April 24, 2014 9.51 am This story is over 118 months old

The Banks Endeavour: Told by Sir David Attenborough

Bringing Banks to life: A Lincoln film company released a short documentary about the adventures of Joseph Banks featuring Sir David Attenborough.

A Lincoln film company has brought the explorations of Joseph Banks to life through a short documentary featuring Sir David Attenborough.

Producers Red Dogs Film launched the video to spark the beginning of an extensive project which will celebrate the life of the Lincolnshire-born botanist and explorer whose achievements are little known in the UK.

The documentary was filmed when Sir David Attenborough officially opened a new Joseph Banks exhibition at The Collection museum in Lincoln on February 14.

The exhibition opened to the public on February 15 and is available to visit until May 11, 2014.

Joseph Banks is best known for his role on the voyage of the Endeavour alongside Captain Cook. The journey led to the discovery of Australia in 1771.

The Banks Endeavour precedes the release of a 40 minute educational drama and interactive website in association with the Horncastle-based Sir Joseph Banks Society.

Phil Stevens, Creative Director of Red Dog Films, said: “Sir Joseph Banks is one of the most enigmatic and compelling figures of the 18th and 19th century, the fact that his name and legacy are now largely unknown in this country is a great injustice.

“Our hope is that this film will go some way to raise his profile in the public consciousness and affirm his place as one of the great scientists and explorers of the age of enlightenment.”

Paul Scott from the Sir Joseph Banks Society added: “We are delighted to be working with Red Dog Film on this exciting project which will tell the story of the greatest men of the Georgian period.”