Great Wildlife Moments (2003)

While not a single epic series like *Planet Earth*, *Great Wildlife Moments (2003)* is an indispensable entry on Alastair Fothergill's best movies list because it serves as a powerful testament to the high standards and innovative spirit he instilled throughout his tenure at the BBC Natural History Unit. As a senior figure and later head of the unit, Fothergill was instrumental in defining what constituted a 'great wildlife moment' – pushing for groundbreaking cinematography, unprecedented access, and narratives that captured both the beauty and brutality of the natural world. This compilation directly reflects the caliber of filmmaking and storytelling he championed and helped bring to global audiences. This 2003 compilation, often presented as a feature-length special, encapsulates the very essence of Fothergill's vision, showcasing a curated selection of some of the most dramatic, poignant, and rarely seen animal behaviors captured by the world's leading wildlife filmmakers. It represents the pinnacle of natural history filmmaking of its time, bearing all the hallmarks of a Fothergill-associated production: breathtaking visuals, compelling storytelling, and an underlying reverence for the natural world. For anyone wanting to understand the foundational genius that led to his later, larger-scale cinematic triumphs, *Great Wildlife Moments* offers a distilled, powerful showcase of the awe-inspiring content he championed.