Actor(s): Robert Eather, Dr. Louis Herman, Dr. Ellen R. Stofan, James Lancaster, Melissa Negre
Director(s): Greg MacGillivray, Jon Boorstin, Stephen Judson
Publisher: Image Entertainment
Binding: DVD
Brand: Image Entertainment
Language(s): English
EAN: 0014381233629
Studio: Image Entertainment
Movie Description
Originally filmed in IMAX format, The Discoverers features some astoundingly spectacular footage all centering around the act of discovery. The story of the great navigator Magellan's search for a passage to the Pacific is presented with film of spectacular sunsets and scenery, and a visit to a re-creation of Sir Isaac Newton's laboratory while he refracts light with lamps and prisms is equally beautiful. The various vignettes, which range from a child and her father discovering paintings of bison painted on cave ceilings thousands of years ago to a scientist on a team analyzing data sent back from a probe sent to the planet Venus, don't proceed in a linear path. But that's the whole idea. The production was inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning book The Discoverers by Daniel J. Boorstin, and the goal was to put the viewer alongside those who explore the unknown as they experience the joyous moments of discovery. There is some serious science presented in the course of the film, but fear not, it's all presented in a highly entertaining manner. All that's required is to simply sit back and immerse yourself in the utterly gorgeous cinematography. --Robert J. McNamara
From the earliest voyages that mapped the Earth to today's launches into space, "The Discoverers" (38 min.) reverberates with the passion to explore our universe. Based on the Pulitzer Prize winning book by Dr. Daniel J. Boorstin, "The Discoverers" examines our desire to expand the boundaries of knowledge. The stories presented in this film span space and time, taking us around the world to participate in the act of discovery. Stand alongside Sir Isaac Newton in his British lab; then travel to the present to observe Dr. Louis Herman working with his very cerebral dolphins in Hawaii. Ever wonder "how did they do that?" "The Making of 'The Discoverers'" (34 min.) puts you behind the camera and provides further insights into the world of science and discovery. Learn more about the research and effort that went into recreating the inspiring historical events presented in "The Discoverers." Shot using high definition television cameras, "The Making of 'The Discoverers'" is a fascinating retrospective on a movie that made history. Disc 2 includes the complete feature in Microsoft Windows Media High Definition, playable on your PC.
IMAX being the large film format that it is, This CLASSIC film will make you wonder about the world around you, and beyond you. It is a classic film, and hopefully this will be available in BD format. All IMAX films distributed on BD format will be the closest thing in your home theater to the REAL IMAX experiance in the IMAX theater. For more info visit [...] Until then Future Thrill Seekers... -Alex
"Probably the best IMAX movie"
Written By: Steven E. Romer
I was suprised at the negative reviews... more like I was SHOCKED! I don't get it, why are people saying it was "disjointed?" It flowed together like visual, symbolic, intellectual poetry! It was simply beautiful. If you are not that erudite, it might not make sense to you. This was high art. the imagery of the cave paintings found by a curious child meshed like the painting of a great master with the dolphins learning and perceiving symbolic imagery on a television screen under water. The sheer genius of that alone had me on the verge of tears... A beautiful message of the soul is how I would describe this film in one sentence. The part about Isaac Newton shows his unique eclectic reason and insatiable logic and curiousity better than 1000 words ever could! They did not call him "the Lion" for nothing!
An amazing film. Absolutely loved it. The connections between the stories are supposed to be made in YOU. which, again is a reflection of the basic thesis of the film. A beautiful echo. Very poetic.
"A mediocre IMAX movie"
Written By: Mountain Dewd
As many have said, this was not the best IMAX movie ever made.
I wanted a copy for myself because I have a 10 second cameo in this movie (am I vain?). I worked on the Magellan Venus Radar Mapper project at JPL, and helped generate the images that went into the simulated flight over the surface of Venus. This was probably the only part of the whole movie worth seeing. My coworkers and I were invited to see this movie at its first public showing at the IMAX theater in LA. I was blown away by the simulated flight segment, even though I had seen it many times before in our labs. Even so, I found it difficult to spend money on this weak piece of work.
With my apologies to Greg MacGillivray.
"I "Discovered"... not to buy this."
Written By: TechShopper1
I didn't know there's such thing as a bad IMAX movie until I came across this.
"Not the greatest of the IMAX titles"
Written By: Sandra Starr
I have pretty much all of the WMVHD disks (including the more obscure ones like Muffin Man and Step Into Liquid). The film transfer of this title isn't as crisp as the other IMAX titles, and in general, the cinematography is not as stunning. Still nice, but it just doesn't compare to the others. The story line is a little campy, but they do a good job of covering a lot of ground, from 1600's to the future, showing how explorers risk everything to break new ground.
"IMAX favorites"
"A mediocre IMAX movie"
