South Pacific

South Pacific is a British nature documentary series from the BBC Natural History Unit, which began airing on BBC Two on 10 May 2009. The six-part series surveys the natural history of the islands of the South Pacific region, including many of the coral atolls and New Zealand. It was filmed entirely in high-definition. South Pacific was co-produced by the Discovery Channel and the series producer was Huw Cordey. It is narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch. Filming took place over 18 months in a variety of remote locations around the Pacific including: Anuta, Banks Islands, French Frigate Shoals, Papua New Guinea, Palmyra, Kingman Reef, Tuvalu, Palau, Caroline Islands, Tuamotus and Tanna Island in Vanuatu. On 6 May 2009, BBC Worldwide released a short clip of big wave surfer Dylan Longbottom surfing in slow motion, high-definition footage as a preview of the series, attracting extremely positive reactions on the video sharing website YouTube. The series was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc on 15 June 2009. At the end of each fifty-minute episode, a ten-minute featurette takes a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of filming the series. The series was released by Discovery International in the USA under the title Wild Pacific, with narration provided by Mike Rowe.

South Pacific (2009) is a British nature documentary miniseries produced by the BBC Natural History Unit for BBC Two, co-produced with the Discovery Channel. Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, the six-part series follows no characters but instead surveys the wildlife, reefs, and landscapes of the South Pacific, from coral atolls to the islands of Vanuatu, Palau, and Tuvalu and New Zealand. Filming spanned eighteen months in remote locations across the Pacific, with crews chasing seabirds, marine life, and island ecosystems through high-definition lenses. Its engine is discovery itself: each episode moves from one remote shoreline to the next, revealing animal behaviour and the rhythms of tides and seasons. Slow motion surf footage and sweeping aerial vistas give the series a wondrous, contemplative register, warm and unhurried rather than urgent. Viewers who enjoy Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and Frozen Planet will find the same awe-struck, cinematic approach to the natural world. A single season of six fifty-minute episodes, it suits anyone drawn to vivid, meditative television about oceans and islands.

Critics broadly admire the series' high-definition cinematography and Benedict Cumberbatch's narration, while considering it a worthy but less ambitious companion to the Planet Earth family of nature documentaries.

• Planet Earthnature documentary natural history wonder, cinematic wildlife and landscape photography
• Blue Planetnature documentary natural history wonder, ocean and coastal ecosystems
• Frozen Planetnature documentary narrated natural history, awe toward remote wilderness

Release Date

2009-05-10

Episode runtime

50 min

Rating

8.7 / 10 (42)

What is South Pacific about?

A six-part BBC nature documentary surveying the wildlife and islands of the South Pacific, narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch.

What is South Pacific like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of South Pacific as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as simple.

Is South Pacific violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in South Pacific.

What did critics think of South Pacific?

Critics broadly admire the series' high-definition cinematography and Benedict Cumberbatch's narration, while considering it a worthy but less ambitious companion to the Planet Earth family of nature documentaries.

Which shows are like South Pacific?

Shows with a similar feel include Planet Earth, Blue Planet, and Frozen Planet.

How long is South Pacific?

South Pacific: 1 season, 6 episodes.

Is South Pacific still running?

No, South Pacific has ended.

Where can I watch South Pacific?

In United States, South Pacific is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home.