Saw the 'Wildlife' specials as a big fan of the national treasure that is David Attenborough. As much as he may dislike the term it is a perfect way to sum him up, with his best works being documentary masterpieces and masterpieces in general.
There are twenty two of these specials in total, fourteen listed under 'Wildlife Specials' and the others listed as one-offs. Eighteen of these up to 2008 were narrated/presented by Attenborough, the others ('Polar Bear: Spy on the Ice', 'Penguins: Spy in the Huddle', 'Swarm: Nature's Incredible Invasion', and 'Dolphins: Spy in the Pod')up to 2014 by David Tennant. All are must sees, have a preference for Attenborough's work here (being more familiar with his work and being a big fan of it) but Tennant's contributions are very well done too.
As has been indicated, 'Wildlife Specials' is highly recommended for nature lovers, documentary lovers and those who love Attenborough, also a good way of being introduced to Tennant's narrative work. It is very diverse/varied, looks great and shows a great deal of technological advancement in the camera work. This is apparent in "Elephants: Spy in the Herd", this time dealing with elephants, their physical and psychological qualities, the different kinds of them and how they adapt and survive in their varied habitats.
First and foremost, "Elephants: Spy in the Herd" looks amazing. It is gorgeously filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate (a great way of connecting even more with the elephants), way and never looking static. In fact much of it is remarkably cinematic and intimate, the hidden spy camera is used cleverly and feels like the viewer is a presence amongst the herd but as a spy invisible to the elephants. The editing is always succinct and smooth and the scenery is pure magic.
The music score fits very well, never overly grandiose while never being inappropriate with some lovely sound.
"Elephants: Spy in the Herd" fascinates, teaches, moves, entertains and transfixes. In terms of the facts there was a very good mix of the known ones and the unknown, of the well known species and more rare ones, some facts being familiar to us while also dealing with the subject with tact. Their intelligence comes out on screen crystal clear and how they live and their cultural aspects are handled in a way that does illuminate. We know of some of the stuff that is talked about but it is rarely seen and it is amazing that they were filmed in the first place and so intimately that you feel like a spy in the herd yourself.
Narration 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. Some may not find that the 'Wildlife Specials' treating the respective animals in a human-like way in all the instalments to their taste, personally love it myself and it made it easier connecting and relating to the animals and the things covered.
It's not just visually beautiful and informative. The elephants featured are great to look at, truly majestic and more complex than they seem, with a mix of playfulness, pathos and ruthlessness. "Elephants: Spy in the Herd" also displays a wide range of emotions and found myself really caring for everything that was shown to us on screen. The baby elephants were adorable. The conflict has genuine tension and suspense in seeing moments of ferocity with the inter-herd jealousy, seeing how the elephants adapt and survive amidst much adversity, there is some charm seeing the behaviours and how they mate, though treated more sympathetically than most animals featured in the 'Wildlife Specials' there is a lot of personality. Found myself really caring for what is said and shown to us and the battle for territory was something one is surprised was filmed. Likewise with the birth.
"Elephants: Spy in the Herd" doesn't feel like an episodic stringing of scenes, but instead like the best nature documentaries it feels like its own story and journey, with real, complex emotions and conflicts.
Overall, one of the quintessential documentaries focused on elephants. 10/10 Bethany Cox
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