‘Ocean with David Attenborough’

Exploring our planet’s aquatic environments, ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ leads us into the unknown. Guiding us through the scarcely seen underwater habitats, Sir David Attenborough broadens our horizons once again to deliver both a message of hope and a warning.

We are now at a time of great discovery, - remaning largely inaccessible and hard to examine, the oceans have alluded our understanding for eons. Now, with advances in technology and science, we grow ever bolder in our ventures and are learning a great deal about our own world.

Walking us thorough the magical habitats that exist just off the coast, Attenborough draws attention to plant life that effectively functions as the lungs of our earth. Previously believed by a great majority to be the most important habitat in aid of fighting global warming, the Amazon rain forest is pushed aside by humble seaweed. Stunning shots depicting the forest like grouping along most continents show how submarine life thrives in the underwater groves, maintaining a balanced ecosystem.

Full of vibrant color and the most diverse plant and animal life that can be found on earth, Attenborough highlights the importance of preserving the diversity that can so often be forgotten as it thrives out of sight.

In contrast to the mesmerizing underwater vistas, ‘Ocean’ reminds us of the impact we have on our waters. Disturbing, intimidating and dreadful – underwater shots of trawlers dragging nets behind them as they fish on an industrial scale depict the destruction left in the wake of a single journey. Startling, the contrast of the once flourishing seabed is reduced to a wasteland as everything has been swept away in search of fish.

Also denoting past theories regarding the size and breadth of fish populations, the film reminds us that the extermination of predatory species is not a solution to increasing other fish populations. Pairing the message with stark imagery of sharks being hunted and exterminated, we are shown the brutality that need not exist when trying to preserve wildlife.

Without beating us over the head with it, Attenborough maintains a hopeful outlook. Asking us to confront the truth of industrial fishing, he denotes the importance of fishing responsibly and preserving spaces to allow for marine life to regenerate. Maintaining that fishing responsibly is different to industrial fishing, ‘Ocean’ encourages us to understand the difference and appreciate that that can make or break us.

Ultimately optimistic, the documentary reveals to us the power of the water that surrounds us and how we must work in tandem with nature in order to sustain our life and to thrive alongside it. A powerful piece to inspire positive action, ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ leaves a lasting impact and inspires one to be better.

Score: 4/4