Ocean in Concert

“After almost 100 years on the planet, I now understand the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea.” Sir David Attenborough

Ocean with David Attenborough is a powerful feature documentary from Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios, released globally in May 2025 to coincide with celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker Sir David Attenborough’s 99th birthday. Like all previous Attenborough documentaries, it is jaw dropping in its scope and beauty, yet as the film’s co-director, Toby Nowlan points out, it is not a typical Attenborough film. “This is not about seeing brand new natural history behaviours. It is the greatest message he’s ever told.”

Ocean reveals that nowhere is more vital to life—or more full of wonder—than the ocean. Attenborough reflects how his lifetime has paralleled a golden age of ocean discovery, revealing how a healthy ocean sustains life on Earth. Stunning cinematography of coral reefs, kelp forests, and the open sea captures not only the ocean’s beauty, but dramatically captures the brutal threats it faces from destructive fishing and mass coral bleaching in never-before-seen footage. Yet Attenborough’s message is one of optimism and hope: the ocean can recover to a glory faster than we had ever imagined.

Ocean in Concert marks Sir David Attenborough’s centenary year by bringing to life his greatest message. It features award-winning composer Steven Price’s original Ocean with David Attenborough score, performed live by the Ulster Orchestra in perfect synchronisation with the film’s spectacular imagery. Conducted by acclaimed Robert Ziegler and joined by a vocal ensemble, the performance turns powerful visuals and an urgent story into a deeply moving experience.

Winner of an Academy Award for his iconic score to Gravity, Steven Price has a unique story-driven approach to the craft of film scoring. He is no stranger to working in the natural history realm having worked alongside Attenborough on The Hunt (for which he won a Bafta), Our Planet (nominated for two score Emmys), and David Attenborough – A Life on Our Planet (for which he won a Primetime Emmy). Price’s epic score to Ocean with David Attenborough captures the drama, savagery, and beauty of the ocean’s underwater world magnifying the film’s impact, amplifying both its wonder and its urgency.

“Sir David’s authority is matched only by nature’s grandeur in this visually stunning film”
– The Guardian *****

“…he’s given us the best gift of all with his new documentary Ocean”
– The Daily Mail *****

“The cinematography, as with just about anything Attenborough puts his name to, is stunning…”
– Time Out ****

Ocean in Concert is presented by esk in collaboration with Silverback Films, Open Planet Studios, All3 Media, Altitude Films, National Geographic, and Steven Price.