Worth Watching: "Life" on DVD

BBC does nature filmmaking like no one else quite can. After the phenomenal (but not surprising) success of Planet Earth, the network invested $22 million to produce its follow-up series, Life. The hordes who eagerly awaited the 11-part television event weren't disappointed: it was filled, as expected, with goosebump-inducing wilderness sequences, brilliant use of slow and fast motion to illustrate some of our planet's most captivating phenomena, and ample instances of elegant cinematography.

This month, the DVD version was released, with every high-def episode included on four discs. Bonus features include deleted scenes and ten short features about how the crew made its magic. Oh, and if you're not an Oprah fan, you can opt for "music only" mode.

Two of the series' major themes (in addition to hunting and surviving) are mating and parenting, so this set could be the perfect Father's Day gift for the man who gave you life. Though many of the meticulous, devoted progenitors depicted are female, four species dramatically play out how patriarchs in the animal world can invest everything in their offspring. Click these links to see how the clown anemonefish provides constant care, how the giant bullfrog tenderly and strategically saves his babies' lives, how the gorilla serves as a bodyguard for youngsters, and how the weedy seadragon carries his eggs before they hatch.

Even if you don't buy Dad the DVDs, you can still invite him to watch the harrowing and touching spectacle with you - Life is re-airing on Animal Planet Sunday nights through July 4.