The Blue Planet

The Blue Planet

A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE OCEANS.

Ended First aired 12/Sep/2001 United Kingdom English 2 season(s) 31 episode(s)
Documentary
Sir David Attenborough narrates this critically acclaimed series that dives deep into the marine environment of Planet Earth. Although two-thirds of the world's surface is covered with water, scientists know less about the oceans than they do about the surface of the moon. This limited series travels from various coasts to the poles to examine watery denizens ranging from the gigantic blue whale to microscopic coral polyps.
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Seasons & Episodes

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Season 1 · The Blue Planet
8 episode(s) · Air date: 12/Sep/2001
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Season Overview

The Blue Planet is a British nature documentary series created and produced by the BBC. It premiered on 12 September 2001 in the United Kingdom. It is narrated by David Attenborough. Described as "the first ever comprehensive series on the natural history of the world's oceans", each of the eight 50-minute episodes examines a different aspect of marine life. The underwater photography included creatures and behaviour that had previously never been filmed.

Season Overview

The Blue Planet is a British nature documentary series created and produced by the BBC. It premiered on 12 September 2001 in the United Kingdom. It is narrated by David Attenborough. Described as "the first ever comprehensive series on the natural history of the world's oceans", each of the eight 50-minute episodes examines a different aspect of marine life. The underwater photography included creatures and behaviour that had previously never been filmed.

S1E8
Coasts
Air date: 31/Oct/2001 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

From rocky cliffs to gentle dunes, the coasts are always changing. Day in and day out, they are battered by crashing waves. Seabirds come here by the thousands to nest, while baby turtles hatch and race to the sea, pursued by hungry predators. Young sea lion pups are born and play on the sand - until a killer whale attacks, crashing in on the surf. But when breeding season is over, life returns to the sea and the shores are empty once again.

Summary

From rocky cliffs to gentle dunes, the coasts are always changing. Day in and day out, they are battered by crashing waves. Seabirds come here by the thousands to nest, while baby turtles hatch and race to the sea, pursued by hungry predators. Young sea lion pups are born and play on the sand - until a killer whale attacks, crashing in on the surf. But when breeding season is over, life returns to the sea and the shores are empty once again.

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S1E7
Tidal Seas
Air date: 24/Oct/2001 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

The sun and moon move billions of tons of water with every turn of the tide. The strongest tides empty entire bays, smash trees on riverbanks, and strand sea creatures on suddenly dry land. Weaker tides control the movements of huge numbers of fish, coaxing stingrays though astounding underwater arches. And as the water recedes, the tide can create unbelievable landscapes - like a sparkling world of salt crystals inhabited only by tiny shrimp and bright pink flamingos.

Summary

The sun and moon move billions of tons of water with every turn of the tide. The strongest tides empty entire bays, smash trees on riverbanks, and strand sea creatures on suddenly dry land. Weaker tides control the movements of huge numbers of fish, coaxing stingrays though astounding underwater arches. And as the water recedes, the tide can create unbelievable landscapes - like a sparkling world of salt crystals inhabited only by tiny shrimp and bright pink flamingos.

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S1E6
Coral Seas
Air date: 17/Oct/2001 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

Bathed in bright sunlight and warm clear water, the coral reef is a rich oasis of life - the rainforest of the sea. Bizarrely adorned harlequin shrimp carry off a starfish several times their size, while haunting songs reverberate around the reef, heralding the arrival of humpback whales. Shimmering schools of brightly colored fish battle for territory in this competitive world where you have to stand out to survive.

Summary

Bathed in bright sunlight and warm clear water, the coral reef is a rich oasis of life - the rainforest of the sea. Bizarrely adorned harlequin shrimp carry off a starfish several times their size, while haunting songs reverberate around the reef, heralding the arrival of humpback whales. Shimmering schools of brightly colored fish battle for territory in this competitive world where you have to stand out to survive.

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S1E5
Seasonal Seas
Air date: 10/Oct/2001 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

As the days grow longer, billions of microscopic plankton bloom under the blazing sun. Here in the temperate seas, three-ton basking sharks graze among forests of giant kelp - the fastest growing plant in the world. The forests harbor thousands of other animals, including sea otters, brilliantly colored anemones, squid, and exquisite leafy dragons. But as the year wears on, storms rage in the icy sea... a desperate challenge for the animals that remain.

Summary

As the days grow longer, billions of microscopic plankton bloom under the blazing sun. Here in the temperate seas, three-ton basking sharks graze among forests of giant kelp - the fastest growing plant in the world. The forests harbor thousands of other animals, including sea otters, brilliantly colored anemones, squid, and exquisite leafy dragons. But as the year wears on, storms rage in the icy sea... a desperate challenge for the animals that remain.

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S1E4
Frozen Seas
Air date: 03/Oct/2001 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

An environment where only the toughest survive, the Arctic and Antarctic are unrelenting habitats. Only in spring does life begin again. Plankton blooms and feeds fast hordes of migrating fish, walruses rake the seabed for clams, and minke and humpback whales gorge themselves on gigantic swarms of krill. But it is a brief spring feast - the ice soon returns and pushes life back into the ocean.

Summary

An environment where only the toughest survive, the Arctic and Antarctic are unrelenting habitats. Only in spring does life begin again. Plankton blooms and feeds fast hordes of migrating fish, walruses rake the seabed for clams, and minke and humpback whales gorge themselves on gigantic swarms of krill. But it is a brief spring feast - the ice soon returns and pushes life back into the ocean.

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S1E3
Open Ocean
Air date: 26/Sep/2001 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

In the immense space of the open ocean the sea bed is a staggering five miles below the surface and the nearest island is over 300 miles away. Yet here live many of the most spectacular predators in the ocean. Marvel as you experience ruthless and beautiful battles between hunter and prey.

Summary

In the immense space of the open ocean the sea bed is a staggering five miles below the surface and the nearest island is over 300 miles away. Yet here live many of the most spectacular predators in the ocean. Marvel as you experience ruthless and beautiful battles between hunter and prey.

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S1E2
The Deep
Air date: 19/Sep/2001 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

A place of mountain ranges, perpetual night, pressures extremes and cold... and the weirdest life forms on our planet. Dive into the depths of the ocean, an eerie world where predators with teeth so large they can't even close their mouths, chase bio-luminescent creatures of the deep. Discover the spectacular smoking chimneys of the hydrothermal vents. Go deeper down than you have ever been...

Summary

A place of mountain ranges, perpetual night, pressures extremes and cold... and the weirdest life forms on our planet. Dive into the depths of the ocean, an eerie world where predators with teeth so large they can't even close their mouths, chase bio-luminescent creatures of the deep. Discover the spectacular smoking chimneys of the hydrothermal vents. Go deeper down than you have ever been...

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S1E1
Introduction
Air date: 12/Sep/2001 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

Experience the power of the blue whale - the largest mammal ever to grace our planet. Learn how the sun and moon help control and tame the ocean. Travel far and wide - from the Eastern Pacific to Alaska, from the Bering Sea to the shores of Southern California - and begin to understand the complexity and power of our oceans.

Summary

Experience the power of the blue whale - the largest mammal ever to grace our planet. Learn how the sun and moon help control and tame the ocean. Travel far and wide - from the Eastern Pacific to Alaska, from the Bering Sea to the shores of Southern California - and begin to understand the complexity and power of our oceans.

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Season 0 · Specials
23 episode(s) · Air date: 12/Sep/2001
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Season Overview

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S0E15
Being There: Between the Tides
Air date: 02/Oct/2007 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 10 min
Summary

"Being There: Between the Tides" shows the interactions between wildlife and various water bodies, along the same lines as the main feature.

Summary

"Being There: Between the Tides" shows the interactions between wildlife and various water bodies, along the same lines as the main feature.

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S0E14
Being There: Antarctica
Air date: 02/Oct/2007 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 10 min
Summary

Accompanied by dramatic historical narration, "Being There: Antarctica" takes viewers on a visual journey of the landscape and wildlife of Antarctica.

Summary

Accompanied by dramatic historical narration, "Being There: Antarctica" takes viewers on a visual journey of the landscape and wildlife of Antarctica.

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S0E13
The Blue Planet: Amazon Abyss
Air date: 03/Oct/2005 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

"Amazon Abyss" explores the world beneath the surface of the Amazon River. Until this feature was filmed, no one had ever explored the depths of the Amazon due to the harsh conditions. The Amazon's swift and treacherous currents and dark water, stained by sediment, conceals ¼ ton Cayman alligators, stingrays, piranhas and anacondas. Veteran divers and naturalists braved the challenge to explore this new frontier.

Summary

"Amazon Abyss" explores the world beneath the surface of the Amazon River. Until this feature was filmed, no one had ever explored the depths of the Amazon due to the harsh conditions. The Amazon's swift and treacherous currents and dark water, stained by sediment, conceals ¼ ton Cayman alligators, stingrays, piranhas and anacondas. Veteran divers and naturalists braved the challenge to explore this new frontier.

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S0E12
The Blue Planet: Dive to Shark Volcano
Air date: 03/Oct/2005 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

"Dive to Shark Volcano" joins divers on a search for seven species of sharks in seven days near Cocos Island, 300 miles off the coast of Costa Rica.

Summary

"Dive to Shark Volcano" joins divers on a search for seven species of sharks in seven days near Cocos Island, 300 miles off the coast of Costa Rica.

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S0E11
The Blue Planet: The Abyss
Air date: 03/Oct/2005 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

Cameras are sent to the last great frontier on our planet - the deep sea - to reveal an amazing world including rare footage of the most incredible sea-life.

Summary

Cameras are sent to the last great frontier on our planet - the deep sea - to reveal an amazing world including rare footage of the most incredible sea-life.

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S0E10
The Blue Planet: Deep Trouble
Air date: 05/May/2002 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 50 min
Summary

The combination of overfishing and modern technology has depleted fish stocks across the world's oceans. The program explores the problems, and offers several solutions to the problems.

Summary

The combination of overfishing and modern technology has depleted fish stocks across the world's oceans. The program explores the problems, and offers several solutions to the problems.

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S0E9
The Blue Planet: Making Waves
Air date: 03/Dec/2001 · Time: 21:00 · Runtime: 49 min
Summary

The making of The Blue Planet. NB: This episode is made up of clips taken from the previous 8 "Making Waves" episodes (which each cover one episode of the main series) - there is no new material.

Summary

The making of The Blue Planet. NB: This episode is made up of clips taken from the previous 8 "Making Waves" episodes (which each cover one episode of the main series) - there is no new material.

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Cast

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David Attenborough
David Attenborough
Self - Narrator (voice)

Crew

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Robert Fulton
Robert Fulton
Additional Photography, Cinematography
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Rick Rosenthal
Camera Operator, Cinematography
Alastair Fothergill
Alastair Fothergill
Director, Producer
George Fenton
George Fenton
Original Music Composer

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