List Price: $19.98You Pay Only: $12.99 You Save: $6.99 (35%)Prices subject to change.
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
Brand: Warner Brothers
EAN: 0794051295224
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
Label: BBC Warner
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: BBC Warner
Region Code: 1
Release Date: April 03, 2007
Running Time: 150 minutes
Sales Rank: 5490
Studio: BBC Warner
Theatrical Release Date: 2007
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Editorial Review:
Product Description: The inspiration for Darwin's theory of evolution the Galapagos Islands are a living laboratory a geological conveyor belt that has given birth to and seen the death of many species of plants and animals. As the western islands rise up from the sea offering a chance of life the eastern islands sink back beneath the waves guaranteeing only death. Between the two are the middle islands; fertile lush land in its prime that contains an incredible diversity of life. Nowhere else on the Earth are the twin processes of creation and extinction of species so starkly apparent... see it all unfold before your eyes in this stunning series filmed entirely in high definition from the BBC and the National Geographic Channel.Running Time: 150 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. UPC: 794051295224 Manufacturer No: E2952
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
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - A superb DVD of a fascinating place
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
Rating: - The word "awesome" applies.
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.
Rating: - Galapagos DVD
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.
Rating: - No Widescreen in DVD Version
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.
Rating: - MISDIRECTION
Galapagos (Purchased on 02/05/2008)
by Tilda Swinton
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series (Purchased on 02/05/2008)
by David Attenborough
The DVDs were shipped to the Hyatt Hotel in Lake Tahoe, Nevada and my name was not included, as I asked. Therefore, it was very difficult to locate the parcel and it was found on the last day of my stay at the Hotel (March 1st !!!).
It was a very disagreeable situation for myself and for the hotel staff.
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