Stars: Robert Winston

Director: Richard Dale

Summary: A journey through the 'Seven Ages Of Man', exploring at each stage the physical workings of the structure we inhabit including: Life Story, An Everyday Miracle, First Steps, Raging Teens, Brain Power, As Time Goes By and The End Of Life.

This remarkable release presents the original BBC series THE HUMAN BODY in its entirety, following the life cycle from birth to death. Employing state-of-the-art imaging techniques, the programme literally gets under the skin. The set also includes the additional film THE MAKING OF THE HUMAN BODY.

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The Human Bodydocumentary is the sort of televisual undertaking that continues to justify the BBC licence fee. Presented by Robert Winston, it takes us on a journey from birth to death using time-lapse photography, computer graphics and various state-of-the-art imaging techniques to explore every aspect, every nook and crevice of the human body in its various stages of growth, maturity and eventual decay. Conception, toddlerhood, the awkward growing pains of adolescence, the incredibly complex workings of the brain (which burns up more energy than any other part of the human body, viewers of daytime TV included, apparently) and finally death are vividly depicted and explained. Winston's lucid, avuncular tones make The Human Bodyaccessible to an intelligent 10-year-old and ages upward, though the more squeamish viewer might baulk at scenes of food being digested, or childbirth in all its inevitable messiness. Statistics abound--the average human will eat for three-and-a-half years during his or her lifetime, eat 160kg of chocolate and spend six months on the toilet. Though heart-warming in that it shows the commonality of human experience, The Human Bodyis also a potentially depressing reminder of our frail physicality and mortality. However, the most moving programme here features Herbie, a cancer victim who, in agreeing to have his last moments filmed as he lies dying in a hospice, has perhaps achieved a deserved immortality through this programme.

On the DVD: The DVD edition includes a 50-minute feature on the making of the series and the background to the special effects used. --David Stubbs

Aspect Ratio:	16:9 Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Scene Selection, Interactive Menus
Year:	1998
Release Date:	July 2, 2001
Runtime:	344 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	B B C D V D 1067
Keywords:	Two, Body, General, Wide, Screen, Human, Health, Leisure, Interest, Discs
Genre:	General Interest (Leisure/Health)