STARS: Robert Winston, Australopithecus Aforensis, Paranthropus Boisei, (Homo?) Habilis, Homo Ergaster, Homo Erectus, Homo Heidelbergensis, Homo Neanderthal, Homo Sapien.

STORY

The really cool thing about the `Walking With” series of BBC documentaries is that you get to take a peek into previously `unseen’ worlds, bringing dry scientific research to life - off the library shelf and onto our screens as a unique visual journey. Don’t be misled by the title, though - the series director makes a point of stating that the decision to use the term `cavemen’ has more to do with the general perception of our distant ancestors rather than the reality. Many did not dwell in caves, but the image sticks. Has anyone out there seen that great little claymation series called `Gogs’, for instance? Well, anyway - Robert Winston not only narrates the journey through our past as told through the fossil record, but comes face-to-face with it, starting with the first known bipeds, Aforensis - definitely more ape than man - and ending with Homo Sapiens - US!

Many actors were used in the making of this series, and were subjected to a ten week training schedule that required voice and movement coaching to bring the fascinating cast of `characters’ to life. Then came the huge make-up sessions that transform them into our hairy, apelike relatives, complete with animatronic bits to add to the authenticity of the look. All in all, pretty amazing transformations occur. All this because the producers felt that computer generated versions of our ancestors would not cut the mustard - too fake! Thank heavens for that decision.

Filmed in Africa (where most of the fossils of early man have been discovered) and Iceland (to recreate the world of the Ice Age Neanderthals), we are shown how these creatures hunted, used tools, communicated and developed social heirarchies to maximise their chances of survival. I couldn’t help but notice the dominance of the alpha male, and the fact that almost all of our ancestors were natural omnivores. A bummer for all those vegetarian feminists out there. Still - that’s what we modern humans have a mind for - we can actually choose to go against what may arguably be our natural instincts. No other creature on this planet can presumably claim that. It’s amazing what the human animal has achieved in a relatively short time on this planet. Let’s face it, we’re still a GROUP of scavenging opportunists with an instinct for manipulating the environment to suit our needs. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

EXTRAS

You get the basic scene selection options, and also several 5-10 minute interviews with various production staff that gives you an idea of the requirements for and difficulties experienced in this ambitious series. It’s bizarre to listen to a couple of actresses talking in pommy accents about how best to eat their lunch when kitted out as ancient ape-human hybrids.

The `fact files’ are also great for summaries of the different names, characteristics, timeframes and achievements of our early relatives. I’ve used them to help with writing the story section of the review.

Also CHECK out the Photo Gallery - you will probably NEVER see me recommend this again; the galleries are usually so boring, but they’re almost funny in this, due to the pin-up style shots you get of the various `stars’ of the series. Mmmmn - what groovy apes!

There’s also a section on animatics, storyboard comparisons and the musical score. There is only a subtitle on/off option, and that language is English. A little disappointing on that note. Essentially, there’s enough information in the extras to interest without overwhelming the viewer. It’s all in nice little bite-size pieces!

OVERALL

I’ve always enjoyed BBC documentaries, and this one is up to the usual high standard. Taking us back about 4 million years, we see the evolution of human beings from ape to modern man. Using actors, digital technology, pioneering prosthetics and animatics to recreate the appearance and behaviour of our ancestors within their environment, this program lays bare the critical factors that combined to create humanity as we know it. There are loads of facts based on the understanding of experts from fields as varied as primatology, paleoclimatology, anthropology and genetics.

This DVD is great for any age, and I watched this series of four 30-minute episodes in one sitting with a sense of awe at how amazing evolution is, and how easy it is to take our uniqueness for granted. What separates us from the so-called beasts? Imagination. Doesn’t sound so amazing, but everything we experience and create in the modern world is a result of this momentous leap in brain chemistry. It’s freaky.

The extras add around another hour to the package, and make you realise how much preparation has gone into this project. Lots. Presented in 16:9 widescreen, with DD 2.0, I totally recommend indulging your curiosity and getting this DVD. English subtitles only.

Please note that this would not make a good gift for God-fearing Creationists for two reasons. Firstly, evolution is a lot of hogwash, and some nakedness also happens which is shameful, right?