Some of the most memorable wildlife sequences from two BBC landmark series are brought together in Planet Earth: A Celebration, a 2020 documentary special presented by Sir David Attenborough. The footage is familiar; the narration and the music are new.

What is Planet Earth: A Celebration about?

The special draws its material from Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II, picking out highlights from both and arranging them into a single 58-minute programme. Attenborough guides the viewer from one habitat to the next, on land and under the sea, with commentary recorded for this edition. What sets it apart from a simple compilation is the soundtrack. Hans Zimmer and Jacob Shea wrote a fresh score for the selected scenes, and it is performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra with the artist Dave also featured. The result is the same animal behaviour audiences saw in the original series, heard in a different way.

About the cast

David Attenborough is the one name attached to this title in the catalogue, listed both as director and as the on-screen credit. His voice is the constant thread of the programme. The music credits are just as central to this edition: composers Hans Zimmer and Jacob Shea, the BBC Concert Orchestra, and Dave as a featured performer.

Context & significance

Planet Earth: A Celebration is a United Kingdom production classed as a documentary and a family title, and it works for both purposes. For people who already know Planet Earth II and Blue Planet II, it is a compact way to revisit favourite scenes with new music behind them. For households that have never watched either series, it serves as an introduction that fits inside an hour and is suitable for children and adults to watch together. Because it is a selection of highlights and not a new expedition, it does not need to be seen in any order or alongside other episodes. It stands among the most warmly received titles in the documentary section of the catalogue.

Watching Planet Earth: A Celebration on Ktime

K-Time offers Planet Earth: A Celebration with a Persian dub, which makes it easy to watch with family members of any age who prefer Farsi. To start playback, log in to your K-Time account; reading this page does not require one. The service is designed for Persian speakers living abroad and can be used entirely in Farsi.