

David Attenborough + midget submarines + abyssal nightmares = peak television.
Groundbreaking documentary which follows a Japanese-led team of scientists as they attempt to shed light on the mysterious world of deep sea sharks. Only 50 specimens of the newly discovered 'megamouth' have ever been sighted. Over four years, scientists and film crews voyaged in midget submarines into the depths of Suruga Bay and Sagami Bay to film them. Prehistoric 'living fossil' sharks such as bluntnose sixgill sharks, goblin sharks and frilled sharks also lurk in the depths. As part of the investigation, a sperm whale carcass was placed at the bottom of the sea to attract these sharks, which were then studied and observed from the submersible vessels. Revealing in detail the previously unknown behaviour of deep sea sharks, the film unravels another of the intriguing mysteries of our planet's biodiversity.
Direction
Midget sub logistics deserve their own documentary.
Cinematography
Bioluminescent nightmare fuel in crushing darkness.
Production
They DROPPED A WHALE CARCASS for science.
Director
Tatsuhiro Beniko
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The 'midget submarine' used was originally designed for pearl diving, not deep ocean exploration.
This was one of Attenborough's lesser-known narrations for NHK, Japan's public broadcaster, reflecting his lifelong commitment to global science storytelling.
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