South Pacific – Wild Pacific (2009)

Directed by: Huw Cordey, Chiara Bellati, Mark Brownlow, Jonathan Clay | 342 minutes | documentary

The BBC has a reputation to uphold when it comes to making (High Definition) nature documentaries. After ‘Planet Earth’ (2006) and ‘Life’ (2009) they now come up with a stunning six-part series about the Pacific. Long live the BBC. Long live nature! Each episode highlights an aspect of the Pacific Ocean – also known as the South Pacific. In the first episode, the topic is Ocean Full of Islands. It gives a general introduction to the area, the isolation of the 20,000 islands, the surprising animals it has produced and the special customs of the people who live there. Episode two focuses on the fact that the islands look like paradises on earth, but that the area is also difficult to access. Nevertheless, people and many animals have managed to cover distances of thousands of kilometers.

Episode three covers most of the area: the undersea blue wilderness. Many animal species in the ocean have to travel enormous distances to survive. A journey that is not without danger… Then the volcanoes are discussed in part four. You can see how islands are born and continue to grow. But also the strangest animal species that the volcanic islands have produced. Bizarre Islands tells of the special evaluation that animals have undergone to adapt perfectly to the respective island in the South Pacific. But what if a new species emerges? Are the current residents still secure? The final episode paints a picture of the future of the ocean if we don’t watch out for CO2 emissions and overfishing. Paradise is fragile and may soon disappear…

Since its foundation in 1957, the BBC Natural History Unit has become the largest and most highly regarded production house in the world for wildlife documentaries, continuously making new discoveries of both animal species and filmmaking techniques. So it’s no surprise that ‘South Pacific’ has become a gem again. In the air, on land, underground and in the water; the camera goes everywhere: to capture images that are truly phenomenal in quality. High Definition at its best. Of course, the locations are also perfect for this. Everyone can imagine, for example, the Solomon Islands or New Guinea. Paradise on Earth and full of bizarre life forms. In some cases, these bizarre life forms have been captured on film for the first time in ‘South Pacific’. Like a bear-like kangaroo that lives in the trees; special! The images are commented on by the pleasant, warm voice of Benedict Cumberbatch, whom you may know from ‘Atonement’ (2007) or ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ (2008). A beautiful series, with as personal highlights the episode about the volcanoes and the images shown in slow motion; really spectacular!

Unfortunately, that doesn’t last the full 342 minutes. At times it is still beautiful, but also a bit boring. Or are there pieces that you have already seen in a previous episode (in a shorter version). A pity and unnecessary, but of insufficient weight to criticize the makers about this. What is really a drawback is the lack of a ‘making of’. Anyone who can portray (impassable) nature so beautifully is actually obliged to show the viewer the difficulties involved. But as said, ‘South Pacific’ has just become a beautiful piece again. A box that will probably not only appeal to lovers of nature documentaries or tropical vacations!