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Attenborough: The Man Who Built Bristol's Wildlife Film Empire
9 May
Summary
- Bristol produces 80% of global high-quality natural history television.
- Sir David Attenborough's 'Life on Earth' series launched this industry.
- The sector in Bristol is now valued at approximately £100 million.
Sir David Attenborough's legacy includes the unintentional creation of a thriving wildlife film industry centered in Bristol, a sector now estimated to be worth around £100 million. This city has become the principal hub for natural history television production, generating 80% of the world's high-quality content.
Attenborough's 1979 series, 'Life on Earth,' was a turning point. Filmed in over 100 locations and costing over £1 million, it achieved massive global viewership and pioneered international co-production deals, notably with Warner Brothers. This success demonstrated that wildlife films could be global blockbusters.
This groundbreaking approach required substantial international finance and pushed technical innovation, with Bristol's Natural History Unit becoming renowned for pioneering camera techniques. Today, the city boasts a comprehensive production ecosystem, employing approximately 1,000 people across numerous companies, solidifying its reputation as "Green Hollywood."
