Stars: Kenneth Branagh

Summary: The last sixty-five million years on earth are brought to life with the rise of mammals, freezing of the climate and the arrival of man. Each new chapter brings vividly to life the origins of our heritage.

This BBC nature documentary uses animation and hours of researched facts to attempt to recreate the age between the extinction of the dinosaurs and the dawn of the modern human. Among the most intriguing creatures are giant flightless birds, the saber-toothed tiger, and the many predecessors to human beings. The programme, narrated by Kenneth Branagh, is an incredible document focused on prehistoric beasts, brought to life with amazing computer-rendered graphics.

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Walking With Beastsis an introduction to the animals (predominantly mammals) that roamed the earth from the extinction of the dinosaurs until the rise of early humans. The sequel to the BBC's acclaimed and highly successful series Walking With Dinosaurs, Beastsalso uses a combination of clever special effects and computer-generated imagery to create a realistic world as it may have appeared millions of years ago. As to be expected from any BBC nature programme, the images are visually stunning; the prehistoric animals look impressively lifelike, interacting seamlessly with each other and their environment to create an entire world that could have been photographed only yesterday. Best of all is Episode 2, "Whale Killer", which follows a female Basilosaurus, an enormous ancient predatory whale, as she travels through shallow seas and along coastlines--the underwater images could have just as easily originated in the BBC's spectacular Blue Planetseries. It's unfortunate, therefore, that Walking With Beastsis let down by its script and the often dubious science therein. Episode 3, "The Land of Giants", begins with an anthropomorphic statement better suited to a Disney film than a scientific documentary, referring to the featured animals as "The good [a herbivore or plant-eating animal], the bad [a carnivore or flesh-eating animal] and the ugly [a giant warthog which is, admittedly, pretty ugly]." Still, Walking With Beastshas a host of little touches and flourishes that add to the feeling of realism (the animals knock over the cameras, pebbles hit the lens), which make this programme a success as a piece of pure entertainment and prehistoric escapism. A companion book and soundtrack CD is also available. --Ted Kord

Aspect Ratio:	16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Photo Gallery, Production Crew Interviews, Storyboard Comparisons, Beast Fact Files, Triumph Of The Beasts, The Beasts Within
Year:	2001
Release Date:	April 8, 2002
Runtime:	180 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	B B C D V D 1101
Keywords:	With, World, Two, Living, Series, Walking, Wide, Screen, Universe, History, Natural, Safari, Beasts, Complete, Prehistoric, Discs
Genre:	Living World/Universe