Tilda Swinton narrates this wildlife documentary exploring the distinctive flora and fauna of the Galapagos archipelago. Charles Darwin's world within itself is the subject of this in-depth programme. The Galapagos Islands are every botanists' Shangri-La 13 main islands are actually underwater volcanoes and are situated at the confluence of four oceanic currents. This singular habitat, combined with its isolated location have given rise to hundreds of varieties of flora and fauna found only here. Informed commentary, dramatically photographed scenery and a fitting soundtrack combine to paint a compelling picture of this foreboding place. While its title may be superfluous, Galapagos: The Islands That Changed the World is a beautifully filmed journey into "the islands of the tortoise." Located due west of Ecuador, the Galapagos islands are full of gorgeous scenery and exotic wildlife. And this documentary shows it all, thanks to stunning cinematography shot from all viewpoints--the air, sea and, of course, land. The collection is both soothing and exhilarating as it allows viewers to peek in on mating albatrosses (which are monogamous), penguins fishing, and surprisingly graceful giant tortoises swimming in the ocean. The filmmakers also manage to capture a ferocious volcanic eruption that is amazing in its clarity. The problem with many documentaries lies in the narration. A documentary filmmaker hits the jackpot when he is able to get someone like Sigourney Weaver, whose crisp narration fits in beautifully with the sweeping footage in Planet Earth. While Tilda Swanton lends a relaxing quality to Galapagos, her voice at times is a bit too lulling to hold the viewer's interest. The writing also borders on melodramatic, with talk of the simmering sea and such. With visuals as stunning as this, hyperbole is unnecessary. Charles Darwin has described the Galapagos as a world within itself, and it is said that the islands were one of his inspirations for his book The Origin of Species. While the film doesn't clearly explain why the Galapagos are unlike any other place on earth, it does showcase a destination that is unlike what most of us know. --Jae-Ha Kim Synopsis With breathtaking cinematography and state-of-the-art visual effects Galapagos takes you to the islands that changed the world. Sitting at a confluence of four major ocean currents, the islands are actually the summits of vast undersea volcanoes, and are steadily on the march. How has such an odd assortment of life managed to find a footing in this unruly world? Micro-climates and altitude have combined to form discrete environmental zones: perfect habitats for the islands' diverse fauna - marine iguanas, petrels, blue-footed boobies and giant tortoises being but a famous few. Galapagos is a rare insight into an incredible landscape, a natural laboratory and an exquisite evolutionary habitat that Darwin described as a 'world within itself'. Witness the volcanic eruption that leads to an island?s creation, right through to its ultimate demise. Galapagos is an Earth-shattering experience that must be seen to be believed.