20 very beautiful documentaries about nature

20. The mountains

Mountain

• Australia 2017.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 74 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.2.

For centuries, mankind has been drawn to the inaccessible mountains. The documentary begins with a story about the first attempts of daredevils to conquer the slopes. Then the plot focuses on modern heroes: climbers, extreme climbers and others who dream of climbing higher. And of course, the authors show mountain landscapes incredibly beautifully.

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19. Seasons

Les saisons

• France, Germany, 2015.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.3.

Famous documentary filmmakers Jacques Cluseau and Jacques Perenn tell how changes in climate over the course of many thousands of years have changed the lives of the planet's inhabitants and forced them to adapt. Researchers observe animals in the snow and warm forests, as well as migratory birds.

18. Hidden Beauty: The Love Story That Nourishes the Earth

Pollen

• USA, 2011.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 77 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.4.

The flora and fauna of our planet are inextricably linked. Every day, butterflies pollinate flowers, and bees extract honey. Other insects, as well as bats and small birds, promote plant reproduction and feed on them. This connection is described in the film, originally called simply "Pollen".

17. The Bears

Bears

• USA, 2014.
• Documentary, family.
• Duration: 77 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.4.

The brown bear Skye, who lives in Alaska, has children Scout and Amber. The film crew led by the legendary Alastair Fauvergill, who created the series “Planet Earth”, Watches their adventures for a whole year. During this time, the cubs will learn how to get food, face many dangers and get to know their relatives.

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16. Meetings at the End of the World

Encounters at the End of the World

• USA, 2007.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 101 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.7.

Director Werner Herzog travels to McMurdo Station in Antarctica. He tries to find out from its inhabitants what attracts a person from the city comfort to the edge of the world. And at the same time, Herzog watches the movement of icebergs, the mating games of seals and the mysterious behavior of lone penguins, leaving inland towards certain death.

15. Elephant queen

The elephant queen

• UK, Kenya, 2019.
• Documentary, family.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.8.

The majestic elephant Athena and her herd are forced to leave their water source. They embark on a dangerous journey across the African savannah. Athena has to make every effort to protect her relatives.

14. Chasing glaciers

Chasing ice

• USA, 2012.
• Documentary, biography.
• Duration: 75 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.8.

National Geographic photographer James Balogh has developed special equipment that allows you to observe changes in glaciers over several years. Now he is studying the dire consequences of global warming. The millennial ice in the Arctic and Greenland is melting.

13. Earth: One Amazing Day

Earth: One Amazing Day

• UK, 2017.
• Documentary, family.
• Duration: 95 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.8.

As the name implies, the film tells about just one day in the life of various animals. But during this time, an incredible number of events can occur. Small zebras have to cross a raging river, a penguin carries fish to its children, and giraffes fight for the female's attention. But perhaps the most famous scene from this movie is the battle of newborn iguanas and snakes for survival. She grips more than anyone thriller.

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12. Birds

Le peuple migrateur

• France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, 2001.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 98 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.9.

This incredible film has been filmed for over three years on all seven continents of the Earth. The picture provides a unique opportunity to watch birds in the Arctic cold, impassable swamps, and most importantly, right in the air. For this, the authors have developed special light vehicles that can keep up with them.

11. Microcosm

Microcosmos: Le peuple de l'herbe

• France, Switzerland, Italy, 1996.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 80 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.9.

The authors of this documentary, using time-lapse and macro photography, provide an opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of tiny creatures: snails, beetles and ladybugs. For them, the grass is an impassable thicket, and the bird is a giant monster. But the lives of heroes are filled with adventures and bright events.

10. Ivory game

The Ivory game

• Austria, 2016.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 112 minutes.
• IMDb: 7.9.

Directors Kief Davidson and Richard Ladkani are trying to draw attention to ivory smuggling. Together with their team, they spent 16 months studying the activities of poachers. The filmmakers travel from Tanzania and Kenya to China and Vietnam, trying to bring criminals to clean water.

9. Mission blue

• USA, Bermuda, Ecuador, 2014.
• Documentary, drama.
• Duration: 95 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.0.

The Emmy-winning film is dedicated to bio-oceanologist and ecologist Sylvia Earl. It has been fighting ocean pollution and overfishing for years, and is building a global network of protected marine reserves.

8. Earth

Earth

• UK, Germany, USA, 2007.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 90 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.0.

This film is an abridged full-length version of the BBC's Planet Earth. However, it has a lot of new shots and a completely different pace of the story. The plot tells about three types of animals: a polar bear, an African elephant and a humpback whale. The authors allow you to watch their adventures throughout the year.

7. Black fin

Blackfish

• USA, 2013.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 83 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.1.

In 2010, the killer whale Tilikum, inhabiting the water amusement park Orlando, killed the trainer. As it turned out, this is not her first victim. The authors of the picture understand how killer whales live in captivity, and destroy the myth that restriction of freedom does not affect these huge creatures in any way.

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6. In search of corals

Chasing coral

• USA, 2017.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 93 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.1.

In the 21st century, coral reefs are disappearing around the world at a tremendous rate. A team of divers, photographers and scientists embarks on a long and exciting journey to understand the reasons for this change.

5. Ash and snow

Ashes and snow

• USA, 2005.
• Documentary.
• Duration: 62 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.2.

Since 1992, photographer Gregory Colbert has organized more than 60 expeditions to different countries, where he took pictures of people and animals. He has created many exhibitions and also produced a full-length film, turning nature observation into real poetry.

4. The last lions

The last lions

• USA, Botswana, 2011.
• Documentary, family.
• Duration: 88 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.3.

50 years ago, about half a million lions lived in Africa. Today there are only about 20 thousand of them left. Derek and Beverly Joubert spent four years watching predators and poachers in Botswana. The film tells about the danger to the entire ecosystem and even the economy Africa, which will bring the extinction of this species of animals. And at the same time it allows you to get a little closer to the life of big cats.

3. Animals are wonderful people

Animals are beautiful people

• South Africa, 1974.
• Documentary, comedy.
• Duration: 92 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.3.

In the deserts of Namib and Kalahari, as well as in the Okavango delta, far from human eyes, completely different animals live. But sometimes they behave completely like people. A funny picture allows you to watch this.

2. Bay

The cove

• USA, 2009.
• Documentary, crime.
• Duration: 92 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.4.

A group of activists secretly infiltrate the bay of Taiji City. Every year local fishermen organize a dolphin hunt. They are driven into a narrow strait: some are caught for sale, but most are killed and allowed to eat. More than 20 thousand marine mammals die there every year.

1. Salt of the earth

The salt of the earth

• France, Brazil, Italy, 2014.
• Documentary, biography, history.
• Duration: 110 minutes.
• IMDb: 8.5.

The painting by Wim Wenders tells the story of one of the greatest photographers of our time, Sebastian Salgado. For over 40 years he has traveled to different parts of the world and photographed various poor peoples and settlements.

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Tell us, which of these pictures have you already watched and what did you like? Of course, there are much more documentaries about nature. If your favorites were not included in the Lifehacker's list, tell us about them in the comments.