Ten of Attenborough's best documentaries

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Ten of Attenborough's best documentaries22 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GooglePaul Glynn ,Culture reporterandIan YoungsSir David Attenborough's landmark natural history programmes have educated and inspired us for more than seven decades. From hanging out with primates to early climate warnings, here's a selection of his trailblazing programmes and where to watch them in the UK. King and Queen lead tributes for David Attenborough's 100th birthday1.

Life on Earth (1979)The "groundbreaking" programme established Attenborough as the foremost TV naturalistLife on Earth was Attenborough's ambitious, globe-spanning attempt to tell the story of life in a way that had never been attempted before, "from the first primitive cells to the plants and animals that now live around us". It established Attenborough as the foremost TV naturalist, as well as an iconic British cultural figure. It was "absolutely groundbreaking for the time", according to Dr Jean-Baptiste Gouyon, author of Wildlife Documentaries in the Age of Attenborough.

The Details

"It was the first time that they sent cameramen all over the world to capture images of animal behaviour in the field," he explains. "It's the first series which has Attenborough talking to camera , instead of being in the studio and commenting on footage. "Life on Earth is the first on-screen appearance of David Attenborough as a character, rather than just as a presenter.

It's the first for everything, basically. "Memorably, the penultimate episode found Attenborough playing with and being groomed by a group of mountain gorillas, which he later described as "one of the most exciting encounters of my life". The Bafta-nominated series was watched by up to 500 million people worldwide and set the template for what would follow with what became known as his Life Collection, including The Living Planet, The Private Life of Plants and The Life of Birds.

And to mark his 100th birthday, the also revisited it in a new documentary called Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure. Watch Life on Earth on iPlayerWatch Making Life on Earth: Attenborough's Greatest Adventure on iPlayer2. The Trials of Life (1990)This series filmed behaviour "which had never been seen before on television"This series set out to capture animal behaviour from birth to death, as producers worked closely with scientists to uncover fascinating and surprising stories and insights.

What Experts Say

"For example, they got on film for the first time evidence of chimpanzees using tools," Dr Gouyon says. It also captured shocking but significant footage of chimps working together to brutally catch, kill and eat colobus monkeys. "That was a first for wildlife television and something which had been debated in science circles.

"They really worked with field researchers and filmed behaviour which had never been seen before on television. "Watch The Trials of Life on iPlayer3.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.