This 2-Minute Documentary By David Attenborough Combines Poetry And Nature

Sep 27, 2019 by apost team

If you’ve never watched What a Wonderful World with David Attenborough, then you’re in for a real treat. Sir David Frederick Attenborough is a well-renowned natural historian, and this particular two-minute video is narrated by him. It originally aired on BBC One, and it is now shown in classrooms around the world as well as being available across the Internet.

Perhaps what sets this video apart from so many other nature videos is the human poetry that accompanies the natural poetry.

These scenes are set to the lyrics of What a Wonderful World, which was written by George David Weiss and Bob Thiele. It was originally recorded by Louis Armstrong, and that recording was so impactful and iconic that it has inspired many covers since.

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David Attenborough has a wonderful way of speaking that is just ideal for videos like this one. Rather than sing What a Wonderful World, he puts his own spin on it. He recites much the way you would recite a poem during a reading at a local cafe.

It really speaks to the underlying poetry of the lyrics, and it provides a perfect accompaniment to the story about to unfold.

This clip was aired as part of the Frozen Planet finale. It made a powerful statement in that regard. It makes a powerful statement as a standalone piece. The editor of this video deserves much credit as well.

The editor is not directly credited, but he or she has done an amazing job here of pairing these beautiful scenes to these lines within the song that are not only beautiful but wonderful complements.

Attenborough has hosted many natures series over the years, including The Living Planet. Reflecting on his career, Attenborough once said that he wished “the world was twice as big and half of it was still unexplored.” But for many of us, this video is a wonderful indication that even at the size it is, there is so much wonder out there that we still need to experience.

Did you enjoy the video? Had you seen it before or was this your first time? Please take a moment to tell us your thoughts and how this beloved video made you feel.