Zoo Quest In Colour

First broadcast in December 1954, ZOO QUEST was one of the most popular television series of its time. It was the first time remote overseas locations and wild animals in their natural habitats had been shown on television, and it changed the way viewers saw the world.

1 of 8

David Attenborough in pursuit of a giant anteater in the Rupununi Savannah, British Guiana. 1955.

Courtesy of © BBC

2 of 8

During a welcoming ceremony, David Attenborough plays back recordings to astonished villagers – they have never heard themselves on a tape recorder before. Sierra Leone, 1954.

Courtesy of © BBC

3 of 8

Chameleon on branch, Sierra Leone, West Africa, 1954.

Courtesy of © BBC

4 of 8

Charles Lagus on a beach in Java, Indonesia, 1956 (during filming of “Zoo Quest For A Dragon”).

Courtesy of © BBC

5 of 8

David Attenborough carrying coconuts on Komodo – on the quest of the Komodo dragon. Komodo, Indonesia, 1956.

Courtesy of © BBC

6 of 8

David Attenborough en route to Komodo, Indonesia, 1956. David with bottle of ‘drinking’ water - the water was warm and full of mosquito larvae. The journey to Komodo in their little fishing boat becomes hazardous when they encounter a storm and tidal runs. The team later discover that their incompetent skipper is not actually a fisherman but a gunrunner.

Courtesy of © BBC

7 of 8

David Attenborough feeding Benjamin, the ZOO QUEST bBear (Malaysian sun bear), Borneo, 1956.

Courtesy of © BBC

8 of 8

The first ever color footage of Komodo dragons in the wild. Komodo, Indonesia, 1956.

Courtesy of © BBC

It also launched the career of the young David Attenborough as a wildlife presenter.

Broadcast 10 years before color television was seen in the UK, ZOO QUEST was thought to have been filmed in black and white. Until now...

Using extraordinary color 16mm film discovered recently, together with new behind-the-scenes stories from David Attenborough and cameraman Charles Lagus, this film showcases the very best of "Zoo Quest to West Africa," "Zoo Quest to Guiana" and "Zoo Quest for a Dragon."

Part 1 airs Wednesday, Jan, 25, 2017 at 8 p.m., followed by Part 2 at 9 p.m.

REVIEWS:

“The images were worth waiting decades to see” —Daily Mail

“The sheer quality of the footage is hard to believe” —Guardian

“The restored colour footage from these early adventures was exquisite” —Daily Express

“This lovely programme... was even more special for showing us the birth of Attenborough as a presenter” —The Times

CREDITS:

A BBC production. Presenter: David Attenborough. Series Producer: Miles Barton. Executive Producer: Michael Gunton.