Product Details

• Actors: Mike Rowe
• Directors: Lorne Townend, Peter Chinn, Louise Say, Shaun Trevisick
• Format: Anamorphic, Blu-ray, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Discovery - Gaiam
• DVD Release Date: February 28, 2012
• Run Time: 344 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (128 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00652U6EW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,315 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
  • #53 in Movies & TV > Blu-ray > Documentary

Editorial Reviews

How The Universe Works shows you how the cosmos is designed, built and how it actually works. From the beginning of time, stars, galaxies, planets, solar systems and more have been working individually and together to produce all that is and all that we see. See as never before the inner workings of our world, and explore black holes, supernovas, neutron stars, dark energy and all the titanic forces that make us who we are. With a dynamic cast of experts and a new generation of CGI, How the Universe Works looks under the celestial hood to reveal the inner workings of outer space: the story of how it s made and how it runs. This is your ultimate Cosmos Operator s Manual.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

128 of 131 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the best so far! July 6, 2011

By Jube I. Lation

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Our family had long been on the pre-order list waiting for this 2-dvd set to arrive. Now that it has, we all agree that if we had known what an excellent ("excellent" is truly an understatement. "Magnificent" would be more accurate!)set this would be, we would have all been a lot more impatient for its arrival, but then we might have missed the surprise. By all means, start at the beginning with the Big Bang (track one on disc one), and then when you've seen Black Holes (track two on disc one),... well, we won't say more, but be prepared for some surprising revelations. It is just incredible how far astronomers have come since the last round of dvds dealing with how the universe works, especially with how "black holes" work and the part they play in completing the circle on "how the universe works". This program will catch you up in no uncertain terms, and it's our bet that you'll love every minute of it. The graphics are superb, and keep in mind that they are illustrating information that has not been presented so beautifully and clearly before (as far as we know). Even if you have been following technical research closely, you'll be thrilled to see the fresh twist on the computer graphics. Personally, we found the scientific and philosophical aspects so unforcedly entertwined as to make this series a joy for those who lean toward either "pure science alone" or toward "intelligent design" (we have both in our family). This series can speak to us all in its effort to do justice to what in anyone's terms can be unreservedly recognized as "magnificent design". Once again, in our family's unanimous view, this is, at least to date, an unparalleled presentation, which we unconditionally recommend.

74 of 76 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome - better than the Wormhole! August 7, 2011

By AEM

Format:DVD

I love this series. I have found it to be more informative - in a lower level and a higher level of understanding than Through the Wormhole. Wormhole seems to focus on all of these possible "out there" concepts - Higgs Boson, the origin of the universe, before the big bang - this series focuses more on what we do know - and how we came to know it. It wasn't for sale when I was watching it on TV - so what did I do? I called the Science Channel and left them a message stating "you MUST sell this DVD - it's amazing, incredible, and I want to show my students the excerpt on Supernovas". I know that my science non-major students and my science major students will watch the episode on supernovas and be able to understand and appreciate the creation of atoms. I am so happy this went on sale - I was so excited that I had my institution pre-order it! I recommend it to anyone interested in the cosmos, interested in science, and interested in learning. Start here, work your way to Wormhole, and then top it off with Unlocking the Universe - the trifecta of videos!

80 of 85 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing visual effects June 21, 2011

By Bob Short

Format:DVD

I saw the entire "How the Universe Works" series when it premiered on Science Channel in January and have been eagerly awaiting its DVD release ever since. The commentators are interesting-I especailly liked black hole hunter Dr. Andrea Ghez and "Bad Astronomer" himself,Dr. Phil Plait, and Mike Rowe's narration was well-done; but the visuals were the real star. To me, it felt like actually cruising through the universe in a spaceship. But, like almost every other show about supernovae, they get it wrong and have sound effects when stars explode. Remember the tagline for "Alien": In space, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM. :-)