Irwin Allen was a publicist before (and, heck, during) his time as a producer, and publicty for STORY OF MANKIND actually connected the dots from SEA to ANIMAL to MANKIND as if it was a progression, but I'm sure it was not his intent from get-go.

I think THE ANIMAL WORLD stinks just as badly in its own perfect little way. It tries to be Disney-esque but comes down closer to K. Gordon Murray. From what I've read about THE SEA AROUND US, it pretty much dumbs-down its source material (I'm shocked, shocked.)