Ocean with David Attenborough: Film Review - 10/10

“This is the story of our ocean and how we must write its next chapter together. For if we save the sea, we save our world. After a lifetime of filming our planet, I’m sure that nothing is more important.”
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David Attenborough requires no introduction. He is one of my all time heroes. I’ve known his soothing, almost hypnotic voice since my parents bought their first television. It’s a voice that has guided millions, educating audiences on the wonders of the natural world and the urgent need to protect it.

Ocean with David Attenborough is a powerful documentary film from Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios and set for release as a global cinema event from 8 May 2025, which also coincides with David Attenborough’s 99th birthday. Luna Cinemas invited Fremantle Shipping News to the preview on 7 April – thank you.

Ocean with David Attenborough took me on a breathtaking immersive cinematography journey from the icy oceans of the poles to remote coral islands—a fragile place of life, wonder and surprise. Sir David explained that ‘there is nowhere more vital for our survival than the ocean.’ The documentary explores the planet’s undersea habitats, and emphasizing the ocean’s vital importance while exposing its problems and the opportunities for marine life to recover.

I saw deep trenches, mountains on the ocean floor, vibrant coral reefs, kelp forests, new species of the marine world, dazzling eco-systems and the wide-open oceans of our planet. Sir David explained how his lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery, and why a healthy ocean keeps the entire planet stable and flourishing.

Global warming, mass coral bleaching, deep-sea mining, industrial fishing and plastic pollution are currently challenging the ocean. The ocean is in poor health and on the brink of collapse. Over fishing and bottom trawling are depleting fish stocks and destroying habitats.

The documentary took us into the jaws of a bottom trawling net – it destroyed everything in its wake. ‘Bottom trawling is like bulldozing thousands of forests every day and its legal and encouraged’. The tracks left behind from bottom trawling are visible from outer space. Each day, thousands of these ships destroy the sea floor and kelp forests, harvest everything in their wake and discard most of it keeping just one type of fish, for example: scallops – everything else is dumped back into the ocean.

Industrial fishing has now reached Antarctica; and amongst the most pristine scenery are huge factory ships using nets to harvest krill for pet food. Nearby whales blow and penguins stand on icebergs.

Yet, Ocean with David Attenborough is a story of optimism, the ocean can heal itself. The documentary visited areas in the world where the ocean is protected and how it is flourishing and repairing.

The film’s release is timed ahead of World Ocean Day, 8 June 2025, and the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference: Nice, France 9-13 June 2025, and midway through the UN decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), when world leaders decide the fate of our oceans.

All our oceans are connected. The Global Ocean Treaty was passed in 2023, with a global responsibility to protect a third of the ocean. Governments need to sign it into law, time is running out. Australia has signed but not ratified. Greenpeace is pushing for 60 countries to ratify by the end of 2025.

This documentary calls for collective action to preserve the ocean that sustains life on earth. Ocean with David Attenborough can help turn the tide. Ocean recovery is vital for stabilizing our climate and securing a healthy future for mankind. Together we now face the challenge to make this happen. This documentary is a wake up call, and a celebration of the beating heart of the planet.