The US National Science Foundation, which has an Antarctic base where the production was based, wanted Attenborough to have extensive medical checks before venturing on to the ice in temperatures reaching -35C.
Attenborough's narration and some elegant pieces to camera - including magic moments alongside a tranquilised polar bear and, later, a passing penguin - helped connect the show to its natural history predecessors.
But Attenborough was the ideal frontman on the $30 million production with a big team of intrepid cinematographers using the latest in camera technology above and below the ice.
That ranged from the cineflex heligimbal, a gyro-stabilised camera mounted on a helicopter, plane or boat, which allows close-up photography from a long way away, so the noise won't disturb the animals, to a time-lapse filming system called a motion-control rig specially developed so the series could film seasonal polar changes.
The Making Of finale shows how those behind the cameras braved the ultra-chill to capture the footage which made Frozen Planet a TV landmark.
When: Tuesday, 8.30pm
Where: TV One
What: The story behind the amazing footage
-TimeOut