This giant documentary series is quite simply astounding. The 10 part series should stand as one of the most exhaustive filmed studies of mammals ever made. And, yes, the film covers the most wide spread mammal of all -- humans.
What sets this film apart from all others are the messages the film is trying to convey. It is not content with simply showing us animals in action, but at every turn tries to make us realize the place the animals shown play in relation to our own mammal species -- homo sapiens.
In the first few episodes, this message is not so clear, because the focus is on small mammals like anteaters and beavers. Gradually, though, the film focuses on primates and ends with two hour long episodes about monkeys and apes that are at the same time moving and deeply disturbing.
Some of the footage of chimpanzees is so violent and disturbing it makes you look at humans in a whole new light.
Throughout is footage that is completely unique. Some of the footage captures images never seen before by anybody. Some of it shows us things not normally shown before. Every show was filled with facts and information that I had never heard before and by the end I felt enriched beyond belief.
Finally, I would like to point out that this film stands as one of the greatest proofs of evolution I have ever seen. Although the film never comes right out and specifically talks about evolution, it is a subtext throughout the 10 part series. Not that I didn't believe in evolution before I watched this, but after watching this the mechanics of evolution are so clear that I would be amazed anybody watches this series and is still skeptical enough to consider evolution a 'theory.'
It is a great piece of documentary film-making. I hope that all homo sapiens get a chance to see this film.
