Product Details

• Format: Box set, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 3
• Studio: Discovery Channel
• VHS Release Date: March 17, 1998
• Run Time: 270 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: 6304887558
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #285,365 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

How does our brain work? Scientists don't have all the answers, but The Brain: Our Universe Within presents what is known in a way that even us non-brain surgeons can understand. Produced by the Discovery Channel and hosted by David Suzuki, The Brain takes viewers on a five-part journey (spread over three videotapes) exploring the evolution of the human brain, how different parts of the brain perform certain functions, how chemicals affect our behavior and emotions, and the ways the brain can compensate for certain deficiencies. It uses computer animation to explain the roles of cells, neurons, endorphins, the cerebral cortex, the hippocampus, and the hypothalamus in transmitting, receiving, and storing information. Most interesting, though, are the real-life examples of people who've endured Alzheimer's disease, strokes, autism, and various disorders and the effects those conditions have had on their lives (and the ways their brains have responded). In one case, a young boy with severe epilepsy had the left half of his brain removed, leaving him unable to speak or move the right half of his body. However, after just three years, he'd regained most of his speech and movement--his brain had learned to work around the problem. There's also a fascinating look at a man who suffered brain damage and in turn lost all short-term memory--he uses a tape machine and takes detailed notes to record his every move. (As Suzuki notes, "Jeremy keeps his memory in a box behind the couch.") While The Brain suffers from occasional lapses of cheesiness (in one segment about memory, Suzuki can't find his car), it gives an interesting, informative look at the body's most mysterious organ and should get those electric signals in your brain moving. --Andy Boynton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent computer animation of brain functions!, June 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Brain: Our Universe Within [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This series is great for educators! I use bits of it in my college level Introduction to Psychology course. The animation really makes the material, such as neural transmission and memory storage, come "alive" for students.