Customer Reviews

NOVA: The Universe Within

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've purchased the DVD and seen a public library copy of the prerecorded VHS videocassette and can tell you that BOTH are missing the segment where they illustrate how the body's immune system works to fight infection using the case of ice climber Rob Taylor when he broke his ankle while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. This, to me, was the most fascinating and important part of the originally 1.5 hour-long program (usually shown during PBS pledge drives) and they left it out completely!

I also noticed that the background music had been altered from that used in the original broadcast (perhaps because of copyright issues). I'd have been willing to overlook that little detail had all of the informational material been kept intact. This just compounded my frustration with the product.

If you have a taped copy of "The Universe Within" the way it was originally broadcast (even with the pledge breaks), consider yourself lucky. Save your money and let WGBH Boston Video know they should know better than to sell its supporters less than what they deserve, expect, and especially PAY for.

I purchased this DVD to use in one of my classes. I fall asleep everytime I watch it...I don't think that is a very good omen.

The product arrived in perfect shape....., but the content was less than thrilling.

I have vcr version of the video. I use the Immune System section showing climbing accident, and the related Immune Response to an injury. The DVD version does not have this episode, although the title, "Universe Within" from NOVA is the same. Kind of a ripoff. Thought DVD would be the same as VCR version......darn it.

A great resource to help in the understanding of your body. It increased my appreciation of how miraculously we are made. This movie is a great tool to use in health education. Simple step by step explanation to the complex design of the human body.
Anatomy made simple.

When I watched MIRACLE OF LIFE, that was some twenty years ago, I was amazed by the technology that they used to make that documentary. This is the follow up where you get to watch and understand how human body functions when it comes to your muscles, heart, intestines, liver, etc. and how food travels and becomes energy inside a human body. The most amazing part is to be able to see all those organs functioning from within. As an athlete and a nutritionist who prides in staying healthy mentally and physically, this is a rare documentary that offers an insight to how a human body functions. Amazing, educational, unbelievable... Bravo, bravo, bravo.

I think my title pretty much sums up my opinion. It is an older movie, some of the clothes people wear in it are funny, but there is still a lot of really great information that I found very useful.

I use this in a class on Women and Exercise for both high school and in a modified version for non-biology major entering college students. They all find it fascinating and it leads to great discussions about anatomy, physiology and exercise. Kudos to WGBH and PBS.