Galápagos

I enjoy watching wildlife documentaries very much. I know they're not exactly what you'd call high art, but they can be very relaxing and entertaining if you're in the right mood for them (if nothing else, it sure makes for some calming viewing). Even if I'm not always paying full attention, I'll still pop one on to play in the background because it provides me with a better room ambiance, as well as an enriching academic experience.

So when I found out about this one it got me really exited because it's set on the tropical Galápagos Islands, home of the weird and wonderful! The three-part documentary miniseries includes some of the island's most famous oddities such as; titanic tortoises, insatiable iguanas, fluttering finches, bombastic blue-footed boobies, and many more... just to name a few (you do get a generous variety of animal species, I must say).

I highly recommend it to all nature enthusiasts everywhere, especially if you like listening to Tilda Swinton's soft-spoken voiceover (no offence to David Attenborough's narrations). I guarantee it won't disappoint.

The Galapagos and the animals that inhabit them are truly fascinating and it is wholly understandable as to why they are very commonly covered in documentaries. Also saw 1999's 'Galapagos' as someone who loves documentaries ever since watching classics such as 'Planet Earth' and 'Blue Planet' and who likes Tilda Swinton a lot as an actress. Oh and the premise for the series, with a mix of nature, environmental and humanity, sounded very interesting

'Galapagos' is well worth watching. It is not one of the best, not one of the most ambitious or not one of the most innovative documentaries to exist (whether series or films), but despite a few caveats when it is good it is fantastic and it's very well done and nicely varied overall. And a must for anybody who wants to know anything about the Galapagos or at least more. Those who like Swinton should also not be disappointed.

By all means it's not perfect. The music is over loud and used too much, also not fitting that well with the tone of the series where it was trying to sound more cinematic than needed.

Also felt that some of the writing for the narration was rather cheesy and cookie cutter, especially the attempts at being poetic. Structurally the series is slightly repetitive.

Had no problems though with Swinton's delivery of it, which is very soothing and understated, personally didn't think it one note at all. Most of the narration is very informative and thought provoking, even if there was not much that was new the execution didn't feel too been there, done that. The more environmental parts make their point strongly but to me they didn't come over as too preachy.

Really loved the wonderfully varied animals, whether prey or predator and big or small. A lot was learnt about such a wide variety of creatures and their habits with many memorable moments. The best aspect is the production values, which are breathtaking. Was always stunned throughout by the scenery, which was a mix of beautiful, atmospheric and uncompromising. The photography is out of this world, such vibrant colours that pop out and it's so clear and fluid.

Overall, not perfect but a lot to like, so recommended highly. 8/10.

There are a number of related documentaries on the market, including a Kenneth Branagh-narrated IMAX film ("Galapagos (IMAX)") and a personal journey with Richard Dreyfuss ("In the Wild: The Galapagos Islands with Richard Dreyfuss"), both produced in 1999. However, if like me, you have been enamored with the BBC's extraordinary "Planet Earth" series designed for high definition (aired here on the Discovery Channel), then you will find yourself equally drawn to this 2007 DVD of a three-part 2006 BBC series on the mythologized Galapagos Islands. Even though the scope is not nearly as ambitious this time, the result is almost as enthralling given the plethora of exotic, endemic species surviving on this isolated archipelago of nineteen volcanic islands. I was fortunate enough to tour the Galapagos on a schooner several years ago, and I can assure you that the outstanding visual quality of these programs captures as much of the distinctive flora and fauna of the islands as possible on the DVD.

Aired stateside on the National Geographic Channel, the set consists of three fifty-minute programs. The first, "Born of Fire", provides a vivid archaeological history of the islands and shows how several of the most unusual species originated there and learned to co-habitate with each other. The second program, "Islands That Changed the World", looks at man's imprint on the islands, for better or worse, with an obvious emphasis on the work of Charles Darwin as he developed many of his theories about evolution based on his sightings here. It does take on the feel of a scholastic film with recreations of historical figures and events, but they do provide helpful context. The last is "Forces of Change", which forecasts the future with some coverage of the global warming issues but more of the focus on man's burgeoning presence on the islands and what is currently being done to maintain the natural environment.

Unlike Sigourney Weaver's overly controlled narration on the U.S.-released version of "Planet Earth", actress Tilda Swinton imbues a greater sense of genuine enthusiasm over the dramatic images in this version. What is inarguable is the stunning cinematography, whether it's the satellite photos of the islands or the near-poetic movements of the animals spotlighted, for example, the first flights of the baby albatrosses, the dexterous swimming of the flightless cormorants, the multitudes of marine iguanas randomly spewing sea water from their lungs, and the proud ballooning of the red-bellied frigate birds. There is a surprising lack of real scientific data which could have made the environmental reports that much more enlightening. You also have to tolerate some repetitiveness between the programs since they were aired at separate times. Regardless, this is nature programming at its finest, especially for those mesmerized by the particular idiosyncratic pleasures of the Galapagos.