Earth: The Biography [Blu-ray] | ![Earth: The Biography [Blu-ray]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51YMgnZK-9L._SL500_.jpg)
| Directors: Alastair Fothergill, Mark Linfield
Actors: James Earl Jones, Patrick Stewart
Studio: BBC Warner
List Price: $39.99
Buy New: $27.75
You Save: $12.24 (31%)
New (28) Used (6) from $23.76
Rating:  18 reviews
Sales Rank: 2454
Format: Color, Subtitled, Widescreen
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: Blu-ray
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Number Of Items: 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
Condition: Brand New & Factory-Sealed / 1st Class SH / A+ Condition / Please Read ALL Our Wonderful Feedback!
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Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 07/22/2008 Run time: 230 minutes Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
To demonstrate the stunning beauty and overwhelming power of the Earth, Dr. Iain Stewart climbs into the crater of an active volcano in Ethiopia, jets into the stratosphere, climbs the frozen crests of the Alps, races the tide at the Amazon basin, dives into underwater caverns in Mexico, and generally enjoys himself to no end. His infectious enthusiasm is hardly necessary, though; Earth: The Biography (formerly The Power of the Planet) is five episodes of phenomenal images and fascinating information about how our planet formed and the potent yet delicate balance of life. Stewart, the program's host, seems destined to become the Carl Sagan of geology; his cheerful Scottish accent (he sounds like he walked out of Trainspotting) is just waiting for a catchphrase like "billions and billions" to make him a household name. Earth: The Biography juxtaposes things gigantic (tectonic plates) and teeny-tiny (plankton) while gracefully explaining the crucial role each plays in making the world habitable for life as we know it. There's even surprising humor, like demonstrating the ocean's currents through the movement of 29,000 plastic ducks that were swept overboard in a storm, or how the first thing jet pilot Joe Kittinger does, after successfully parachuting from the highest point in the stratosphere anyone has ever jumped (including 15 minutes of free fall), is light up a cigarette. Add in some CGI models of prehistoric beasts and volcanic activity, and you've got a completely addictive examination of the Earth in all its majesty. --Bret Fetzer
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| Customer Reviews: Read 13 more reviews...
 Earth: The Biography [Blu-ray] is not Hi-Def, only 480p July 28, 2008
The Blu-ray Expert (West Chester, PA)
30 out of 46 found this review helpful
"Earth: The Biography," is an interesting BBC documentary follow up to "Planet Earth." However, shame on the BBC for false advertising.
It's a disgrace that the BBC would put out a 2008 "Blu-ray release," with Blu-ray packaging that falsely claims "1080i Format" on "2 Blu-ray Disc 25" on the packaging, with two enclosed DVD discs marked with the "Blu-ray" Trademark, when what you actually get is a giant rip-off.
You get 2 Standard Definition, 480p discs in the Blu-ray package, that are marked with the Blu-ray Trademark, which are only capable of 480p up conversion to wide screen viewing. This is NOT High Definition!!!
The BBC even has the nerve to use the same BBC - HD promotional introductory video, as was used in Planet Earth, which falsely suggests that you are actually watching a High Definition video!!
BBC, for all that you do right, your Marketing Department, and whomever else may be responsible for this fraudulent "Blu-ray" release of "Earth: The Biography", undermines the BBC's credibility and does a disservice to your loyal audience and clients.
The BBC should recall this fraudulent "Blu-ray" release of "Earth: The Biography" immediately, and continue to only release "Earth: The Biography" in Standard Definition.
 Excellent! A geologist who can explain things well... July 15, 2008
Caraleisa (West Chester, PA)
10 out of 16 found this review helpful
Dr. Iain Stewart is the geologist who hosted HOT ROCKS, another excellent series run on tv. This review is written before the DVDs are released, so it's about the show which is premiering right now on DiscoveryHD. I am assuming there's no difference, or if there is more, it will only improve the experience.
The shows are broken down very well into five categories - 1: Volcano 2: Atmosphere 3: Ice 4: Oceans 5: Rare Earth. Each segment goes into detail about that system and how it affects the planet. Presenting a "biography" of the earth is a daunting undertaking, but Stewart goes at it with enthusiasm and does a rather good job, at that! The special effects are very well done, and the imagery is exquisite. Stewart's style is exuberant, he's someone who loves what he's talking about and wants to share it with you. He presumes nothing and explains what he's showing you very well.
Stewart takes pains to show you HOW these systems work and then WHAT changes can cause. For example, he is very honest in his statements about global warming - he informs you WHY scientists are predicting rising seas, etc., tells you how they've come to these conclusions, and how new discoveries are modifying our knowledge.
But please don't think that because he discusses it, that it is the dominant theme - he does NOT spend a ton of time on global warming - most of the shows are simply excellent explanations of the topic system. The conclusions are natural progressions of the information presented, and the shows would be remiss if they did not address them.
I have not seen the final segment but as I've watched the four (and the excellent HotRocks series repeatedly), I feel confident that the last will be equal to it in quality. Should I be wrong, I'll update this tomorrow!
Minor complaints - Although delightful to hear, Stewart's Scots brogue requires close attention at times (at least for Americans), sometimes theorizing about what he must have said, and this can be a little distracting. (Pause and Rewind are great features!!) However, his verbal clarity is actually much improved over his more rapid speech on the Hot Rocks shows, and the information and his engaging presentation are well worth this small additional effort.
And... well... I =THINK= that the shots supposedly depicting oxygen rising from the sea were of methane bubbling up from stagnant seas - the point was to show bubbles rising but they should have removed the telltale debris bottom from the shots. I am giving it five stars, BUT if there was a choice of 4.75, that would be better, because of these two minor points.
I'm ordering the set now and know it will be watched again and again. It's just beautiful.
Seems like it should be on that huge screen at Best Buy July 24, 2008
Julie Neal (Sanibel Island, Fla.)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
With vivid, well-composed landscapes and animal shots popping up at least once a minute, this documentary series looks great in Blu-Ray. Even many of the basic shots are really well lit. The CGI effects are cool, too.
Is it as good as Planet Earth? No. These shows are not a nonstop visual extravaganza. But don't let that dissuade you. If it wasn't for "Planet Earth" everyone would be raving about this set. Because though the screen sometimes shows just a guy or two talking in front of a washed out sky, overall "Earth: The Biography" is just as interesting and at times even more informative. And like I said, though it's not all eye candy, there is plenty of it.
These are the same shows that recently aired on the National Geographic Channel. There are no bonus features.
Disc 1 has three shows, "Volcanoes," "Atmosphere" and "Ice." Disc 2 adds "Oceans" and "Rare Earth." Each of the first four explains how that particular system works, as well as what happens when it's messed with.
The last show examines a theory that says simple life may actually be common on other planets, but complex life -- i.e., animal life -- requires such a complex sequence of events that we'll never find another human-like population. It goes on to examine how humans are damaging the planet. Did you know each year people cut down enough forest to cover the state of South Carolina?
Everything is presented with plenty of objective, scientific information.
My favorite show is the first one, since it includes the formation of Earth. Did you know scientists think our planet once had a twin? Or that the moon is drifting away from us?
Though the narrator, Dr. Iain Stewart, speaks in a Scottish brogue, I didn't have any trouble understanding him. He's calm and articulate.
By the way, you can't help but be reminded of "Planet Earth" as you watch this. A commercial for it is actually the first thing that comes up when you pop in Disc 1.
Besides "Planet Earth," I'd recommend pairing this up with An Inconvenient Truth. Or a trip to go see Wall-E.
Earth: The Biography Myth August 29, 2008
G. Dunham (Langhorne, PA United States)
4 out of 31 found this review helpful
This would have received 5 stars. The photography, animations & presentation were masterfully done. Too bad that it had to be ruined by intertwining the "Global Warming" hoax throughout the series. As soon as the whining rants began I had to shut it off. But, the photography was so beautifully done that I had to finish watching it and endure the lies that were being spewed out.
What a pure waste of fine photography & film making.
Rare Earth July 26, 2008
Scorpio69 (Hawaii, America's Paradise)
3 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is an excellent series. The perspective given -- that the earth (and therefore complex life) is absolutely unique in the entire universe -- goes against the grain of the deeply held belief of generations raised on the fantasies of Star Trek, Star Wars and the goofy SETI crowd. We need to understand what Dr. Iain Stewart, the enthusiastic host, is trying to impart to us: The myriad chance factors that absolutely had to happen at the exact time and in the exact order that they occurred for the earth to become a perfectly balanced habitat for higher forms of life is so unbelievably fantastic that to think it has been repeated elsewhere is ludicrous -- not to mention mathematically impossible.
I also recommend that you read the book, Rare Earth: Why Complex Life Is Uncommon in the Universe by Dr. Donald Brownlee and Dr. Peter Ward, which is the basis for the 'Rare Earth' hypothesis expounded upon by Dr. Stewart. They rework the famous "Drake equation", which was put forth back in 1961 when our understanding of all of the forces necessary for life to exist was quite incomplete. This "equation" became the basis for the Sagan school of belief that the universe is just chock-full of "Class M" planets inhabited by cuddly, bug-eyed aliens who, naturally, have radios, computers and fly spaceships. Of course, SETI has found nothing and never will -- because there is nothing to find!
We are ALONE in the universe -- and that is the most profound thing to realize.
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