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Walking With Dinosaurs : Complete BBC Series [1999]


RRP: £24.99
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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Walking with Dinosaurs, which must have surprised even its makers by reaching the viewing figures usually reserved for royal weddings, was the undoubted television event of 1999. (The companion book and soundtrack album became bestsellers, too.) Extending the computer animation techniques developed for Jurassic Park (1993) these six 30-minute programmes, narrated by Kenneth Branagh, became the first blockbuster special-effects documentary. Here was natural history with a difference, recreating "the lost world" of the Cretaceous and Mesozoic with modern technology, the remarkable visuals enabling the programme-makers to show what life may have been like during the estimated 160 million years "when dinosaurs ruled the Earth".

As well as the dinosaurs, the series investigates the plants, insects, climate and geography of the distant past, and considers the mystery of why the creatures became extinct so suddenly. There has been some argument over how much is scientific fact, and how much is entertaining speculation--after all, Life on Earth (1978) and The Living Planet (1984) had the advantage of living subjects to film--but for the moment this series must stand as the definitive visual chronicle of the life and times of the fascinating "terrible lizards". A year later the BBC followed this with the surprisingly sympathetic The Ballad of Big Al (about a youthful Allosaurus), before the equally ambitious, and equally enthralling Walking with Beasts (2001).

On the DVD: Those interested in special effects techniques will appreciate the inclusion of a 50-minute "making of" documentary (which is also on the VHS). There's also an informative director's commentary, plus some behind-the-scenes picture sequences and additional graphics. The sound is vivid Dolby stereo and the picture is anamorphic 16:9 widescreen.--Gary S Dalkin

Editorial
Video Description

DVD Special Features

Exclusive behind the scenes picture in picture sequences
Additional graphics
Director's commentary
Animated menu

Editorial
Synopsis

Learn all about the dinosaurs and how they ate, fought, mated, and more. High-tech animatronics and computer graphics are used to bring the world of the dinosaurs to life, in this popular documentary series. Includes six episodes featuring the most up-to-date discoveries, narrated by Kenneth Branagh. Made in association with The Discovery Channel.
Editorial
-The Times

...a television classic...
Editorial
From the Back Cover

Imagine you could witness a prehistoric sunset - imagine you are watching insectivorous pterosaurs chase moths in the moist evening air and bull triceratops lock horns over a female. This is no longer a dream.

Walking With Dinosaurs makes that distant world as real and natural as images from today's Serengeti. Tracing the 160 million year history of dinosaurs, from their first appearance to their abrupt demise, this series marks a watershed in television imagery.

A combination of classic natural history techniques, leading edge computer technology and animatronics, and the latest scientific findings recreate the sights and sounds of an endlessly fascinating era. Walking With Dinosaurs brings to life the mystery and excitement of the age when the reptiles roamed our planet.



Brilliant introduction to the world of Dinosaurs
Review date: 2008-06-04 Rating: 10 out of 10

I watched this series on TV when it came out and remembered it as an enjoyable documentary series with CGI dinosaurs and landscapes that looked very real. I recently wanted to get something that would interest my young children so I bought this DVD. My decision has turned out a very good one as "my brood" is completely hooked on dinosaurs and want to watch the series over and over again. It has also prompted me to read up more on some of the different species. There appears to be some controversy over size of the different dinosaurs, such as Liopleurodon, but that's not a really big deal for casual enthusiasts like myself. Therefore it is highly recommended for people of similar background in the subject.

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Reviews


BEST PREHISTORIC DOCUMENTARY SERIES EVER!!!
Review date: 2007-08-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

Walking With Dinosaurs is by far the best prehistoric documentary series of all time!


I dont understand how anybody could give it under 5 stars, even somebody who isnt into this kind of thing has to give it atleast 4!


I would like to inform the anonymous reviewer (review titled I hate to burst bubbles but...) that he/she has got it completely wrong!! The dinosaur that liopleurodon takes is not an allosaur. Its actually a eustreptospondylus, an animal measuring about 10 foot in length.

If he had taken the time to listen to Kenneth Branagh's fantasic naration he would have known this and maybe he would have appreciated the series as much as me and so many other reviewers (heavily outweighing the negative ones).

Excellent, ignore the nit-pickers and negs!
Review date: 2006-09-01 Rating: 10 out of 10

This brought the whole idea of dinosaurs roaming the earth alive for millions of people who previously would never have considered a visit to a museum or a book on the subject. I thought the reviewer who told us how things were "in reality" was pretty funny - was he there?

To those who gave scathingly negative "I-know-better" reviews: As you didn't like it and it was so beneath you, I assume you only watched one episode, so you are not really qualified to review the whole series.

For the rest of us who don't really care whether estimates (and that's all they are) of a dinosaur's size completely agree with other estimates, just enjoy great edutainment at it's best.

good
Review date: 2006-07-13 Rating: 10 out of 10

best documentry ever however i would like to talk about the last comment i noticed another mistake in a brother seris called sea monsters it says megalodon the giant shark was 50 feet long but all scienctists belevie it must have been at least 60 feet long therefore the bbc really have to correct there facts

I hate to burst bubbles but...
Review date: 2005-12-16 Rating: 6 out of 10

...quite a lot of the "facts" in this series are actually complete bunk. Take for example the grossly exaggerated size for the marine reptile Liopleurodon - some 80+ feet in "Walking with Dinosaurs". Indeed, we actually see a Liopleurodon snatching an Allosaurus (up to 40 ft long confirmed length) in its massive jaws, making the giant theropod look like a rat. Unfortunately, this is a gross misrepresentation of the facts: Liopleurodon was in reality between 7 - 10 metres long, if anything smaller than your average allosaurus. This is supposed to be a factual programme, and yet this kind of exaggerating wouldn't be out of place in the new King Kong movie.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
André Dussollier
Avery Brooks
Kenneth Branagh
Resa Karim

Creators:
Kenneth Branagh (Primary Contributor)
André Dussollier (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014501016427
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: Full Screen, PAL,
Release date: 2000-05-15
Number of discs: 2
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 230 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2000-04-16
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

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