Attenborough's Paradise Birds (2015) Online

This is like the now-proverbial Godfather offer- one you cannot refuse. Every lover of natural history/wildlife shows is aware of the passionate pleasure and sense of wonder Sir Attenborough derives from his encounters with these beautiful, otherworldly creatures. He has visited them time and again and shared his wealth of knowledge with us. This is perhaps his most captivating and final foray into this increasingly threatened wilderness. Shot in amazing detail in vivid HD, it is an absolute treat to the eyes and ears, a must-watch. He describes in some detail how the early explorers and Zoologists discovered them and studied them in detail over generations. Sir Attenborough also recounts his early documentaries on the birds of paradise with nostalgic footage from them. He also shows how the culture of primitive human communities inhabiting these areas was inspired by these beautiful creatures. And how increasing human population, new settlements, urbanization and deforestation are destroying their habitats and directly pushing them towards extinction. Highly recommended.

David Attenborough is nothing short of a national treasure. He may apparently dislike the term, but it is hard to not say that about such a great presenter who has contributed significantly to some of the best programmes (of the documentary genre and overall) the BBC has ever aired/produced.

It is really hard picking favourites, let alone a definite favourite, among what Attenborough has done because he has done so many gems, it is the equivalent of trying to choose your favourite ice cream flavour or your favourite operatic role (for examples) and finding you can't pick. 'Attenborough's Paradise Birds' may not quite be one of Attenborough's crowning achievements, nonetheless it is a must see gem, especially if you want to know more about birds and actually feel emotions watching. It has everything that makes so much of his work so wonderful, hence some of the reiteration of my recent reviews for some of his work (being on a nature documentary binge in my spare time), and deserves everything great that has been said about it.

First and foremost, 'Attenborough's Paradise Birds' looks amazing. It is gorgeously filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate (a great way of connecting even more with the animals), way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic with some of the shots being unique for a documentary series, making one forget that it is a series. The editing is always succinct and smooth and the scenery is pure magic, similarly really admired the wide-ranging diversity of the different landscapes rather than restricting it to just one habitat. The music score fits very well, never overly grandiose while never being inappropriate.

Again, like so many Attenborough nature/wildlife documentaries, 'Attenborough's Paradise Birds' fascinates, teaches, moves, entertains and transfixes. In terms of the facts there was a very good mix of the known ones and the unknown. Found myself learning a huge amount about all the different birds, including early evidence and early footage of some of Attenborough's earlier similar work.

Narration by Attenborough helps significantly. He clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more.

The birds have a lot of personality and one cares for them a lot. 'Attenborough's Paradise Birds' provokes thought, is fun and powerful in terms of emotion and conflict.

Overall, wonderful. 10/10 Bethany Cox