ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
BBC director addressed why he broke huge ‘no interference’ rule after spotting problem while filming penguins

Home> Entertainment> TV

Updated 15:49 15 Oct 2024 GMT+1Published 15:50 15 Oct 2024 GMT+1

BBC director addressed why he broke huge ‘no interference’ rule after spotting problem while filming penguins

Nature documentary crews aren't supposed to interfere, but they had to save the penguins

Joe Harker

Joe Harker

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

If you're a fan of nature documentaries, and why wouldn't you be, then you'll almost certainly be familiar with the time a BBC crew broke the sacred 'no interference' rule.

Their job is to capture the majesty of the natural world and not try to steer events for themselves, but when they saw a group of penguins had become stuck in a ravine and were going to die, they felt they had no choice but to step in.

You'll know it as one of the most heartbreaking moments turning into one of the most heartwarming in the freezing cold of the Antarctic.

Advert

The crew had been filming the Dynasties documentary, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, which covered the lives and social dynamics of a number of different species around the world.

While filming crews are absolutely not supposed to get involved, they decided that carving some steps in the ravine so the penguins could climb out wasn't the same as attempting to interfere with a predator on the hunt.

The film crew decided to step in and dig the penguins a way out. (BBC)
The film crew decided to step in and dig the penguins a way out. (BBC)

Fortunately the plan worked and the freezing penguins were able to clamber out and re-join the huddle, while the crew faced widespread praise for breaking the 'no interference' rule on this occasion.

Will Lawson, the director on the penguin filming for Dynasties, later told Lorraine why they'd decided to break the cardinal rule of nature documentaries and step in.

He said: "It was not a straightforward decision by any stretch of the imagination.

"You just have to look at the facts that are in front of you before you make a decision like that, and that's exactly what you did."

People could tell this was a different kettle of fish to a filming crew coming between a predator on the hunt and their prey.

Fortunately, Will and his team got the thumbs up on their decision to save the penguins from Attenborough himself, saying it was 'great to get that support'.

Will Lawson, the director of the episode, explained why his team felt like stepping in was the right move. (ITV)
Will Lawson, the director of the episode, explained why his team felt like stepping in was the right move. (ITV)

The director said that the penguin episode of Dynasties was really 'about how through their cooperation it's the only way they can survive down there'.

He said the penguins faced a tough choice between a 'predatory challenge' from beasties that might feel like munching on the flightless birds if they went further north and the 'challenge from the environment' from being in such cold and inhospitable weather.

Will added that very few animals could survive down in the freezing Antarctic, as 'in some respects the environment is like a predator'.

Had the crew not intervened to rescue the stricken penguins, then that predator would have claimed many more lives during the shoot.

Featured Image Credit: ITV/BBC

Topics: BBC, TV and Film, Animals, Sir David Attenborough, Documentaries

Joe Harker
Joe Harker

Joe graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Journalism and worked for Reach before joining the LADbible Group. When not writing he enjoys the nerdier things in life like painting wargaming miniatures and chatting with other nerds on the internet. He's also spent a few years coaching fencing. Contact him via [email protected]

X

@MrJoeHarker

Recommended reads

Millions of Brits taking painkillers issued serious warning in new studyGetty Stock ImageExpert explains how to avoid yellow teeth as dentist said there is one common mistakeGetty Stock ImagesGovernment drew up '106 probable UK nuclear targets' during last war with Russia(Getty Stock Images)Monzo founder makes dark prediction about your job in AI futureNoam Galai/Getty Images for TechCrunch

Advert

Choose your content:

11 hours ago
12 hours ago
13 hours ago
14 hours ago
  • Prime Video
    11 hours ago

    The Boys creator 'weary' as Homelander breastfeeding scene compared to Trump posts

    The scene sees Homelander compare himself to Jesus, which has drawn comparisons online to Trump's controversial posts

    Entertainment
  • Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images
    12 hours ago

    Sylvester Stallone turned down $360,000 for Rocky script and had to sell his dog due to contract demand

    Stallone will be the focus of an upcoming biopic about his rags to riches story that mirrors Rocky

    Entertainment
  • Instagram/leahhalton
    13 hours ago

    ‘Most beautiful woman at Coachella’ responds to people trying to ‘slide into DMs’

    Leah Halton's inbox has exploded since her army of admirers bestowed the title upon her

    Entertainment
  • Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
    14 hours ago

    Aubrey Plaza addresses pregnancy for first time after husband's death 15 months ago

    The Parks and Recreation actress sadly lost her husband to suicide last year

    Entertainment
  • BBC film crew broke big ‘no interference’ rule after spotting problem while filming penguins
  • David Attenborough's film crew broke one major rule after spotting huge problem filming sea lions
  • Sir David Attenborough said he has one regret over his legendary broadcasting career as he turns 99
  • David Attenborough film crew broke big rule after spotting problem filming sea lions