South Pacific

Another excellent BBC wildlife documentary featuring breathtaking high-definition photography and a detailed overview on diverse aspects related to earth's biggest ocean such as insular evolution and environmental activities.

While the didactic approach of Attenborough's "Life"-series is still unsurpassed in its clarity and empathy, there's more than enough informative material gathered to fill six joyous hours.

Be prepared to be stunned by the brilliant use of slow motion.

A technical triumph in all departments!

8 out of 10 killer waves

I'm usually not a big fan of documentaries, but "South Pacific BBC" is an exception. This 6-part BBC mini-series of the South Pacific shows not only clichéd postcard-style images, but also the south pacific's diverse wildlife, people, history and its condition today.

Interesting stories alternate with amazing images from the air as well as in the water. At the end of every Episode, the "South Pacific Diaries" show the difficulties the team experienced while filming and the high-tech material they used.

As the BBC is not only ad-driven, they were able to invest a huge amount of money, which pays off: top-notch direction, sound, narrating and image quality (check the blu-ray!). I see no big flaws, only the wildlife parts are in a few cases a bit boring.

This program features above standard BBC Cinematography and is blessed with an incredible soundtrack/voiceover. Benedict Cumberbatch does an amazing job painting a picture for the viewer's ears while a stellar soundtrack interweaves the many moods shown throughout the documentary. I wish this was still on Netflix, one of my favorite mini series and a true gem.

This is outstanding series of exploration of region never filmed or no human ever seen before. The way stories are covered are very well organized and gives pleasant when watching. There are plethora of shots which clearly seem to be taken with well planning and patience with perfect angle and position.

Every series prepared with rhythmic storyline. For example, Endless Blue starts with lost sailors and move towards life of sperm whale, and then go in-depth of middle south-pacific to explore species that we never ever seen and never filmed before or say explored by anyone.

Use of high-definition and slow-motion cameras makes the scenes perfect

If, like me, you're watching after discovering that Benedict Cumberbatch struggles to say "penguins", you might be bit disappointed. The actually says it correctly frequently. Of course, it's still funny when he says "peng-wings" or "peng-lings". If you're unfamiliar, just google it. It's hilarious.

That being said, I didn't just watch it because of his narration. I'm a nature lover & former Sea World Educator, as well. The photography & cinematography is absolutely stunning. Its also very interesting. I do wish that the narration didn't say the types of animals all the time. For example, it specifies robber/coconut crap, but not rock hopper & other breeds of penguins.

Whether you're watching because you're a nature lover, Benedict Cumberbatch fan (CumberCollective), or both, I highly recommend this documentary.

Side note- as BC has a great choice for narration you can discover more documentaries under the "as self" category on his page. He also narrates audiobooksn as well.