Planet Earth II (BBC)

The main musical theme for Planet Earth II was composed by the renowned Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer. The powerful orchestral score perfectly underscores the stunning high-definition cinematography captured by the BBC film crews. Zimmer collaborated with Jacob Shea to bring the sweeping natural landscapes to musical life.

Planet Earth II utilized massive advancements in filming technology, such as high-dynamic-range 4K cameras, drones, and lightweight remote stabilization rigs. This allowed filmmakers to capture incredibly intimate, fluid footage of animal behavior that was impossible a decade earlier. The series also pioneered the use of motion-triggered camera traps for elusive nocturnal wildlife.

The highly suspenseful marine iguana and racer snake chase takes place in the 'Islands' episode of the series. Filmed on the Galápagos Islands, this intense sequence went incredibly viral upon release for its cinematic tension. It shows a hatchling iguana desperately outrunning dozens of snakes hiding in the rocks.

While Sir David Attenborough is heavily involved in the production and writing of the scripts, he often records his actual narrations in a studio setting after the footage is assembled. However, he does travel to various exotic ecosystems, such as the Swiss Alps or the Galápagos, to film his on-camera introductions. He was 90 years old during the filming of this series.