Andrew Marr experiences his biggest adventure yet, plummeting from an airplane in his first-ever sky-dive (pictured) - all in the name of exploring the nation from above. During the course of his travels, Marr discovers how some of the greenest, most natural-seeming landscapes across the country have actually been shaped by human hands.
This week's journey begins 10,000ft above ground in East Anglia, where a familiar patchwork quilt of fields lies below. This is the breadbasket of the nation, producing more than a quarter of the country's wheat and barley. But it's not as natural as it looks. Here, farmers are harnessing military technology to help them manage their farms. Spy planes, normally used to snap reconnaissance photos of Iraq or Afghanistan, have been converted to crop-cams. Using GPS, the computer-controlled crop-cam flies over farmland, recording images as it goes.
Flying over Savernake Forest near Swindon, experts are employing modern technology to see beneath the forest canopy and reveal the nation's ancient history below. A plane-mounted laser flies over the forest. This laser - known as LiDAR - scans the ground, firing 33,000 times each second. The recorded impulses produce a model of the ground beneath the trees, revealing a temple-complex dating back to the Iron Age.
Finally, Andrew explores the nation's National Parks, witnessing them as a host to wildlife, countless leisure activities and sheep. He sees their fight against destruction and their role as a testing ground for fast jet aircraft like the Eurofighter.
Hi, You are not alone; this is what they told me at BBC:
> Dear Marco
>
> Thanks for your e-mail regarding 'Britain From Above'.
>
> I'm delighted to read that you enjoyed this programme and am very happy to receive your compliments. I understand you'd like to find out who composed the music for the programme.
>
> All the music in the programme and details of the composers is listed as incidental and it's therefore not possible for us to provide you with further details at this time. Many programme makers provide details of the theme music in their productions and often some of the other notable pieces or performances which are featured. However, much of the music can be taken from library sources, specially composed for the programme and not commercially available, or simply not listed in the production information we have access to. For these reasons, we are not able to research the origins of music you are interested in.
>
> I'm hoping that you might find the programme's website of interest:
>
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/britainfromabove/
>
> Thanks again for taking the time to contact us and all the very best.
>
> Regards
>
>
> Sarah
> BBC Information
> __________________________________________
> Would you like FREE tickets for BBC TV and Radio shows? Call us on 0370 901 1227 or visit www.bbc.co.uk/tickets
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
>
>
> >{Programme Name:} Britain from above
> >{Transmission Date:}10 - 08 - 08
> >
> >{Comments:}
> >Hi, would it be possible to let me know the authors of the music in the programme?
> >It was fantastic! Congratulations, for the program and soundtrack.
> >Marco
Strangely enough, if you browse the BBC site here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/britainfromabove/about/credits.shtml
you find all the information.
How silly are we getting with all these pseudo-protection of data....
August 27th, 2008 - 9:12pmrich said...
I know it's a long shot but there was a program in this series called "satellite earth" that went out on bbc4. The last scene in the show shows a rocket taking off set to some really beatiful music. Anyone have any ideas on how I can find out what this music is?
August 18th, 2008 - 7:18pmL Ashdown said...
Music over Dialog
It looked to be an interesting programme until the current desease of music over dialog flared up. Why when Andrew Marr is describing what he sees do we need some two bit band playing some dirge which makes him difficult to understand. If like me you need hearing assistance you do not stand a chance.
So keep music to set the the mood but never,never,ever over dialog.
Did you add the misic after filmimg as I did not see the band in the light aircraft?
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