“Captivating” David Attenborough special that’s ‘tale of hope and joy’ jumps up Netflix’s chart

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David Attenborough‘s new documentary, A Gorilla Story, quickly became a hit on Netflix, reaching the top five most-watched films in the UK just a week after its release. The film, directed by James Reed, revisits Attenborough’s original 1978 series, Life on Earth, where he first encountered a young gorilla named Pablo.

Netflix calls this documentary “captivating.” It’s a longer look at the story begun in Life on Earth, following the lives of a group of gorillas—descendants of the famous gorilla Pablo—who now live in the mountains of Rwanda.

James Reed, the filmmaker behind the Academy Award-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher (co-directed with Pippa Ehrlich), directed A Gorilla Story. The documentary was produced by Alastair Fothergill, known for Life on Our Planet. Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson, and Phillip Watson of Appian Way joined Fothergill as executive producers.

I recently checked out A Gorilla Story, and honestly, it’s amazing. It’s a really uplifting film – it combines the story of Sir David Attenborough meeting a baby gorilla named Pablo for the very first time with what’s happening with Pablo’s family today, way up in the mountains of Rwanda. It’s a hopeful look at how things are going for them, and it really stuck with me.

According to the synopsis, “A Gorilla Story” features amazing, previously unfilmed gorilla behavior. The documentary combines current footage with historical clips and is narrated by David Attenborough, who also shares entries from his 1978 journals.

What to Read Next

A Gorilla Story is the latest project from David Attenborough, coming after the BBC series Secret Garden. Both are part of the celebrations honoring Attenborough’s 100th birthday.

To mark Sir David Attenborough’s upcoming milestone birthday in May, the BBC will be broadcasting a week of special programs starting May 8th. This includes both classic shows from its archives and entirely new content, plus additional episodes of Secret Garden.

The new show, which began airing in early April, follows David Attenborough as he explores gardens throughout the UK, highlighting the wildlife found in these everyday spaces.

A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough is streaming on Netflix.

The latest issue of Living Legends is available now! This special 100-page, full-color magazine celebrates the life and work of Sir David Attenborough. You can find it at newsstands or purchase it online.

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2026-04-24 00:49