The traditional layout for this kind of article goes something like this: I tell you what I think are the ten best of XYZ, and beneath each mini heading, I explain why each entry deserves to be on the list. But the truth is, here, everything on this list is on it for very similar reasons.
Sure, there are certain segments of various documentaries that are particularly breath-taking or mind blowing, but the truth is, everything listed below is similarly brilliant. And here’s the next factoid: I could swap out any of the titles beneath for another docuseries from Attenborough and the list would be every bit as robust as it is now.
David Attenborough makes consistently fantastic, engaging and vitally important television. It’s just a fact. So, at the end of this article, there is a list of Documentaries made by David Attenborough that you should watch. But, first, here’s why you should watch them:
Attenborough is almost a byword for cosy, kind, Britishness by now. He is without the sharper edges of Stephen Fry, without the establishmentarian disagreeableness of the Queen and far less divisive than Richard Dawkins. And yet he strikes the same clear and true National Treasure note- Attenborough himself would of course hate to be called that, so let’s just pretend I didn’t.
He has made television that has broken new ground for other documentary filmmakers and yet no one is able to live up to the legacy that he has created as a broadcaster, as a natural historian or as a personality. He has been a vocal advocate for conservation and for protecting our planet for decades, a passion that has gained momentum globally (although nowhere near enough) in recent years but one that Attenborough has championed personally and publicly since the 1930s.
Although Attenborough’s professional successes have included his work at the BBC as a controller and head of channels, he is most well known for setting the standard of wildlife filmmaking which is the benchmark still today. His back catalogue is extensive and it includes groundbreaking films of animals who hadn’t been properly recorded before the BBC nature programming that Attenborough is known for, but his more recent work, his embrace of technology and his tireless work to save our planet are some of his most inspiring actions in my opinion. The list below is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of Attenborough’s enormous contribution to television and science, but they are a good place to start.
Planet Earth (2006)
The ultimate classic: Planet Earth is adored by most nature fans (Brits especially) and is a reliable awe-inspiring look into the lives of mother earth’s creatures. Beginning in 2006, the British television series was produced by the BBC Natural History Unit and the series has received multiple Emmy awards.
Planet Earth 2 (2016)
After an award-winning success with the original series, Planet Earth returned to our screens with an epic look at a variety of species, with many animals not originally shown in the first run. With a triumphant soundtrack accompaniment by Hans Zimmer, Attenborough showed us just how great nature can be once again.
The Blue Planet (2001)
This nature documentary series involves the history of creatures found in the ocean. The epic show featured footage of creatures and behaviour which had never been filmed before. The series, which took nearly five years to make, won several Emmy and BAFTA TV awards for its epic music and revolutionary underwater cinematography.
Blue Planet 2 (2018)
Over 15 years after the original series aired on the BBC, Blue Planet 2 appeared on our screens, bringing with it a whole host of underwater creatures and footage of their daily lives. The series gained the highest UK viewing figure for 2017, attracting 14.1 million viewers.
Frozen Planet (2011)
This series focuses on life and the environment in both the Arctic and Antarctic. David Attenborough is joined by Alec Baldwin and Chadden Hunter, along with an incredible crew. They travel to both polar regions to investigate animal life and how this is affected by climate change, amongst other things.
Seven Worlds, One Planet (2019)
Shooting for nearly five years across 41 countries, the brilliant Seven Worlds, One Planet showed audiences life in all kinds of climates, and their stories bring a level of emotion rarely seen in nature documentary filmmaking.
Dynasties (2018)
In this 2018 hit, Attenborough focuses on five vulnerable species who are living in perilous situations, either by way of their environment or those around them. A sequel has already been announced.
The Living Planet (1984)
The Living Planet: A Portrait of the Earth is a fascinating look at the way both animals and humans adapt to their lives on planet earth. Interestingly, the show had to pause filming because of the news of an erupting volcano.
The Truth About climate change (2006)
Anybody who loves the work of David Attenborough knows that he is passionate about the need to tackle climate change, and the damage it does to our planet. This is one of his best documentaries on the subject, in which he looks at the hard evidence of climate change and its causes.
The Private Life of Plants (1995)
A nature documentary in its truest sense, The Private Life of Plants looks at the entire life cycle of plants from growing to fighting for survival in harsh conditions. By using skillfully created time-lapse sequences, this series captured moments of plants’ lives that hadn’t been seen in the same way ever before.
