In the final three episodes, the journey deepens into a powerful exploration of culture, survival, and science at the planet’s edges. On a remote Pacific island threatened by rising seas, Will Smith joins Dr. Walworth and John Aini to document a dying language spoken by only five people, turning marine research into an intimate race against time to preserve human memory. The mission reveals how climate change erodes not just coastlines, but identities. The adventure then shifts to extremes of land and ice. In the Kalahari Desert, Will learns survival from the San people, confronting the limits of his endurance during a traditional hunt with guide Kane Motswana. The odyssey culminates beneath the ice of the North Pole, where, alongside polar ecologist Allison Fong, a daring dive to collect critical samples is jeopardized by a sudden storm and equipment failure. What follows is a gripping test of courage and teamwork that redefines heroism at the end of a 100-day quest.
The film centers on our ongoing mission to explore and come to terms with the Arctic, and the compelling stories of our many forays into this captivating place will be interwoven to create a unifying message about the state of the Arctic today. Underlying all these tales is the crucial role that ice plays in the northern environment and the changes that are quickly overtaking the people and animals who have adapted to this land of ice and snow.
Journey through the awe-inspiring Nordic wilderness in a documentary that brings together all three episodes in a single feature-length video, unveiling the untamed beauty and surprising contrasts of northern Europe. From the icy remoteness of the Svalbard archipelago to the snowy vastness of Lapland and the tense frontier with Russia, the story unfolds across a dramatic landscape shaped by nature and history. Explore the fjords of Norway and the volcanic extremes of Iceland, before heading south to Sweden and Denmark, where behind the smiles and prosperity lie unexpected and shocking truths. This series offers not just breathtaking views, but deep insight into what makes these societies both fascinating and fragile.
An extraordinary journey to the top of the world, the documentary adventure tells the ultimate tale of survival. The film takes audiences on a never-before-experienced journey into the lives of a mother polar bear and her twin seven-month-old cubs as they navigate the changing Arctic wilderness they call home. Captivating, adventurous and intimate footage brings moviegoers up close and personal with this family's struggle to survive in a frigid environment of melting ice, immense glaciers, spectacular waterfalls, and majestic snow-bound peaks.
In Antarctica, one the most sophisticated hunting behaviours in the animal kingdom takes place – killer whales creating waves to wash seals off pieces of floating ice. A team of scientists and filmmakers travel heads to these freezing waters to find out more about these unique animals and how they do it. But their mission is not just to deepen our understanding of this extraordinary hunting behaviour. The team are also intent on learning more about the secret – and more tender side – of the lives of these killer whales.
For decades, scientists have sought to unlock the secrets of ancient DNA, a fragile genetic blueprint that rarely survives millions of years. Danish biologist Eske Willerslev had a groundbreaking idea: instead of searching for DNA in fossils or ancient tissues, he looked to frozen sediment. Initially dismissed as impossible, his work led to the recovery of genetic traces from over two million years ago, revealing lush ecosystems that existed before the Ice Age. These discoveries offer unprecedented insights into long-extinct species that thrived in warm, verdant Arctic landscapes.
Willerslev’s perseverance revolutionized DNA research, enabling scientists to reconstruct vanished ecosystems and uncover the genetic secrets of ancient worlds. By examining the DNA of past climates, researchers are paving the way to better understand Earth's deep history and adapt to current environmental challenges. This landmark breakthrough demonstrates that ancient DNA acts as a "time machine," allowing humanity to explore its distant past and draw lessons for the future.
The adventure then shifts to extremes of land and ice. In the Kalahari Desert, Will learns survival from the San people, confronting the limits of his endurance during a traditional hunt with guide Kane Motswana. The odyssey culminates beneath the ice of the North Pole, where, alongside polar ecologist Allison Fong, a daring dive to collect critical samples is jeopardized by a sudden storm and equipment failure. What follows is a gripping test of courage and teamwork that redefines heroism at the end of a 100-day quest.