Product Details

• Actors: David McCullough
• Directors: Carl Charlson
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: PBS
• DVD Release Date: June 29, 2004
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0002F6AJ8
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,738 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

A 30-year dream. A 50-mile shortcut. A timeless achievement.

A 50-mile shortcut to the Pacific lying just north of the equator is one of the most extraordinary human achievements ever. The building of the Panama Canal was a massive feat of engineering and ingenuity that cost millions of dollars and thousands of lives. NOVA offers a unique opportunity to explore the mind-boggling undertaking through historic film footage, rare archival photographs and insightful narration from author David McCullough.

Get an unprecedented look at the Canal's dangerous 30-year construction and wondrous present-day operation. Meet the persevering pioneers whose vision and determination overcame tremendous physical—and fiscal—obstacles. Understand why France abandoned the project after ten years and 20,000 deaths. Work alongside the builders who turned a fantastic dream into a fascinating reality. See immense steamshovels carve the earth. View the amazing "water elevators" that lift huge vessels 85 feet. Watch high-speed photography capture a lock passage. And much more!

On one DVD5 disc. Region coding: All regions. Audio: Dolby stereo. Screen format: 4 x 3 full frame.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Engineering Feat and Human Perseverance, January 26, 2005

By 

Tara (Wyncote, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: NOVA: A Man, a Plan, a Canal - Panama (DVD)

I truly do appreciate when the time is taken to make a worthwhile subject to a few, interesting and accessible to many. My background is in civil engineering and I am a history buff. When the subject came up one day with my kids and spouse about the Panama Canal (I know, not general conversation) I remembered seeing this documentary. Fortunately, it had just come out in DVD (June 2004). Not only does it explain the engineering aspects in 'real people' language and visuals, but it tells the story of the people who made this happen through endurance and great hardship. And I was pleasantly surprised it did not cover the truth regarding the U.S. acquisition of the rights to the land for the Canal. I know if more 'archaic' subjects could be given this treatment, more kids and adults would be enriched by the knowledge. I will purchase this DVD in the near future.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Panama Canal, November 10, 2007

By 

Thomas Rye (Oklahoma City, OK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: NOVA: A Man, a Plan, a Canal - Panama (DVD)

I have used this film for many years in my history classes. It is based on the book by McCollugh "The path between the seas" It is natatted by the author and has footage of the actual building ot the canal. The companion book is also very usefull. It has many photographs and shows all that went into the construction. My VHS got to old and I was delighted to find the DVD.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Building of Panama Canal, January 10, 2007

By 

Adriano D. Gimay (Boquete, Chiriqui, Panama) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: NOVA: A Man, a Plan, a Canal - Panama (DVD)

Understanding how the Panama Canal was built. who started the building, the workers who help built the canal, the sacrifice that these people has to endure, who was responsible in finishing the momumnetal task and to what is the Panama Canal today is a marvelous historical representation.

I thank you.