Netflix is warning viewers about specific disturbing scenes in new docuseries Our Planet
Witnessing the effects of climate change—and specifically, its effect on innocent wildlife—can be a brutal experience. And because of this, Netflix has issued a warning to viewers regarding specific scenes in its new nature docuseries Our Planet.
According to the Our Planet website, Netflix partnered with the World Wildlife Fund and Silverback Films to create a series that “explores the rich natural wonders, iconic species and wildlife spectacles that still remain, and reveals the key issues that urgently threaten their existence.”
This led to some footage that is difficult to watch, so in an April 10th tweet, Netflix listed seven moments that “animal lovers may want to skip.” The streaming service even included the exact start and stop times of each clip.
As you make your way through @OurPlanet, here are some moments animal lovers may want to skip:
One Planet: 16:04 – 16:43
Frozen World: 16:29 – 17:47, 32:50 – 33:45, 48:45 – 51:00
Fresh Water: 26:10 – 27:09
Deserts and Grasslands: 28:45-29:10
High Seas: 37:42-37:52— Netflix (@netflix) April 10, 2019
The second episode, “Frozen Worlds” had three distressing scenes listed in Netflix’s tweet because, as People notes, the episode contains several shots of walruses falling off of a rocky cliff. The walrus scenes have already gained notoriety on social media for being utterly heartbreaking—especially because, as the series reportedly explains, the walruses are being forced to climb on land due to a lack of sea ice.
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1114665558203617280
Fewer things in life hit you as hard as this walrus scene from #OurPlanet does. Just want to stay in bed, hug my dog and cry. pic.twitter.com/7t3nfk5Zn2
— Nayan Ranadhar (@diplomatic_chap) April 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/udfredirect/status/1114275709512572928
Watching the walruses fall was also especially difficult for the film crew. According to The Atlantic, in a behind-the-scenes video, Jamie McPherson, one of the cameramen who worked on the episode, said it was “the worst thing I’ve ever filmed.”
We’re glad Netflix issued a warning for more sensitive viewers, and we’re also grateful that the network is shining a light on climate change. Hopefully the images—while disturbing—will help spark concrete action.
