Product Details

• Actors: Philip L. Clarke, Rosalind Ayres, David Gulpilil
• Directors: George Casey
• Writers: George Casey, Mose Richards
• Producers: George Casey, Mike Day, Paul Novros
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Sling Shot
• VHS Release Date: May 23, 2000
• Run Time: 39 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 158448134X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #401,687 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Mysterious and only superficially explored by generations of the native Aborigines, Australia's Great Barrier Reef is one of the world's most extraordinary natural life systems. Twelve hundred miles long and made up of coral, it is the Earth's largest structure built by living things, in some places extending 120 miles into the sea. So many varieties of life call the reef home that more than a dozen species can be found within any square meter of its surface. This IMAX film brilliantly captures the visual splendor of this environment with splendid underwater photography typical of the format. Sharks, sea turtles, anemones, and the coral itself are the living subjects of the camera's probing eye. Overall, this documentary is a comprehensive look at this long-studied web of life that leaves a lasting impression of its depth and beauty. --Ed Noble

From the Back Cover

The Great Barrier Reef unveils the most colorful and diverse undersea world known. Viewers will experience not only the enchanting beauty of the reef, but will learn of its complex ecosystem, symbiotic relationships and the extreme fragility of its environment.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great Barrier Reef DVD, January 2, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Barrier Reef (Large Format) (1981) (DVD)

I bought this DVD because of our love of sea life and vast experience diving and snorkeling. I was sure that since it had been an IMAX movie that it would be a superior view. I was wrong. This DVD was mediocre at best. There was not enough ocean life in this film, and the commentary was less than scintillating. Better off ordering the Dolphin's IMAX which lived up to its IMAX reputation.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful sceneries., July 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Barrier Reef (Large Format) (1981) (DVD)

Forget about all those special effects movies. If you really want to impress with your video-equipment, buy this DVD. You have to see it to believe it. I only had one gripe with this DVD, there is no option to turn off the commentary. I think it would be a great idea if they had an option to just listen to the music and watch the pictures. So I just turn off the sound, and put on a nice CD.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Great showcase of poor diving, reef destruction by "experts", poor film work, and poor sound., August 8, 2005

By 

Bradley G. Isley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Barrier Reef (Large Format) (1981) (DVD)

The absolute worst reef documentary I've ever seen. As short as it is, a lot of time is wasted on silly pretentious landside footage. The main feature of the program is poorly lit underwater footage showcasing Ron and Valerie destroying coral and harassing marine life while exhibiting sloppy, careless diving skills. The university of Minnesota should be embarrassed to put their name on this. Unbelievable! To top it off, we're expected to sit through not one, but TWO obligatory "shark shock" scenes. During the stupid "shark shock," be sure to have the remote handy to turn the thundering noise down or brace yourself for a headache.