The First Eden

1987

Seasons & Episodes

  • 1

EP1 The Making of the Garden Mar 08, 1987

David Attenborough travels from France to Syria to explore the Mediterranean. The opener charts the creation of the sea's basin and surveys the area's wildlife, including chameleons, porcupines, flamingos, spoonbills, storks and monkeys.

EP2 The Gods Enslaved Mar 15, 1987

Changing attitudes toward animals. Included: the worship of bulls and birds in ancient Egypt; the use of animals in spectator sports during the Roman Empire. Also: a visit to Crete to see olive oil being made and men diving for sponges. David Attenborough hosts.

EP3 The Wastes of War Mar 22, 1987

David Attenborough visits Jordan, Spain, Italy and Malta. Included: the Arabs' passion for horses, which were the key to the spread of Islam in Spain; the devastation of forests in Spain for sheep pastures and in Italy for shipbuilding.

EP4 Strangers in the Garden Mar 29, 1987

How pollution and exploitation, including oil spills and sewage dumping, have endangered wildlife and the Mediterranean terrain. Also: visits to areas where animals still live safely, such as the coasts of Majorca and Tunisia.
8| 0h30m| en| More Info
Released: 08 March 1987 Ended
Producted By:
Country: United Kingdom
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p002wnbp
Synopsis

David Attenborough presents the history and natural history of the Mediterranean lands.

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Reviews

TheLittleSongbird As said many times, David Attenborough is a national treasure. He may apparently dislike the term, but it is hard to not say that about such a great presenter who has contributed significantly to some of the best programmes (of the documentary genre and overall) the BBC has ever aired/produced.It is really hard picking favourites, let alone a definite favourite, among what Attenborough has done because he has done so many gems, it is the equivalent of trying to choose your favourite ice cream flavour or your favourite operatic role (for examples) and finding you can't pick. While 'The First Eden' may not be among Attenborough's finest work, it is still fascinating with everything that makes his documentaries so good evident. The Mediterranean, the people, mankind's relationship with nature and the environment, the natural world, the wildlife and its history make for riveting viewing and spoken about in a way that is remarkably detailed and comprehensive in typical Attenborough fashion.The final episode of 'The First Eden' takes on a more sombre tone, while it's beautiful and moving it jars also a little bit too with the tone of the rest of the series.Visually, 'The First Eden' looks great. It is beautifully filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate, way and never looking static. The editing is always succinct and smooth and the scenery is spectacular. It's beautifully and fittingly scored too.As always with Attenborough documentaries, 'The First Eden' does a great job teaching and entertaining, never ceasing to fascinate.Narration and the presenting by Attenborough helps significantly. He clearly knows his stuff and knows what to say and how to say it. He delivers it with his usual richness, soft-spoken enthusiasm and sincerity, never talking down to the viewer and keeping them riveted and wanting to know more.There's as always a wide range of emotions from tense conflict, awe and tear-jerking pathos. Nothing is episodic and it's all paced and structured beautifully.In summary, another great Attenborough documentary series. 9/10 Bethany Cox