Earth: The Biography [Blu-ray]

Directors: Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield
Actors: Patrick Stewart, James Earl Jones
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD

List Price: $39.99
Buy New: $25.14
You Save: $14.85 (37%)


New (27) Used (6) from $25.00

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars 21 reviews
Sales Rank: 2461

Format: Color, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: Blu-ray
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number Of Discs: 2
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6

MPN: WARBRE39820
UPC: 883929026050
EAN: 0883929026050
ASIN: B0018CWVWO

Theatrical Release Date: 2008
Release Date: July 22, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Earth: The Biography [Blu-ray]

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Customer Reviews

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4 out of 5 stars Liked this one a lot    December 22, 2008
Mr. Mark E. Barron (Austin, Texas United States)
Watched it in standard definition, then went out and bought the blu-ray version. Love that Scottish accent and enthusiasm.


5 out of 5 stars Great information and imagination    December 12, 2008
James Bergstrand
This film is not going to be as amazing as Planet Earth, but right now, nothing is. No other documentary that I have found is as visually magnificent or well-documented as Planet Earth. However, Earth: The Biography is a well-made film in its own right and provides a nice complement to the Planet Earth series. This title focuses more on Earth's design and make-up rather than the life that inhabits it, as Planet Earth (PE) does.

My favorite part of this movie was the section on volcanoes, there is some really outstanding footage including eruptions and time-lapsed photography of how Mt. St. Helens may be preparing to erupt again.

With that said, my opinion is that the 1080i vs. 1080p is definitely NOT a reason to refrain from buying this Blu-Ray. Lovers of P.E. will appreciate the excellent graphics and camera-work displayed in Earth: The Biography (ETB).

Yes, some of the documentary is speculation, as in events that may have occurred millions of years ago. These events are dramatized with CG or in an array of distinct camera shots. I felt that these scenes help the viewer to imagine what conditions or catastrophes may have looked like, and the fallout they may have caused.

Yes, the host has a Scottish accent but it didn't distract me from really soaking in the info and loving this production. I am on the hunt for more documentaries in Blu-Ray to keep my collection going!


5 out of 5 stars the excellent educational documentary    December 7, 2008
Andrei Lopatenko (Cupertino, CA, USA)
Watched it with my 10 year old son who told it is one of the best documentary he ever watched
5 episodes focused on different themes: ocean, atmosphere, ice, the Earth's development, the uniqueness of the Earth , excellent videos of landscapes and animals, the best narration. Highly education
Must have in your DVD library, especially if you have elementary school age kids.




5 out of 5 stars Another EPIC from BBC    November 14, 2008
Nature Photographer
In the beginning there was Planet Earth.. now there is Earth: The Biography. As a child I grew up being immersed in the physical geography and the birth of the earth.

Beautifully described via CG on plate tectonics and volcanoes, the destructive power of ice and water, and the vital importance of the the atmosphere.

For those that have watched the Life of Series by David Attenborough, will notice repeated footage those series, as well as repeated footage from Planet Earth, and Ganges.

Despite the various comments that this is a standard definition presentation by BBC, when I play it on my PS3, I am getting 1080i and not 420p, as some have remarked. Not true 1080p, but nonetheless stunning.

Great addition to my collection of BBC and Nat Geo documentaries.


3 out of 5 stars 1080i not 1080p and a bit lack luster    October 17, 2008
George (AZ, USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

I was looking forward to this Blu ray having previously seen Ganges and Wild China. Earth was not in their league. It was if the BBC had subcontracted the task out, and the film makers took short cuts on the quality. The host is also a little annoying I feel. He comes across as if he's over doing it a bit.

So even though it was very educational, with the message not to worry, once we're all dead the Earth will still be here, I was not totally entertained in the manner previous shows had. So three stars.

Shape up BBC, we're used to the best !