Synopsis
David Attenborough takes us on a journey through time from the first cells through to the complex animals that inhabit Earth today.
- Programme: Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
- Channel: BBC One
- Broadcast year: 2009
- Biology | Reproduction, genetics and evolution | Evolution | Theory of evolution
Licence: ERA Licence required
UK only
Staff and students of licensed education establishments only
Cannot be adapted
Add Notes
More clips from Charles Darwin And The Tree Of Life
Charles Darwin And The Tree Of Life
Charles Darwin And The Tree Of Life
David Attenborough is a passionate Darwinian, and sees evolution as the cornerstone of all the programmes and series he has ever made. He...
Evidence for evolution | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
Evidence for evolution | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
David Attenborough explores how the process of evolution produces such astonishing variety.
Gregor Mendel, Francis Crick and James Watson | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
Gregor Mendel, Francis Crick and James Watson | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
David Attenborough explores how the discovery of DNA provided further evidence for Darwi...
How fossils and living animals provide links between animal groups | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
How fossils and living animals provide links between animal groups | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
Passionate Darwinian David Attenborough looks at the evidence for ev...
Natural Selection and Darwin's finches | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
Natural Selection and Darwin's finches | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
David Attenborough outlines Darwin's discovery of the theories of evolution and natural selection.
More resources about Darwin and natural selection
Charles Darwin And The Tree Of Life
Charles Darwin And The Tree Of Life
David Attenborough is a passionate Darwinian, and sees evolution as the cornerstone of all the programmes and series he has ever made. He...
Evidence for evolution | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
Evidence for evolution | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
David Attenborough explores how the process of evolution produces such astonishing variety.
Gregor Mendel, Francis Crick and James Watson | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
Gregor Mendel, Francis Crick and James Watson | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
David Attenborough explores how the discovery of DNA provided further evidence for Darwi...
How fossils and living animals provide links between animal groups | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
How fossils and living animals provide links between animal groups | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
Passionate Darwinian David Attenborough looks at the evidence for ev...
1: Body and Soul | Andrew Marr on Darwin's Dangerous Idea
1: Body and Soul | Andrew Marr on Darwin's Dangerous Idea
Andrew Marr explores how Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection has taken on a life of its own far beyon...
2: Born Equal? | Andrew Marr on Darwin's Dangerous Idea
2: Born Equal? | Andrew Marr on Darwin's Dangerous Idea
Andrew Marr explores Darwin's impact on politics and society, including how the theory of natural selection has been ...
3: Life and Death | Andrew Marr on Darwin's Dangerous Idea
3: Life and Death | Andrew Marr on Darwin's Dangerous Idea
Andrew Marr discovers how Darwin's ideas are helping mankind to save life on earth from extinction. He explains Da...
Darwin | Bitesize Secondary
Darwin | Bitesize Secondary
A selection of clips taken from BBC programmes about Darwin and evolutionary biology. The programme includes material on adaptation and natural s...
Natural Selection and Darwin's finches | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
Natural Selection and Darwin's finches | Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life
David Attenborough outlines Darwin's discovery of the theories of evolution and natural selection.
The development of artificial selection in farming | Science of the Harvest
The development of artificial selection in farming | Science of the Harvest
Stefan Gates reveals the ways in which plant breeders can speed up natural selection.
More from Sir David Attenborough
8: Heroes | Planet Earth III
8: Heroes | Planet Earth III
Sir David Attenborough introduces conservation heroes fighting to save the world's wildlife, from exploring remote jungles to going undercover t...
Ants vs Cows | Natural World
Ants vs Cows | Natural World
The super colony unites in a spectacular attack to defend their nest from curious cows.
The hypnotising cuttlefish | Blue Planet II
The hypnotising cuttlefish | Blue Planet II
This master of disguise has an unorthodox approach for hunting crabs.
3: Jungles | Planet Earth II
3: Jungles | Planet Earth II
Jungles provide the richest habitats on the planet - mysterious worlds of high drama where extraordinary animals attempt to survive in the most ...
Lizard Heaters | Life in Cold Blood
Lizard Heaters | Life in Cold Blood
Wall lizards take advantage of foul-smelling dead-horse arums.
How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth? | Horizon
How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth? | Horizon
Naturalist Sir David Attenborough investigates whether the world faces a population crisis and if it is the duty of indiv...
7: Great Plains | Planet Earth
7: Great Plains | Planet Earth
Documentary series which celebrates Earth in its natural glory. A look at the great plains - wildernesses which support the greatest gathering...
Weighty wanderers | Life in the Freezer
Weighty wanderers | Life in the Freezer
With a wingspan of over 3m, the wandering albatross has the biggest feeding range of any bird. Throughout the winter they remain in n...
Our Precious Isles | Wild Isles
Our Precious Isles | Wild Isles
David Attenborough celebrates the rich variety of habitats in our wild isles, the existence of which is critical for the survival of species ...
2: Water Worlds | The Green Planet
2: Water Worlds | The Green Planet
A look at the beautiful, bizarre worlds created by water plants. Flowers smother rivers and lakes. Plants fight and hunt. A river bubbles ...
David Attenborough | The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
David Attenborough | The Queen's Platinum Jubilee
David Attenborough speaks about the environment. Also, includes footage of the drones that turn into animals.
Greta meets David Attenborough | Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World
Greta meets David Attenborough | Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World
Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough discuss their hopes for the future of the planet.
COP26 delegates and climate scientists | Climate Change: The Facts
COP26 delegates and climate scientists | Climate Change: The Facts
COP26 delegates and climate scientist Hannah Cloke discuss their hopes for the COP26 conference.
The People v Climate Change
The People v Climate Change
Meet the 108 ordinary Brits who Sir David Attenborough says we should listen to. This warm and honest documentary reveals how everyday people fee...
Self-sacrificing fish | Life
Self-sacrificing fish | Life
Flying fish can leave the water and soar great distances on their elongated fins to escape from predators below the waves. But finding a place t...
Leopard seal vs penguin | Seven Worlds, One Planet
Leopard seal vs penguin | Seven Worlds, One Planet
Glaciers crumbling more quickly, due to climate change, give the advantage to leopard seals hunting penguins.
Poison dart frogs battle it out | Attenborough's Life in Colour
Poison dart frogs battle it out | Attenborough's Life in Colour
A poison dart frog fights off a contender until he's sufficiently warned off.
Biodiversity loss | Extinction: The Facts
Biodiversity loss | Extinction: The Facts
An exploration of the devastating impacts of the loss of insect and plant biodiversity.
David, The Ruler | Dynasties
David, The Ruler | Dynasties
One strong and determined leader, David, rules the land, but can trust no one.
Marine predators and scavengers | The Blue Planet
Marine predators and scavengers | The Blue Planet
The scavengers of the deep ocean rely on predators at the surface to provide their nutrition.