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The Life of Mammals

The Life of Mammals

List Price: $79.98
Your Price: $59.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Life of Mammals
Review: The Life of Mammals DVD ~ David Attenborough is an amazing documentary series that deals with the mammal. Attenborough is at his outmost best and is passionate, learned and funny in his insightfull commentary.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Astonishing
Review: The Life of Mammals is a stunning work of incredible range and scope, taking us from the frozen wastes of the arctic to searing deserts to lush rain forests. The film highlights the range of behaviors among mammals, illustrating the remarkable ways in which they have solved the problems created by the escalating evolutionary battle for food, for a mate, for a place to live. Some of the more wonderful images include bats delicately plucking spiders from their webs, elephants trooping into an African cave in the middle of the night, and remarkable predatory dramas on the savannah.

As with all David Attenborough films, this one is dense with interesting facts. Each segment provides new insights into the behavior of animals, even for such prosaic beasts as wildebeasts and gazelles. The Life of Mammals appears to me different from Attenborough's previous works in its aggressive use of novel camera techniques, which is very successful, taking us for instance inside the egg of a platypus.

This film also combines the superb visuals with a brilliant score. The music, which is at times mournful, at times crackling with tension, and at times positively soaring, adds an inspiring sense of drama. This is justified not only by the subject matter, which is indeed sublime, but by David Attenborough himself, who as far as I am concerned is an absolutely unparalleled genius.

If I haven't yet sold you, consider the price of this work, which at $... constitutes remarkable value for the 500 minutes you get. Just a year or so ago, The Trials of Life series on VHS (which is of comparable length, but without the whistles and bells that this DVD gives you) cost $...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Stupendously Good
Review: This four disc, ten-episode series is probably the best nature documentary ever produced in DVD format. In fact, Life of Mammals is reason alone to buy a DVD player if you don't have one.

Here are a few reasons why I think people should shell out the money for this set:

- David Attenborough's enthusiasm for his work. Watching him respectfully approach a poor-sighted anteater from downwind or barely able to contain his delight when floating a few meters away from a blue whale, Attenborough's love for the animal world is totally infectious.

- The images are of IMAX quality. This is one of the most visually stunning films I've ever seen.

- The soundtrack is top notch.

- The Buffalo versus the Lions. This brief segment is mentioned in the Amazon reviewer's description - it has all the emotion and energy of the Cavalry Charge in 'The Return of the King.' It literally brought tears to my eyes.

- Swimming Elephants. 'nuff said.

- Kids love it. These films will keep kids (even as young as 2) quiet and totally absorbed in ways that no Blue or Builder Bob video can approach.

- David keeps it light and entertaining. Each segment is short enough (40 minutes) and has plenty of amazing footage and humorous anecdotes so that it is nearly impossible to get bored of it all. Just don't watch more than one per day or you will spoil yourself.

I give this series the highest recommendation. Even if you are not a nature buff (and chances are you will be after seeing this), it is certainly worth bringing into your home.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: great animal film
Review: This was a great piece of animal cinematograhpy. It shows how things really came to be. The big bang is true and yes we evolved from ancestral primates. If you hide your kids from evolution they will be made fun of and harassed for being so old fashion and closed minded. Attenborough was not trying to stuff evolution down your throat, but rather tell the really story of how mammals and ourselves came to be. Anyone who enjoys nature will like this program. If you are really into church and don't believe the true origins of life then this title is not for you.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the Greatest Documentaries I have ever seen.
Review: Throughout my life, I've always enjoyed documentaries... especially ones on the natural aspects of our world (plants, animals, etc). After viewing David Attenborough's The Life of Mammals, I would just like to say for the record, "this is one of the greatest documentaries I have ever seen". The combination of Mr. Attenborough's obvious love for his work and the stunningly beautiful visuals and video footage make this set not only an excellent purchase, but an inspirational piece of work. Never have I been so engaged, enthralled and excited by a program before in my entire life. And while it may seem like I'm laying my praise on a little thick, I truly believe this set is worthy of it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing!
Review: Unless you base your life on a literal interpretation of the Judeo-Christian Bible, then there's nothing here that will bother you. So, don't let the warnings of the fundamentalist fringe scare you off.
If, however, you like nature and animals and have accepted some modern ideas then this is a great series. Beautiful images and Sir David's always-engaging commentary make this a fun and educational experience.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Amazing, definitely a collector's item!
Review: What an amazing piece of documentary! BBC has done it again - present a nature series that is superlative.
With 10 episodes meticulously arranged and edited so that even your youngest can understand the life of mammals from their evolution, until modern man, this series, in my opinion stands alongwith the Blue Planet and the Life of Birds - right on top!
The narration is, as usual, at its best; David Attenborrough, almost comically, turns up in the most unlikely of places. The passion for that man is amazing and often, inspiring.
The best part of the series, is their progression. It starts with a feeling of awe, about animal behaviour and leaves you with a deep sense of introspection, wondering what a single species of mammals, us, has done to so many other species around the world.


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