Ocean with David Attenborough

This is one of those films that really does resonate. Using some phenomenal archive photography of the realm beneath the sea, Sir David Attenborough narrates a story of devastation, desperation and ultimately optimism as he takes us on a journey around the globe evaluating the damage caused to the Earth's oceans by a mankind who has treated this vast resource with contempt ever since industrialisation enabled us to ignore the protective forces of nature and pretty much fish at will. Some of the imagery here is truly breathtaking. It's beautiful, colourful and vibrant with creatures that look every inch as if they came straight out of science fiction. It's not just the sheer variety of life that we see that takes your breath away, though. The effects of the trawlers scarifying the scallop beds or the coral reefs renders them akin to a waste ground after a bomb has been dropped on it. The ruin is profound and quite frankly upsetting. Our continuing reliance on cheap and abundant food for ourselves and our pets is compromising the very existence of species that have existed in harmony with nature (and even humanity) for millennia. In his usually potent but understated manner, Sir David makes his points without resort to hyperbole and superlatives and as he lays out the scale of this problem before us he offers us hope that there is still time, should we take a longer-term view, for us to leave well alone and allow this crucial part of the planet's infrastructure to recover and assist with the fight against global warming. The message is clear as a bell, but it isn't laboured by the dialogue. It is illustrated by odd looking crabs, seahorses and magnificent blue whales. The production is top class and as an educational piece of cinema, this will take some beating - especially if you can catch it all on a big screen.

Went to see this documentary, released to mark the 99th birthday of David Attenborough. The plea to save our oceans is heartfelt and moving, with David telling us that he's coming to the end of his days. I was appalled at the wanton and greedy destruction of the ocean habitats and sea creatures through profligate overfishing. However, despair turns to hope as David explains how easy it is to repair the ravages we have wrought on the marine environment. We really must not turn a blind eye to the blight of overfishing, horrific trawling and the near extinction of marine species. David narrates with as much passion and dedication as ever, and it was quite poignant to see him standing on the white cliffs at the end.

A Thoughtful and Enthusiastic Review of an Outstanding Film Experience

I recently had the pleasure of watching what I can only describe as an extraordinary and profoundly moving film. I had the joy of sharing this experience with my son, and both of us came away from the theatre deeply impacted and in complete agreement-it was an exceptional piece of storytelling that everyone, regardless of age, should take the time to see.

From the very beginning, the film captures your attention with stunning visuals, captivating narration, and a compelling message that is both timely and timeless. There's a sense of wonder that runs throughout the film, a quality that Sir David Attenborough always brings to his work. His passion for the natural world is, as ever, deeply inspiring, and the way he communicates it draws in the viewer emotionally and intellectually.

What makes this film particularly powerful is not just its subject matter, but the way it is presented. It weaves together beautiful cinematography, thoughtful commentary, and important environmental themes with such clarity and purpose that it leaves a lasting impression. I found myself reflecting on it well after the end of the film, and my son was full of thoughtful questions and observations-something I always hope for when we watch something educational or impactful together.

That said, I would like to share two small points of constructive criticism, neither of which take away from the overall excellence of the film, but are worth mentioning in the hope they might improve future viewing experiences.

First, the sound mixing presented a bit of a challenge. On several occasions throughout the film, I found that the background music was simply too loud. This may not affect all viewers the same way, but for me-and others I've spoken to-it meant that some of Sir David's narration was difficult to hear clearly. Given that his voice and words are such a central and powerful part of the experience, this was a little frustrating. It seemed that the music, although beautifully composed and emotionally resonant, occasionally overpowered the dialogue, making it hard to catch every word and nuance.

Second, before the film began, we were told to remain in our seats after the film ended in order to watch a special behind-the-scenes feature, which would be shown after the credits. Naturally, we were very excited to see this extra content. However, the credits were exceedingly long, and although we waited patiently, the extended duration made the experience feel slightly drawn out. It would have been much more viewer-friendly to place the behind-the-scenes footage immediately after the film concluded and before the credits began. This is a common practice on television and would have been more effective here as well. The current placement meant that some audience members left early, missing what turned out to be a fascinating segment.

Despite those two relatively minor issues, I want to stress again that this is a truly exceptional film. It is rich in insight, full of heart, and offers a powerful call to action that feels both urgent and hopeful. It's not just a film for nature lovers or documentary fans-it's a film for anyone who lives on this planet and cares about its future. Sir David's work continues to be a beacon of knowledge, inspiration, and advocacy.

In conclusion, I cannot recommend this film highly enough. Take your children, your friends, or simply go alone-but do see it. It's more than just a film; it's an experience, and one that has the potential to change how we see the world and our place in it.

I was lucky enough to view this film in the presence of the director and a panel of European dignitaries, scientists and policy makers. I cried. Trawlers have destroyed the oceans, with government subsidies! Insane. But the cinematography was beyond beautiful. I cried at the beauty, despair and glimmer of hope the movie portrayed. David Attenborough is the world's best narrator and lover of nature. At 99, he has inspired generations and I hope, like Carl Sagan still inspires today all things of the Cosmos, Attenborough will continue to do so after he has been gone. And like Sagan's 21st century inheritor, Neil Degrasse Tyson has continued his legacy successfully, I still cannot imagine who can take Attenborough's place yet. He is legend. Pure visual and intellectual delight. Thank you for making these films. They inspire.

Profoundly highlights the ubiquity and devastating impact of industrial fishing practices, particularly seabed trawling, on our marine ecosystems (that otherwise have the potential to save our planet from climate catastrophe). This method indiscriminately scrapes the ocean floor, destroying fragile marine habitats such as cold-water coral reefs, seagrass beds, and nursery grounds that are essential for fish populations and carbon storage. The documentary makes a compelling case for global action to ban this destructive practice and establishing no-fishing zones, which have been shown to have rapid success in allowing marine life to recover. Let's save our sea, save our planet.