Galápagos

In the classic tradition of Blue Planet: Seas of Life and Planet Earth, this exquisite three-part BBC nature/wildlife series explores the Galápagos (the "Islands of the Tortoises"), a uniquely diverse "microcosm of our planet." Soothingly narrated by British actress Tilda Swinton, the series consists of three 50-minute episodes, beginning with a basic overview of the islands (which straddle the equator 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador) as a "geological conveyer belt" of volcanic islands and islets that actually move since they are pushed by one of the planet's tectonic plates. Home to the famous giant tortoises, the Galápagos are a magnificent example of nature's ability to adapt and evolve, teeming with life above and below the surface of the Pacific. Virtually all of the island wildlife is examined in detail (flamingoes, seals, penguins, marine iguanas, finches, frigate birds, owls, the dive-bombing blue-footed boobies, etc.) in addition to the varied landscapes they inhabit, from the volcanic "hell on earth" of the older islands to the vibrant, forest-covered splendor of the larger, younger ones. Charles Darwin's historic explorations of the islands (which inspired The Origin of the Species) are here elevated to legendary status (complete with heroic crescendos on the soundtrack), and Galápagos closes with an inevitable warning about the destructive influence of tourism. For the most part, however, Galápagos is a celebration of an isolated and still mostly-pristine haven for some of the most fascinating flora and fauna on the planet, including a truly mind-boggling array of bizarre deep-sea invertebrates that travel near the Galápagos archipelago on warm ocean currents. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Shannon)