From Exploitation to Restoration

: How Attenborough’s Environmental Narrative Has Changed Since 1954

Abstract

In the last decade, a strong new narrative of environmental restoration has entered landmark wildlife films from the BBC Natural History Unit, but there has been little research into the emergence of this narrative and the environmental messages throughout Sir David Attenborough’s career. Through analysis of BBC archival materials and key natural history series, this thesis will assess the primary narratives in each of Attenborough’s three major series collections since he first appeared on screen in 1954. It will argue that Zoo Quest had an underlying narrative of environmental exploitation throughout, but also that the subtle narrative of care towards the animals was built upon throughout Attenborough’s career. The Life Collection introduced a strong narrative of science and discovery, and this new collaboration with science was an important development that would later see landmark natural history series perceived as a relevant medium for environmental science to be communicated to the masses. The Planet Collection prioritised a narrative of spectacle, and environmental narratives were pushed out of its early series due to fears that, in previous attempts, the depressing description of environmental degradation was causing viewers to ‘turn-off’. Blue Planet II is highlighted as an important series in the history of wildlife filmmaking as it successfully combined environmentalism and entertainment for the first time by prioritising positive stories of environmental restoration. This thesis furthers understanding of the environmental history of wildlife filmmaking and can be applied to future science communication in natural history films.

Date of Award	30 Sept 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bristol
Supervisor	Andrew J P Flack (Supervisor) & Marianna R Dudley (Supervisor)