British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Earth - The Power of the Planet (5 Parts)

Synopsis
This series uses specialist imaging to tell the life story of our planet, how it works, and what makes it so special. Examining the great forces that shape the Earth - volcanoes, the ocean, the atmosphere and ice - the programme explores their central roles in our planet’'s story. How do these forces affect the Earth’'s landscape, its climate, and its history? CGI gives the audience a ringside seat at these great events, while the final episode brings together all the themes of the series and argues that Earth is an exceptionally rare kind of planet - giving us a special responsibility to look after our unique world. This is a series that shows the Earth in new and surprising ways. Extensive use of satellite imagery reveals new views of our planet, while timelapse filmed over many months brings the planet to life.
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Year of release
2008
Year of production
2007
Notes
Broadcast in 5 parts on BBC2, beginning 20/11/2007. Broadcast in HD.
Subjects
Earth Science; Geography; Geology
Keywords
earth; Geology; physical geography

Credits

Contributor
Iain Stewart

Distribution Formats

Type
DVD
Format
Region 0, HD DVD
Price
£625.00
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
5x50 mins
Year
2008

Sections

Title
Volcano
Synopsis
Volcanoes have a fearsome reputation. In reality, they are the most important force in the creation of the planet as we know it today. Abseiling into a lava lake and cave-diving in a cenote, this episode shows how the heat that fuels volcanoes also drives some of the most fundamental processes on the planet.
Duration
50 mins

Title
Atmosphere
Synopsis
This episode ventures into the stratosphere in a Cold War fighter, travels to Siberia and discovers why Argentina is one of the stormiest places on Earth. All to show why our atmosphere is unique and utterly crucial for life.
Duration
50 mins

Title
Ice
Synopsis
Ice may be nothing more than frozen water but it holds extraordinary power. Descending 150m down a frozen waterfall, this episode looks at a glacier in action from below and discovers why the huge Jacobshaven glacier is retreating, how it shaped our past and why it may now threaten our future.
Duration
50 mins

Title
Oceans
Synopsis
Travelling from Hawaii to the Amazon and Ethiopia and then on to the Mediterranean, this episode tells the story of the oceans - fierce waves, huge tidal bores, global currents and the future dangers of global warming.
Duration
50 mins

Title
Rare Earth
Synopsis
This final episode looks at the big picture of Earth’s place in Space. It has taken four-and-a-half billion years and several great catastrophes to turn it from a barren rock to the unique planet we know today.
Duration
50 mins

Production Company

Name

BBC Television

Distributor

Name

BBC Active Video for Learning - now BBC Learning

Contact
Carolina Fernandez Jeremy Wilcox (CF - for educational enquiries JW - channel sales manager)
Email
BBCStudiosLearning@bbc.com
Web
https://www.bbcstudioslearning.com/ External site opens in new window
Phone
+44 (0) 20 8433 1009
Address
BBC Studios Limited
Television Centre
101 Wood Lane
London
W12 7FA
UK
Notes
The BBC Active company has now been absorbed within BBC Learning, a division of BBC Studios. It was originally a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Pearson Education. Formerly known as ‘BBC Worldwide Learning Studies’ and before that as ‘Videos for Education & Training’

Record Stats

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