The Life of Birds
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Movie Reviews of The Life of Birds
Movie Review: The worst thing is the video transfer...
Summary: 5 Stars
...or dvd compression, or whatever.Beyond the rather grainy/fuzzy look to a lot of the episodes, this is David Attenborough's opus to his favorite animals, the birds. Well, I can't be sure they are his favorite animals, but it would seem that way from his treatment of them in this and several of the other 'Life' series.
OK, perhaps a second complaint might be that we've seen a little of this before with 'Trials of Life', but unlike 'Life of Mammals' that alternatively feels too recycled or stretching too hard to find the weirdest thing we've never seen (IE the Golden Mole), 'Birds' gets right down to its lessons in Ornithology.
Not that it's anywhere near as brainy as Life on Earth--I'm pretty sure nature lovers of any age will dig it--but it doesn't go for flash the way 'Blue Planet' (admittedly only narrated by Attenborough) or 'Mammals' does. Common species do the job of telling the story Attenborough has for us just as well as the species from the 'wind-swept plains of patagonia'. With the stylistic flourish paired down, Attenborough's love and enthusiasm for avians shines through and we get something that all the special infra-red cameras and weird post-editing couldn't accomplish. Ultimately, 'Life of Birds' is both informative and enduring, while Attenborough's continued arguments for conservation and preservation of species will fall silent on only the most unfeeling viewers. If Attenborough's goal was to establish a sense of marvel toward a group of animals we often take for granted, he has accomplished this and perhaps a little more.
A strong series that stands alone or works well in conjunction with many of Attenborough's other works. Recommended!
Movie Review: Ten Fabulous Hours!
Summary: 5 Stars
When my husband purchased this three-DVD series, I asked him, "Are you really SURE you are THAT interested in birds to watch ten hours of programs about them ?" But from the first hour, I was hooked. Every single episode relates so many different, interesting facts. Some things I had wondered about for many years, and they were explained. For example, why is it that the birds start singing the very second the first ray of sun comes over the horizon, and they go on singing very noisily for about 30 minutes, at which point they quiet down again? (VERY annoying if you're trying to sleep.) Well, the answer is that each bird knows all of its neighbors, and calls to each neighbor periodically throughout the day to be sure it is still there and well, and to be sure that no foreign bird has invaded its neighbors' territories. Upon awaking each morning, each bird calls to it's own neighbors, particularly those of its own species, mainly to be sure that its neighbors are still alive and well. (Most birds are blind at night.) This exchange takes about half an hour, and is the birds' equivalent of our morning news. That's why it stops after half an hour, when each bird has finished talking to each of its neighbors. This is only one of the fascinating facts I remembered from this delightful series. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is the slightest bit interested in nature of any kind.
Movie Review: Watch the DVD, and then get the book...
Summary: 5 Stars
I first watched this incredible documentary on PBS, video recorder running every single time. Eventually I decided to get the book that accompanies the series. What an understatement!--the book is a definite stand-alone for those of you who prefer to read. So here is what I recommend to anybody who is even remotely interested in nature documentaries: Buy and watch the DVD, and then, if you're as hooked as I was, do yourself a favor and buy the book. Sir David Attenborough's voice literally jumps off the pages with every single word, which makes for a very entertaining read. But I found that there was a lot of information that I had missed when I watched the series. Upon reading the book, I was amazed at how much I had learned without even realizing it. Little tidbits such as: what purpose do egg shapes serve, how does a mother bird know which squawker to feed next, etc., etc. Marvelous info, incredible photography, a must see/read for any bird enthusiast, and a treat for the rest of you who don't know as of yet that you may well become one... It doesn't matter that our garden bird varieties aren't mentioned in particular, because watching and reading about birds will open your eyes and ears to the birds around you and make you appreciate them for the biological wonders they truly are. -- Oh, and yes, I upgraded to the DVD and gave the tapes to a good friend.Movie Review: There are not enough "STARS" that could be award to this remarkable DVD set.
Summary: 5 Stars
I once thought, "Birds" were for the Birds", THIS "Life of Birds" DVD set, is truly NOT for the "Birds", BUT it is for ANY humanbeing that loves and requires the best (almost unbelievable)VISUAL experience possible.
The only suggestion I offer, is to make sure you view this on the best "State of the Art" TV that you can afford (or borrow) and you WILL experience a visual experience like none other.
It is a 3 disk set and it is about 3 hours of viewing of each disk. If you become affected (mesmerized) as I had been, you would probably want to keep this particular DVD set in a "safedeposit box", so that you can add an amendment to your "Will", bequeathing this particular DVD set to those that loved you the most.
They may forget about you, but they will never forget the visual experience you have left them.
May you have an long life and as long as you live and re-play this DVD set,your life will only be embellished.
J.Levin
Movie Review: Attenborough sparkles, as always!
Summary: 5 Stars
David Attenborough is the world's foremost and probably most well-known wildlife expert. He and his crew go to extraordinary lengths to capture footage of plants, birds, animals, insects, the earth never before seen, in each and every series they create. The resultant photography is always top-notch, the narration by Attenborough always succinct, appealing, and with a dash of under-stated English humor, and the documentaries extremely interesting.
Life of Birds is no exception to the above. It is fantastic. The series captures all kinds of birds in live action, eating, mating, drilling, flying, hunting, defending - all with astonishing clarity and precision. You will be wonder-struck at numerous scenes. Attenborough's narration is on point as always. The material is fresh, informative and crisp. You will find yourself watching the films contained on this 3-DVD set again and again over the years. Very highly recommended.