Charles Darwin & the Tree of Life [DVD]

Charles Darwin And The Tree of Life [DVD] This 59min DVD is David Attenborough's tribute to the 200'th anniversary of Darwins birth. As one would expect from the premier natural history programme maker of our time, it's a classic; with absolutely magnificent film work being used to illustrate how, where and why Darwin developed his ideas published in The Origin of Species, and also how that idea of natural selection actually works. Beginning with an explanation of the religious situation at that time, the programme moves through Darwins voyage on the Beagle to the Galapagus Islands, his work at Down House, the controversy his theory of evolution caused, the fossil record, the DNA/genetic evidence and much more; all clearly illustrated by a combination of beautiful filming and gentle commentary delivered as only David Attenborough can. I was particularly impressed with his explanation of how the eye evolved; something many still consider an impossibility. To conclude, I recommend this DVD wholeheartedly, as a work of both beauty and learning which is highly entertaining to watch.

There have been many series produced recently about Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. This single programme offers the most succinct and convincing argument in favour of that theory. The fact that it is a personal view from Britain's most respected natural historian brings only more credibility to the arguments. David Attenborough calmly and authoritatively talks us through the basics of Darwinian theory, the history of how that theory was developed, and explains why he, Attenborough, accepts it as the true explanation for life on earth.
Several other series also produced by the BBC have tried to do the same, as has Richard Dawkins, but none come close to matching the comfotable ease with which Attenborough examines the informations and draws the viewer towards his own conclusion. Attenborough also does this without insulting the intelligence of anyone with a different view; without being hostile or confrontational. He follows the science and lets the science provide the weight of his argument.

The film uses archive footage from Attenborough's career to illustrate Darwin's observations of animals and plants, both in nature and domesticated. It features the important places fro mDarwin's life including his home in Kent, Down House, the Natural History Museum and Cambridge University. But this isn't just a review of Darwin's life; it comes up to date with what the study of DNA has revealed about evolution in the years since Darwin died, and how modern technicques have demonstrated without doubt, for Attenborough, that humans and animals have evolved along different branches of the same tree of life.

It's a brilliant piece of work, perhaps the most lucid and compelling argument for evolution I have encountered, and possibly one of Attenborough's greatest lifetime achievements.
Thoroughly recommended.
10/10

It was great to see his actual house. They did a great job explaining how modern findings on DNA relate to Darwin's theories, when DNA was unknown. Also a wonderful simplification of the beginning of life. If you have read The Origin of the Species, this helps to really grasp what was going on politically when it was published. All of the fossils that he discovered and worked on are shown, which is fascinating. If you love this, you should definitely see Creation.