Planet Earth

[TheSiege]

Text

Nature documentaries have been a TV staple for so long, it might be easy to overlook what could be the mother of all Mother Nature programs, The Discovery Channel's Planet Earth, premiering Sunday (8-11 p.m. ET/PT).

"It's the most gorgeous, detailed and mind-boggling view of the planet I've seen," says actress and Planet Earth narrator Sigourney Weaver, a longtime conservationist seldom prone to hyperbole.

MORE 'EARTH': See more of the planet's wild ride

Five years in the making, the 11 hour-long episodes raise the bar in both cost and scope: Film crews made 204 location shoots in 62 countries, capturing rare shots of animals, habitats and unique geographic perspectives above, under and on the planet's surface.

"We wanted a real fresh visual of the planet, showing things that you've never seen before," says executive producer Alastair Fothergill. He created Earth after completing 2001's Blue Planet, using the acclaimed ocean-focused series as a blueprint of sorts for Planet Earth's broader view
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Discovery Channel | BBC | Antarctica | Planet | Sigourney Weaver

State-of-the-art Cineflex cameras, used previously only by Hollywood studios, took one-of-a-kind aerial shots of animals stalking prey.

The joint Discovery/BBC production was budgeted at up to $2 million per episode, enough to permit crews to linger a year in Antarctica filming breeding cycles of emperor penguins. "We had a budget that allowed for failure," Fothergill says. "From a storytelling point of view, it allowed us to create a mood, an atmosphere, to transport the audience."

Sunday's premiere, "Pole to Pole," takes a global approach. Subsequent episodes, including two airing right after the premiere, are topic-specific, covering mountains, caves, oceans, deserts, jungles and forests.

Earth is neither preachy nor a soapbox for environmentalists, Weaver says. "You can't avoid talking about what we're doing to the planet with emissions and pollution. But the political aspect is gentle. It lets you fall in love with the wonder and majesty of the planet."

Says Fothergill, "Earth doesn't aim to have an aggressive environmental message. It aims to say there's this massive, wonderful wilderness that you've never seen before. Enjoy it. Learn about it. Be inspired by it."

Earth drew high ratings ? up to 9 million viewers an episode ? when it aired in England on the BBC last year. Discovery hopes its early-evening start will draw a heavy family audience, says Jane Root, the cable channel's general manager. A theatrical release with 30% new footage is planned for October by distributor Lionsgate.

I wont be able to watch it when it airs, but maybe I can find it by some other means. Should be sweet nonetheless

 

[Allanv]

Are you Guys getting the first series or second?

the 1st was 5 episodes long we are into the 2nd series here now.

i have ordered my HDTV today and look forward to watching it, with our cable provider i can pull back any epiosode i missed so that will be fun

 

[freakflag]

I'm psyched. This should be cool.

 

[pontifex]

i saw a commercial for this the other day. it does look awesome. So its on this Sunday at 8 EST?

I keep seeing commercials for Galapagos, a documentary on the Galapagos Islands that looks amazing too.

 

[TheSiege]

hmm, does discovery let you buy/download episodes and stuff? my kid is kinda young but this would be way cool for him in a couple of years

 

[iroast]

I am.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: pontifex
i saw a commercial for this the other day. it does look awesome. So its on this Sunday at 8 EST?

I keep seeing commercials for Galapagos, a documentary on the Galapagos Islands that looks amazing too.

Galapagos was good. Lots of interesting info there. It makes me want to take one of those cruises to them.

Planet Earth looks really good. I plan on watching them all. Seasonal Forests is on On Demand now, for those that have it.

 

[Allanv]

Originally posted by: TheSiege
hmm, does discovery let you buy/download episodes and stuff? my kid is kinda young but this would be way cool for him in a couple of years

Dont know but it is out there in the wild if you get my drift

 

[Lola]

We are very excited. We watched an "episode" on OnDemand (not in HD ) but it was very cool.
I loved the three parter on the galapagos islands last sunday and that was amazing! This series looks even better!

 

[RichUK]

It's an excellent series. :thumbsup:

 

[BDawg]

I'm excited about the series... doubly so since it's also on DiscoveryHD

I got a DVD in the latest Time magazine. Has anyone watched it yet.

 

[thelanx]

I've watched a few episodes, it is a great series.

 

[Bootprint]

Saw a few of the episodes in Jan/Feb when they had series two on CBC.
They need a making of... for this series, I'd like to know how they did some of the scenes.

 

[edro]

Me! I have the DVR set to record the series in HD.

 

[tfcmasta97]

I absolutely love this series, every episode is amazing.

Canadians got the show a few months back

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: BDawg
I'm excited about the series... doubly so since it's also on DiscoveryHD

:thumbsup: DiscoveryHD is great, I'm excited to add another HD program to my regular viewing schedule.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Bootprint
Saw a few of the episodes in Jan/Feb when they had series two on CBC.
They need a making of... for this series, I'd like to know how they did some of the scenes.

I watched a short of them filming trees in Africa with a hot air balloon, which then promptly blew their balloon right into and through it, cameramen and all. :laugh:

 

[LS20]

galapagos on HD is gonna kick my assss

 

[5to1baby1in5]

Saw a trailer for this in a movie theatre. Completly awsome.

 

[sdifox]

I got all 11 episodes in 720p Galapagos too. Yes, I am in Canada

 

[engineereeyore]

Sounds cool. I'll have to Tivo that.

Thanks for the info.

 

[spidey07]

Should be great. Discovery does a great job with HD-video.

 

[j00fek]

i cant wait

 

[LS20]

so apparently theyre not showing galapagos anymore??!?!?!? i cant find it on the tv schedule

 

[clamum]

Haven't heard of it until, but it looks sweet. :thumbsup: I'll have to watch it this Sunday.