries ever made, transcending education and entertainment and attaining the highest pentacle, which is Art.

This documentary, along with "Life of Mammals" and "Life of Birds," works because of the tight writing and extremely clever camera work and pacing. Also, the narrator, Attenborough, transmits a genuine enthusiasm for the subject that can't be manufactured.

I was astounded to hear that some idiotic network executive cut David Attenborough's voice out of the American release of "Planet Earth," replacing it with that of Sigourney Weaver, thinking this would please American audiences. Why is that? Are old white men out of fashion nowadays? Is that the reason? Nothing could be farther from the truth. Only idiots with no imagination (like most network executives) are fascinated by Hollywood stars. Forget Hollywood and forget celebrities. I want to see the old man's gray hairs and wrinkles and hear his wise old voice. He has the knowledge, experience, wit, enthusiasm, and intelligence. Nothing else matters.

Anonymous

Amazing insect videos

(Review From Amazon)

General Comments:
I use this in my college entomology course to illustrate concepts such as insect flight. There are actually five different videos compiled on this two disk set, and each is fantastic. The camera angles, color, and slowed action are excellent at capturing different aspects of insects that are difficult to understand from an oral explanation. Great asset to the classroom.

Anonymous

A new appreciation for bugs and other tiny critters

(Review From Amazon)

General Comments:
This will be brief, as the previous reviewer did such a wonderful job of describing the contents. Suffice to say, as a teacher struggling to teach life science in an engaging way to sixth graders for the first time, this series was a godsend. All of us, myself included, were immediately drawn into this brilliantly filmed, delightfully narrated, and fact-filled journey into the world of tiny invertebrates. This DVD is highly recommended for students of all ages. Thank you Sir Attenborough.

Anonymous

Mind Blowing

(Review From Amazon)

General Comments:
This documentary is one of the finest I have ever seen. The closeup photography of the insects is beautiful and of the highest quality. David Attenborough gives a compelling and extremely informative narrative. The five episodes are structured so that we learn about the insects from the earliest ones to leave the ocean all the way up to the most complex societies of bees and ants. I learned many fascinating and mind blowing facts about insect behavior. It's a MUST SEE!