That's the best pun I've got. It's not great, is it?
What IS great is this three-part Primate series - a classical bit of enthralling BBC documentary with some stunning footage. The first two parts take the age-old form of "skits" as it were, short semi-narrative encounters with varying primate species and the third is principally about research studies or protection efforts that are being carrying out that involve primates. I'm in favour of this recent shift in documentaries to be at least a third concerned with the realities of conservation and the numerous factors that jeopardise animal habitats although the two episodes on, one episode off structure was jarringly specific.
Although not a very long series and hardly at the same level as the Attenborough "event" series, Primates manages to be brief but beautiful. Packham's commentary is very pleasant, and as an outspoken and passionate naturalist himself, felt very genuine. Everything is shot gorgeously and some sequences within - the macaques doing hilarious battle with giant tree squirrels, or the glorious Kathmandu swimming segment at the end of the first episode - will be etched into my mind forever. Definitely game for a rewatch further down the line!
