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Life of Mammals [DVD] [2002]
 
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Life of Mammals [DVD] [2002]

DVD ~ David Attenborough
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
RRP: £39.99
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Frequently Bought Together

Life of Mammals [DVD] [2002] + Planet Earth : Complete BBC Series (5 Disc Box Set) [2006] [DVD] + Blue Planet : Complete BBC Series (Special Edition 4 Disc Box Set) [DVD]
Total RRP: £109.97
Price For All Three: £29.54

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Life of Mammals [DVD] [2002]
61% buy the item featured on this page:
Life of Mammals [DVD] [2002] 5.0 out of 5 stars (19)
£10.58
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Product details

  • Actors: David Attenborough
  • Format: Box set, PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Number of discs: 4
  • Classification: Exempt
  • Studio: 2 Entertain Video
  • DVD Release Date: 7 April 2003
  • Run Time: 500 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B000088DSM
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 2,280 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in these categories:

    #10 in  DVD > Television > TV Series > David Attenborough
    #23 in  DVD > Documentary > Natural World

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review

David Attenborough and the BBC have a well-earned reputation for producing some of the greatest nature programmes, but The Life of Mammals could well be Attenborough's magnum opus. Much of the footage shot for this series had never been seen before, and is presented with the respect and reverence for the natural world that Attenborough has made his trademark. It never ceases to surprise: the sight of a lion taking down a wildebeest on the African savannah has almost become a cliché of nature programmes, yet in The Life of Mammals the cameras keep rolling and the viewer witnesses the fallen animal's herd coming to its rescue and driving off the lion. It's a moving sight and just one of many remarkable scenes.

A thorough and entertaining overview of one of evolution's greatest success stories, the series is loosely structured to follow the development of mammals, beginning with the basics in "A Winning Design", which clarifies what makes a mammal different from reptiles and birds--no, it isn't egg-laying: both the platypus and the echidna are egg-laying mammals; it's their ability to adapt. And it's this adaptability that becomes the crux of the remainder of the series. "Insect Hunters" focuses on mammals who have specifically adapted to eating insects, from the giant anteater and the armoured armadillo to bats, which have evolved into complex and effective hunters. "Plant Predators" demonstrates the particular (and often peculiar) adaptations of herbivores, while "Chisellers" is about those mammals who feed primarily on roots and seeds, ranging from tree-dwelling squirrels to opportunistic mice and rats. "Meat Eaters" talks about the evolutionary arms race that exists between predators and prey, and the unique adaptations of both individual and pack hunters. Omnivores are explored in "Opportunists"--mammals like bears and raccoons, whose varied diet allows them to occupy nearly any environment. "Return to the Water" discusses those mammals such as whales, seals and dolphins that have left behind life on dry land and adapted completely to life in the sea, existing at the top of the food chain. The last three episodes--"Life in the Trees", "Social Climbers" and "Food for Thought"--take the viewer through the development of primates, eventually culminating in that most successful mammal: man. --Robert Burrow

Special Features

English
Region 2
Behind The Scenes Footage
Original Score
Picture Gallery
Fact Files
Video Montage
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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
5.0 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece, 25 Mar 2006
By P. Haslehurst (Surrey, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
It's an often overused word, especially in relation to David Attenborough, but this series is truly a demonstration of Genius. Yes, with a capital G.

Since I can remember, David Attenborough has been involved in some truly awe-inspiring projects - The Natural World, Living Planet, Life in the Freezer, etc etc. What unites the various programmes is the obvious dedication and love of the subject matter from all involved.

Beautifully shot, edited and narrated, The Life of Mammals is an epic study of some fascinating wildlife. Starting with the Platypus, surely the oddest of all mammals, and moving gracefully and majestically through countless other species, the series ends with a fascinating treatment on Humans themselves.

Attenborough's chosen subdivisions of the group makes the large volume of material easier to digest - Chisellers, Meat Eaters, Water Dwellers, Opportunists, Tree Dwellers, Insect Hunters - they're all equally interesting, endearing and lovable.

As with any Attenborough project, there's a fair share of groundbreaking technology used to give a new insight into the natural world. Luckily this new technology is used sparingly, and with obvious benefit where it is.

There's rarely a dull moment's viewing in this series, or in any other Attenborough - BBC collaboration. Lovers of nature documentaries will not be disappointed.

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26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Great for kids too!, 15 Jun 2005
With three boys ages 3,5 & 7, DVD requests were always Bob the Builder, Thomas, Tweenies, etc. No longer! David Attenborough has the rare talent of capturing the attention of adults and young children alike. This series is excellently presented, beautifully shot and thoroughly enjoyable. If you would rather your children learnt something when watching the box, then this is the DVD for you.
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34 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Viewing, 2 Mar 2004
By S. Polling (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
Will there ever be a better presenter of documentaries about the natural world than David Attenborough? For decades now we have been lulled into learning about nature by a man who manages to convey his unique passion for all things alive with a panache that cannot be matched. This is the man who could have been running the BBC, but decided instead to remain an employee and continue producing documentaries. Life of Mammals may well be his best work yet.

The series begins with "A Winning Design", which distinguishes mammals from other living organisms. This episode follows marsupials, and hence spends most of its time in Australia. There is some wonderful footage of the duck-billed platypus, perhaps the most bizzare mammal alive today. From here, the next three episodes deal with small herbivores as David charts the development of mammals by examining animals of greater and greater evolutionary complexity. Spectacular later episodes include "Meat Eaters", in which large cats and dogs are compared, and "Life in the Trees", in which David is hoisted to the top of the rainforest canopy to observe the astounding gibbons, who move from branch to branch with breathtaking speed and agility. There is also the amazing "Return to the Water". David stands inside a life-size computer-generated blue whale, and states that the ancestors of these giants were "deer-like creatures" - a fact that surprised me! The last two episodes then examine man's pre-cursors in social monkeys, baboons and finally man himself.

This series, along with the Blue Planet, must rank alongside David's finest work. Fortunately, he shows no signs of slowing down, although one can only wonder if there is any creature he has not yet filmed, or if he could add to what he has produced here. There is a host of previously unseen behaviour in this series, mainly due to the advantage of cameras that are capable of filming with practically no light. The behaviour of platypus in their nest, as well as lions hunting at night, are particularly memorable. David has produced another masterpiece, and it is hard to see how the BBC will ever replace him.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Pleased as Punch
Bought as gift but recipient very pleased with it. It arrived well packed and very promptly
Published 1 month ago by J. Hilton

5.0 out of 5 stars David Attenborough fan
New about the great content of the dvd but would not have expected the low price - thank you Amazon !
Published 3 months ago by Mrs. M. Mallinson

5.0 out of 5 stars Life of Mammals DVD
This is a brilliant series, one that will not be forgotten for a long time.
Published 6 months ago by PC Russell

5.0 out of 5 stars The Life of Mammals
I personally feel this is an excellent way to understand the development of mammals and the trials they face through life. I highly recommend.
Published 9 months ago by J. Martin

5.0 out of 5 stars Well done BBC and the Mammals
David Attenborough introduces the mammals effortlessly and very well. He seems to be happy in each location and aware that the efforts of the team will result in brilliant... Read more
Published 23 months ago by R. Arnold

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional natural history series.
Having missed this when it was first on TV I eagerly awaited buying the series on DVD. I was not disappointed. It started out great and just got better and better. Read more
Published on 29 Jan 2008 by S. Murphy

5.0 out of 5 stars Human
I'm surprised no reviewer has mentioned the "persistence hunt". In the very last programme, in a profoundly moving scene, San hunters pursue and kill an animal to eat. Read more
Published on 21 Oct 2007 by Eleanor

5.0 out of 5 stars a must have for all zoologists...
what can i say David Attenborough knocks out another amazing set of DVDs using that soothing voice of his to explain animal behaviour, physiology, characteristics i.e. Read more
Published on 2 Dec 2004 by Rai

5.0 out of 5 stars Attenborough: Top Dog
Sir David knocks out another BBC wildlife program, exceeding the benchmark he himself set with earlier programmes from Wildlife on One onwards. Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2004 by Mr. P. Parry

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential viewing
An amazing, informative and educational series.
I now own the complete set of the 'Life of...' series of DVDs narrated by David Attenborough. Read more
Published on 4 July 2004 by skgr

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