A prequel to the new natural history series A Perfect Planet, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. Featuring an original score from composer Ilan Eshkeri, the prequel introduces the forces of nature supporting life on Earth that the series will explore.
A look at how without volcanoes, there would be no life on Earth. Although destructive, magma from the planet’s molten core builds land, and mineral-rich ash from eruptions fertilises the surface.
From the frozen poles to the searing deserts, this episode shows how animals have come up with strategies to survive the uneven amounts of sunlight that fall on our planet.
Weather controls the distribution of freshwater around our planet. In turn, shapes the lives of animals across the globe, rising to an incredible diversity of species and habitats.
There are not five separate oceans, but one. Its waters linked by powerful forces that keep them on the move. This constant mixing is vital for the health of oceans and marine life.
Humans are changing our planet so rapidly, it’s affecting earth’s life support systems: our weather, our oceans and the living world.
David Attenborough is known for coverage of animal life. A Perfect Planet focuses on earth science topics and landscapes. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Attenborough saw the series as well-timed, saying: "This year perhaps more than ever, people are finding comfort and solace in the natural world". The series was produced by Silverback Films, with filming beginning in 2016 and spanning 31 countries. The crew numbered around 200 and 3,000 hours of footage were captured. By the time the pandemic affected the production, it was in the editing stage, much of which was done remotely. Unable to record in his usual studio in Bristol, Attenborough converted his dining room into a sound stage by hanging duvets from the walls. He used a microphone with a lead that went into his garden. A string orchestra recorded music in Iceland, one of the few places such a gathering was possible, while woodwind and brass performers recorded their parts separately from their homes.
