Stunning Nature, Wildlife series (UK edition)
927305
<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Planet-Earth-The-Complete-BBC-Series/dp/B000MR9D5E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series</a>
In Dec 2006, I bought UK edition for $42 (amazon,UK) that has David Attenborough as narrator. I don't know why they released/broadcasted this set so late (at least 6 months) in USA. I also don't know why it is overpriced in USA. I haven't seen USA version. The UK version is PAL, 5-disc, subtitles, 10 hours-43 mins running time. The 5th disc should be seen by everybody that discusses saving species and living together. You will need region free (or multi zone) dvd player to see UK version.
2935228
Picture quality is nearly perfect, scenery is excellent overall (although SOME footage is zoomed in a bit too close), and narration is pretty informative. It's not quite as professional as BBC's shows like "Planet Earth", "Blue Planet", "Wild Pacific", "Life", etc, but that is an extremely high standard, and approaching that status is impressive for a smaller organization.
You won't be disappointed.
654431
David Attenborough simply makes the best nature documentaries available today.  His style is thorough, witty, knowledgeable and avuncular; watching his work one feels as if one is being gently instructed by a kindly and brilliant long lost relative, eager to impart his understanding of and wonder with the world to those who will follow him.

The Life of Birds is a truly excellent series, with extremely high production values, solid editing and a wide array of obscure trivia and arcana to interest the veteran avian enthusiast as much as the neophyte naturalist.

I have never personally had any particular affinity to or affection for birds before viewing this series; I honestly picked it up to have more Attenborough to enjoy after burning through The Life of Mammals and The Blue Planet over the course of a few weeks.  Despite my initial disinclination for the subject matter, I found the documentaries to be exceedingly engaging, so much so that within weeks I found myself and my somewhat surprised S.O. hiking around a nearby nature reserve searching for various indigenous species of marsh birds.

However, the subject matter, however fascinating, is tested to it's limits of interest by the sheer size of the series.  I hesitate to accuse Attenborough, but I feel that the subject matter could frankly have been handled in less episodes than are present in the series, or perhaps in shorter episodes.  Upon reflection, however, I cannot think of any extraneous episodes or segments; rather, after the huge diversities of species covered in the tantalizing Life of Mammals and Blue Planet, I suspect the focus on the more subtly diverse avian kingdom was simply too narrow for my wandering and fickle tastes.

In all, however, The Life of Birds is truly an excellent series, and I would recommend it unhesitatingly to anyone interested in increasing their own knowledge of the manifold wonders nature.  While I have no real personal sense of what is or is not appropriate viewing for young children, one of my co-workers to whom I have lent several of the discs of the series tells me that his two pre-teen daughters enjoy the series very much.

I would, however, suggest to those without experience of Attenborough's works that they begin with The Life of Mammals, probably my favorite of all his series.
3571515
I have the BBC Planet Earth Series, The Life Series, The Natures Most Amazing Events Series I prefer this Documentary the most. Amazing Images plus Pierce Brosnan is great narrating.
2878263
Flawless, beautiful 3D. I'm a Professional Stereographer so I see plenty of product. This is worth the price if you enjoy nature. SkyTv deserves credit for producing this historical series. And don't forget the Trade Craft that went into this. It sets the technical bar. Your purchase is an edorsement of art and education. It's that good.
1962179
Anything that David Attenborough does on wildlife has to be great and this series is just that.  Intelligently presented with lots of information and amazing photography.
2708148
I found this nature documentary series on Netflix and knew by the end of the first episode that this would make a perfect gift for my nature-loving mother. My kids and I thoroughly enjoyed this series and know we'll get to watch it again with her.
1718150
This is a series of informative presentations with each one going into the things you would see (excellent Blu-ray), the history, and culture of the area.  Well worth the purchase and time to watch.  Why 4 stars, not 5?  Seems 5 stars are reserved for BBC productions.
2007416
This 5-part series is a nature documentary for the whole family. Natural violence, in the form of predator vs. prey, is minimized. Although limited to one geographic area, unlike Planet Earth and Life, it still shows the fascinating lives of our feathered friends. The best element to this series is how it busts the myths about being "free as a bird" or "eating like a bird".
3224856
BBC High Definition Natural History Collection (Planet Earth/Wild China/ Galapagos/ Ganges) on Blu-ray is a wonderful set of dvd's. the video is beautiful. Shipping from Amazon was very fast.
2759974
Even today, more than ten years after it was first broadcast, Blue Planet remains unsurpassed as a pioneering exploration of the seas and oceans of planet Earth. Like most popular nature series, it is light on science, but makes up for it with amazing photography. Years in the making, the BBC dedicated huge amounts of time, $$, and people to make it happen. The result is unique, showing many new species for the first time, and delivering amazing close-ups of underwater biota from thermal vents to coral reefs. Just about everyone who appreciates the natural world will want to grab the latest version of this spectacular film for their personal libraries.
2587787
The Welsh countryside is breathtaking. We enjoy watching the many species of birds in their natural habitat. Lolo Williams is brilliant in his observations and commentary.
4422625
This documentary mini-series is far from an arrangement of footage seen in popular series Planet Earth and Life.  As an owner of not only those two series, but also several other BBC Earth productions I was hesitant to give this a shot.  It not only didn't disappoint but instead left me thrilled with the beauty of the footage.  The presentation is maybe slightly overdramatized in comparison with that seen in some of the BBC documentaries, however the photography is as breathtaking as anything shown in those series.  Alec Baldwin is an adequate narrator.

Bottom line, this is a must-own for any nature lover.
1711996
If you are fascinated with nature's beauty and educating yourself on how these islands and the life that occupies them evolved into what it is today, this is for you. Not to mention it's Blu-ray therefore, looks amazing and has phenomenal sound. A+!!!
3249471
Life is an amazing series highlighting how different animals live in some of the farthest reaches of the globe. The episodes are very captivating and look amazing. If you have any friends that don't appreciate the higher quality associated with Blu-rays, Life is a perfect example of vivid detail and color. The episodes are interesting enough that you wouldn't mind going back and watching them again, which is a plus. You can tell from the overall quality that many years of work went into this series. The only negative is that the special features are very simple, they took the segments at the end of each episode on how they got certain shots and just put them together into an extra episode. In addition to Life I have also seen "Human Planet" and can recommend that series as well.
161084
This is a piece of art in my opinion, there are a few words to describe such beautiful documentary on animal and plant life with  narration by renowned naturalist Sir David Attenborough....it is a must for every nature lover!!
1856356
If you are into nature documentaries and have a decent rig (HDTV, Middle-of-the-Road DVD player, Surround sound system), then this series will amaze you! Brilliant insight into ecosystems that are rarely seen, much less recorded in high definition. There are also sporadic behind the scene sub-documentaries that expose how the photographers (adventurers) capture the videos that will leave your mind blown. Superb DVD set!!