Viewers in tears at ‘horrifying’ Planet Earth III

The first episode of Planet Earth III has had a big impact on viewers

The latest David Attenborough series has received acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Along with being labelled "awe-inspiring" and "magnificent", Planet Earth III has also been described as "horrifying."

The documentary, narrated by 93-year-old Sir David, contains footage of the natural world gathered over five years across 43 countries.

When the first trailer was released for the series, some struggled to get through that, and it looks like the show itself is an equally difficult watch.

The first episode of the series is dedicated to the world's coasts, including locations from Kent, South Africa, Mexico and Australia.

In a five-star review of the opening episode, the Guardian said the third installment of the groundbreaking nature documentary series "finds itself in a darker mood."

Whilst the series has a "spectacular" scale and the usual level of "astonishing footage," it will also "horrify" viewers, the publication says.

Meanwhile, The Times said in its four-star review that the episode was "magnificent, but a fast track to becoming really quite sad."

On social media, viewers seemed to have a similar reaction, with some saying Planet Earth III had left them in tears.

One person wrote: "Oh my goodness… Planet Earth III is an absolute work of perfection. Hopeful, scary, sad, dramatic… and VITAL viewing.

"David Attenborough and the whole team behind the show - take a bow."

Another labelled the episode "staggering viewing, remarkable and completely humbling to watch."

Referencing a segment involving turtles, someone else wrote: "This emotional roller coaster on a Sunday evening... I shed tears for the mess we have made of our planet. I'm glad this beauty made it back into the ocean."|

Sir David Attenborough will once again be providing the voice for the documentary, with the legendary broadcaster receiving praise from the show’s executive producer Mike Gunton.

He told the Guardian: “Planet Earth wouldn’t be Planet Earth without David, so I’m delighted he is presenting the third series.

“As ever, he has brought his huge enthusiasm and wisdom, has been encouraging about our new perspective and has, I know, really enjoyed seeing the extraordinary new wonders brought to the screen.”

Planet Earth III will be made up of eight episodes. The first seven episodes reveal the amazing ways in which animals have evolved over time. However it is the eighth and final episode which sets this season apart from the rest.

The eighth episode is about human beings, in particular the human beings who work to try and save animals from going extinct.

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