South Pacific

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

This series follows the same banal story lines as National Geographic documentaries: feature a zoom view of the mating ritual of some local animals then feature some pagan, sensual ritual by natives dressed in loin cloths and a zoom view of their genital sheaths, and don't forget to remind people that the earth is billions of years old and that man and animals all evolved from the same rock in a primordial mud puddle.

I wish they had spent more time on the beauty of the South Pacific, its wildlife (minus the gratuitous mating scenes), and on more modern historical events (like notable castaways, World War II battles on the islands, etc.). Frankly watching some primitive, mud-encrusted, would-be savage get beaten with sticks and dance around a fire with plumes on his head is about as interesting and inspiring as watching paint dry. Then again, it makes me thankful that God allowed me to be born in the US, instead of in the jungle of Irian Jaya or on the banks of the Zambezi.

I wanted to watch something serene, educational, and tasteful with my 9 year old daughter. This series does not fit that description.

'South Pacific' is a hugely informative and exceptionally well-made series. Inevitable, though some may argue unfair, comparisons may be (have been in fact) made to the output of David Attenborough, to me 'South Pacific' is one of the better documentary series in recent years to not have Attenborough's name on it and stands wonderfully on its own, if just lacking the special magic of Attenborough's best work.

There are so many great things here in 'South Pacific'. Its premise is dealt with exceptionally in every single episode, the environments, how they're lived in, how the humans adapt to the environments, there are some very interesting topics and important ones handled truly admirably. Also in a way that is illuminating but not preachy (which is a potential danger with anything environmental-themed and a danger often fallen into).

Sure, there could have been a touch more clarity in parts, but there is very little to dislike here.

When it comes to how it's written, 'South Pacific' does just as good a job entertaining and teaching, it's all very sincerely done and it never feels like a sermon. There are things here that are common sense and knowledge but one is taught a huge deal as well.

Benedict Cumberbatch's narration delivery is similarly on the money, very sensitively delivered, engaging and sonorous.

Visually, 'South Pacific' may lack the awe-inspiring, almost cinematic quality of the David Attenborough documentaries. With that being said, it is gorgeously shot, shot in a fluid, graceful and never static way, and is chock-full of strikingly memorable images. In every episode, the scenery and environments are like characters of their own, they're all incredible to look at and have a lot of atmosphere.

Every episode is appropriately scored, never intrusive or too low-key, and the different stories are powerful in a harrowing and poignant way, not to mention very honest and visually striking.

In summary, beautifully made, educational and emotional, basically a winner. 9/10 Bethany Cox

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.

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.