Attenborough Returns to the Gorillas, Five Decades Later
In 1979, a moment of television history unfolded in the mists of Rwanda’s Virunga mountains. For the series *Life on Earth*, David Attenborough sat quietly as a young mountain gorilla named Pablo climbed onto him, an unscripted encounter that reshaped how the world saw these great apes. “There is more meaning and mutual understanding in exchanging a glance with a gorilla than any other animal I know,” Attenborough reflected then, challenging perceptions of gorillas as purely fearsome.
Now, nearly 50 years on, Attenborough is back with a new Netflix film, *Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough*. The project returns to Rwanda to document the descendants of that very gorilla family. Directed by James Reed (*My Octopus Teacher*) and produced by longtime Attenborough collaborator Alastair Fothergill, the film weaves archival footage with a modern narrative captured over an unprecedented 250 filming days.
The contemporary story centers on the Pablo group, founded by the same infant who once sat in Attenborough’s lap. Filmmakers witnessed a dramatic power struggle between silverbacks and intimate family bonds. “We’ve essentially found the parallel story of the original Pablo,” Fothergill notes.
The shoot was physically demanding, involving hikes at high altitude and a strict one-hour daily filming limit to minimize disturbance. The crew developed distinct impressions of individual gorillas, from the playful infant Ubi to a young female named Inyange, who won hearts as she integrated into the group.
This film underscores a rare conservation victory. When Attenborough first visited, only about 250 mountain gorillas remained. Today, thanks to sustained efforts in Rwanda, their numbers have significantly increased. “It’s one of the very few positive stories in conservation today,” Fothergill says. The filmmakers hope audiences gain a deeper respect for gorillas' complex social lives and a reminder that determined protection can yield real results.
*Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough* premieres globally on Netflix on April 17, 2026.