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British Isles: A Natural History [DVD] [2004]
 
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British Isles: A Natural History [DVD] [2004]

DVD ~ Alan Titchmarsh
4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
RRP: £24.99
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Frequently Bought Together

British Isles: A Natural History [DVD] [2004] + Nature Of Britain : Complete BBC Series (3 Disc Set) [DVD] + A Picture Of Britain - Complete BBC TV Series [DVD] [2005]
Total RRP: £79.97
Price For All Three: £35.94

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

British Isles: A Natural History [DVD] [2004]
65% buy the item featured on this page:
British Isles: A Natural History [DVD] [2004] 4.1 out of 5 stars (18)
£16.98
A Picture Of Britain - Complete BBC TV Series [DVD] [2005]
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A Picture Of Britain - Complete BBC TV Series [DVD] [2005] 4.9 out of 5 stars (22)
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Nature Of Britain : Complete BBC Series (3 Disc Set) [DVD]
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Nature Of Britain : Complete BBC Series (3 Disc Set) [DVD] 4.6 out of 5 stars (5)
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Product details

  • Actors: Alan Titchmarsh
  • Producers: Christina Macaulay, David Robinson, Stephen Haggard, Tony Parker
  • Format: PAL
  • Language English
  • Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
  • Number of discs: 3
  • Classification: Exempt
  • Studio: 2 Entertain Video
  • DVD Release Date: 29 Nov 2004
  • Run Time: 389 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: B0002XOZQU
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 11,695 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

    Popular in this category:

    #52 in  DVD > Documentary > History

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Reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
The BBC's latest lavish natural history series, The British Isles: A Natural History stirred a minor controversy when first aired because its presenter, the ever-affable Alan Titchmarsh, is better known as a gardener (and writer of saucy novels), not an expert on mineralogy, plate tectonics, or prehistoric flora and fauna. Until this programme the presumption had been that a multi-part flagship BBC documentary would be written and presented by an authoritative figure, David Attenborough or Simon Schama for example. For better or worse Titchmarsh has broken the mould.

In fact, once past the glossily superficial opening chapter "3 Billion Years in the Making" (essentially a highlights programme of what is to come), Titchmarsh turns out to be an excellent host, addressing the audience in his familiar chatty way and cleverly exploiting his horticultural roots, noting for example how evidence of major geological changes can be found in the most humble plant, wildflower or weed. And unlike his more academic predecessors, he also uses his TV charisma to the full, finding lighthearted ways of imparting otherwise dry information: sampling malt whiskies to explain how water permeates through different types of rock; scoffing platefuls of clotted cream with jam and scones to show how desert conditions millions of years ago gave Devon its fertile soil; or even getting made up as a Neanderthal and strolling down Oxford Street. It's all far more cosy than Attenborough.

The director of this eight-part series has clearly been watching Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings, as he never misses an opportunity for sweeping helicopter shots of snowy mountain peaks, rugged coastlines or glacial valleys. Combined with some neat computer graphics, the result makes ideal consumption for Sunday evening TV: easy on the eye and none too taxing on the brain, but informative enough to banish any fears of dumbing-down. --Mark Walker

Synopsis
Exploring the natural history of the United Kingdom.

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Customer Reviews

18 Reviews
5 star:
 (12)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:
 (1)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:
 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.1 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
73 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Setting high standards in excellence, 29 Nov 2004
By Budge Burgess (Kilmarnock, Scotland) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)   
I wrote a review of the book of the series, basically explaining that while I found the subject matter fascinating, putting Alan Titchmarsh's name to the volume was hardly convincing. This is a major television series, it has obviously drawn on the resources of scores of experts in their various fields, yet to present the book under the name of a television gardener seemed to be an act of exploitation, using celebrity to sell a product.

Conversely, I think one of the reasons the television series works so well is because Alan Titchmarsh was chosen to act as its presenter! He's an excellent choice. Titchmarsh is a great communicator. He comes across as intelligent, informed, affable, a nice, honest, decent bloke who wouldn't sell you short. I didn't think it was appropriate to put his name to the book, but I think he does a superb job presenting the television series.

The series as a whole is a first class production. The use of special effects to reveal the changing face of our little corner of the planet works wonderfully, and Titchmarsh's commentary provides an intelligent, never patronising analysis of the changes which have befallen the British Isles. Titchmarsh appears as 'the ordinary bloke', overseeing the changing geology of these islands, commenting on the emergence and disappearance of flora and fauna, noting the emergence and expansion of human settlements, and, acting a touch like the Spirit of Christmas Yet to Come, speculating on what changes the future might hold.

This is a superbly filmed and edited piece of education. It is enlightening. It is a voyage of discovery. What the BBC offer here is a biography of the British Isles. Like any good biography, it shouldn't leave you convinced you know everything there is to know about the subject - it should leave you inspired to find out more. And Titchmarsh plays his part here. His enthusiasm and interest is infectious. He doesn't just tell a sterile story or read from a script - he breathes life into the pictures. You can see the excitement he feels, you sense you are joining him on a voyage of discovery, and it's thrilling. You want to go out and walk the land, understand the geology, pause to look at the mountains before you and the ground beneath your feet.

"British Isles: A Natural History" is excellent, living up to the BBC's extraordinary standards of entertainment-come- education, and the DVD release is something you can treasure, revisiting it again and again to find fresh stimulation and spot aspects of the story you hadn't noticed before. Superb!

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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and informative, 6 Nov 2006
By Brian Barratt (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews
Having seen this series on TV, I had to buy the DVD's. It is totally brilliant and informative.

The personable Alan Titchmarsh might not be a geologist but he loves the land and speaks with authority, unlike narrators of similar series who are simply actors reading a script. For instance, a more recent(?) series "Wild Europe" has dreary repetitive narration, read by Sean Pertwee at Primary School pace, and relies heavily on repetition of both words and camera shots -- it's as weak as a National Geographic documentary.

"British Isles: A Natural History", on the other hand, is a constant and captivating flow of scenery, geology, and history, with some breathtaking photography and convincing computer graphics. I've just watched it for the third time, and will be viewing it all over again ere long. Every time, there's something new, fascinating, and worthwhile to see and hear.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Makes me long to return, 16 Mar 2007
By P. MacLean "harlech" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
I am an American who loves the countryside and wilderness of the UK; this series was never shown nor released in America, but reading the description I took a chance on it. I was not disappointed. Alan Titchmarsh's affection for his homeland is engaging and infectious, and turns what could have been a dry subject into a fascinating journey into Britain's past, present and possible future. A science lesson with the flair of a travelogue, British Isles: A Natural History is one of the best series of its kind I've seen.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars British Isles: A Natural History [DVD] [2004]
stunning scenery and delicate special effects show this country at its best. you see what a stunning land we live in. Read more
Published 25 days ago by E. Hillary

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT
Very informative and extremely interesting. My eyes have been opened to the wonder that is the British Isles. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Ms. L. J. I. Turner

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining documentary on the geology of the British Isles.
Alan Titchmarsh takes a very friendly approach to what makes up the British Isles. It is vaguely similar to Earth Story (an excellent series! Read more
Published 4 months ago by M. Furbur

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic and informative
I happen to study history in university, and have touched upon some of the subjects that are disscussed in the book and TV series, and I have to say that I thought both the book... Read more
Published 12 months ago by S. Jones

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT
This dvd psckage is well worth the cost to purchase it. Alan Titchmarsh is the perfect presenter. The core subjects investigated and the camera shots are interesting and gripping... Read more
Published 15 months ago by N. Angus

1.0 out of 5 stars Waaaaaaay too OTT
I tend to agree with those who didn't like it. It used a lot of special effects but lacked content. It was all too sickly sweet for me, special effects, cinematic music, special... Read more
Published 20 months ago by The Power of Lard

5.0 out of 5 stars Must Buy
My husband bought this DVD set for a present. I thought it was fantastic. Alan Titmarsh is an excellent presenter and explains the natural history of the British Iles in a way... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2006 by H. Webb

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent viewing
I bought the DVD's for my Husbands birthday and despite the negative feedback from some, we are delighted with the content. Read more
Published on 27 Sep 2006 by K. Jones

1.0 out of 5 stars Rubbish
A truely appalling series fronted by a mind-numbing, sleep-inducing presenter who should restrict his "talent" to gardening programmes.
Published on 22 Mar 2006 by Norman Day

1.0 out of 5 stars Patronising pap.
I'd heard some mixed reviews of this series but was genuinely keen to learn some natural history so I took the plunge. What a mistake that was. Read more
Published on 12 Mar 2006 by S. Forge

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