Watch The Polar Bear Family and Me

The Polar Bear Family and Me is a gripping BBC wildlife documentary series that takes viewers deep into the arctic world of polar bears. The show is presented by Scottish wildlife filmmaker Gordon Buchanan, who spent three entire winters living with a mother polar bear and her two newborn cubs. It follows their lives and hunting strategies in the vast, frozen wilderness, offering an incredible insight into the rarely-seen habitat of the proud and majestic creatures that inhabit our planet.

The series comprises three hour-long episodes, filmed over three separate winters in the Arctic. In this stunning natural landscape, it is a constant battle for survival as the polar bears hunt their prey, brave treacherous ice floes, and protect their young from natural predators. Buchanan's extraordinary access to their world reveals a sensitive and complex family dynamic as the cubs learn essential survival skills from their mother.

The first episode of the series, "The Ice Bear Family," explores the first few months of the cubs' lives, as they emerge from their den for the first time and learn to navigate their harsh environment. Buchanan encounters the mother bear, Lyra, and attempts to film the cubs' first tentative steps outside. As the cubs begin to explore their surroundings, we see them learn how to hunt, play and eat together, while their mother watches over them, constantly on the lookout for threats.

In episode two, "Playing with Polar Bears," Buchanan's cameras capture incredible footage of the cubs at play, which is essential to their growth and development. He takes the opportunity to observe and learn from these animals, even as he remains careful not to get too close. The episode features exciting moments as the polar bears slide down icy slopes and use various objects to play with one another, all while Buchanan watches from a safe distance.

The final episode, "Growing Up Polar Bear," is where viewers see Lyra's two cubs begin to mature into powerful predators. As the cubs grow, they start to venture outside their mother's watchful eye more frequently and assert their independence. They learn to hunt and scavenge for food, sometimes even at their mother's expense. Buchanan captures breathtaking moments, including the cubs' first hunt and their interactions with other predators in the arctic, such as wolves.

Throughout the series, Buchanan's presence is never intrusive but truly immersive, providing a fresh perspective of the polar bear family without disturbing the natural rhythm of their lives. His insights into the polar bears' behavior and personalities add a personal touch, making it easy for viewers to relate to and become emotionally invested in the polar bear family.

The show's cinematography is spectacular, with images of snowdrift-covered tundra, ice floes, and sweeping vistas that create a serene and majestic ambiance. The polar bear family and their surroundings form a perfect symbiotic relationship with the filming, creating an utterly captivating documentary series.

In conclusion, The Polar Bear Family and Me is a poignant, well-crafted production that will leave viewers contemplating the unique animal kingdom that we share our planet with. The series manages to capture the daily routines of a mother and her cubs and describes the underlying psychological and emotional connections that keep them together. The Polar Bear Family and Me is not just a show about wildlife, it's a show that evokes vicarious emotions and captivates viewers with stunning visuals.