Netflix’s Our Planet is an eight-part documentary series that aims to highlight the beauty of the world and its creatures and how our actions have a direct and immediate impact on the planet. It is narrated by Sir David Attenborough, who has been a voice for wildlife documentaries since the 1950s. The documentary was released in April 2019, and was quickly met with critical acclaim and praise from audiences around the world.
The documentary follows in the footsteps of Attenborough’s previously successful works, such as Planet Earth (2006) and Blue Planet II (2017). It focuses on the same premise of showcasing different ecosystems around the world, while bringing awareness to current environmental issues.
The series takes viewers to all corners of the globe, from Arctic tundra to tropical rainforests. It showcases some of the most incredible wildlife spectacles on Earth, such as hungry polar bears struggling to find food in a melting ice shelf or mass gathering of hundreds of elephant seals breeding on remote beaches.
However, Our Planet differs from Planet Earth in two main ways. Firstly, it is more focused on how our actions directly impact nature and wildlife than Planet Earth was.
Secondly, it does not shy away from presenting us with images of destruction caused by humans such as deforestation or overfishing — something that was not present in previous works by Attenborough. This allows viewers to gain a better understanding of how human activities have damaged our planet and what steps can be taken to repair this damage.
By using stunning visuals combined with powerful narration, Our Planet succeeds in conveying an important message — that we must take action now if we want to save our home — which is why it has become so popular among viewers across the globe.
Conclusion:
Our Planet is an important addition to Sir David Attenborough’s portfolio of work and provides viewers with an immersive look at some of nature’s most beautiful spectacles while also drawing attention to some of humanity’s biggest environmental issues. While it shares many similarities with his previous work —Planet Earth—it does differ in its focus on how human activities are affecting wildlife around us today and provides us with a call-to-action for conservation efforts going forward.