The Creation of the Universe

Starring:Stephen Hawking
Studio: Pbs Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Customer Reviews:

Too Many Talking Heads.......2007-02-25

I fondly remember being a boy and watching Leonard Nimoy in "In Search Of..." it set a tone for documentaries to follow that is hard to match. Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" raised the bar slightly from "In Search of..." (although the creepy electronicized music of In Search of is Unparalleled!). Too many documentaries now have liberal portions of the heads of ugly people talking in a slow, uninteresting tone of voice. In In Search of or Cosmos, The hosts are moving; creating action, which compels the viewer to follow along figuratively.

So, if there were three criteria for documentaries, the first would be movement, interest, interviews that keep peoples attention, not talking heads...i.e., production value.

The second would be quality of cinematography, as it were, the quality and freshness of the art, the computer generated pictures, or the artistic conceptualization.

The third would be the depth/quality/interest/relevance of the information presented.

The "Creation of the Universe" seems to have a firm PBS hand in its production, not so much a firm grip as a feeling from the documentary.

As to the talking head factor, 2 stars...too many bearded men pontificating
The quality of the visuals, 4 stars
The quality of the material, 5 stars.

Overall, 3.67 stars, rounded up to 4...

Average customer rating:

Big Bang to the Present
Creation of the Universe
DVD flawed
Poor DVD Transfer With Outdated Material
Dated -- but still most thoughtful

The Creation of the Universe
Starring: Stephen Hawking
Manufacturer: Pbs Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Science & Technology | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Space Exploration | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

All | PBS | Specialty Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

NOVA - The Elegant Universe
NOVA - Origins
Stargaze - Hubble's View of the Universe
Stargaze II - Visions of the Universe
Cosmos: Carl Sagan (7 DVD Set)

ASIN: B0002I8390
Release Date: 2004-09-07

Description

Join leading scientists as they turn up clues to the origin and evolution of the universe, as this lavishly-filmed program explores today's most exciting and far-reaching theories. Among these fascinating investigations is the theory that the universe could have appeared spontaneously out of a perfect vacuum. Spectacular special effects and animation dramatize the birth of the universe. Nobel Prize winner Carlo Rubbia, Murray Gell-Man and world-famous physicist Stephen Hawking explain their complex theories in easy-to-follow terms.

Customer Reviews:

Big Bang to the Present.......2005-10-25

Embodies the concepts of religion and science in myth, cosmology, history, architecture, culture through observation, interviews and evidence. This is a powerful movie that is not what you expect.

This is an excellent video to help dispell many misconceptions about science and origins of the universe. Graphics are excellent. Stephen Hawking is shown speaking to a California Institute of Technology group - with the audience asking critical thinking questions.

Viewers walk away with a better understanding of science, our current state of knowledge and the origins of science and the universe. Originally issued as a laserdisc, this is a DVD reissue. Consider this a classic to watch from time-to-time. Especially helpful for introductory science classes at the high school and university level.

Creation of the Universe.......2005-08-19

Although a bit dated, this program still relatively accurate in its scientific content. It was also fascinating to listen and watch some of our most legendary, and knowledgeable, scientists opine on their experiences and philosophies. I am waiting for Ferris to make an updated sequel on this subject.

DVD flawed.......2005-03-04

The DVD has two flaws on it. The first occurs at time 37:05, a tone is heard over Timothy Ferris's commentary. A second, and more severe tone is heard at 38:05, also cutting out his commentary. I've purchased 2 copies already and both have the same flaws on them. PBS refuses to acknowledge the fault was caused in the transfer process. You're better off purchasing the video tape as the program is wonderful.

Poor DVD Transfer With Outdated Material.......2004-09-17

PBS Documentaries are usually excellent, but this recently released DVD unfortunately is the exception.

Nerdy host Timothy Ferris is monotone, soft spoken, and unenthusiastic, a deadly dull combination.

The program was from 1985 which should have been a red flag for me. In terms of modern day physics and cosmology 19 years ago represents ancient times, so probably a significant amount of what is discussed is scientifically outdated.

Graphics and special effects are second rate. The video is fuzzy and blurry. Sound is also poor having a couple of loud beeps in places where they clearly don't belong. No cleanup was done for the DVD at all as far as I can tell.

The only extra is Commentary from Timothy Ferris and I can't imagine having to listen to him more than once.

The experts are interesting when interviewed, but poor Stephen Hawking's moanings due to his speech disability become tiresome and irritating as they are interpreted by a off-screen person.

Tantalizing questions are posed but never answered.

SKIP THIS ONE!!! I have no idea what possessed me to buy it.

Only the most diehard science buffs should bother to look at this.

Dated -- but still most thoughtful.......2003-07-06

Yes -- as others note, this is dated, but still the best of its kind. Yo! Ferris! Consider this a plea to you to get in gear and do Creation of the Universe: the Sequel! Produce it yourself and keep the dough -- you deserve it.

Why Is the Big Bang Evidence That God Created the Universe?

Average customer rating:

Why Is the Big Bang Evidence That God Created the Universe?

Manufacturer: Ankerberg Theological Research Institute
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

NOVA - Origins

Product Features:

Features Astro-physicist and best-selling author Dr. Hugh Ross
Includes scenes from award-winning documentary "Journey Toward Creation"

ASIN: B000DILL70

Product Description

This series of 5 programs contains answers to the following: How does the Big Bang prove that God is the Creator of the universe? What scientific facts show that God meticulously designed the universe so that human life could exist on earth? When did life originate on earth? Why does the scientific evidence from chemistry and DNA research show that it would have been impossible for life to have arisen by naturalistic evolutionary means?

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