As said many times, David Attenborough is a national treasure. He may apparently dislike the term, but it is hard to not say that about such a great presenter who has contributed significantly to some of the best programmes (of the documentary genre and overall) the BBC has ever aired/produced.
It is really hard picking favourites, let alone a definite favourite, among what Attenborough has done because he has done so many gems, it is the equivalent of trying to choose your favourite ice cream flavour or your favourite operatic role (for examples) and finding you can't pick. 'The Lost Gods of Easter Island' is one of the one-off specials featured on the "Attenborough in Paradise and Other Personal Voyages" DVD, and it is another treasure that should get more exposure. It's not one of the wildlife/animal documentaries of his that connect with me somewhat more on an emotional level but Attenborough's "change of pace" efforts are all worth seeing and that is the case with 'The Lost Gods of Easter Island'.
'The Lost Gods of Easter Island' manages to make a "tracing of origin" story truly enthralling, the origin of the idol stuff is really entertaining and well-researched, and the educational insights into the Islands themselves and the reasons for their fall truly fascinate in a way that pretty much only Attenborough can do.
Visually, 'The Lost Gods of Easter Island' as always with Attenborough's work looks great. It is beautifully filmed, done in a completely fluid and natural, sometimes intimate, way and never looking static. The editing is always succinct and smooth and the scenery is spectacular.
Regarding the content, it's very entertaining and thought-provoking. The presenting 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. Nothing is episodic, and if there is an ever so minor complaint it is that it did feel to me a little too short.
Overall, excellent. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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