Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet

2021 1h 13m EN

🙌

7.5

BANGER

🥫

58%

ROTTEN

⭐

7.7

IMDB

★7.5TMDB · 74🥫58%Rotten Tomatoes★7.7IMDB · 3,466

Documentary

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

David Attenborough and scientist Johan Rockström examine Earth's biodiversity collapse and how this crisis can still be averted.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

David Attenborough
Self - Narrator
Johan Rockström
Self
Elena Bennett
Self
Jason Box
Self
Terry Hughes
Self
Maria Neira
Self
Anne Larigauderie
Self
Cheikh Mbow
Self

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Jonathan Clay
Languages: English, Portuguese, Wolof
Countries: United Kingdom, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

Tight 73-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 5 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Portuguese, Wolof.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: United Kingdom, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Hannah Cartwright. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Philippa Edwards shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

David Attenborough and Johan Rockström and Elena Bennett carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Jonathan Clay directs. Hannah Cartwright scores. Philippa Edwards cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in United Kingdom, United States of America. Dialogue in English, Portuguese, Wolof.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Tight 73-minute runtime — shorter than most television pilots.
2Released 5 years ago.
3Dialogue crosses 3 languages: English, Portuguese, Wolof.
4International production across 2 countries: United Kingdom, United States of America.
5Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
6Original score by Hannah Cartwright. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Philippa Edwards shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8David Attenborough and Johan Rockström and Elena Bennett carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt14539726 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 74 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.
11Classified under 41 themes, including "pollution", "scientific study", "coral reef", "wilderness".

The technical file

Original score: Hannah Cartwright
Editing: Philippa Edwards
Runtime: 73 min · 1h 13m
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG
IMDB: Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet (2021)
Rotten Tomatoes: 58% 🥫 Rotten
IMDB rating: 7.7/10 · 3,466 votes
MPAA: TV-PG

Also by

Jonathan Clay

Trailers & featurettes

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Community reviews

What people are saying

tmdb280390232022-08-30
★ 6/10
Breaking Boundaries: The Science of Our Planet understands that it’s not the planet, but the human race that must be saved, and the only way to do that is to study how the planet works (know your enemy, perhaps?). As Swedish professor Johan Rockström says, “biodiversity is not something we need to protect due to some kind of moral responsibility of one species, humans, towards another species such as flora and fauna”, but because “it is the toolbox for the functioning of our societies.” Rockström is a proponent of Planetary Boundaries, a conceptual framework that assesses the state of nine processes fundamental to the stability of the Earth system, and suggests a series of thresholds for these processes that, if overcome, can endanger the habitability of the planet. These thresholds are one-way doors; once crossed, there is no going back. Greenland, for example, is apparently fubar, as are half the corals in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Rockström is Swedish, and that’s the only thing he has in common with Greta Thunberg. While she is a shrill, sanctimonious, self-righteous, malnourished bitch on wheels, Rockström is calm, cool and collected (by the way, the documentary is hosted by David Attenborough, a paragon of avuncular bonhomie); furthermore, Rockström actually sounds like he knows what he’s talking about, and is much easier to take seriously. Additionally, Rockström demonstrates a deep understanding of human nature; accordingly, he cuts to the chase and appeals to people’s selfishness as a catalyst for change. And why not? He’s aware that the average a--hole never listens to the science anyway.

Production companies