Planet Earth - The Complete Collection (DVD, 2007, 5-Disc Set)

I really enjoy watching these DVD, this collection of DVD is awesome, A must watch for anyone who enjoys nature and wants to see the never before footage of animals in action!

Here's a brief summary of what the DVDs contain!

01. Pole to Pole: Illustrates a “journey” around the world and reveals the effect of gradual climatic change and seasonal transitions en route.

02. Mountains: All of the main mountain ranges of the world are explored with extensive aerial photography.

03. Fresh Water: Describes the course taken by rivers and some of the species that take advantage of such a habitat, as is provided by such habitats. All of which ultimately illustrates that, though only three percent of all the world’s water is fresh, all life is ultimately dependent on it.

04. Caves: Explores the planet’s “final” frontier, as it presents to viewers the world of caves and tunnels found throughout the world.

05. Deserts: Features this harsh environment that covers approximately one third of the planet, as well as the various forms of life that have adapted to survive its harshness.

06. Ice Worlds: Primarily looks at the regions of both the Artic and Antarctica.

07. Great Plains: Deals with savanna, steppe, tundra, prairie, and takes a look at the importance and resilience of grasses in such treeless ecosystems — systems that contain the largest concentration of animal life on Earth.

08. Jungles: Examines jungles and tropical rainforests, two environments that occupy only three percent of the land yet are home to over half the world’s species.

09. Shallow Seas: Is devoted to the shallow seas that fringe the world’s continents — an area that may only constitute only eight percent of the oceans, yet it also contains the most marine life.

10. Seasonal Forests: Surveys the coniferous and deciduous seasonal woodland habitats — the most extensive forests to be found on Earth.

11. Ocean Deep: Concentrates on the most unexplored area of the planet, the deep ocean.

Each episode runs approximately 58 minutes in length. This includes “Planet Earth Diaries,” which is a 10-minute feature that details the filming of a particular event. Also, the DVDs have each episode being narrated by the wonderful vocal talents of David Attenborough as it was in the program’s original BBC release, instead of with Sigourney Weaver’s narration as was used in the American airing of the series on the Discovery Channel.

The BBC’s Planet Earth is available in Standard Definition DVD, High-Definition DVD, and Blu-Ray DVD formats.

As of its release in early 2007, Planet Earth is quite simply the greatest nature/wildlife series ever produced. Following the similarly monumental achievement of The Blue Planet: Seas of Life, this astonishing 11-part BBC series is brilliantly narrated by Sir David Attenborough and sensibly organized so that each 50-minute episode covers a specific geographical region and/or wildlife habitat (mountains, caves, deserts, shallow seas, seasonal forests, etc.) until the entire planet has been magnificently represented by the most astonishing sights and sounds you'll ever experience from the comforts of home. The premiere episode, "From Pole to Pole," serves as a primer for things to come, placing the entire series in proper context and giving a general overview of what to expect from each individual episode. Without being overtly political, the series maintains a consistent and subtle emphasis on the urgent need for ongoing conservation, best illustrated by the plight of polar bears whose very behavior is changing (to accommodate life-threatening changes in their fast-melting habitat) in the wake of global warming--a phenomenon that this series appropriately presents as scientific fact. With this harsh reality as subtext, the series proceeds to accentuate the positive, delivering a seemingly endless variety of natural wonders, from the spectacular mating displays of New Guinea's various birds of paradise to a rare encounter with Siberia's nearly-extinct Amur Leopards, of which only 30 remain in the wild.

That's just a hint of the marvels on display. Accompanied by majestic orchestral scores by George Fenton, every episode is packed with images so beautiful or so forcefully impressive (and so perfectly photographed by the BBC's tenacious high-definition camera crews) that you'll be rendered speechless by the splendor of it all. You'll see a seal struggling to out-maneuver a Great White Shark; swimming macaques in the Ganges delta; massive flocks of snow geese numbering in the hundreds of thousands; an awesome night-vision sequence of lions attacking an elephant; the Colugo (or "flying lemur"--not really a lemur!) of the Philippines; a hunting alliance of fish and snakes on Indonesia's magnificent coral reef; the bioluminescent "vampire squid" of the deep oceans... these are just a few of countless highlights, masterfully filmed from every conceivable angle, with frequent use of super-slow-motion and amazing motion-controlled time-lapse cinematography, and narrated by Attenborough with his trademark combination of observational wit and informative authority. The result is a hugely entertaining series that doesn't flinch from the predatory realities of nature (death is a constant presence, without being off-putting), and each episode ends with 10-minute "Planet Earth Diaries" (exclusive to this DVD set) that cover a specific aspect of production, like "Diving with Pirahnas" or "Into the Abyss" (the latter showing the rigors of filming the planet's most spectacular caves, including the last filming ever officially permitted in the "Chandelier Ballroom," a crystal-encrusted cavern found over a mile deep in New Mexico's treacherous Lechuguilla, the deepest cave in the continental United States.)
With so many of Earth's natural wonders on display, it's only fitting that the final DVD in this five-disc set is devoted to Planet Earth: The Future, a separate three-part series in which a global array of experts is assembled to discuss these issues.

From the makers of Blue Planet: Seas of Life and with an unprecedented budget of $25 million, comes the epic story of life on Earth. Five years in production, over 2,000 days in the field, using 40 cameramen filming across 200 locations, and shot entirely in high definition, this is the ultimate portrait of our planet. A stunning television experience that captures rare action, impossible locations and intimate moments with our planet's best-loved, wildest and most elusive creatures. From the highest mountains to the deepest rivers, this blockbuster series takes you on an unforgettable journey through the daily struggle for survival in Earth's most extreme habitats.

* 5 discs; 550 minutes
* Bonus features: 110 minutes of behind-the-scenes-footage—one 10-minute program for each episode
* © 2007

Disc 1:
Living Planet
Mountains
Fresh Water

Disc 2:
Caves
Deserts
Frozen Worlds

Disc 3:
The Great Plains
Forests
Jungles

Disc 4:
The Shallow Seas
Ocean Wide, Ocean Deep

Disc 5:
Planet Earth - The Future: This 3-part, 2 1/2 hour series looks at what the future may hold for endangered animals, habitats and, ultimately ourselves. Following the environmental issues raised by Planet Earth, it asks why so many species are threatened and how they can be protected in the future.

I thhoughly enjoyed this set and will continue in the future!

First of all it from the creators of "Blue Planet: Seas of Life" which is a gem in it's self alone. Now this masterpiece comes from the epic series celebrating the Earth as it's NEVER before been seen. It is a (5) five DVD set with each disc containing either (3) three episodes clocking in at over 2hrs easily each. Disc 4 is the only one that only has (2) two episodes on it, and the final 5th disc contains(3)three episodes regarding the FUTURE. 12 different episodes in all including:
Disc1: 1)From Pole to Pole 2)Mountains 3)Fresh Water
Disc2: 4)Caves 5)Deserts 6)Ice Worlds
Disc3: 7)Great Plains 8)Jungles 9)Shallow Streams
Disc4: 10)Seasonal Forests 11)Ocean Deep
Disc5: "The Future"_Saving Species, Into the Wilderness & Living Together
Once you start watching this, you will probably watch the whole series straight through with only pausing for restroom breaks. The footage presented here may NEVER been seen again, on any other release. Get this now.
I was lucky and found a man who had 50 of them, and got it for 25USD sealed and it arrived in 3 days from when I purchased it. At a place like Circuit City for example it sells for $65. You may be able to find a better deal as I did here on EBAY. Do a search for it. Whatever you pay, even if it's 65.00, you will NOT regret it. It's priceless. My brother is gonna love his I got for his BDay. Anyone who appreciates what eyes have yet to see, and also love to learn new things daily will be very, very happy with this "Planet Earth" 5 disc set. Hurry, get in an auction, or find a "Buy It Now" here on EBAY, or if you can't win an auction, due to how well this sells, go to a store and buy it, but definately check EBAY first. They have the deals, and you will NEVER regret purchasing this fine work of art which was (5) five years in the making, over 2000 days in the field, using 40 cameramen/women across 200+ locatiions. Don't think, just click the link.-mkelly2137

http://en.wikipedia.org/w​iki/Planet_Earth_(TV_series)

As a high school teacher, I am always looking for media/documentaries that are appropriate and fascinating for my students. The BBC's Planet Earth fits the bill completely.
Filmed over 5 years in over 200 locations, this is a Pole to Pole trip that unveils animals and species that 99.9% of my students would never have a chance to see.
From the Amur leaopards of Russia to the dung beetles of Asia, this a fascinating study of our world in explicit detail.
We see the 500 mile march of elephants searching for water, as well as Great Whites snatching seals in mid-air. There is a gorgeous view of General Sherman, the tallest tree on Earth, as well as the oldest tree in Israel, clocking in at almost 5000 years.
The potography is flawless and humanless. There is no evidence of any human in the filming, except in the "Diaries" extras, which show how the DVDs were made.
BBC's David Attenburough adds a perfect narration and keeps viewers glued to the video, which as a teacher is much appreciated.
This series makes for a great Science lesson, and allows for a unique and thorough study of our world and its animal, insect and biological inhabitants.
As good as it gets.
Craig Rousselot, MAEd
High School teacher
Orange Co Dept of Ed ACCESS