Imagine you could watch a Diplodocus standing on its hind legs trying to avoid being attacked by a hungry Alosaurus, or a Raptor stalking its prey. This is what this DVD allows you to do with the help of some brilliant digitally created dinosaurs and some amazing photography.

Runtime
3 Hours 50 Minutes
Region
Region 2
Sound
Stereo
Aspect
1.77:1
Release year
1999

Details

The series is split into six half hour episodes, each covering a different era, with each episode also split into a further six chapters. It has to be said that I'm rarely amazed these days, but the brilliance of this programme has taken my breath away. It follows the tried-and-tested wildlife programme formula which I don't normally enjoy, but seeing some of the great digital work that has been done here just makes you want to watch.

Episode Details

How they have found some of the information defies belief, but it does make you wonder if some of this is sheer guesswork.

Episodes

  • New Blood - Coelopysis
  • A Time Of Titans - Diplodocus
  • Cruel Sea - Ophthalmosaurus
  • Giant Of The Skies - Ornithocheirus
  • Spirits Of The Ice Forest - Leallynasaura
  • Death Of A Dynasty - Tyrannosaurus

Picture & Sound

Picture quality is brilliant, your eyes will pop out of your head when you see some huge beast moving across a plain or eating from a tree. Sound is the only disappointing aspect here, only being in its original broadcast digital stereo, it is however adequate if not a missed opportunity.

Menu & Extras

This is also a two disk set, with a second DVD containing a very good 50 minute making-of Featurette which covers all things about how the programme was made...Fantastic stuff.vThe glossy booklet contained inside the front cover is also very nice, even if it does cover the same material as the making-of Featurette Another thing worth mentioning is the picture-in-picture sequences...Basically, every so often during the programmes, a small window appears and you get some useful information about how the scene was done. Interesting and impressive stuff.

Overall

I can't stress how much I like this disk, it combines brilliant content with a great picture, and I'm not going to let the sound aspect get in the way of recommending it.

Special features

  • Behind-The-Scenes Picture-In-Picture Sequences
  • Additional Graphics
  • Directors Commentary
  • 50 Minute Making-of on Second DVD
  • Glossy booklet