David Attenborough's Rise of Animals: Triumph of the Vertebrates [DVD]

This is a typical high quality product both written and narrated by David Attenborough. The recording itself is an HD product, copyrighted in 2013. The programs use advanced CGI techniques to enlarge upon the real life locations and examples drawn from around the world. In recent years China has been a veritable fossil goldmine for researchers and viewers watching this series will have a very up-to-date understanding of the material and current expert thinking.The disc comprises of two 60 minute programs during which the development from Sea to Skies is chronicled, explained and illustrated in the first episode. The following episode continues in the same way and covers the Dawn of Mammals bringing the story up to the present time. There is a final 18 minute extra sequence in which Attenborough answers questions from an audience based on their watching the documentaries. In many ways this adds hugely to the two main documentaries as he is able to expand on ideas and research featured in those films. His answers deal with potential future scenarios as well as the past.China is now seen as the new fossil frontier as the rocks there are able to provide evidence to fill gaps previously left from other discoveries elsewhere. Over 200 new species of water-based creatures have been unearthed there just from the Cambrian period for example. It was in China that the Myllokunmingia was discovered. That was a creature from 500 million years ago that was an immediate precursor to vertebrates by having a flexible rod rather than a true backbone. A modern example would be a lamprey.The Messel Pit in Germany has been the source of considerable examples of complete fossils by being the site of an extinct but previously active volcano. The thinking here is that fumes from this volcano brought about the death of these creatures whose fossil remains have been remarkably preserved in the sediment within the volcano’s crater and now easily accessed.The above is intended to simply whet the appetite of potential enthusiasts and to give a broad outline of the depths explored by these two films and interview. This is an invaluable addition to the expanding sequence of invaluable films made by David Attenborough.

I tried this 2nd hand but 'good as new'. 2nd episode skipped a couple of times. Which is why only 3 stars. It is a fantastic documentary though.

Good DVD set by the wildlife master.

David

This is one of my favorites in terms of exceptional content and production values.Anyone who values knowledge would embrace these programs.I would rate this higher than five stars.

Having seen many wildlife productions I was expecting more of the same but, no. This one is so educational that I only wish that it had been around when I was at school.It shows the evolution of life and, although no doubt it be argued against, it shows where we came from. It's the most entertaining piece od documentary that I have ever watched.Do yourself a favour and by it for your children. (And yourself)

An excellent swift and efficient service. Bought this outstanding documentary for myself. Sincere regards, Tony.

my 16 year old daughter and i enjoyed this dvd but i wouldn't re watch it like i have his others, its probably great for younger kids that have never seen how evolution with animals started.