This long-running natural history series featured the wonders of nature and assorted global explorations. Initially making use of amateur footage, but soon becoming fully professional in its contributions, The World About Us ran for nearly 20 years.
The series was commissioned by David Attenborough (then head of BBC2) to illustrate the scope of colour television (which had just been introduced in July 1967), with the glorious hues of the natural world providing the perfect subject matter.
Major geographical expeditions were also featured (one went up the Orinoco and Amazon by hovercraft), and Jacques Cousteau’s undersea explorations also formed part of the package.
