The Life Of Mammals Complete (DVD)

...those who are interested in the overall opinion on the series, this can be found at the end of the piece. For those who wish to find out more on what each documentary covers and for opinion on each episode, then this is covered programme by programme below.


TECHNICAL DETAILS AND FORMAT
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Rating.... E (suitable for ...
...episode heading is listed in the dvd packaging.

DISC 1 ....

Episode 1 - 'A Winning Design'
Episode 2 - 'Insect Hunters'
Episode 3 - 'Plant Predators'

DISC 2 ....

Episode 4 - 'Chisellers'
Episode 5 - 'Meat Eaters'
Episode 6 - 'Opportunists'

DISC 3 ....

Episode 7 - 'Return to Water'
Episode 8 - 'Life In The Trees'

more

As this is a long review, for those who are interested in the overall opinion on the series, this can be found at the end of the piece. For those who wish to find out more on what each documentary covers and for opinion on each episode, then this is covered programme by programme below.

TECHNICAL DETAILS AND FORMAT
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Rating.... E (suitable for all ages)
Running Time.... just over 8 hours
Optional subtitles on every disc.... English

'The Life Of Mammals' comprises 10 episodes over 4 discs. Each episode heading is listed in the dvd packaging.

DISC 1 ....

Episode 1 - 'A Winning Design'
Episode 2 - 'Insect Hunters'
Episode 3 - 'Plant Predators'

DISC 2 ....

Episode 4 - 'Chisellers'
Episode 5 - 'Meat Eaters'
Episode 6 - 'Opportunists'

DISC 3 ....

Episode 7 - 'Return to Water'
Episode 8 - 'Life In The Trees'

Special Features - behind the scenes, video to music, fact files

DISC 4 ....

Episode 9 - 'Social Climbers'
Episode 10 - 'Food For Thought'

Special Features - behind the scenes, photo gallery, original score

INTRODUCTION
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It is virtually impossible to accurately record all the content of this dvd, so I will endeavour to give an outline of each episode's content. I will delve further in to certain programmes in the series to give an idea of the format and techniques used, and be less detailed with the other episodes. My reasons for this stem firstly from the fact that all the programmes are of the same high standard in terms of the quality of production. Some are more interesting than others purely from a subjective point of view, because obviously different regions and spieces interest different viewers. The second reason is that some of the episodes seem to cover far more material than others, something that you do not appreciate until you are trying to summarise. No written word can adequately convey the rich imagery of a series such as this.

If you are someone who has no interest in natural history, then this dvd will obviously not be tempting, however fine the quality of the production and content. For those who have the money and a reasonable interest in this subject, I would say without hesitation that 'The Life Of Mammals' is by far the best, and most engaging, of David Attenborough's collection of dvd's. (Other wildlife dvds by Attenborough to which I can compare this series, are listed at the end of this review).

THE EPISODES
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DISC 1
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Episode 1 - 'A Winning Design'

The opening episode begins with a general introduction. This leads to a glimpse of the most ancient species of mammal which still exist today, such as the platypus. Here we have 'never before seen' footage of the underground nesting chamber of this weird animal.
Staying in Australia, the programme explores the other marsupials native to the country; from kangaroos to koalas, wombats to possums. We are then smoothly led on to the marsupials of South America, where infa-red cameras capture the feeding of the water apossum, the only aquatic marsupial in the world.
As well as the infra-red camera work, this episode uses CGI (though thankfully not to excess), time lapse, slow motion (for example in a beautifully shot sequence of kangaroos 'boxing') and numerous other techniques. These are never used as an indulgence, and fit seamlessly in to the narrative. Considering that this is possibly the least spectacular episode, the quality and effort put in to the production is highly commendable and very effective.

Episode 2 - 'Insect Hunters'

From a personal point of view this is one of the least interesting of the programmes, yet the quality does not falter. As Attenborough explains, insect eaters are necessarily small due to their diet and rate of metabolism, so we are introduced to shrews, moles and hedgehogs. The latter is shown mating, something which will make any man wince, though despite Attenborough's unerring enthusiasm, these are not necessarily the most enetertaining of creatures to watch .
The episode picks up by moving to America and Africa to reveal the eating habits of pangolins and anteaters, far bigger because their prey (ants, surprisingly, and termites) are found in such huge concentrations.
The programme then links smoothly to bats and the last quarter of an hour is dedicated to various species of this mammal. Everything from slow motion to heat sensitive cameras are used to allow us an insight in to their world, from feeding on the wing to feeding frenzies on the forest floors of New Zealand.

Episode 3 - 'Plant Predators'

Plant Predators is the programme where the series really starts to shine, though as stated before this is not to bemoan the standard of the first two episodes and is purely a subjective point of view.
This episode starts by dealing with the battles between plants and the creatures that feed on them, and how the diet of herbivores has determined both their evolution and lifestyle.
Attenborough begins by looking at the sloth, which is not the most dynamic of creatures seeing as the highlight of its week is to climb down to the forest floor to empty its bowels. Thankfully, the programme moves on, un-slothlike, to the Tapir of South America.
The episode becomes more engaging and the footage more impressive as the narrative proceeds, particularly when the subject shifts to how the herbivores such as elephant, bison, American Bighorns etc. deal with both predators and rivals for mating rites from their own species. There is a particularly impressive sequence set to music which shows various species and their efforts to deal with threats.

DISC 2
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Episode 4 - 'The Chisellers'

The fourth programme in the series explores rodents, 'the most widespread group of mammals'. The title of the episode derives from the fact that this group feed on seeds of all forms, and for these they require specialist teeth.
Subsequently this documentary sheds light on the behaviour of squirrels, aguti, rats and mice, but the bulk of the footage concentrates on marmots and, in particular, beavers. This does not sound an especially exciting episode but the camerawork and narrative more than sustain the enjoyment, while the information in this episode is interesting. As if it were needed, concerntration on more exotic species such as mole rats, porcupine, Patagonian cavies and South American capybara, for example, help to keep the viewers' attention. It is with the focus on Capybara that Attenborough finishes this episode.

Episode 5 - 'Meat Eaters'

This documentary which focusses on the carnivores is, unsurprisingly, one of the more spectacular. The footage from the very start is wonderful with the progress of a stoat hunting for rabbits. From this beautifully shot beginning Attenborough leads us through to hunting dogs and foxes, until the last half of the episode when the focus shifts to the big cats.
Infra-red cameras follow a successful lion hunt for zebra under the cover of night. The programme stays with the lions and the social make up of the pride is revealed until an explanation that most big cats are solitary leads on to coverage of cheetah, leopards and finally tigers. Again the full range of techniques are used (justifiably) to bring the viewer the best footage possible in what is a stunning programme.

Episode 6 - 'The Opportunists'

The enjoyment continues in this episode as we are introduced to another charismatic family of mammals, the opportunists or omnivores. Their success is demonstrated at the beginning by drawing a comparison with the precarious existence of the giant panda, a notoriously specialist feeder - its bamboo or nothin'!
As Attenborough explains, the North American raccoon is the opposite - very adaptable, and we are given a deeper understanding of the life of this mammal. With the aid of CGI Attenborough explains the history of the mammalian omnivore, leading on to explore a direct descendant, the babirusa of Indonesia. We are then introduced to the behaviour of different types of pig and various other omnivores before the documentary stops to focus on bears.
The footage of bears hunting is very interesting and the best part of the episode, but the programme finishes with another glimpse of raccoons before finally concluding with a look at the reasons for the huge success of rats as a spieces.

DISC 3
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Episode 7 - 'Return To The Water'

Some of the most inspiring footage of the series can be found in this episode, as Attenborough explores those mammals which live in or close to water.
Beginning with an exploration of the world of otters, the programme moves on to reveal the lives of seals and sealions, before concerntrating on purely aquatic mammals such as dolphins and whales. These last two families of mammal provide the highlight of this programme, with the former it is the remarkable camera shots but with the latter, the visuals are enhanced by cgi and Attenborough's childlike delight at the wonders of the blue whale. His enthusiasm while he conveys some genuinely interesting facts about the blue whale make this a particularly enjoyable section.

Episode 8 - 'Life In The Trees'

This may come as a shock (!) but this programme deals with mammals that spend much of their time in the canopy, although the first creature to be seen is the meercat which has to rely on co-operation within the family group to remain safe, as it spends most of the time on the ground. This naturally leads on to the advantages of tree dwelling, which doesn't just provide a level of protection but a hugely diverse food source too.
Various mammal groups are discussed such as the coatis, sun bears , tamaduas and squirrels (particularly flying squirrels). From flying squirrels there is a natural progression on to bats, a creature upon which the programme dwells for a significant length of time in an interesting enough sequence.
The concluding half of the programme is taken up with lorises, lemurs and gibbons. The latter two groups form the most entertaining part of the documentary, though the level of interest is pretty consistent throughout. There are fewer spectacular sequences in this episode as a whole but as said before the quality of production does not falter and the enjoyment level does not drop.

DISC 4
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Episode 9 - 'Social Climbers'

Together with episode ten, the series finishes on a high with more spectacular photography coupled with the most charismatic mammals on the planet, apes and monkeys. However in some ways this episode is less cohesive than others in the series - that is, until the last third of the programme.
It begins in South America with capuchin monkeys. Attenborough explains how it is their intelligence that helps them to seek opportunities through the use of memory, tools and mimickry. This takes up some ten minutes of the programme after which we are introduced to various other species of monkey in quick succession, finally dwelling on the tiny pigmy marmoset.
The programme then moves briefly on to dourocoulis, the only nocturnal monkey in the world, before looking at tamarins in more detail. A section on howler monkeys takes the viewer to halfway through the episode, where less time is spent on individual species but more on social communication amongst apes and monkeys.
Three groups of ape are highlighted in detail to complete the final third of this episode; firstly a community of macaques in Sri Lanka, baboons and finally Geladas, who seem to converse in an almost human manner. Again the footage of the latter is aesthetically pleasing.

Episode 10 - 'Food For Thought'

This programme serves as a summary of the themes which have been discussed throughout the series. However beforehand, we are given a look at the two apes which resemble us most closely - the orangutan and the chimpanzee. the section dedicated to these two groups is particularly good.
This episode is like a mini evolution in itself first dealing with the two species mentioned above, then showing an extrordinary sequence of a tribesman hunting in the most basic way by running his prey in to the ground. The establishment of culture, art and recreation as a human progression is then discussed culminating in modern society and predictably extolling on what the future holds for the planet.

SPECIAL FEATURES
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DISC 3
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Behind The Scenes

There are 3 subheadings under this title..Platypus, Elephant and Big Cats and all three deal with a little background to the titular creature but also an insight in to the lengths to which the production team strove to secure the footage.We are also shown how scientists have learned about these animal groups. Each featurette is about 8 to 10 minutes long and very interesting..

Music to Video

This is purely a 10 minute video synopsis of the series, without narration and set to the title music. It is a sort of promo film which is pleasant but unnecessary.

Fact Files

Twenty of the more popular mammals are listed on the screen. By clicking on one you get a new screen with fact sheets which can be scrolled through. At first I thought this was really just a cosmetic gimmick but the information stored therein makes interesting reading. However this is probably a feature for only the most enthusiastic of viewers.

DISC 4
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Behind The Scenes

This follows the same format as the special feature of the same name on Disc 3, but the 3 subjects here are Cave Bats, Grizzly Bears and Canopies.

Photo Gallery

You can scroll through still photographs acredited to Neil Lucas, though actually few of those posted are remarkable in any way.

Original Score

This is a listing of tracks 1 to 7 taken from the series which can be listened to. This is really rather pointless.

Web Link

This is to tell you that the dvd can be used as a cd-rom to link you to the website www.bbc.co.uk/nature. Unfortunately may computer is older than the dinosaurs and would not play ball, so i could not test this out. In addition I have not uploaded any photos for the same reason, and photos to be found on the web are not actually from the series.

OPINION
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The first thing that springs to mind regarding this series is the music. It may not seem relevant, but actually it makes a difference. The music for 'The Living Planet', for example, reminds me of those dated 1970's open university programmes introduced by academics who look like Graeme Garden in his 'Goody' days. The music with 'Life of Mammals' is timeless, does not grate like in the aforementioned dvd and is far more suitable for programmes that will get repeated viewing. It is very easy for these documentaries to appear dated, such is the speed of advancement in technology and camera work, but 'The life Of Mammals' is so well photographed, and the soundrack so appropriate and non-intrusive, that the product is timeless.

Without wishing to split hairs too much, a common occurence with these type of documentaries is often a duplication of footage. Although this series has now been succeeded by the likes of 'Planet Earth' and 'Life In The Undergrowth', I can recall that when I first watched this set of documentaries, the footage seemed to be original to the series. Not only this, if you do happen to enjoy this sort of thing then the cinematography is outstanding. One slight criticism of the 'Planet Earth' series was that I got the impression that the stunning imagery almost had more importance to the makers than the content and substance. That does not apply here. Some of the sequences, (the episode titled 'Social Climbers' springs to mind) are as impressive as anything filmed before or since but there is an abundance of information to complete the visual treat. It seems that every means of filming was used - microscpic, time lapse, slow motion, infra-red, heat seeking, cgi, and so forth, to bring a wealth of information in a fascinating manner. In fact by the time you have seen a couple of the programmes you just do not notice the techniques involved which is testimony to the skill with which they compliment the narrative. they are supporting the information, not competing with it.

There is a reason why I said in the introduction that this is the most engaging series for those who are just reasonably interested in natural history. The major strength of these documentaries is the way the content is handled. A huge number of mammals are covered in the series, yet instead of rapidly flitting from one to another, the makers have allowed enough time to cover their selected subjects to provide fascinating insight while never dwelling on a particular species for too long. They have got the balance exaxctly right (for the most part) and while the other Attenborough series are excellent, none manage to perfect this equilibrium of detail and variety of subject quite like they do here. There is a cohesion which I can only say is echoed in 'Life Of Birds'.

David Attenborough....

I am not saying anything original by stating that David Attenborough is one of those people it is hard to find fault with. He presents in an easy, self deprecating and enthusiastic style that even with his vast expertise, makes him very engaging and never condesending. Increasingly presenters seem to feel the need to perform, but Attenborough has too much command of the subject and experience to feel the need to do this. With this style, you are always focussing on the natural history footage, and though his narration is obviously essential, it is never intrusive. When he does appear on-screen his ease, unforced sense of humour and enthusiasm all engage the viewer. As for the scripting, there is a gentle humour which gives the animals a certain personality - though this of course never comes close to the insane ramblings of the late Johnny Morris.

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
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Play.com
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28.99 (no p&p)

Amazon
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17.97 (+ p&p) ** BEST BUY **
14.80 (+ p&p) used and new

Just to make a point about these prices, I think that this is a worthwhile purchase for those interested in natural history, but when I bought the series quite some time ago from Play.com, it was somewhat cheaper. I haven't seen this in any High Street stores recently but it may be worth looking there first. I do think the Amazon price is fair value, although their prices seem to fluctuate very regualarly. By the same token, the 28.99 is too steep, even for 8 hours of documentary.

Other comparable BBC / David Attenborough dvds, all available at Play.com..

Life On Earth
The Living Planet
Life In the Freezer
The Life Of Birds
The Trials Of Life

I hope this is all useful, as it is hard to edit 8 hours of factual information in to a readable format without leaving out something which may be of use. If you do not like natural history programmes then this dvd will obviously never appeal to you, but if you do and this is a product that you have considered then I hope the review is useful.

 

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