Situated off of the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos Islands are unique in that because of their geographical characteristics they are essentially in a constant state of evolution. Thanks to the waves, the ocean currents and the undersea volcanoes that all collide in the area, the islands are constantly dying and being reborn. In 2006, the BBC and National Geographic teamed up to shoot a documentary in high definition to capture the unique and savage beauty of the area - the result is Galapagos, a one hundred and fifty minute feature split into three distinct parts.

We start off with Born Of Fire, explains in great detail how the Galapagos Islands were formed by volcanic activity in the area and how volcanoes have continued to play a role in the constant evolution of the area. We also get to meet the unusual Marine Iguana, a lizard that feeds off of fish in the sea. We learn how the iguanas in turn create a habitat for a few species of crab that live in the area and how the seals in the area create a habitat for some of the species of lizards that are indigenous to the region.

Islands That Change The World is up next. Here we get a look at many of the different types of animals that inhabit the area and we learn how Charles Darwin studied the Galapagos Islands before writing The Origin Of The Species. We learn about the exploration of the islands and their influence on the world of science.

The third and final part of the documentary, Forces Of Change, explains how the islands continue to evolve and how they will likely never stop. We also learn how various different forms of plant and animal life have learned to adopt to the ever-changing geography around them and how their environment has forced their very biology to evolve.

Narrated quite nicely by actress Tilda Swinton, Galapagos is both travelogue and educational feature. As we learn about the history of the islands and life forms that call them home, we're treated to some absolutely gorgeous cinematography that captures the area in all its natural, unspoiled glory. Every shot in this feature is amazing - from the close-ups of the crabs feasting on scraps to the underwater footage to the shots that showcase the volcanic rock formations, this feature is simply beautiful in every possible way to the point where watching this footage can become an emotional experience. The high definition images are engrossing, engaging and wonderfully revelatory and Swinton's narration keeps it all in fascinating context.

All thirteen pieces of land that make up the Galapagos Islands are showcased here, though some get more coverage and simple things such as a tortoise moving or an owl swooping in become magnificent spectacles thanks to the sheer power of the images contained here. After viewing the feature you'll not only have a better understanding of what makes these islands important but you'll also come to appreciate and understand exactly why the area played such a huge part in Darwin's famous book. The narration, the information, the cinematography and the location shooting all add up to a truly memorable viewing experience that can be enjoyed time and time again by young and old alike. While it doesn't have the scope that Planet Earth does, it works on a very similar level and it's probably a safe bet that if you enjoyed one, you'll enjoy the other.

Video:

The duel layer HD-DVD is presented in 1.77.1 anamorphic widescreen encoded in VC-1 1080p. Image quality is uniformly excellent across the board. There are some really minute compression artifacts slightly noticeable in some of the darker scenes but you really have to be looking for them as they don't stand out much at all. Color reproduction is stunning, the blue and green hues in particular, and there is an amazing amount of detail present throughout playback. There are no problems with edge enhancement at all nor is there any shimmering. The cinematography employed in the feature is stunning and thankfully this transfer does it all justice - the image is breathtakingly beautiful.