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In fifty years of broadcasting, David Attenborough has travelled the globe to document the living world in all its wonder. Now, in this landmark series, he completes his journey by going back in time to the very roots of the tree of life, in search of the very first animals.
From the fog bound coastline of Newfoundland to the deserts of North Africa and the rainforests of Queensland, Attenborough finds evidence in fossils and living animals of an extraordinary period in Earth’s history, half a billion years ago, when animals first appeared in the oceans. From the first eyes that saw, to the first predators that killed and the first legs that walked on land, these were creatures that evolved the traits and tools that allow all animals, including us, to survive to this day.
Stunning photography and state of the art visual effects combine with the captivating charm of the world’s favourite naturalist. Bringing together fossil finds from the last few years that have transformed our understanding of early life forms with photorealistic CGI technology, First Life brings these animals and their environments back to life in brilliant detail.
From the fog bound coastline of Newfoundland to the deserts of North Africa and the rainforests of Queensland, Attenborough finds evidence in fossils and living animals of an extraordinary period in Earth’s history, half a billion years ago, when animals first appeared in the oceans. From the first eyes that saw, to the first predators that killed and the first legs that walked on land, these were creatures that evolved the traits and tools that allow all animals, including us, to survive to this day.
Stunning photography and state of the art visual effects combine with the captivating charm of the world’s favourite naturalist. Bringing together fossil finds from the last few years that have transformed our understanding of early life forms with photorealistic CGI technology, First Life brings these animals and their environments back to life in brilliant detail.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
134 of 136 people found the following review helpful
By Rowena Hoseason
TOP 50 REVIEWER
Format:DVD
You might think that there's nothing new to say in natural history; that the origin of life has been examined already in such intricate details that another two-hour investigation would be pointless. That's pretty much what I thought - before watching First Life.
In fact it turns out that new scientific methods and study have evolved themselves, bringing new information and understandings to light. The programme also uses new tech to illustrate its themes - when most of your subjects are fossils, it certainly does help to animate with some snappy visual effects. A sizeable chunk of First Life depends upon using animation to show weird early life forms as they may have appeared, half a billion or so years ago. This helps to make the subject far more lively than if it depended on fossilised rocks and old skeletons (even if the visual effects aren't anything like as `photorealistic' as the makers claim). They don't quite bring fossils to life, but we can see what extinct species may have looked like with their skins on, and how they may have lived, moved, fed and bred.
This programme also benefits from being presented by the world's most accomplished natural historian and, even at 83 years old, Sir David Attenborough does a wonderful job of bringing the past and its quirky, almost alien inhabitants to life. Attenborough never talks down to the viewer, and he's always enthusiastic and engaged with the subject matter. In First Life he also depends very heavily upon the expertise of various palaeontologists and other scientists, and these experts get plenty of air-time to explain their specialist discoveries and themes. Attenborough is the presenter but he does not hog the limelight; the animals of the long distant past are always the core focus of the film.... Read more ›
In fact it turns out that new scientific methods and study have evolved themselves, bringing new information and understandings to light. The programme also uses new tech to illustrate its themes - when most of your subjects are fossils, it certainly does help to animate with some snappy visual effects. A sizeable chunk of First Life depends upon using animation to show weird early life forms as they may have appeared, half a billion or so years ago. This helps to make the subject far more lively than if it depended on fossilised rocks and old skeletons (even if the visual effects aren't anything like as `photorealistic' as the makers claim). They don't quite bring fossils to life, but we can see what extinct species may have looked like with their skins on, and how they may have lived, moved, fed and bred.
This programme also benefits from being presented by the world's most accomplished natural historian and, even at 83 years old, Sir David Attenborough does a wonderful job of bringing the past and its quirky, almost alien inhabitants to life. Attenborough never talks down to the viewer, and he's always enthusiastic and engaged with the subject matter. In First Life he also depends very heavily upon the expertise of various palaeontologists and other scientists, and these experts get plenty of air-time to explain their specialist discoveries and themes. Attenborough is the presenter but he does not hog the limelight; the animals of the long distant past are always the core focus of the film.... Read more ›
40 of 41 people found the following review helpful
By Sarcosuchus
Format:DVD
Whilst woolly mammoth, giant birds, and, most especially, dinosaurs, take centre stage in the TV version of prehistory, our smaller and more vital antecedents on the tree of life are often ignored. This is a huge shame, as the earliest periods of life on our planet contain some of the most fascinating and bizarre creatures ever to have lived. And so the mighty David Attenborough (who else?!) takes us on a journey round the world, from the coast of England to the Burgess shale, to meet our earliest ancestors.
The extraordinary first phase of terrestrial life is described with love and affection, (as you might expect of Attenborough, whose entire career has been a selfless love-letter to the creatures of our world, living and dead), and we meet these creatures face-to-face, as if in a personal encounter. We meet the first fractal organisms, neither plant nor animal. We meet the incredible trilobites, with their solid crystal eyes. And we meet creatures so bizarre they look like nothing alive today, giving us a tantalising glimpse into the directions evolution might have taken.
The CGI is well-done, and (crucially) not intrusive. The fossils - particularly the splendid Trilobites - are hauntingly beautiful and strange. Give this to a child at just the right age, and you'll create a life-long interest in nature and the history of life. My only complaint about this is there are only two episodes.
The extraordinary first phase of terrestrial life is described with love and affection, (as you might expect of Attenborough, whose entire career has been a selfless love-letter to the creatures of our world, living and dead), and we meet these creatures face-to-face, as if in a personal encounter. We meet the first fractal organisms, neither plant nor animal. We meet the incredible trilobites, with their solid crystal eyes. And we meet creatures so bizarre they look like nothing alive today, giving us a tantalising glimpse into the directions evolution might have taken.
The CGI is well-done, and (crucially) not intrusive. The fossils - particularly the splendid Trilobites - are hauntingly beautiful and strange. Give this to a child at just the right age, and you'll create a life-long interest in nature and the history of life. My only complaint about this is there are only two episodes.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By DF McCleland
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
This is David Attenborough at his best. For all avid followers of his work, of which I am one, he will be sorely missed as the BBC will no longer have use of his services.
By dealing with organisms that no longer exist, the approach is slightly different from the previous programs where David would stand near to an animal whilst providing an explanation of its habits.
To bring the various creatures/organisms to life, extensive use is made of CGI without any the usual flashing visuals & dramatic music that accompanies CGI with American presentations of this nature. Instead it is the usual calm, engaging, evocative voice of David making his point in clear, lucid English.
The other difference is the extensive use of experts to explain various aspects such as the one explaining what she believes is indicative of when sexual reproduction commenced.
David as usual does a Cook's Tour visiting those places where significant fossil finds have been made such as the Burgess Shales in the Rockies Mountains, Mistaken Point in Newfoundland as well as Scotland & Morocco. He then attempts to find show one a living ancestor of that creature.
Commencing with the uni-cellular creatures of which there are no fossil records, he moves to the fractal animals which were part plant, part animal & an evolutionary dead-end, he then proceeds up the chain to the anthropods of which the trilobites are the best known examples.
Finally he arrives at the animals which made the transition from water to land.
All of this is accompanied by excellent non gratuitous CGI, lucid commentary & stunning photography. Just what would expect from a David Attenborough production.... Read more ›
By dealing with organisms that no longer exist, the approach is slightly different from the previous programs where David would stand near to an animal whilst providing an explanation of its habits.
To bring the various creatures/organisms to life, extensive use is made of CGI without any the usual flashing visuals & dramatic music that accompanies CGI with American presentations of this nature. Instead it is the usual calm, engaging, evocative voice of David making his point in clear, lucid English.
The other difference is the extensive use of experts to explain various aspects such as the one explaining what she believes is indicative of when sexual reproduction commenced.
David as usual does a Cook's Tour visiting those places where significant fossil finds have been made such as the Burgess Shales in the Rockies Mountains, Mistaken Point in Newfoundland as well as Scotland & Morocco. He then attempts to find show one a living ancestor of that creature.
Commencing with the uni-cellular creatures of which there are no fossil records, he moves to the fractal animals which were part plant, part animal & an evolutionary dead-end, he then proceeds up the chain to the anthropods of which the trilobites are the best known examples.
Finally he arrives at the animals which made the transition from water to land.
All of this is accompanied by excellent non gratuitous CGI, lucid commentary & stunning photography. Just what would expect from a David Attenborough production.... Read more ›
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By scardan
Format:DVD
What can I say... another GREAT video by BBC, I really enjoyed it. It is NOT a scientific text of paleontology, but it's a great and easy to follow video of "let's see the things you only studied on black and white tables /fossils in a dusty room".
Now these many creatures are vivid and alive in my imagination and I can't forget them. Very enjoyable.
And Attenborough is great. He speaks slowly, something a foreigner like me really appreciates: one can follow each word.
After the old 1986 or 1989 (!) video on early life, this one was really needed, with modern techinques for reconstructing the creatures and new updated information.
...And seeing alive trilobites moving in the sea is a wonderful dream.
Now these many creatures are vivid and alive in my imagination and I can't forget them. Very enjoyable.
And Attenborough is great. He speaks slowly, something a foreigner like me really appreciates: one can follow each word.
After the old 1986 or 1989 (!) video on early life, this one was really needed, with modern techinques for reconstructing the creatures and new updated information.
...And seeing alive trilobites moving in the sea is a wonderful dream.
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3.4 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Viewing. Worth Buying
Bought this on the advice of my son as he said it was excellent. He was not wrong! You will love it even if not into this sort of thing.
Published 20 hours ago by Mrs P
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is going to be a family heirloom
I bought this for my grandchildren, and hope they will pass it on to the next generation. This is a classic.
Published 1 month ago by Phyllis McDonnell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love it!
This is a fascinating review of - you guessed it - first life. Attenborough is always wonderful but this explains the origins of life in a manner accessible to the whole family.
Published 2 months ago by R. L. Johnstone
4.0 out of 5 stars
I like it
Very good. Because four-star! Except subtitles that not work, sometimes.
I love Sir David Attenborough and BBC documentary film. I recommend.
I love Sir David Attenborough and BBC documentary film. I recommend.
Published 2 months ago by Adriano Santos
5.0 out of 5 stars
Really great
Such an interesting film and we love this film from A-Z. The result is that we will visit Mistaken Point soon. Read more
Published 3 months ago by R.L. Kooiman
5.0 out of 5 stars
love it
One of David Attenboroughs best series' in my opinion, I watched it when it was originally broadcast, bought this for a present for someone & have since borrowed it from them to... Read more
Published 3 months ago by TERRY HUNT
5.0 out of 5 stars
David Attenborough fan
This dvd is a very good addition to my big collection of David Attenborough`s Wild life. I am looking forward to getting his new Africa dvd.
Published 4 months ago by mel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Another of the same from David. Although, I felt it was too short. There are two episodes, but this is still a big subject.
Published 4 months ago by Ra Tera
5.0 out of 5 stars
El Supremo
What can I say about this man that hasn't been said before, this is indeed a marvelous dvd and gives you the insight of creatures long gone, well done Sir David long may you... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Janey
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but not as riveting as previous series
It's partially the material. Whereas Sir David's previous efforts showed off many extraordinary features of life as we currently know it (complete with often mind-blowing... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Teemacs
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