Planet Earth II premiered in 2016 as the sequel to the landmark 2006 series Planet Earth. It brought the same awe-inspiring wildlife photography to new heights, shooting in 4K and offering viewers a closer look at the natural world than ever before. The series follows six episodes, each focused on a different habitat, and it remains a benchmark for nature documentaries.
The series was directed by Richard Dale and produced by Mike Gunton, with narration by Sir David Attenborough. It aired on BBC One in the UK and later on Discovery Channel internationally. The show ran for six episodes across the six habitats, and it drew audiences for its stunning visuals and intimate storytelling.
Trailer, via BBC.
The Six Episodes
The series is structured around six distinct biomes: Mountains, Jungles, Deserts, Grasslands, Freshwater, and Cities. Each episode delves into the unique challenges faced by animals living in those environments, from the high peaks of the Himalayas to the concrete jungles of urban centers.
The Mountain episode opens with snow leopards hunting in the Himalayas, where temperatures can drop to minus 40 degrees Celsius. The Jungle episode moves to the dense forests of Borneo, where a troop of proboscis monkeys navigate the canopy. The Desert episode focuses on the Namib, where a desert elephant searches for water in a harsh, dry landscape. The Grasslands episode features lions and cheetahs in the African savanna, while the Freshwater episode explores the Amazon River and its tributaries. The final episode, Cities, looks at how wildlife has adapted to urban environments, from pigeons in New York City to wild boars in Berlin.
Each episode runs about 50 minutes, and the pacing is deliberate. There is no narration during the footage itself, allowing the viewer to absorb the images before the commentary kicks in. This structure gives the series a meditative quality, letting the natural world speak for itself before Attenborough offers context.
Technical Foundation
The technical achievements of Planet Earth II are its foundation. The series was shot in 4K Ultra HD, which means the footage is incredibly detailed. This allows viewers to see individual hairs on a lion’s mane or the texture of a butterfly’s wing in stunning clarity. The aerial footage, captured by drones, is also a major draw. These small aircraft allowed filmmakers to follow animals through the air, tracking them across mountainsides and over rivers without disturbing their natural behavior.
The sound design deserves equal credit. The audio team recorded every environment, from the distant calls of elephants to the rustling leaves of the jungle. The result is a fully immersive experience that makes the viewer feel present in the scene.
Animal Stories
The series is best remembered for its animal stories. Some of the most memorable moments include:
- A snow leopard hunting ibex in the Himalayas, filmed in a way that shows the predator’s patience and agility.
- A troop of proboscis monkeys in Borneo, where a young monkey falls from a tree and is rescued by its mother.
- A desert elephant crossing the Namib, where it finds a watering hole that has dried up, forcing it to dig for water beneath the sand.
- A cheetah chasing a gazelle in the African savanna, showing the raw speed of the chase.
- A family of giant pandas in China, where a mother and her cubs climb trees and play together.
These stories are presented with a level of intimacy that feels almost cinematic. The camera follows the animals closely, capturing their daily routines, their interactions with each other, and their struggles against the environment. The result is a deep connection between the viewer and the subjects, which is rare for a documentary.
Urban Ecosystems
The Cities episode is a bold move for a nature series. It reframes urban areas as ecosystems, populated by animals that have learned to live alongside humans. The episode covers cities around the world, from New York to Berlin, and it shows how wildlife has adapted to the built environment.
In New York, pigeons roost on skyscrapers and feed on discarded food. In Berlin, wild boars roam the streets and parks, pushing aside pedestrians. These scenes are visually striking, and they challenge the idea that cities are inhospitable to nature. The episode suggests that even in the most developed areas, nature persists.
The Cities episode is a reminder that wildlife is not confined to national parks and remote wilderness. It lives in our backyards, our parks, and our city streets.
The Score
The music for Planet Earth II was composed by George Fenton and Rupert Gregson-Williams. Their score is minimalistic, using strings and percussion to create a sense of scale and wonder. The music swells during dramatic moments but often recedes to let the natural sounds take center stage.
The score is effective because it is restrained. It does not overpower the visuals or compete with the narration. Instead, it complements the footage, providing emotional cues without becoming intrusive. The result is a seamless listening experience that enhances the viewing.
Audience Reaction
Planet Earth II was a critical success. It earned an 8.6/10 score from TMDB users, and it was praised for its technical innovation, its storytelling, and its ability to make viewers care about animals they might never see in person.
The show also had a significant cultural impact. It raised awareness about conservation issues. The series showed that nature programming could be both entertaining and educational, drawing in audiences who might not otherwise watch wildlife content.
Key Numbers
- Title: Planet Earth II
- Premiere: 2016
- Episodes: 6, each focusing on a different habitat
- Format: 50-minute episodes, broadcast on BBC One and Discovery Channel
- Score: 8.6/10 on TMDB
- Directors: Richard Dale
- Producers: Mike Gunton
- Narrator: Sir David Attenborough
- Technical format: 4K Ultra HD, drone footage
Final Word
Planet Earth II is a masterclass in nature filmmaking. It pushes the boundaries of what is possible with cameras and editing, and it tells stories that resonate emotionally. The series is a worthy successor to the original Planet Earth, and it stands as one of the best documentaries ever made.
The show succeeds because it balances spectacle with substance. The visuals are breathtaking, but the stories are grounded in real science and real observation. The series shows the natural world as it truly is, wondrous and fragile, and it encourages viewers to protect it.
Planet Earth II is a must-watch for anyone interested in wildlife, conservation, or simply beautiful filmmaking. It is a standard that few will meet, and it remains a landmark of the genre.
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