• Aspect Ratio: 1:78:1
• Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4
• Resolution: 1080i/60
• Audio Codec: English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Stereo (48kHz/24-bit); English Dolby Digital
• Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
• Region: ABC (Region-Free)
  
• Running Time: 84 minutes
• Rating: Not Rated
• Discs: 2 (1 x Blu-ray + 1 x DVD)
• Digital Copy: Ultraviolet
• Studio: BBC
  
• Blu-ray Release Date: April 9, 2013
• List Price: $24.97

Overall
[Rating:4/5]
The Film
[Rating:4.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:3.5/5]

Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures

(The below TheaterByte screen captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray Discs and losslessly compressed in the PNG format. There should be no loss of picture quality with this format. All screen captures should be regarded only as an approximation of the full capabilities of the Blu-ray format.

The Film

[Rating:4.5/5]

Writer-directors Mike Gunton and Martha Holmes developed this BBC Earth film’s content, based on the theme of birth and life on Planet Earth. For nearly an hour and a half we are given the vast panorama of the varied lifeforms that populate our world, narrated by actor Daniel Craig, better known for his current handling of the James Bond world. The variety of solutions to living in the different geographies of Earth are a continuing source of amazement that is well plumbed by Gunton’s dedicated team of cinematographers. The intimate coverage of each of the species highlighted from Japanese snow monkeys to African elephants is handled in brief chapters, lasting a few minutes each.

The dramatic use of the various cameras adds considerable interest to these vignettes like the discovery of “tools” by a family of Capuchin monkeys or “swimming pools” for the Arrow Frog’s tadpoles.

Video Quality

[Rating:4.5/5]

In the BBC Earth tradition, the cinematography ranges from fabulous to stellar. There are so many close ups that we really get to know each of the animals as we would other human beings. In the hunting scenes, whether a trio of cheetahs taking down an ostrich or a team of komodo dragons slowly killing a water buffalo, we get nature in its most raw, primeval form.

Audio Quality

[Rating:4/5]

The Craig narration is discrete is clear and the read script is intelligible as well as intelligent.  George Fenton’s score is Lion King-esque but appropriate to each segment covered. The surround sound track is immersive and far superior to the lossy Dolby Digital stereo alternative.

Supplemental Materials

[Rating:3.5/5]

A list of bonus material follows (all are in high definition with Dolby Digital Stereo sound):

• The Making of One Life (featuring Daniel Craig) is a 19-minute behind-the-scenes featurette on how this 5-year project came together, behind and in front of the camera.
• Interviews with the Cameramen provide 22 minutes of how each of main cameramen contributed to this film.
• Interviews with the Filmmakers. All of the main contributors to this film present insightful thoughts about this project (36 minutes).
• Michael Gunton on One Life: a 10-minute interview with the film’s principal director
• At the Music Recording: a 3-minute studio view of the recording sessions.
• Behind the Scenes: a 32-minute featurette on how the filmmakers got their sppectacular shots.
• Bonus Shots:Three minutes of brief shots of some of the animals that starred in the film
• Director’s Commentary

The Definitive Word

Overall:

[Rating:4/5]

The transcontinental struggles of so many different species are superbly captured in One Life.  It is hard to imagine the dedication that the film crew must have had to cover these stories at their most intense moments. The BBC Earth series rarely, if ever, disappoints its viewers, and One Life is no exception.  Although its running time is rather short, compared to most of the other sets in this series, its content never loses interest and its cinematography, as good as it gets. Another great watch from the folks at BBC.

Additional Screen Captures

[amazon-product]B00B5AAW84[/amazon-product]

Purchase One Life on Blu-ray Combo Pack at CD Universe

Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com

[amazon-product]B00B5AAW84[/amazon-product]

Purchase One Life on Blu-ray Combo Pack at CD Universe

Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com

Overall
[Rating:4/5]
The Film
[Rating:4.5/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:3.5/5]