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{{short description|Documentary film genre}}
{{short description|Documentary genre}}
[[File:African Stories 01.jpg|thumb|Shooting of a wildlife film in [[Namibia]]]]
[[File:African Stories 01.jpg|thumb|Shooting of a wildlife film in [[Namibia]]]]


A '''nature documentary''' or '''wildlife documentary''' is a genre of [[documentary film]] or [[television documentary|series]] about [[animal]]s, [[plant]]s, or other non-human living creatures, usually concentrating on video taken in their natural [[habitat]] but also often including footage of trained and captive animals. Sometimes they are about [[wildlife]] or [[ecosystems]] in relationship to human beings. Such programmes are most frequently made for [[television]], particularly for [[public broadcasting]] channels, but some are also made for the [[movie theater|cinema]] medium. The proliferation of this [[film genre|genre]] occurred almost simultaneously alongside the production of similar television series.
A '''nature documentary''' or '''wildlife documentary''' is a genre of [[documentary film]] or [[television documentary|series]] about [[animal]]s, [[plant]]s, or other non-human living creatures. Nature documentaries usually concentrate on video taken in the subject's natural [[habitat]], but often including footage of trained and captive animals, too. Sometimes they are about [[wildlife]] or [[ecosystems]] in relationship to human beings. Such programmes are most frequently made for [[television]], particularly for [[public broadcasting]] channels, but some are also made for the [[movie theater|cinema]]. The proliferation of this [[film genre|genre]] occurred almost simultaneously alongside the production of similar television series which is distributed across the world.


==History==
==Cinema==
⚫
[[Robert J. Flaherty]]'s 1922 film ''[[Nanook of the North]]'' is typically cited as the first feature-length documentary.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rothman |first=William |title=Documentary Film Classics |date=January 1997 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=1997 |isbn=9781139172691 |pages=1}}</ref> Decades later, [[Walt Disney Productions]] pioneered the serial theatrical release of nature-documentaries with its production of the [[True-Life Adventures]] series, a collection of fourteen full length and [[short subject]] nature films from 1948 to 1960.<ref>[[True-Life Adventures]]</ref> Prominent among those were ''[[The Living Desert]]'' (1953) and ''[[The Vanishing Prairie]]'' (1954), both written and directed by [[James Algar]].

===In cinema===
⚫
[[Robert J. Flaherty]]'s 1922 film ''[[Nanook of the North]]'' is typically cited as the first feature-length documentary. Decades later, [[Walt Disney Productions]] pioneered the serial theatrical release of nature-documentaries with its production of the [[True-Life Adventures]] series, a collection of fourteen full length and [[short subject]] nature films from 1948 to 1960.<ref>[[True-Life Adventures]]</ref> Prominent among those were ''[[The Living Desert]]'' (1953) and ''[[The Vanishing Prairie]]'' (1954), both written and directed by [[James Algar]].


The first full-length nature-documentary films pioneering colour [[Underwater videography|underwater cinematography]] were the Italian film ''[[Sesto Continente]]'' (''The Sixth Continent'') and the French film ''[[The Silent World|Le Monde du silence]]'' (''The Silent World''). Directed by [[Folco Quilici]] ''Sesto Continente'' was shot in 1952 and first exhibited to Italian audiences in 1954.<ref>
The first full-length nature-documentary films pioneering colour [[Underwater videography|underwater cinematography]] were the Italian film ''[[Sesto Continente]]'' (''The Sixth Continent'') and the French film ''[[The Silent World|Le Monde du silence]]'' (''The Silent World''). Directed by [[Folco Quilici]] ''Sesto Continente'' was shot in 1952 and first exhibited to Italian audiences in 1954.<ref>
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</ref> ''The Silent World'', shot in 1954 and 1955 by [[Jacques Cousteau]] and [[Louis Malle]], was first released in 1956.<ref>In 1956 ''The Silent World'' was released in three different countries: France (May 26, 1956), Japan (August 15, 1956) and the United States (September 24, 1956). See the [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049518/releaseinfo release information page] at the IMDB website.</ref>
</ref> ''The Silent World'', shot in 1954 and 1955 by [[Jacques Cousteau]] and [[Louis Malle]], was first released in 1956.<ref>In 1956 ''The Silent World'' was released in three different countries: France (May 26, 1956), Japan (August 15, 1956) and the United States (September 24, 1956). See the [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049518/releaseinfo release information page] at the IMDB website.</ref>


==Television==
Many other nature-documentary films followed in subsequent years, such as those made by [[Nicolas Vanier]] (''The Last Trapper'', 2004), [[Luc Jacquet]] (''[[March of the Penguins]]'', 2005), and [[Alastair Fothergill]] (''[[African Cats]]'', 2011), among others.
⚫
In 1954, the BBC started airing [[Zoo Quest]], featuring [[David Attenborough]]. Other early nature documentaries include ''Fur and Feathers'' shown on [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] from 1955 to 1956 and hosted by [[Ian McTaggart-Cowan]].,<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ian-mctaggart-cowan-bio-shines-light-on-pioneering-tv-nature-program-host-1.3271571 Ian McTaggart-Cowan bio shines light on pioneering TV nature program host]</ref> and ''Look'', a studio-based BBC magazine-program with filmed inserts, hosted by [[Peter Scott|Sir Peter Scott]] from 1955 to 1981. The first 50-minute weekly documentary series, ''The World About Us'', began on BBC2 in 1967 with a color installment from the French filmmaker Haroun Tazieff, called "Volcano". Around 1982, the series changed its title to ''[[Natural World (BBC TV series)|The Natural World]]'', which the [[BBC Natural History Unit]] in [[Bristol]] continued to produce {{as of|2023|lc=y}}. In 1961, [[Anglia Television]] produced the first of the award-winning ''[[Survival (TV series)|Survival]]'' series.

===In television===
⚫
In 1954, the BBC started airing [[Zoo Quest]], featuring David Attenborough. Other early nature documentaries include ''Fur and Feathers'' shown on [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] from 1955 to 1956 and hosted by [[Ian McTaggart-Cowan]].,<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ian-mctaggart-cowan-bio-shines-light-on-pioneering-tv-nature-program-host-1.3271571 Ian McTaggart-Cowan bio shines light on pioneering TV nature program host]</ref> and ''Look'', a studio-based BBC magazine-program with filmed inserts, hosted by [[Peter Scott|Sir Peter Scott]] from 1955 to 1981. The first 50-minute weekly documentary series, ''The World About Us'', began on BBC2 in 1967 with a color installment from the French filmmaker Haroun Tazieff, called "Volcano". Around 1982, the series changed its title to ''[[Natural World (BBC TV series)|The Natural World]]'', which the [[BBC Natural History Unit]] in [[Bristol]] continues to produce {{as of | 2018 | lc = on}}. In 1961, [[Anglia Television]] produced the first of the award-winning ''[[Survival (TV series)|Survival]]'' series.


Between 1974 and 1980, the Spanish nature documentary television series ''[[El Hombre y la Tierra]]'' (The Man and the Earth), produced by [[Television Espanola|TVE]] and presented by naturalist [[Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente]] used 35&nbsp;mm film, which posed significant logistic and technical challenges at the time. The show gained international recognition.<ref>https://Historia.Nationalgeographic.com.es/a/Felix-Rodriguez-Fuente-divulgador-mas-mediatico_15162
Between 1974 and 1980, the Spanish nature documentary television series ''[[El Hombre y la Tierra]]'' (The Man and the Earth), produced by [[Television Espanola|TVE]] and presented by naturalist [[Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente]] used 35&nbsp;mm film, which posed significant logistic and technical challenges at the time. The show gained international recognition.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://Historia.Nationalgeographic.com.es/a/Felix-Rodriguez-Fuente-divulgador-mas-mediatico_15162 | title=Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, el divulgador más mediático | date=13 March 2020 }}</ref>
</ref>


During the late 1970s and early 1980s, several other television companies round the world set up their own specialized natural-history departments, including the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]] and [[Television New Zealand|TVNZ]]'s unit in [[Dunedin]], [[New Zealand]] — both still in existence, the latter having changed its name{{when|date=May 2014}} to "[[NHNZ]]". [[ITV Network|ITV]]'s contribution to the genre, ''Survival'', became a prolific series of single films. It was eventually axed when the network introduced a controversial new schedule which many commentators have criticized as "[[dumbing down]]".
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, several other television companies round the world set up their own specialized natural-history departments, including the [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] in [[Melbourne]], [[Australia]] and [[Television New Zealand|TVNZ]]'s unit in [[Dunedin]], [[New Zealand]] — both still in existence, the latter having changed its name to "[[NHNZ]]". [[ITV Network|ITV]]'s contribution to the genre, ''Survival'', became a prolific series of single films. It was eventually axed when the network introduced a controversial new schedule which many commentators have criticized as "[[dumbing down]]".


Wildlife and natural history films have boomed in popularity and have become one of modern society's most important sources of information about the natural world.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} Yet film and television critics and scholars have largely ignored them.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}
Wildlife and natural history films have boomed in popularity and have become one of modern society's most important sources of information about the natural world.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} Yet film and television critics and scholars have largely ignored them.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}
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==Content==
==Content==


⚫
===Overview===
Most nature documentary films or television series focus on a particular [[species]], [[ecosystem]], or [[science|scientific]] idea (such as [[evolution]]). Although most take a scientific and [[education]]al approach, some [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphise]] their subjects or present animals purely for the viewer's pleasure. In a few instances, they are in presented in [[ethnographic film]]<ref>[[Ethnographic film]]</ref> formats and contain stories that involve humans and their relationships with the natural world, as in ''[[Nanook of the North]]'' (1922), ''[[The Story of the Weeping Camel]]'' (2003), and ''[[Grass: A Nation's Battle for Life]]'' (1925).
Most nature documentary films or television series focus on a particular [[species]], [[ecosystem]], or [[science|scientific]] idea (such as [[evolution]]). Although most take a scientific and [[education]]al approach, some [[anthropomorphism|anthropomorphise]] their subjects or present animals purely for the viewer's pleasure. In a few instances, they are in presented in [[ethnographic film]]<ref>[[Ethnographic film]]</ref> formats and contain stories that involve humans and their relationships with the natural world, as in ''[[Nanook of the North]]'' (1922), ''[[The Story of the Weeping Camel]]'' (2003), and ''[[Grass: A Nation's Battle for Life]]'' (1925).


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Every two years the [[Wildscreen]] Trust, of Bristol in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] presents the [[Panda Awards]] for nature documentaries.
Every two years the [[Wildscreen]] Trust, of Bristol in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] presents the [[Panda Awards]] for nature documentaries.


===Criticism===
==Criticism==
The "naturalness" of nature documentaries has been disputed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8963053/BBC-accused-of-routine-fakery-in-wildlife-documentaries.html|title=BBC accused of routine 'fakery' in wildlife documentaries|last1=Malnick|first1=Robert|date=2011-12-18|access-date=2019-10-09|last2=Malnick|first2=Edward|journal=Daily Telegraph|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/15/12471540/the-hunt-bbc-nature-documentary-realism-predators-truth-and-art|title=How natural are nature documentaries?|last=Lopatto|first=Elizabeth|date=2016-08-15|website=The Verge|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/Books/E/Ecologies-of-the-Moving-Image2|title=Ecologies of the Moving Image: Cinema, Affect, Nature|last=Ivakhiv|first=Adrian J.|publisher=Wilfrid Laurier University Press|year=2013|isbn=9781554589050|location=Waterloo, Ontario|chapter=Writing, Seeing, and Faking Nature}}</ref> Some, particularly those involving animals, have included footage of staged events that appear "natural" while actually contrived by filmmakers or occurring in captivity.<ref name=":2" /> In a famous example, [[Walt Disney]]'s ''[[White Wilderness (film)|White Wilderness]]'' (1958), [[lemming]]s were herded to their deaths from a cliff by the filmmakers.<ref name=":2">{{Cite thesis|title=Ecopornography and the Commodification of Extinction: The Rhetoric of Natural History Filmmaking, 1895-Present|url=https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/151234|date=2013-07-19|language=en|first=Lisa Nicole|last=D'Amico}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/white-wilderness/|title=Did Disney Fake Lemming Deaths for the Nature Documentary 'White Wilderness'?|last=Mikkelson|first=David|website=Snopes.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref> Examples also occur in modern nature documentaries, such as ''[[Hidden Kingdoms]]'' (2014)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/jan/08/bbc-staged-nature-hidden-kingdoms|title=BBC telling us it staged sequences makes Hidden Kingdoms hard to watch|last=Lawson|first=Mark|date=2014-01-08|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-10-09|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and ''[[Blue Planet II]]'' (2017),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/23/captive-wildlife-footage-blue-planet-2-bbc1-totally-true-to-nature-say-producers|title=Blue Planet 2: Attenborough defends shots filmed in studio|last=Carrington|first=Damian|date=2017-10-23|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-10-09|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> indicating that such practices are still routine.<ref>
The "naturalness" of nature documentaries has been disputed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/bbc/8963053/BBC-accused-of-routine-fakery-in-wildlife-documentaries.html|title=BBC accused of routine 'fakery' in wildlife documentaries|last1=Malnick|first1=Robert|date=2011-12-18|access-date=2019-10-09|last2=Malnick|first2=Edward|journal=Daily Telegraph|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/8/15/12471540/the-hunt-bbc-nature-documentary-realism-predators-truth-and-art|title=How natural are nature documentaries?|last=Lopatto|first=Elizabeth|date=2016-08-15|website=The Verge|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://www.wlupress.wlu.ca/Books/E/Ecologies-of-the-Moving-Image2|title=Ecologies of the Moving Image: Cinema, Affect, Nature|last=Ivakhiv|first=Adrian J.|publisher=Wilfrid Laurier University Press|year=2013|isbn=9781554589050|location=Waterloo, Ontario|chapter=Writing, Seeing, and Faking Nature}}</ref> Some, particularly those involving animals, have included footage of staged events that appear "natural" while actually contrived by filmmakers or occurring in captivity.<ref name=":2" /> In a famous example, [[Walt Disney]]'s ''[[White Wilderness (film)|White Wilderness]]'' (1958), [[lemming]]s were herded to their deaths from a cliff by the filmmakers.<ref name=":2">{{Cite thesis|title=Ecopornography and the Commodification of Extinction: The Rhetoric of Natural History Filmmaking, 1895-Present|url=https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/151234|date=2013-07-19|language=en|first=Lisa Nicole|last=D'Amico}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/white-wilderness/|title=Did Disney Fake Lemming Deaths for the Nature Documentary 'White Wilderness'?|last=Mikkelson|first=David|website=Snopes.com|date=27 February 1996 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-14}}</ref> Examples also occur in modern nature documentaries, such as ''[[Hidden Kingdoms]]'' (2014)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2014/jan/08/bbc-staged-nature-hidden-kingdoms|title=BBC telling us it staged sequences makes Hidden Kingdoms hard to watch|last=Lawson|first=Mark|date=2014-01-08|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-10-09|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and ''[[Blue Planet II]]'' (2017),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/23/captive-wildlife-footage-blue-planet-2-bbc1-totally-true-to-nature-say-producers|title=Blue Planet 2: Attenborough defends shots filmed in studio|last=Carrington|first=Damian|date=2017-10-23|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-10-09|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> indicating that such practices are still routine.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/cruelcamera/fakery.html|title=FAKERY in Wildlife Documentaries|date=Nov 26, 2008|work=[[The Fifth Estate (TV)|The Fifth Estate]]|publisher=[[CBC Television]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003132054/http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/cruelcamera/fakery.html|archive-date=2010-10-03|access-date=April 18, 2012}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/cruelcamera/fakery.html|title=FAKERY in Wildlife Documentaries|date=Nov 26, 2008|work=[[The Fifth Estate (TV)|The Fifth Estate]]|publisher=[[CBC Television]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101003132054/http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/cruelcamera/fakery.html|archive-date=2010-10-03|access-date=April 18, 2012}}
</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/bbc-david-attenborough-nature-documentaries-fake-a8291961.html|title=It's about time we recognised that nature documentary makers regularly deceive us – and we're partly to blame|last=Street-Porter|first=Janet|date=2018-04-06|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> Due to the difficulties of recording sounds on locations, it is common for nature documentary makers to record sounds in post-production using [[Foley (filmmaking)|Foley]] and to use [[sound effect]] libraries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/sounds-natural/|title=Sounds Natural|website=99% Invisible|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Collins|first=Karen|date=April 2017|title=Calls of the wild? 'Fake' sound effects and cinematic realism in BBC David Attenborough nature documentaries|journal=The Soundtrack|volume=10|issue=1|pages=59–77|doi=10.1386/ts.10.1.59_1}}</ref> [[Compositing]] and [[computer-generated imagery]] are also sometimes used to construct shots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160311-using-cgi-to-help-our-understanding-of-the-natural-world|title=Using graphics when making wildlife films|date=2016-04-29|website=BBC|language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/24/movies/turtle-the-incredible-journey-a-loggerhead-epic-review.html|title='Turtle: The Incredible Journey,' a Loggerhead Epic - Review|last=Dargis|first=Manohla|date=2011-06-23|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-10-23|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Wild animals are often filmed over weeks or months, so the footage must be condensed to form a [[narrative]] that appears to take place over a short space of time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/filming-wildlife-producers-discuss-challenges/11402/|title=Filming Wildlife: Producers Discuss the Challenges|date=2007-12-11|website=PBS|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> Such narratives are also constructed to be as compelling as possible—rather than necessarily as a reflection of reality—and make frequent use of voice-overs, combined with emotional and intense music to maximise the audience's engagement with the content.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/4/29/15470180/nature-documentaries-tricks-fake-sound|title=The tricks that nature documentaries use to keep you watching|last=Lopez|first=German|date=2017-04-29|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> One common technique is to follow the "story" of one particular animal, encouraging the audience to form an emotional connection with the subject and to root for their survival when they encounter a [[Predation|predator]].<ref name=":0" /> In 1984, David Attenborough stated:<blockquote>There is precious little that is natural … in any film. You distort speed if you want to show things like plants growing, or look in detail at the way an animal moves. You distort light levels. You distort distribution, in the sense that you see dozens of different species in a jungle within a few minutes, so that the places seem to be teeming with life. You distort size by using close-up lenses. And you distort sound. What the filmmaker is trying to do is to convey a particular experience. … The viewer has to trust in the good faith of the filmmaker.<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>Nature documentaries have been criticized for leaving viewers with the impression that wild animals survived and thrived after encounters with predators, even when they sustain potentially life-threatening injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Norcross|first=Desli|date=2019-02-28|title=Wildlife Documentaries: What Happens to the Limping Gazelle?|url=https://www.natureethics.org/words/wildlife-documentaries|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804034955/https://www.natureethics.org/words/wildlife-documentaries|archive-date=2020-08-04|access-date=2019-10-09|website=Nature Ethics|language=en-US}}</ref> They also cut away from particularly violent encounters,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rustin|first=Susanna|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/oct/21/david-attenborough-frozen-planet-climate-change|title=David Attenborough: 'I'm an essential evil'|date=2011-10-21|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-04-19|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|quote=People who accuse us of putting in too much violence, [should see] what we leave on the cutting-room floor.}}</ref> or attempt to downplay the [[Wild animal suffering|suffering]] endured by the individual animal, by appealing to concepts such as the "[[balance of nature]]" and "the good of the herd".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.animal-rights-library.com/texts-m/pearce01.htm|title=The Post-Darwinian Transition|last=Pearce|first=David|website=The Animal Rights Library|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref>
</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/bbc-david-attenborough-nature-documentaries-fake-a8291961.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/bbc-david-attenborough-nature-documentaries-fake-a8291961.html |archive-date=2022-06-18 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=It's about time we recognised that nature documentary makers regularly deceive us – and we're partly to blame|last=Street-Porter|first=Janet|date=2018-04-06|website=The Independent|language=en|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> Due to the difficulties of recording sounds on locations, it is common for nature documentary makers to record sounds in post-production using [[Foley (filmmaking)|Foley]] and to use [[sound effect]] libraries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/sounds-natural/|title=Sounds Natural|website=99% Invisible|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Collins|first=Karen|date=April 2017|title=Calls of the wild? 'Fake' sound effects and cinematic realism in BBC David Attenborough nature documentaries|journal=The Soundtrack|volume=10|issue=1|pages=59–77|doi=10.1386/ts.10.1.59_1}}</ref> [[Compositing]] and [[computer-generated imagery]] are also sometimes used to construct shots.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160311-using-cgi-to-help-our-understanding-of-the-natural-world|title=Using graphics when making wildlife films|date=2016-04-29|website=BBC|language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/24/movies/turtle-the-incredible-journey-a-loggerhead-epic-review.html|title='Turtle: The Incredible Journey,' a Loggerhead Epic - Review|last=Dargis|first=Manohla|date=2011-06-23|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-10-23|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Wild animals are often filmed over weeks or months, so the footage must be condensed to form a [[narrative]] that appears to take place over a short space of time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/filming-wildlife-producers-discuss-challenges/11402/|title=Filming Wildlife: Producers Discuss the Challenges|date=2007-12-11|website=PBS|language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> Such narratives are also constructed to be as compelling as possible—rather than necessarily as a reflection of reality—and make frequent use of voice-overs, combined with emotional and intense music to maximise the audience's engagement with the content.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/4/29/15470180/nature-documentaries-tricks-fake-sound|title=The tricks that nature documentaries use to keep you watching|last=Lopez|first=German|date=2017-04-29|website=Vox|language=en|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> One common technique is to follow the "story" of one particular animal, encouraging the audience to form an emotional connection with the subject and to root for their survival when they encounter a [[Predation|predator]].<ref name=":0" /> In 1984, David Attenborough stated:<blockquote>There is precious little that is natural … in any film. You distort speed if you want to show things like plants growing, or look in detail at the way an animal moves. You distort light levels. You distort distribution, in the sense that you see dozens of different species in a jungle within a few minutes, so that the places seem to be teeming with life. You distort size by using close-up lenses. And you distort sound. What the filmmaker is trying to do is to convey a particular experience. … The viewer has to trust in the good faith of the filmmaker.<ref name=":1" /></blockquote>Nature documentaries have been criticized for leaving viewers with the impression that wild animals survived and thrived after encounters with predators, even when they sustain potentially life-threatening injuries.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Norcross|first=Desli|date=2019-02-28|title=Wildlife Documentaries: What Happens to the Limping Gazelle?|url=https://www.natureethics.org/words/wildlife-documentaries|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804034955/https://www.natureethics.org/words/wildlife-documentaries|archive-date=2020-08-04|access-date=2019-10-09|website=Nature Ethics|language=en-US}}</ref> They also cut away from particularly violent encounters,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rustin|first=Susanna|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/oct/21/david-attenborough-frozen-planet-climate-change|title=David Attenborough: 'I'm an essential evil'|date=2011-10-21|work=The Guardian|access-date=2020-04-19|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|quote=People who accuse us of putting in too much violence, [should see] what we leave on the cutting-room floor.}}</ref> or attempt to downplay the [[Wild animal suffering|suffering]] endured by the individual animal, by appealing to concepts such as the "[[balance of nature]]" and "the good of the herd".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.animal-rights-library.com/texts-m/pearce01.htm|title=The Post-Darwinian Transition|last=Pearce|first=David|website=The Animal Rights Library|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref>


==Notable nature documentary filmmakers==
==Notable filmmakers==
Among the many notable filmmakers, scientists, and presenters who have contributed to the medium include:
Among the many notable filmmakers, scientists, and presenters who have contributed to the medium include:

{{div col}}
{{div col}}
* [[James Algar]]
* [[James Algar]]
* [[David Attenborough|Sir David Attenborough]]
* [[David Attenborough|Sir David Attenborough]]
* [[Harry Butler]]
* [[Gordon Buchanan]]
* [[Gordon Buchanan]]
* [[Richard Brock]]
* [[Richard Brock]]
Line 104: Line 100:
* [[Marlin Perkins]]
* [[Marlin Perkins]]
* [[Coyote Peterson]]
* [[Coyote Peterson]]
* [[Cotee Peterson]]
* [[Jacques Perrin]]
* [[Jacques Perrin]]
* [[Louie Psihoyos]]
* [[Louie Psihoyos]]
Line 114: Line 109:
* [[Valmik Thapar]]
* [[Valmik Thapar]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}

==Notable series==
=== Sir David Attenborough===
{{see also| David Attenborough filmography}}
Sir [[David Attenborough]]'s contributions to conservation are widely regarded, and his television programs have been seen by millions of people throughout the world. Series narrated and/or presented by him include:
Sir [[David Attenborough]]'s contributions to conservation are widely regarded, and his television programs have been seen by millions of people throughout the world. Series narrated and/or presented by him include:
{{div col}}
{{div col}}
⚫
* ''[[Zoo Quest]]'' (1954–1964)
*''[[Life on Earth (TV series)|Life on Earth]]'' (1979), 13 episodes
*''[[Life on Earth (TV series)|Life on Earth]]'' (1979), 13 episodes
*''[[The Living Planet]]'' (1984), 12 episodes
*''[[The Living Planet]]'' (1984), 12 episodes
Line 127: Line 127:
*''[[Planet Earth (2006 TV series)|Planet Earth]]'' (2006), 11 episodes
*''[[Planet Earth (2006 TV series)|Planet Earth]]'' (2006), 11 episodes
*''[[Life in Cold Blood]]'' (2008), 5 episodes
*''[[Life in Cold Blood]]'' (2008), 5 episodes
*''[[Life (BBC TV series)|Life]]'' (2009), 10 episodes
*''[[Life (2009 TV series)|Life]]'' (2009), 10 episodes
⚫
* ''[[Nature's Great Events]]'' (2009)
*''[[Frozen Planet]]'' (2011), 7 episodes
*''[[Frozen Planet]]'' (2011), 7 episodes
*''[[Kingdom of Plants 3D]]'' (2012), 3 episodes
*''[[Kingdom of Plants 3D]]'' (2012), 3 episodes
Line 137: Line 138:
*''[[The Green Planet (TV series)|The Green Planet]]'' (2022), 5 episodes
*''[[The Green Planet (TV series)|The Green Planet]]'' (2022), 5 episodes
*''[[Prehistoric Planet (2022 TV series)|Prehistoric Planet]]'' (2022), 5 episodes {{div col end}}
*''[[Prehistoric Planet (2022 TV series)|Prehistoric Planet]]'' (2022), 5 episodes {{div col end}}
⚫
*''[[Planet Earth III]]'' (2023), 8 episodes

===Steve Irwin===
[[Steve Irwin]]'s documentaries, based on wildlife conservation and environmentalism, aired on [[Discovery Channel]], and [[Animal Planet]]. The series comprises:
[[Steve Irwin]]'s documentaries, based on wildlife conservation and environmentalism, aired on [[Discovery Channel]], and [[Animal Planet]]. The series comprises:
*''[[The Crocodile Hunter]]'' (1992–2004), 74 episodes
*''[[The Crocodile Hunter]]'' (1992–2004), 74 episodes
*''[[The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course]]'' (2002)'', Movie''
*''[[The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course]]'' (2002)'', Movie''
*''[[Croc Files|The Crocodile Hunter's Croc Files]]'' (1999), 52 episodes
*''[[Croc Files|The Crocodile Hunter's Croc Files]]'' (1999), 52 episodes
*''[[Ten Deadliest Snakes In The World|Ten Deadliest Snakes in the World]]'' (2001)
*''[[The Crocodile Hunter Diaries]]'' (2001–2003), 30 episodes
*''[[The Crocodile Hunter Diaries]]'' (2001–2003), 30 episodes
⚫
*''[[New Breed Vets]]'' (2005), 6 episodes
*''[[Ocean's Deadliest]]'' (2006)
*''[[Ocean's Deadliest]]'' (2006)


⚫
===Other===
==List of nature documentary series==
In addition to those listed above, the following is a sampling of the genre:
{{div col}}
{{div col}}
* ''[[Andes to Amazon]]'' (2000)
* ''[[Andes to Amazon]]'' (2000)
Line 155: Line 156:
* ''[[The Bear Family & Me]]'' (2011)
* ''[[The Bear Family & Me]]'' (2011)
* ''[[Big Cat Diary|Big Cat Week]]'' (2013)
* ''[[Big Cat Diary|Big Cat Week]]'' (2013)
* ''[[The Blue Planet]]'' (2001)
* ''[[British Isles – A Natural History]]'' (2004)
* ''[[British Isles – A Natural History]]'' (2004)
* ''[[Corwin's Quest]]'': [[Animal Planet]] 2005.
* ''[[Corwin's Quest]]'': [[Animal Planet]] 2005.
Line 165: Line 165:
* ''[[Escape to Chimp Eden]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Escape to Chimp Eden]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Europe: A Natural History]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Europe: A Natural History]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Eyewitness (British TV series)]]'' (1994-1997)
* ''[[The First Eden]]'' (1987)
* ''[[The First Eden]]'' (1987)
* ''[[Frozen Planet]]'' (2011)
* ''[[The Future Is Wild]]'' (2002)
* ''[[The Future Is Wild]]'' (2002)
* ''[[The Great Rift: Africa's Wild Heart]]'' (2010)
* ''[[The Great Rift: Africa's Wild Heart]]'' (2010)
Line 182: Line 182:
* ''[[The Jeff Corwin Experience]]'' (2001–2003)
* ''[[The Jeff Corwin Experience]]'' (2001–2003)
* ''[[Journeys to the Ends of the Earth]]'' (1998)
* ''[[Journeys to the Ends of the Earth]]'' (1998)
* ''[[King of the Jungle (TV series)|King of the Jungle]]'' ([[Animal Planet]], 2003–2004)<ref>[http://www.tv.com/king-of-the-jungle/show/23074/summary.html Information on King of the Jungle series]. Tv.com (2005-07-14). Retrieved on 2012-09-05.</ref>
* ''[[King of the Jungle (TV series)|King of the Jungle]]'' ([[Animal Planet]], 2003–2004)<ref>[http://www.tv.com/king-of-the-jungle/show/23074/summary.html Information on King of the Jungle series] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917131901/http://www.tv.com/king-of-the-jungle/show/23074/summary.html |date=2008-09-17 }}. Tv.com (2005-07-14). Retrieved on 2012-09-05.</ref>
* ''[[Land of the Tiger]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Land of the Tiger]]'' (1997)
* ''[[Last Chance to See]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Last Chance to See]]'' (2009)
Line 191: Line 191:
* ''[[The Most Extreme]]'' (2002)
* ''[[The Most Extreme]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Nature (TV series)|Nature]]'' (1982–)
* ''[[Nature (TV series)|Nature]]'' (1982–)
* ''[[Natural World (TV series)|Natural World]]'' (1983–)
* ''[[Natural World (TV series)|Natural World]]'' (1983–2020)
* ''[[The Nature of Things]]'' (1960–)
* ''[[The Nature of Things]]'' (1960–)
⚫
* ''[[Nature's Great Events]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin]]'' ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], 2011–14)<ref>[http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/ocean-mysteries/ Official show page for Ocean Mysteries] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129053738/http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/ocean-mysteries/ |date=2014-01-29 }}. Georgiaaquarium.org (2011-08-31). Retrieved on 2012-09-05.</ref>
* ''[[Ocean Mysteries with Jeff Corwin]]'' ([[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], 2011–14)<ref>[http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/ocean-mysteries/ Official show page for Ocean Mysteries] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129053738/http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/ocean-mysteries/ |date=2014-01-29 }}. Georgiaaquarium.org (2011-08-31). Retrieved on 2012-09-05.</ref>
* ''[[Oceans (TV series)|Oceans]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Oceans (TV series)|Oceans]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Orangutan Diary]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Orangutan Diary]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Orangutan Island]]'' (2007)
* ''[[Orangutan Island]]'' (2007)
⚫
* ''[[Our Planet]]'' (2019)
* ''[[Penguin Island (TV series)|Penguin Island]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Penguin Island (TV series)|Penguin Island]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Planet Earth: The Future]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Planet Earth: The Future]]'' (2006)
* ''[[Really Wild Animals]]'' (1993–98)
* ''[[Really Wild Animals]]'' (1993–98)
* ''[[Talking with Animals]]'' (2002)
* ''[[The Really Wild Show]]'' (1986–2006)
* ''[[The Really Wild Show]]'' (1986–2006)
* ''[[River Monsters]]'' (2009)
* ''[[River Monsters]]'' (2009)
Line 211: Line 208:
* ''[[State of the Planet]]'' (2000)
* ''[[State of the Planet]]'' (2000)
* ''[[The Stationary Ark (TV series)|The Stationary Ark]]'' (1975)
* ''[[The Stationary Ark (TV series)|The Stationary Ark]]'' (1975)
* ''[[The Predators of the Wild]]'' (1992–1996)
* ''Super Cats: A Nature Miniseries'' PBS (2018) – 3 Episodes
* ''[[Supernatural: The Unseen Powers of Animals]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Supernatural: The Unseen Powers of Animals]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Survival (TV series)|Survival]]'' (1961)
* ''[[Survival (TV series)|Survival]]'' (1961)
Line 221: Line 216:
* ''[[Wild Down Under]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Wild Down Under]]'' (2003)
* ''[[Wild Kingdom]]'' (1963–1988)
* ''[[Wild Kingdom]]'' (1963–1988)
* ''[[Wild Russia]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Yellowstone (UK TV series)|Yellowstone]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Yellowstone (UK TV series)|Yellowstone]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Zoo Quest]]'' (1954–1964){{div col end}}
{{div col end}}

==Current production==
{{Update section|date=June 2020}}In recent years, most traditional style 'blue chip' programming has become prohibitively expensive and are funded by a set of co-producers, usually a broadcaster (such as [[Animal Planet]], [[National Geographic Channel|National Geographic]], or [[NHK]]) from one or several countries, a production company, and sometimes a distributor which then has the rights to sell the show into more territories than the original broadcaster.

Two recent examples of co-productions that were filmed by the BBC are ''[[Planet Earth II]]'' (2016) and ''[[Blue Planet II]]'' (2017).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jan/11/bbc-follows-blue-planet-ii-with-hard-hitting-nature-documentaries|title=BBC follows Blue Planet II with hard-hitting nature documentaries|last=editor|first=Graham Ruddick Media|date=2018-01-11|work=The Guardian|access-date=2019-10-14|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

Production companies are increasingly exploiting their filmed material, by making DVDs and Blu-rays for home viewing or educational purposes, or selling library footage to advertisers, museum exhibitors, and other documentary producers.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 245: Line 232:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.lightandshadow.tv/index.php Light & Shadow Productions: German nature documentary company]
* [http://www.lightandshadow.tv/index.php Light & Shadow Productions: German nature documentary company] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180902123326/http://lightandshadow.tv/index.php |date=2018-09-02 }}
* [http://www.midcoast.com.au/~psimon/ "The Mysterious Bee" An award winning documentary about Honey Bees]
* [http://www.midcoast.com.au/~psimon/ "The Mysterious Bee" An award winning documentary about Honey Bees]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110903120448/http://vimeo.com/25109845 Trouble in Lemur Land] – a professional 50 minute HD film about illegal rosewood logging in Madagascar and the impact on the silky sifaka lemur
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110903120448/http://vimeo.com/25109845 Trouble in Lemur Land] – a professional 50 minute HD film about illegal rosewood logging in Madagascar and the impact on the silky sifaka lemur

Latest revision as of 00:58, 19 October 2024

Shooting of a wildlife film in Namibia

A nature documentary or wildlife documentary is a genre of documentary film or series about animals, plants, or other non-human living creatures. Nature documentaries usually concentrate on video taken in the subject's natural habitat, but often including footage of trained and captive animals, too. Sometimes they are about wildlife or ecosystems in relationship to human beings. Such programmes are most frequently made for television, particularly for public broadcasting channels, but some are also made for the cinema. The proliferation of this genre occurred almost simultaneously alongside the production of similar television series which is distributed across the world.

Cinema

[edit]

Robert J. Flaherty's 1922 film Nanook of the North is typically cited as the first feature-length documentary.[1] Decades later, Walt Disney Productions pioneered the serial theatrical release of nature-documentaries with its production of the True-Life Adventures series, a collection of fourteen full length and short subject nature films from 1948 to 1960.[2] Prominent among those were The Living Desert (1953) and The Vanishing Prairie (1954), both written and directed by James Algar.

The first full-length nature-documentary films pioneering colour underwater cinematography were the Italian film Sesto Continente (The Sixth Continent) and the French film Le Monde du silence (The Silent World). Directed by Folco Quilici Sesto Continente was shot in 1952 and first exhibited to Italian audiences in 1954.[3] The Silent World, shot in 1954 and 1955 by Jacques Cousteau and Louis Malle, was first released in 1956.[4]

Television

[edit]

In 1954, the BBC started airing Zoo Quest, featuring David Attenborough. Other early nature documentaries include Fur and Feathers shown on CBC from 1955 to 1956 and hosted by Ian McTaggart-Cowan.,[5] and Look, a studio-based BBC magazine-program with filmed inserts, hosted by Sir Peter Scott from 1955 to 1981. The first 50-minute weekly documentary series, The World About Us, began on BBC2 in 1967 with a color installment from the French filmmaker Haroun Tazieff, called "Volcano". Around 1982, the series changed its title to The Natural World, which the BBC Natural History Unit in Bristol continued to produce as of 2023. In 1961, Anglia Television produced the first of the award-winning Survival series.

Between 1974 and 1980, the Spanish nature documentary television series El Hombre y la Tierra (The Man and the Earth), produced by TVE and presented by naturalist Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente used 35 mm film, which posed significant logistic and technical challenges at the time. The show gained international recognition.[6]

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, several other television companies round the world set up their own specialized natural-history departments, including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in Melbourne, Australia and TVNZ's unit in Dunedin, New Zealand — both still in existence, the latter having changed its name to "NHNZ". ITV's contribution to the genre, Survival, became a prolific series of single films. It was eventually axed when the network introduced a controversial new schedule which many commentators have criticized as "dumbing down".

Wildlife and natural history films have boomed in popularity and have become one of modern society's most important sources of information about the natural world.[citation needed] Yet film and television critics and scholars have largely ignored them.[citation needed]

The BBC television series Walking With, narrated by Kenneth Branagh, used computer-generated imagery (CGI) and animatronics to film prehistoric life in a similar manner to other nature documentaries. The shows (Walking with Dinosaurs, Walking with Beasts, and Walking with Monsters) had three spinoffs, two of which featured Nigel Marven: Chased by Dinosaurs and Sea Monsters: A Walking with Dinosaurs Trilogy. Robert Winston presented Walking with Cavemen.

Content

[edit]

Most nature documentary films or television series focus on a particular species, ecosystem, or scientific idea (such as evolution). Although most take a scientific and educational approach, some anthropomorphise their subjects or present animals purely for the viewer's pleasure. In a few instances, they are in presented in ethnographic film[7] formats and contain stories that involve humans and their relationships with the natural world, as in Nanook of the North (1922), The Story of the Weeping Camel (2003), and Grass: A Nation's Battle for Life (1925).

Although almost all have a human presenter, the role varies widely, ranging from explanatory voice-overs to extensive interaction or even confrontation with animals.

Most nature documentaries are made for television and are usually of 45 to 50 minutes duration,[citation needed] but some are made as full-length cinematic presentations.

Such films include:

In addition, the BBC's The Blue Planet and Planet Earth series have both been adapted by BBC Worldwide and Greenlight Media for theatrical release.[8]

In some cases, nature documentaries are produced in the short subject form and are subsequently screened in theaters or broadcast on television. Often they are about the relationship between humans and nature. Notable examples include:

Every two years the Wildscreen Trust, of Bristol in the UK presents the Panda Awards for nature documentaries.

Criticism

[edit]

The "naturalness" of nature documentaries has been disputed.[9][10][11] Some, particularly those involving animals, have included footage of staged events that appear "natural" while actually contrived by filmmakers or occurring in captivity.[12] In a famous example, Walt Disney's White Wilderness (1958), lemmings were herded to their deaths from a cliff by the filmmakers.[12][13] Examples also occur in modern nature documentaries, such as Hidden Kingdoms (2014)[14] and Blue Planet II (2017),[15] indicating that such practices are still routine.[16][17] Due to the difficulties of recording sounds on locations, it is common for nature documentary makers to record sounds in post-production using Foley and to use sound effect libraries.[18][19] Compositing and computer-generated imagery are also sometimes used to construct shots.[20][21] Wild animals are often filmed over weeks or months, so the footage must be condensed to form a narrative that appears to take place over a short space of time.[22] Such narratives are also constructed to be as compelling as possible—rather than necessarily as a reflection of reality—and make frequent use of voice-overs, combined with emotional and intense music to maximise the audience's engagement with the content.[23] One common technique is to follow the "story" of one particular animal, encouraging the audience to form an emotional connection with the subject and to root for their survival when they encounter a predator.[10] In 1984, David Attenborough stated:

There is precious little that is natural … in any film. You distort speed if you want to show things like plants growing, or look in detail at the way an animal moves. You distort light levels. You distort distribution, in the sense that you see dozens of different species in a jungle within a few minutes, so that the places seem to be teeming with life. You distort size by using close-up lenses. And you distort sound. What the filmmaker is trying to do is to convey a particular experience. … The viewer has to trust in the good faith of the filmmaker.[23]

Nature documentaries have been criticized for leaving viewers with the impression that wild animals survived and thrived after encounters with predators, even when they sustain potentially life-threatening injuries.[24] They also cut away from particularly violent encounters,[10][25] or attempt to downplay the suffering endured by the individual animal, by appealing to concepts such as the "balance of nature" and "the good of the herd".[26]

Notable filmmakers

[edit]

Among the many notable filmmakers, scientists, and presenters who have contributed to the medium include:

Notable series

[edit]

Sir David Attenborough

[edit]
See also: David Attenborough filmography

Sir David Attenborough's contributions to conservation are widely regarded, and his television programs have been seen by millions of people throughout the world. Series narrated and/or presented by him include:

  • Planet Earth III (2023), 8 episodes

    • Steve Irwin

    [edit]

    Steve Irwin's documentaries, based on wildlife conservation and environmentalism, aired on Discovery Channel, and Animal Planet. The series comprises:

    Other

    [edit]

    See also

    [edit]

    Further reading

    [edit]
    • Bush, W. Stephen (1915) Wild Life in Films The Moving Picture World Vol 23 #10:1462-1463
    • Gregg Mitman: Reel Nature: America's Romance with Wildlife on Film (Weyerhaeuser Environmental Classics), Paperback (Second Edition), Combined Academic Publishers, 2009, ISBN 0-295-98886-X
    • Chris Palmer: Shooting in the Wild: An Insider's Account of Making Movies in the Animal Kingdom, Sierra Club Books, 2010, ISBN 1578051487

    References

    [edit]
    1. ^ Rothman, William (January 1997). Documentary Film Classics. Cambridge University Press. p. 1. ISBN 9781139172691.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
    2. ^ True-Life Adventures
    3. ^ Sesto Continente as mentioned at the IMDB website
    4. ^ In 1956 The Silent World was released in three different countries: France (May 26, 1956), Japan (August 15, 1956) and the United States (September 24, 1956). See the release information page at the IMDB website.
    5. ^ Ian McTaggart-Cowan bio shines light on pioneering TV nature program host
    6. ^ "Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente, el divulgador más mediático". 13 March 2020.
    7. ^ Ethnographic film
    8. ^ BBC Press Office: Planet Earth set for movie release
    9. ^ Malnick, Robert; Malnick, Edward (2011-12-18). "BBC accused of routine 'fakery' in wildlife documentaries". Daily Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
    10. ^ a b c Lopatto, Elizabeth (2016-08-15). "How natural are nature documentaries?". The Verge. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
    11. ^ Ivakhiv, Adrian J. (2013). "Writing, Seeing, and Faking Nature". Ecologies of the Moving Image: Cinema, Affect, Nature. Waterloo, Ontario: Wilfrid Laurier University Press. ISBN 9781554589050.
    12. ^ a b D'Amico, Lisa Nicole (2013-07-19). Ecopornography and the Commodification of Extinction: The Rhetoric of Natural History Filmmaking, 1895-Present (Thesis).
    13. ^ Mikkelson, David (27 February 1996). "Did Disney Fake Lemming Deaths for the Nature Documentary 'White Wilderness'?". Snopes.com. Retrieved 2019-10-14.
    14. ^ Lawson, Mark (2014-01-08). "BBC telling us it staged sequences makes Hidden Kingdoms hard to watch". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
    15. ^ Carrington, Damian (2017-10-23). "Blue Planet 2: Attenborough defends shots filmed in studio". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
    16. ^ "FAKERY in Wildlife Documentaries". The Fifth Estate. CBC Television. Nov 26, 2008. Archived from the original on 2010-10-03. Retrieved April 18, 2012.
    17. ^ Street-Porter, Janet (2018-04-06). "It's about time we recognised that nature documentary makers regularly deceive us – and we're partly to blame". The Independent. Archived from the original on 2022-06-18. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
    18. ^ "Sounds Natural". 99% Invisible. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
    19. ^ Collins, Karen (April 2017). "Calls of the wild? 'Fake' sound effects and cinematic realism in BBC David Attenborough nature documentaries". The Soundtrack. 10 (1): 59–77. doi:10.1386/ts.10.1.59_1.
    20. ^ "Using graphics when making wildlife films". BBC. 2016-04-29. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
    21. ^ Dargis, Manohla (2011-06-23). "'Turtle: The Incredible Journey,' a Loggerhead Epic - Review". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
    22. ^ "Filming Wildlife: Producers Discuss the Challenges". PBS. 2007-12-11. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
    23. ^ a b Lopez, German (2017-04-29). "The tricks that nature documentaries use to keep you watching". Vox. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
    24. ^ Norcross, Desli (2019-02-28). "Wildlife Documentaries: What Happens to the Limping Gazelle?". Nature Ethics. Archived from the original on 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
    25. ^ Rustin, Susanna (2011-10-21). "David Attenborough: 'I'm an essential evil'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-04-19. People who accuse us of putting in too much violence, [should see] what we leave on the cutting-room floor.
    26. ^ Pearce, David. "The Post-Darwinian Transition". The Animal Rights Library. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
    27. ^ Information on King of the Jungle series Archived 2008-09-17 at the Wayback Machine. Tv.com (2005-07-14). Retrieved on 2012-09-05.
    28. ^ Official show page for Ocean Mysteries Archived 2014-01-29 at the Wayback Machine. Georgiaaquarium.org (2011-08-31). Retrieved on 2012-09-05.
    [edit]
    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nature_documentary&oldid=1251954870"