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OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH FILM REVIEW
- Mr. Part-time
- May 11
- 2 min read
3/5
⭐⭐⭐
A nature documentary by the acclaimed biologist and narrator David Attenborough. In this film, David takes us through the ecological and environmental issues affecting our oceans and how the tide can be changed to benefit the planet.Eye opening and visually stunning, David uses his iconic guttural voice to tell us about the dangers of industrial fishing on our oceans. At the same time, we are taken on a brief detour around the world’s oceans. Given glimpses of the sea-life and their challenges against industrial fishing. This is brought together swimmingly by a suspenseful soundtrack selection.
If you’ve watched planet earth or my favourite “Dinosaurs: The final day”. You have a good idea of what to expect with this nature film. David Attenborough chooses to ditch the scientific facts to shed light on a cause quite close to his heart. Protecting the ocean and its ecosystem from capitalist exploitation. The film also has a tie-in book release.There are some intriguing moments through the film. One of the most significant is the footage captured of the actual sea trawling. It showed viewers just how cold and significant the damage was. This would have been unapparent had it not been for the video team. Something we learn about during the film extra’s at the end.
Despite Attenborough’s name being in the film title, he has surprisingly little screen time. Although, the film is filled with his narrations, I was hoping to see him interacting with researchers. Or in the laboratory giving us an insight into how the ocean is being polluted. Clips of David and other narrators are filmed separately and then edited together. Although, this didn’t adversely affect viewing. I just felt that having them in the same room or David interviewing them would provide more humanising moments.
Lots of beautiful film of the coral and diverse colours in the ocean. If watching in cinema, would recommend sitting in the first few rows as it genuinely feels like you’re in the ocean.
Final thoughts
The film is a love letter to our oceans and preventing the creatures who abide in them from going extinct. The films sole focus is on the visual cinematography and capitalism in large-scale fishing. I feel like the film should have been split into a two-part series. Where in the second, David tells us interesting facts and figures about the sea creatures and different type of fish.I believe that a large target audience for the film was younger children. As a result, the film is less detailed in facts and information. This was apparent during my screening which was filled with families.
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