The Unforeseen

4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
A documentary about the development around Barton Springs in Austin, Texas, and nature's unexpected response to being threatened by human interference.
  • Starring: Robert Redford, Willie Nelson
  • Directed by: Laura Dunn
  • Runtime: 1 hour 33 minutes
  • Studio: Cinetic
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The Unforeseen
Price: $29.95 - Includes the Amazon Instant Video 72 hour rental as a gift with purchase. Available to US Customers Only.

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Product Details
Synopsis: A documentary about the development around Barton Springs in Austin, Texas, and nature's unexpected response to being threatened by human interference.
Starring: Robert Redford, Willie Nelson
Directed by: Laura Dunn
Runtime: 1 hour 33 minutes
Studio: Cinetic
ASIN: B00279OUHQ (Rental) and B00279J94A (Purchase)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Unforgettable October 5, 2008
By jd103
Format:DVD
This is a wonderful documentary about "development" which focuses primarily on one case in Austin, but is really asking questions about the entire society's choices and values. The filmmakers leave no secret about where their opinions lie on the commentary track, but this is not a one sided Michael Moore type film.

Wendell Berry reads from his work over the opening scene and Patty Griffin's Someone Else's Tomorrow plays over the closing credits. In between you get everything from Bush and Richards and the savings and loan crisis to young Willie Nelson, Ed Abbey's cancer cell metaphor, a kid playing outside, a farmer losing all the fields around him, a couple in their new house, an all night city council meeting, a parade, and some beautiful scenes of the natural world. There are film clips and comments which will inspire and infuriate you whichever side you're on.

The description here says there are two commentaries...on the rented version I saw, there was only one featuring all the people listed. In any case, this is a commentary you'll definitely want to hear because it adds a lot of background information and explanation about the scenes and people in the movie. Highly recommended.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
The Unforeseen November 25, 2008
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This film should be viewed by all, especially those cognizant of what is happening to land all over the country, not just in Texas. Unless we would be satisfied living in a super national suburbia dictated by the un imaginative, we need to become aware of what is being perpetrated by land use engineers now. This film is a fine beginning.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The Unforeseen is a multi-hued perspective on several different issues such as urban sprawl, pollution, unchecked development, and environmental impacts that can result from these events. Additionally, there are examinations of the imbalances between overwhelming financial interests versus the considerations of public sentiment and the ways of life of surrounding communities.

The primary focus in this story is a beautiful and desirable community in Austin, Texas known as Barton Creek and Barton Springs that faces the impending development of a huge new subdivision, a significant population increase, and the dangers it will present. Politics are also a factor as the citizens use their voices and votes to move against the undesirable circumstances looming ahead and this is detailed also in the program.

When looking at the different sides of these challenging issues, there is a good balance of input and debate from different individuals such as politicians, real estate developers, journalists, environmental activists and experts, and many residents of the Barton Creek community. Although all members involved in these events are passionate and concerned for their own reasons, I think the general tone of each side presenting their views was fair and objective.

After watching this program, I came away with sobering feeling that what happened in Barton Creek has happened or is happening in many communities across the United States. The moral and ethical considerations in making sound choices for development while recognizing the environment, conservation, sustainability, and public concerns are vital, now more than ever.

The Unforeseen is an excellent documentary, in my opinion, and I would definitely recommend it to everyone.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very informative of the Austin area
Rented this because we are relocating to the Austin, TX area and wanted to watch anything that involved that area regardless of the subject matter. Read more
Published 2 months ago by H. B. Garbe
Save our Springs
Good narrative, it seems a bit long in places but is very informative. I would like to see more movies like this
on similar themes. MB
Published 2 months ago by Missysbuddy
An amazing accomplishment
I'm a documentary junkie, and this is the best one I've ever seen. Rather than creating a standard propaganda piece, the director explored each facet of this, the most difficult... Read more
Published 17 months ago by A. Mandadi
Beautifully shot; Simple Yet Complex
Beautiful cinematography coupled with honest, compelling interviews from all angles, make this documentary stand out. Read more
Published on February 8, 2010 by J. Anderson
All politics is local.
"All politics is local." And by that token, this film about specific land development issues as illustrated over decades in the life of a specific town is compellingly... Read more
Published on June 6, 2009 by meg
Worth watching
I don't remember hearing about this production. I came across it searching for films with conservation and "green" themes. This on is definitely worth taking time to see. Read more
Published on May 20, 2009 by Katy D
A poetic exploration of the meaning of "development" and "property" in...
Laura Dunn's poetic and powerful film "The Unforeseen" is about the growth of Austin, Texas: about farmers who want to retain a piece of land they can call their own and live on,... Read more
Published on February 24, 2009 by Nathan Andersen
Not to be Missed View of Austin, Texas
This is a must-see for everyone who loves Austin, Texas. A riveting, heart-breaking view of development in and around this beautiful, fascinating city, over the last few decades.
Published on February 3, 2009 by Carol J. Garriott
Chilling
I first saw this film at the San Francisco Film festival. For more than a year I've waited anxiously for the DVD release. Read more
Published on November 5, 2008 by A. Fisher
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