Amazon.co.uk Review
With the BBC's reputation for producing high-quality nature programmes, it is no surprise that
Cousins, an exploration of the evolution of our primate ancestors, is an entertaining and educational documentary. What may be surprising is that Sir David Attenborough--that staple of quality nature programmes--is nowhere to be seen (or, indeed, heard). Instead, presenter Charlotte Uhlenbroek is the face and voice that guides the viewer around the world in her quest for exotic primates. A primate expert who has in the past studied the behaviour of chimpanzees, Uhlenbroek may well be one of the finest nature presenters since Sir Attenborough; her empathy and understanding is matched only by her infectious enthusiasm for her subjects.
Cousins is broken into three parts: "First Primates", "The Monkeys" and "The Apes". In her quest to uncover more about these creatures, Uhlenbroek leads her crew from the Old World of Asia and Africa to the New World of South America. Along the way, through a host of never-before-seen footage and spectacular camera work, the viewer is given new insights into the various lemurs of Madagascar ("First Primates"), the socially advanced New and Old World monkeys ("The Monkeys") and our closest relatives: orang-utans, gorillas and chimpanzees ("The Apes"). Throughout, the tendency to anthropomorphise is almost overwhelming, as we are shown Japanese snow monkeys bathing in hot springs, ring-tailed lemurs interacting in a close-knit society and chimpanzees using tools. While this is anathema to most high-quality nature programmes, it is actually the point of Cousins. By showing the "human" side of these primates, it is made obvious that we humans aren't that far removed from our ancestors at all. --Robert Burrow
Synopsis
Three episodes from the series which looks at how primates remind us of ourselves: 'First Primates', 'The Monkeys' and 'The Apes'.
by Charlotte Uhlenbroek
by Charlotte Uhlenbroek
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