Trials of Life [Blu-ray] [2012]

A superb blu ray transfer to a first class wildlife documentary. Colours look natural and well balanced, never too bright and aggressively vibrant. Contrast is good and the picture is quite sharp while still showing some film grain in darker sequences. The content of the series feels a little more factual and educational than some recent series from the BBC as if it's trying to educate rather than just entertain the viewer. There's a distinct lack of thundering music, cameras flying over exotic locations, short narrative and all the rest. As the series is about the different stages of life we all face it's a little more varied than something like Life in the Undergrowth (2005) or Life of Birds (1998) where in the former for instance we might get a whole episode just on spiders. Nor is it location bound as the BBC series Africa (2013) and Planet Earth (2006) are.The footage of the Killer Whales hunting is especially impressive. Attenborough also makes more of an onscreen presence than he would do in later series as his age advanced, personally I find it a pleasure to see him on camera getting up close to the wildlife. I'd recommend this for family viewing despite some disturbing and weird scenes such as cannibalism, mothers committing suicide to give birth, and seals being thrown around as if for sport by orcas.My Blu Ray also came with a nice behind the scenes look at how it was made. The series took over 3 and a half years to film meaning most of the footage was shot in the late 80s though broadcast in the 1990s, the range of locations is also very impressive. The opening credit sequence is a little dated but that is a small complaint to have. Some of the footage is truly impressive especially on a well lit bright day, this includes sea lions giving birth on sandy beaches. The footage of the bats in their cave is wonderful and lacks the distracting blaring music we often get now from more recent BBC releases. Some creatures may appear multiple times throughout the series as each episode switches to a new form of behaviour. E.g. fighting, homemaking, hunting, courting, etc. Some of the footage of the chimpanzees in episode 2 is also a highlight, particularly the young one learning how to crack open a nut, thankfully too we don’t get the epic music or gracious slow motion, everything is presented in a calm, matter of a fact sort of manner. The score is has a 1980s feel and a lot of it seems to be flute based. The series doesn’t quite have the range of impressive overhead shoots of Planet Earth (2006) nor the super smooth camera movement of Life (2009) but what it lacks in style it more than makes up for in it’s content. For those of you who are a fan of Springwatch too Chris Packham and Simon King are both credited with Cameraman work on the series.Only one terrible shot and that's of a bird migrating, clearly fake.

David Attenborough always makes his topics interesting and this series really gives an insight into the animal life that he is talking about. I have quite a few of the BBC dvds with David Attenborough and I enjoy all of them. I actually have 2 more on order. I love to sit with my grandchildren watching them and even they can understand him and are interested in it. We all learn a lot.

The original masterpiece re-mastered in stunning Blu-Ray quality from the original negatives.12 x 50 minute episodes on four discs with a few extras, but considering this is 30 years old now it has been cleaned up to an amazing clarity with the sound improved as well from the DVD version.And most importantly it's complete and uncut, unlike the original DVD Version!A master-class in film-making and presentation, this should be mandatory viewing for all school Biology Classes.David's original classic series Life On Earth is also now available on Blu-Ray, but does anyone know why the fantastic second series The Living Planet, Life In The Freezer, Lost Worlds Vanished Lives, The Private Life Of Plants, The Life Of Birds, The Life Of Mammals and The Blue Planet weren't released on Blu-Ray? Come on BBC, please release them now!An essential, stunning, 5 star purchase, very highly recommended. Superb.

This series concentrates on the Trials that face animals in their lifetime, with extraordinary camerawork and superb commentary from Sir David Attenborough, we are taken on a journey through the lives of different animals and insects as they go about their daily lives. A must see series, and a pleasure to watch

This is the 1990 rekindled and brings back so many memories of this brilliant series. The sight of the Killer whale beaching to catch the Penguins and Seals was then and still is an amazing piece of filming. The naration by Sir David was then and still is today brilliant. This man and team just do not make bad documentaries. They are amazing and provide a wonderful education for us adults and for our children. First class entertainment and value.

I've always loved this series, and this set of DVDs certainly didn't disappoint as they are excellent quality. If you love nature programmes, David Attenborough programmes are a must-see.

Perfect, as all (matser)works by Sir David Attenborough.

I am a fan of David Attenborough as a wildlife presenter. I wanted to show excerpts to my grandsons.