David Attenborough's Zoo Quest in Colour
The best of David Attenborough's early adventures as never seen before - in colour - and with it the story of how the pioneering television series Zoo Quest was made.
Thanks to a remarkable discovery in the BBC's film vaults, the best of David Attenborough's early Zoo Quest adventures can now be seen as never before, in colour, and with it the remarkable story of how this pioneering television series was made.
First broadcast in December 1954, Zoo Quest was one of the most popular television series of its time and launched the career of the young David Attenborough as a wildlife presenter. It completely changed how viewers saw the world, revealing wildlife and tribal communities that had never been filmed or even seen before.
Broadcast ten years before colour television was seen in the UK, Zoo Quest was thought to have been filmed in black and white, until now. Using this extraordinary new-found colour film, together with new behind-the-scenes stories from David Attenborough and cameraman Charles Lagus, this special showcases the very best of Zoo Quest to West Africa, Zoo Quest to Guiana and Zoo Quest for a Dragon in stunning HD colour for the very first time.
Last on
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Original Zoo Quest clothing budgets
View the original documents from the BBC archive.
Clips
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David Attenborough captures a python in 1956
Duration: 01:53
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Zoo Quest colour footage revealed
Duration: 01:03
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Web exclusive: David Attenborough seeks medical attention
Duration: 02:51
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | David Attenborough |
| Presenter | Charles Lagus |
| Producer | Anuschka Schofield |
| Series Producer | Miles Barton |
| Executive Producer | Michael Gunton |
Broadcasts
- Tue 17 May 201621:00
- Wed 18 May 201602:00
- Mon 23 May 201622:00
- Sat 27 Aug 201619:00
- Tue 30 Aug 201602:00
- Mon 19 Jun 201722:30
- Mon 26 Jun 201702:20
- New Year's Day 201802:30
- Sun 12 Jan 202019:30
- Mon 13 Jan 202002:20
- Mon 8 May 202320:30
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Sir David Attenborough
Sir David Attenborough's amazing programmes from the 1950s to the present day.
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Sir David Attenborough
His incredible programmes and his amazing career - all in one place









