David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet

Is there any other documentary that everyone should watch in the XXI century? A strong statement by a wise gentleman that will sadden you, but which holds the necessary life-giving positivism of the appealing ecologist. Most of the praise is addressed not only at the “contents”, but also at the very execution of the documentary, it’s graceful connection of objective facts with a subjective appeal, the dramaturgical coherence, its intelligibility and the “minor details” like the gorgeous music and the breathtaking images. A great job and a very important message, which may have arrived late but it can also be a beginning. (2020-10-15)

"...to continue we require more than inteligence – we require wisdom." David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet is a breathtaking homage to a man who, even at such an advanced age, is brimming with incredible determination to tell us humans what stage Mother Earth is in, and how we might modify our relationship with the omnipresent nature we have so selfishly appropriated. David Attenborough has had a long life, and when he looks back, he certainly has a lot to look back on, both the good experiences and the sad realities that have occurred over the last century through our collective fault. From a technical point of view, this is a classically excellent experience that offers, alongside beautiful shots from different parts of the world, some frightening scenes of the possible future that may befall us. The film has many interesting ideas and much wisdom from the mouth of the king of animal documentaries that should be set in stone. "If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us." (2020-10-06)

I was originally going to write that this is a breathtaking moral appeal from a wise man, but this isn't so much about morality as it is about actual survival and preserving whatever we have left (for now). I felt that David Attenborough wasn't really telling me anything new, but I still had a strong urge to listen to him carefully and look at a number of things from a broader perspective. Plus, you'd be hard pressed to find someone more vocal and well-travelled who has seen truly and literally first-hand how humanity has been ravaging plant and animal species across the planet over the past few decades. One of the few examples of a film where its very mission made an isolated impression on me. I've heard a lot of objections that this has all been said before and that David Attenborough is really just repeating himself. Sadly, I still don't feel that his years of appeals for environmental protection have produced the desired results, so two thumbs (and toes) up for any similar eco-documentary that will spread these ideas. [85%] (2020-11-18)

David Attenborough talks about his life and provides, against the background of the changes that have taken place on Earth in recent decades, a clear and plainly understandable appeal about environmental topics. The film thus serves not only as a perfect recapitulation of the career of this famous documentary filmmaker, but also as an important message about the state of the environment. However, instead of looking for culprits, the film provides constructive proposals and visions. (2021-01-04)

An epitaph of humanity with room for a potentially successful future happy ending that is shrouded in uncertainty and question marks. Attenborough communicates it simply, engagingly and clearly. The idea is evident. An absolutely essential documentary that should not be missed by anyone. (2020-10-31)