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DVD Ghosts of the Abyss
Even without its original 3-D IMAX presentation, James Cameron's Ghosts of the Abyss is still an eerily elegant tour of history's most infamous shipwreck. Six years after his original journey to the rusting hulk of the Titanic (where he captured footage for his 1997 blockbuster), Cameron returned to the wreckage with actor Bill Paxton, a team of Russian and American scientists, the world's most knowledgeable Titanic historians, and enough state-of-the-art technology to film the most complete and intimate exploration of the ill-fated ship's remains. Astonishing footage, flawless digital animation, and ghostly re-creations of the ship's final hours are seamlessly combined to orient the viewer at an intersection of tragic past and awe-inspiring present, emphasizing more than ever the sheer scale of Titanic's gargantuan construction. Signs of luxury remain, 90 years later, while the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (occurring here in mid-mission) place this unforgettable journey into resonant, humanitarian perspective. --Jeff Shannon
I saw this movie in 3D at an IMAX theater and was completely amazed. The story of Titanic is a fascinating and very sad one. This movie shows the Titanic laying beneath the ocean. It is truly an amazing site.
James Cameron does an excellent job here. They go down in a submarine and go around looking at the different parts of the ship. During this, they are imagining what it must have been like at these certain parts and it shows scenes of "ghosts" of the people on the ship.
It is very emotional and really has you thinking after the movie is over.
Surprisingly good
When I picked up this DVD I was concerned that there would be too much fluff due to the connection to the blockbuster movie (i.e., Bill Paxton). I was pleasantly surprised to find a number of quality images of the sunken ship, some interesting integration of CGI technology (overlaying and transitioning renderings of what the ship would have looked like), wonderful bits of trivia, and honest and illuminating moments of fear and elation among the crew (Paxton included). Sure, this isn't the meatiest documentary, but it is well-rounded enough to warrant at least one viewing. I think that you will find some great footage (some of the shots of the wood and glass work are splendid - then there is the nail-biter rescue of a submersible robot....).
Not nearly enough Titanic footage, lots of the film crew
I bought this because of an interest in the Titanic and partly because James Cameron did so well with the DeCaprio/Winslet theatrical story.
I gave it 3 stars because you do get some footage of the Titanic but thought that too much time was spent on documenting the film crew's day. You get a lot of talk and some interesting bits about how they did things but not all that much actual footage of the wreck itself. The photography is as clear as could be expected of the wreck (Mike Cameron, the guy who designed & built Jake and Elwood -the ROV's, is James Cameron's brother but you'd have to read the companion book to find that out),they did a really good job of the shipboard and inside submarine stuff.
I liked the concept of doing ghost overlays on the wreck itself using reenactors as people who would have been moving around during the wreck. The computer animations of various scenes were pretty good- too bad the 3-D part was left out.
You've got the 60 minute theatrical version and the extended 90 minute version to choose from, I didn't bother with the short one but went with the long one, not that some of the extra bits added that much.
The second disc is pretty much of a joke with two features, the 36 minute "Reflections from the Deep" which is mostly a replay of bits from the 1st disc along with some of the cast talking about the movie. It isn't worth much of your time. The 2nd feature on disc 2, "The Mir Experience", is a real fraud. Billed as innovative, and almost 53 minutes long, it is set up like you're inside the Mir submarine with a main viewscreen and several smaller screens above it. As nearly as I could tell, and figure out, you basically get 6 or 7 different views of stuff you've already seen somewhere else on Disc 1, nothing new- and all 6 or so screens make the total of 54 minutes. That 54 minute feature is really only about 7 1/2 minutes long and told from several different angles (and submarines). It also doesn't help that you don't get to see it full screen,just by that silly "Mir" interior look, like the rest of the documentary is done.
Disc one is subtitled and closed captioned, Disc 2 apparently is not so if you do get interested in something you'll have to crank up the volume because you get no help here.
The tragedy of the Titanic has fascinated all since she sank with 1,500 of her passengers and crew in 1912. Much later, scientist Robert Ballard set out to find and explore the wreck, despite difficulties of depth and location. Using the research submarine Alvin and a remote-controlled underwater robot, he was the first human in over 70 years to see the giant resting beneath the North Atlantic waves. Secrets of the Titanic tells the story of the events leading up to the sinking using footage and photographs from the doomed maiden voyage and then follows the luckier Dr. Ballard through the steps leading to his discovery. As usual for National Geographic, the photography is excellent, even within the cramped confines of the tiny Alvin. The first views of the... More Info about this DVD DVD Release Date: Released the 28 August 2001 Usually ships in 6 to 8 days
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Of all the many documentaries that have been made about the Titanic disaster, this two-part, 192-minute film, produced in 1994 for the Arts & Entertainment network, remains the most thorough, authoritative, and fascinating chronicle of the Titanic tragedy. Written, produced, and directed by Melissa Jo Peltier and elegantly narrated by actor David McCallum, the film utilizes thorough research, archival films and documents, and expert testimony to span the entire history of the legendary S.S. Titanic. From blueprint design and construction in Ireland, to the ill-fated maiden voyage and the lasting legacy of Titanic's fateful sinking, no detail has been neglected in the film's meticulous description of events. Part 1, "The Death of a Dream," builds dramatic... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Melissa Jo Peltier DVD Release Date: Released the 26 February 2002 Usually ships in 24 hours
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I saw this documentry last summer on I think... the Discovery Channel. In it, Dr. Ballard returned to the titanic to see how she would appear, what was still in good condition, etc. Unfortunately, between 1986 and 2004, many artifacts were taken from the wreckage much to the disappointment of Ballard. I was fascinated by his new findings upon his return. What was most sad was the fact that someone had taken the plaque he had placed on the titanic in memory of those who were lost. Basically this is a part two of his first documentary that he did back in 1986 for National Geographic called "Secrets of the Titanic". It's a really great DVD for those who are fascinated by this historical disaster. More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Dr. Robert Ballard DVD Release Date: Released the 15 February 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
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