| Galapagos | 
 enlarge | Actor: Tilda Swinton
Studio: BBC Warner
Category: DVD
List Price: $19.98
Buy New: $12.81
You Save: $7.17 (36%)
New (41) Used (9) Collectible (1) from $12.58
Avg. Customer Rating:  29 reviews
Sales Rank: 3931
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dvd-video, Widescreen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 150
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.2 x 0.6
MPN: WARDE2952D
UPC: 794051295224
EAN: 0794051295224
ASIN: B000M2E354
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
Release Date: April 3, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New and Factory Sealed Item Fast Shipping
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Product Description
Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 04/03/2007 Run time: 150 minutes Rating: Nr
Amazon.com
While its title may be superfluous, Galapagos: The Islands That Changed the World is a beautifully filmed journey into "the islands of the tortoise." Located due west of Ecuador, the Galapagos islands are full of gorgeous scenery and exotic wildlife. And this 150-minute documentary shows it all, thanks to stunning cinematography shot from all viewpoints--the air, sea and, of course, land. The collection is both soothing and exhilarating as it allows viewers to peek in on mating albatrosses (which are monogamous), penguins fishing, and surprisingly graceful giant tortoises swimming in the ocean. The filmmakers also manage to capture a ferocious volcanic eruption that is amazing in its clarity. The problem with many documentaries lies in the narration. A documentary filmmaker hits the jackpot when he is able to get someone like Sigourney Weaver, whose crisp narration fits in beautifully with the sweeping footage in Planet Earth. While Tilda Swanton lends a relaxing quality to Galapagos, her voice at times is a bit too lulling to hold the viewer's interest. The writing also borders on melodramatic, with talk of the simmering sea and such. With visuals as stunning as this, hyperbole is unnecessary. Charles Darwin has described the Galapagos as a world within itself, and it is said that the islands were one of his inspirations for his book The Origin of Species. While the film doesn't clearly explain why the Galapagos are unlike any other place on earth, it does showcase a destination that is unlike what most of us know. --Jae-Ha Kim
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| Customer Reviews: Read 24 more reviews...
 A great synopsis of the wonder of the Galapagos Islands December 2, 2008
Having just visited the Galapagas Islands for 8 days (10 islands), I didn't believe that any video could capture their wonder. This co-production of the BBC and National Geographic absolutely does. I particularly liked that it included several aspects, such as the geological history, human history, Darwin's visit and its impact on his development of the theory of evolution, in addition to the unique species found there. It really captured some incredible footage of those species and their incredible struggle for survival through adaptation in this very harsh environment. Beautifully done!
A superb DVD of a fascinating place September 20, 2008
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
The other reviews here on Amazon, and several others elsewhere, fully describe this extraordinary nature film: stunning camerawork, sweeping music coordinated with the action, excellent closeups, and an attractive narrator. Tilda Swinton's "blue-footed boobies" phrase is enchanting.
As dedicated travelers, my wife and I have decided not to travel there; so many of the sights are underwater, and the environmental pressures are severe. We've decided to continue to read about the 13 main islands and 60 other islets, rocks and reefs, and enjoy these films as armchair travelers instead.
Here's a short checklist of my favorite books to accompany the shows:
Galapagos: The Islands That Changed the World by Paul D. Stewart.
Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles of the Galapagos Islands: An Identification Guide, 2nd Edition by Andy Swash and Rob Still.
Wildlife of the Galapagos (Traveller's Guide) by Julian Fitter, Daniel Fitter, and David Hosking.
Galapagos Conservancy Membership (An excellent annual report and an opportunity to contribute to the maintenance of the site.)
And, we might even plant a couple Galapagos Island Tomato 5 Seeds, a cross with Lycopersicon cheesmanii, a species from the Galapagos islands. Sometimes staying home can be better than actually visiting a place.
Robert C. Ross 2008
The word "awesome" applies. September 7, 2008
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
GALAPAGOS is a revelation.
This three-part series, narrated hypnotically by Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton, includes a largely informative script, a heartrending score and some of the finest nature photography ever committed to film. Whether tracking an enormous Blue-Footed Booby flock on a massive dive for prey, following the eerie progress of Marine Iguanas on an undersea quest for red algae or honoring, through iconic imagery, the dogged persistence of the Galapagos Tortoise, the film is endlessly fascinating. Through three gripping episodes, it never flags.
If ever there was a film to unite evolutionists with Biblical fundamentalists, this is it. The endless birth and aging of islands in the "hot spot" of the archipelago -- some as young as 30,000 years of age; others in excess of 100 million years -- reveals the full flowering of nature, and justifies the concept of evolution and the holiness of wild places.
Of all the wonderful natural history films released by the BBC these past 30 years, this is one of my three favorites. It ignites the scientific imagination and intellectual curiosity. It's also undeniably beautiful.
Five stars.
Galapagos DVD June 22, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I have visited the Galapagos Islands, so I was looking for a DVD that showed the beauty of the islands and described the geologic and natural history. "Galapagos" is beautifully done. The photography is superb and the narration excellent. Although I have read quite a bit about the islands, this DVD gave some information I had not known before.
I would recommend "Galapagos" to anyone.
No Widescreen in DVD Version May 18, 2008
I have this movie in HD DVD format which is in 1.66:1 format. I had planned to buy my Father this movie in DVD format (we have the same type of 16:9 TV). But from what I can tell every DVD version of this movie comes in the 1.33 format which is full screen and not widescreen.
Very disappointing. So no sale of the DVD version for me. Hopefully they will eventually release the DVD version in widescreen format.
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