How Attenborough’s Film ‘Ocean’ Captured The Scale Of Life At Sea

InnovationConsumer TechHow Attenborough’s Film ‘Ocean’ Captured The Scale Of Life At SeaByJennifer Kite-Powell,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I'm a senior tech contributor who writes about science and technologyFollow AuthorJun 07, 2026, 09:27pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.'Ocean' with David Attenborough on NatGeo. Filming of the limited series features underwater and above the water filming firsts. Here, a blue whale mother and calf in the Gulf of California, Mexico.Olly Scholey‘Ocean’ with David Attenborough is a documentary film that captures the scale of life in and above the world’s oceans. The film highlights the ocean’s ecosystem and showcases unique filming and cinematography, including footage of industrial bottom trawling, the largest mass coral bleaching event in history, and the largest albatross colony on Earth at Midway Atoll in Papahānaumokuākea, Hawaii. Attenborough, who turned 99 on May 8, 2026, narrates the film and presents the pressures the world’s oceans face as climate change and industrial activity threaten their biodiversity. The world’s oceans cover nearly 70% of the Earth’s surface, but scientists and explorers have seen less than 0.001% of the deep-ocean seafloor, which is about the size of the State of Rhode Island.‘Ocean’ won the Critics’ Choice Documentary Award for Best Cinematography in 2025. The film was directed by Keith Scholey and produced by National Geographic, Silverback Films, and Open Planet Studios, in association with All3Media International. David Attenborough stands at the coast in Southern England for the documentary film, 'Oceans' with David Attenborough.Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios/Keith ScholeyFilming the world’s largest albatross communityToby Strong is a multiple Emmy® and BAFTA-winning wildlife and documentary cameraman. He was t...