When Dinosaurs Ruled

Starring:When Dinosaurs Ruled
Studio: Madacy Records
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
When Dinosaurs Ruled uses enhanced 3-D animation to present lithe, agile dinosaurs that look more like a nature program than science fiction. This Learning Channel series incorporates all the latest research into warm-bloodedness, skin coloration, kinetics, and social behaviors, not to mention newly discovered dinosaurs. The information is presented with helpful charts, graphs, and visuals and in language that is easy to understand but not at all dumbed down. The soundtrack, excellent pacing, cinematography, and animation are bonuses.

Amazon.com

When Dinosaurs Ruled uses enhanced 3-D animation to present lithe, agile dinosaurs that look more like a nature program than science fiction. The Land That Time Forgot incorporates all the latest research into creating warm-bloodedness, skin coloration, kinetics, and social behaviors, not to mention newly discovered dinosaurs. The information is presented with helpful charts, graphs, and visuals in language that is easy to understand but not at all dumbed down. The soundtrack, excellent pacing, cinematography, and animation are bonuses.

The first in a five-part series, this DVD focuses on dinosaurs found in Africa. The DVD's special features include direct scene access where you can jump between thematic sections such as Nomadic Dinosaurs, Small Dinosaurs, and Disaster in Tunisia, a trivia quiz to see how well you remember the information presented, and spotlighted dinosaurs where you can jump to the specific dinosaurs presented--Majungotholus, Rahonavis, Kirky, Carchardontosaurus, Deltadromeus, Spinosaurus, Brachiosaurus, and Massospondylus. Expert or novice, kid or grownup, this DVD will appeal to anyone interested in learning more about what the earth was like When Dinosaurs Ruled. --Tara Chace

Customer Reviews:

not a movie.......2002-10-30

this is documentary on acheology digging up bones. I requested a movie "the land that time forgot" and you send me a narative documentary of dinosaurs...if you do not have the movie, please refund my money or find the movie and send it.

thank you.

Very informative.......2002-10-17

If you are looking for the spectacular computer animated dinosaurs that are found in 'Walking With Dinosaurs', look somewhere else. This set doesn't have them. What it does have, however, is a lot of wonderful, up to date, fact based information on dinosaurs not found anywhere else. It is enough to keep a five year olds' attention, and intelligent enough to pull me into watching it as well.

I have a five year old son who is absolutely ga-ga for dinosaurs, and voraciously watches anything he can find on them, pours over books about them, spends hours putting together and taking apart puzzles of them, colors endless quantities of pictures of them - in short, anything with a dinosaur on the cover he wants. When he saw this, there was nothing for it but to buy it. I have to say I don't regret it for a minute.

To be honest, I purchased this not expecting much. I had read reviews of others and thought it would be inferior to anything else out there, but might keep him occupied for a while. To be fair, the animation is substandard, you can tell that it was made for tv, and the editing isn't the greatest. However, I found myself watching it with him, facinated dispite myself. The information is presented in an easy to listen to maner, with graphs, charts, and animation that(while substandard compared to Walking With Dinosaurs)gives you a feel for the size and weight these creatures must have had. And, being that they were produced in 2000, the information is more up to date than most everything else out there with facinating new discoveries.

True, there is repetion of content from one DVD to the next, but the repetion deals more with the basics of dinosaur evolution and the relevent time periods than repeating information about the individual dinosaurs themselves. While the repetition can be frustrating for adults, it also means that each of the DVDs stands on it's own, and can be watched in any order.

In short, I found this set, while a bit pricey, to be worth it, and am not sorry I got it at all.

Absolute garbage.......2001-01-13

Don't waste your money. I'm sorry I did.

Consider the complete set instead........2000-09-02

This is one of a 5-part Learning Channel series narrated by Jeff Goldblum exploring dinosaur remains found in a generally specific modern location, in this case Africa. If you're looking for great CGI dinosaurs, you'll have to look elsewhere, such as Walking With Dinosaurs. Actually, there are very few of these to complain about. Almost all of the show consists of various exterior shots of the region with very little having anything to do with fossil finds or excavations.

It's quite clear that the Amazon.com reviewer didn't feel it important enough to write an individual review of each of the five parts in this series, but instead wrote a generic review and then changed a couple of items to cover each of the five parts of this series. I doubt that she even took the time to watch this video. The direct scene access is nothing like that described. The "thematic sections" are very general at best, and you cannot access specific dinosaurs in any way, not that there is much to access. Taking the information from the box is in no way what I consider a review.

I'm going to risk your displeasure. You'll find my review also somewhat generic, as it's virtually the same as those I've written for the other four in the series. (But at least I've actually WATCHED them!) The reason for this is simple: each of these five videos is essentially the same with the exception of regional location and the content of Goldblum's narritave. However, if you'll take the time to read my review of When Dinosaurs Ruled (the complete set), you'll find a complete review that should be helpful.

The Land that Time Forgot does not rely on the other parts of the series - it can easily stand on its own merits. But if you like it, you're going to want the complete set. If the cost of the set puts you off, I highly recommend Walking with Dinosaurs.

Wouldn't you rather be Walking with Dinasaurs?.......2000-08-22

When Dinosaurs Ruled is a 5-part series from The Learning Channel that coincidentally was released to home video at about the same time as Walking with Dinosaurs. Narrated by Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park/The Lost World) each part explores dinosaurs whose remains were found in a generally specific part of the modern world: Africa, Europe, North America, South America, and Australia/Antarctica. This is a video essay for those who want to watch and listen rather than read.

Interspersed throughout are short, fairly cheesy, animated sequences of dinosaurs that are very uninteresting. Once in a while we are treated with a nice global map of the area or specific locations. There are shots here and there of paleontologists at excavation sites, but nothing revealing about the sites themselves. Clips of Bob Bakker pop up apparently at random as if to add credibility. But mostly this is a travelogue with Goldblum's voice reading the "essay."

Don't get me wrong. This "essay", as I call it, has a lot of information available and might have made a good audio tape - with someone else reading it. Granted, Avery Brooks narrating the U.S. broadcast version of Walking with Dinosaurs is an impossible act to follow (unless, perhaps, you're James Earl Jones). As much as I like Goldblum as an actor, his voice leaves me wanting somebody else who can hold my attention.

Unfortunately, Madacy Entertainment produced this DVD, but they seem to be improving their act a bit. As with other disks I've reviewed I find their production values wanting, most notably the chapter divisions. The full-motion scene selections are a great touch, but Madacy still doesn't seem to care how they divide up the disk. Several times throughout the series you will be dropped into the middle of a sentence or even the middle of a word. There are big fat black spots where the commercials belong that would be hard to miss, but they do. While this is a minor thing (and I won't use it in my rating) it's sloppy.

And a word about trivia quizzes: "Why? "

Amazon.com

When Dinosaurs Ruled uses enhanced 3-D animation to present lithe, agile dinosaurs that look more like a nature program than science fiction. Birth of the Giants incorporates all the latest research into creating warm-bloodedness, skin coloration, kinetics, and social behaviors, not to mention newly discovered dinosaurs. The information is presented with helpful charts, graphs, and visuals in language that is easy to understand but not at all dumbed down. The soundtrack, excellent pacing, cinematography, and animation are bonuses.

Amazon.com

When Dinosaurs Ruled uses enhanced 3-D animation to present lithe, agile dinosaurs that look more like a nature program than science fiction. The Real Jurassic Park incorporates all the latest research into creating warm-bloodedness, skin coloration, kinetics, and social behaviors, not to mention newly discovered dinosaurs. The information is presented with helpful charts, graphs, and visuals in language that is easy to understand but not at all dumbed down. The soundtrack, excellent pacing, cinematography, and animation are bonuses.

The third in a five-part series, this DVD focuses on dinosaurs found in North America. The DVD's special features include direct scene access where you can jump between thematic sections such as Nomadic Dinosaurs, Small Dinosaurs, and Disaster in Tunisia, a trivia quiz to see how well you remember the information presented, and spotlighted dinosaurs where you can jump to the specific dinosaurs presented--Majungotholus, Rahonavis, Kirky, Carchardontosaurus, Deltadromeus, Spinosaurus, Brachiosaurus, and Massospondylus. Expert or novice, kid or grownup, this DVD will appeal to anyone interested in learning more about what the earth was like When Dinosaurs Ruled. --Tara Chace

Customer Reviews:

Prosaic Parasaurolophus, Tedious Tyrannosaurs.......2002-04-12

When Dinosaurs Ruled: The Real Jurassic Park's subtitle refers to North America as the home of the largest, most spectacular dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus Rex. Unfortunately this subtitle also invites comparisons with Stephen Spielberg's blockbuster movie, and in those comparisons it does not fare well. Although released 7 years after the fictional story of the return of the dinosaurs, this documentary has significantly poorer production values. This is, of course, a natural result when a production comes from the Learning Channel instead of a major Hollywood company, or even the BBC (Walking With Dinosaurs), and certainly a documentary can and should do more than just present animation. But if you are going to use the name "Jurassic Park" in your title, you should certainly give the viewer more than the scant seconds of mediocre animation, repeated over and over, and shots of shaking foliage implying that the dinosaurs are running through the trees.

Most viewers are sure to be disappointed in the production values of When Dinosaurs Ruled and will have much greater expectations. It also suffers as a result of the overly enthusiastic reading Jeff Goldblum gives the superlative-filled script and in the rather odd choice of music--almost like the sound track to a soft-porn movie. At one point there is a discussion of the use of Parasaurolophus's crest as a resonating chamber (now a widely accepted theory). During a demonstration of the sound it likely could have made (based on computer simulations and CAT scan research) the music doesn't even stop!

Other, less important inconsistencies: hadrosaurs are first claimed to be "up to 30 feet long", but later Parasaurolophus (a hadrosaur) is cited to be 30 to 45 feet long; we are told that Tyrannosaurus Rex's name means "terrible lizard"--every schoolboy knows that is incomplete, and that the "rex" part means "king". Granted, these are minor points, but indicative of the sloppiness of the whole.

On the positive side, there are some interesting facts and theories mentioned. Among these are a consideration that Tyrannosaurs may have groomed their mates and children; a mention of how the evolution of flowering plants may have affected the evolution of dinosaurs, and some minor consideration of theories that a massive comet striking the Earth may not, in fact, have been the ultimate cause (or at least the sole cause) of the dinosaur's extinction. Here again, though, the show lets its viewers down--one paleontologist states unequivocally that a single comet would not cause the extinction patterns he sees, but is given no further chance to explain himself. The comet theory has displaced all other theories of extinction in the popular view, but increasingly scientists are considering a comet strike as only one of a series of events causing that decline. This would have been a wonderful place to explore some of those alternative causes, but it was an opportunity missed.

Abrupt endings can leave audiences with an unfulfilled sensation. Tthe ending of this show was very abrupt, just like this.

Consider the complete set instead.......2000-09-02

This is one of a 5-part Learning Channel series narrated by Jeff Goldblum exploring dinosaur remains found in a generally specific modern location, in this case North America. If you're looking for great CGI dinosaurs, you'll have to look elsewhere, such as Walking With Dinosaurs. Actually, there are very few of these to complain about. Almost all of the show consists of various exterior shots of the region with very little having anything to do with fossil finds or excavations.

It's quite clear that the Amazon.com reviewer didn't feel it important enough to write an individual review of each of the five parts in this series, but instead wrote a generic review and then changed a couple of items to cover each of the five parts of this series. For instance, I have trouble finding Tunisia on my map of North America. And the species mentioned are only presented in The Land that Time Forgot, another part of the series. I doubt that she even took the time to watch this video. The direct scene access is nothing like that described. The "thematic sections" are very general at best, and you cannot access specific dinosaurs in any way, not that there is much to access. Taking the information from the box is in no way what I consider a review.

The Real Jurassic Park does not rely on the other parts of the series - it can easily stand on its own merits. Of the five parts, I found this the most interesting. If you like it, you're going to want the complete set. If the cost of the set puts you off, I highly recommend Walking with Dinosaurs.

Informative AND Interesting.......2000-07-08

I've always loved dinosaurs since I was a child and watching this documentary was extremely fascinating! I found everything about it interesting. I've now watched this DVD 3 times and I absorb more every time. If you ever wanted to learn or know more about dinosaurs... this is the movie you're been waiting for!

Average customer rating:

Even a child can see the shortcomings
Consider the complete set instead

When Dinosaurs Ruled: Ground Zero
Starring: When Dinosaurs Ruled
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Science & Technology | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

Nature & Wildlife | Special Interests | Genres | DVD | Video

Dinosaurs | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( W ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

When Dinosaurs Ruled: Birth of The Giants
When Dinosaurs Ruled: The Real Jurassic Park
Allosaurus - A Walking with Dinosaurs Special
When Dinosaurs Roamed America
Chased By Dinosaurs

ASIN: B00004T3BA
Release Date: 2000-05-05

Amazon.com

When Dinosaurs Ruled uses enhanced 3-D animation to present lithe, agile dinosaurs that look more like a nature program than science fiction. Ground Zero incorporates all the latest research into creating warm-bloodedness, skin coloration, kinetics, and social behaviors, not to mention newly discovered dinosaurs. The information is presented with helpful charts, graphs, and visuals in language that is easy to understand but not at all dumbed down. The soundtrack, excellent pacing, cinematography, and animation are bonuses.

The fourth in a five-part series, this DVD focuses on dinosaurs found in South America and the hunt for the first dinosaur. The DVD's special features include direct scene access where you can jump between thematic sections such as Nomadic Dinosaurs, Small Dinosaurs, and Disaster in Tunisia, a trivia quiz to see how well you remember the information presented, and spotlighted dinosaurs where you can jump to the specific dinosaurs presented--Majungotholus, Rahonavis, Kirky, Carchardontosaurus, Deltadromeus, Spinosaurus, Brachiosaurus, and Massospondylus. Expert or novice, kid or grownup, this DVD will appeal to anyone interested in learning more about what the earth was like When Dinosaurs Ruled. --Tara Chace

Customer Reviews:

Even a child can see the shortcomings.......2006-03-28

Bottom Line: get Walking with Dinosaurs, which is superior in every way. My six year old son was interested in what the paleontologists were saying, which actually was fairly interesting, but the reconstruction of the dinosaurs themselves was beyond lame--it was dishonest. How often did we see the same shaken camera technique, the blurred head with teeth and red eyes, the plastic looking tongue? Too many times. It didn't fool my son, and it just annoyed me.

Consider the complete set instead.......2000-09-02

This is one of a 5-part Learning Channel series narrated by Jeff Goldblum exploring dinosaur remains found in a generally specific modern location, in this case South America. If you're looking for great CGI dinosaurs, you'll have to look elsewhere, such as Walking With Dinosaurs. Actually, there are very few of these to complain about. Almost all of the show consists of various exterior shots of the region with very little having anything to do with fossil finds or excavations.

It's quite clear that the Amazon.com reviewer didn't feel it important enough to write an individual review of each of the five parts in this series, but instead wrote a generic review and then changed a couple of items to cover each of the five parts of this series. For instance, I have trouble finding Tunisia on my map of South America. And the species mentioned are only presented in The Land that Time Forgot, another part of the series. I doubt that she even took the time to watch this video. The direct scene access is nothing like that described. The "thematic sections" are very general at best, and you cannot access specific dinosaurs in any way, not that there is much to access. Taking the information from the box is in no way what I consider a review.

Amazon.com

When Dinosaurs Ruled uses enhanced 3-D animation to present lithe, agile dinosaurs that look more like a nature program than science fiction. This Learning Channel series incorporates all the latest research into warm-bloodedness, skin coloration, kinetics, and social behaviors, not to mention newly discovered dinosaurs. The information is presented with helpful charts, graphs, and visuals and in language that is easy to understand but not at all dumbed down. The soundtrack, excellent pacing, cinematography, and animation are bonuses.

Customer Reviews:

not a movie.......2002-10-30

thank you.

Very informative.......2002-10-17

In short, I found this set, while a bit pricey, to be worth it, and am not sorry I got it at all.

Absolute garbage.......2001-01-13

Don't waste your money. I'm sorry I did.

Consider the complete set instead........2000-09-02

Wouldn't you rather be Walking with Dinasaurs?.......2000-08-22

And a word about trivia quizzes: "Why? "

Amazon.com

When Dinosaurs Ruled uses enhanced 3-D animation to present lithe, agile dinosaurs that look more like a nature program than science fiction. At the Ends of the Earth incorporates all the latest research into warm-bloodedness, skin coloration, kinetics, and social behaviors, not to mention newly discovered dinosaurs. The information is presented with helpful charts, graphs, and visuals in language that is easy to understand but not at all dumbed down. The soundtrack, excellent pacing, cinematography, and animation are bonuses.

The last of a five-part series, this DVD focuses on dinosaurs found in Australia and Antarctica. The DVD's special features include direct scene access where you can jump between thematic sections such as Nomadic Dinosaurs, Small Dinosaurs, and Disaster in Tunisia, a trivia quiz to see how well you remember the information presented, and spotlighted dinosaurs where you can jump to the specific dinosaurs presented--Majungotholus, Rahonavis, Kirky, Carchardontosaurus, Deltadromeus, Spinosaurus, Brachiosaurus, and Massospondylus. Expert or novice, kid or grownup, this DVD will appeal to anyone interested in learning more about what the earth was like When Dinosaurs Ruled. --Tara Chace

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