The Human Body (TV series)


The Human Body is a seven-part documentary series, first shown on 20 May 1998 on BBC One and presented by medical scientist Robert Winston. A co-production between the BBC and The Learning Channel, the series looks at the mechanics and emotions of the human body from birth to death.
The series was nominated for numerous awards, winning several, including three BAFTA awards, four RTS awards and a Peabody Award.

Production

Described as the BBC's "first major TV series on human biology", it took over two years to make and aimed to be the definitive set of programmes on the human body. The series was produced by Richard Dale and presented by Professor Robert Winston, a fertility expert.
The series used a variety of different techniques to present the topics being discussed, including endoscopes and computer graphics for internal shots, time-lapse photography to show the growth of hair and nails, magnetic resonance imaging and scanning electron microscopy.

Episodes

  1. "Life Story" – Every second, a world of miraculous microscopic events take place within the body.
  2. "An Everyday Miracle" – The drama of conception activates the most sophisticated life support machine on earth.
  3. "First Steps" – In four years, the new-born child learns every survival skill.
  4. "Raging Teens" – The hormone-driven roller-coaster otherwise known as adolescence!
  5. "Brain Power" – The adult human brain is the most complicated - and mysterious - object in the universe. In this episode, Winston deliberately intoxicates himself in a restaurant to show the effects alcohol has on the brain.
  6. "The Making of the Human Body" – Winston reveals the secrets behind his human biology series
  7. "As Time Goes By" – is far more complex - and fascinating - than mere decline.
  8. "The End of Life" – Even in death, the body reveals remarkable secrets.

    Reception

The series gained 6.3 million viewers and an audience share of 38%.

Awards

The series was nominated for numerous awards, winning several, including three BAFTA awards, four RTS awards and a Peabody Award.
YearAwardResultCategory / Comments
1998British Academy Television AwardsBest Factual Series
1998British Academy Television AwardsOriginality
1998British Academy Television AwardsBest Graphic Design
1998British Academy Television AwardsBest Photography
1998British Academy Television AwardsBest Sound
1998Royal Television Society AwardsBest Graphic Design – Programme Content Sequences
1998Royal Television Society AwardsBest Lighting, Photogtaphy & Camera - Photography Documentary/Factual
1998Royal Television Society AwardsBest Visual Effects
1998Royal Television Society AwardsCraft and Design Innovation
1998Royal Television Society AwardsTeam Award
1998National Television AwardsMost Popular Documentary Series
1998George Foster Peabody Awards"Never needlessly technical and always witty, energetic, and innovative, The Human Body takes us on an incredible voyage, and for so doing, is deserving of the Peabody Award."
1999International Monitor AwardsDocumentaries – Director
1999San Francisco International Film Festival Silver SpireTelevision – Science and Nature
1999International Documentary Association AwardsLimited Series

Other formats

A DVD of the series was released in July 2001 and includes a 50-minute feature on The Making of the Human Body - A final overview that reveals the techniques and developments that made the series possible.
The series was adapted into a film released for IMAX cinemas. The film won the Giant Screen Theatre Association's Best Film For Lifelong Learning award.

Book

The book accompanying the series was written by Anthony Smith. According to one review, "Smith transcends anatomical trivia to record our bodies' powerful tale with empathy and clarity."