ben lawrie / DIRECTOR
Documentaries for Brands & Broadcasters
extreme mountain challenge
2x60' BBC2 / BBC Worldwide, TX 2016
galapagos
3x60' BBC1 / BBC Worldwide, TX 2017
In the vastness of the Pacific Ocean lies a biological wonderland, one of the greatest treasures of the natural world: Galapagos.
Liz Bonnin and a team of international experts assemble for one of the most ambitious scientific expeditions ever attempted in Galapagos, a magical set of islands described as nature’s biggest experiment.
But these islands are under threat as our climate changes faster than ever before. For six weeks, the team travel 1,000 km around the archipelago, embarking on a series of challenging research missions to help protect the islands and their inhabitants.
From descending into volcanic caves to diving 1km into the ocean, the team reveal fascinating insights into this remarkable island chain. The discoveries they make will inform research for decades to come and help unlock not just the secrets of these unique islands and their incredible wildlife, but our entire planet.
With advanced filming techniques and cutting-edge graphics, this landmark series showcases one of the world’s most important habitats and its extraordinary residents, including iconic giant tortoises, playful sea lions and the critically endangered pink iguana.
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submersible launch
lava tube
"Once in a lifetime. Voyage of discovery. Dive into the unknown. These are the clichés uttered in the opening seconds of Galapagos but, for once, they could hardly be deemed hyperbole. Galapagos is smart stuff… genuinely astonishing… fascinating."
"The deep-water exploration was hypnotic. The whole of the first programme could have been devoted to this adventure alone. Remarkable three-part series."
"Liz Bonnin is the lucky presenter who gets to see spectacular and rare creatures, including the pink iguana, in this beautiful series. Stunning. Fans missing Planet Earth should definitely tune in."
"It’s a voyage that takes in oceans, volcanoes and hidden caves, full of spectacular natural wonders. The perfect fix for anyone left wanting more by Planet Earth II… packed with stunning views and finds… Galapagos is a must-watch."
"Not many of us will go on a proper scientific expedition to the Galapagos islands, but this is probably the next best thing… it’s glorious. The footage, taken with blue light, of a coral reef is breath-taking, while the sight of giant tortoises lumbering through vegetation is both charming and magisterial. We also join Bonnin as she descends into a 100-metre deep volcanic chamber – it’s absolutely spectacular. There is one shot in this week’s programme that is worth the price of admission on its own: a large, magical school of hammerhead sharks seen from below. Beautiful."
"Watching this often felt like an episode of early Star Trek, with a shipful of space-age equipment on a mission to explore strange, new worlds. The highlight of last night’s episode (and possibly of Liz Bonnin’s life) was a breath-taking submarine journey into the deep-sea darkness, a place less mapped than the moon. The surface was no less jaw-dropping, though, especially the encounter with the marine iguanas, fierce salt-spraying aquatic foragers, whom Darwin christened “the imps of darkness”.
"There were moments of beauty and moments of scientific insight, and often they were the same moments."
"Amazing adventure."
"This is a worthy addition to the cannon of Galapagos docs."
"Visually stunning."