Product Details

• Actors: Steven K. Katona, Meryl Streep, Dr. Judith Connor, Dr. William Hamner, Rainos M. Hayes
• Directors: Greg MacGillivray
• Writers: Roger Holzberg, Tim Cahill
• Producers: Greg MacGillivray, Alec Lorimore, David Keighley, Stephen Judson
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Image Entertainment
• VHS Release Date: March 28, 2000
• Run Time: 40 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305774625
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #48,753 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The films from IMAX have come to be known for their cutting-edge cinematography. They don't disappoint with The Living Sea, an Academy Award-nominated documentary exploring exotic marine locales. Using dizzying aerial and time-lapse footage, they provide underwater imagery usually accessible only while wearing fins and a mask. From heavy-surf Coast Guard drills off the coast of Oregon to jellyfish in Palau to North Atlantic humpback whales, veteran IMAX cameraman and director Greg MacGillivray takes viewers on a vivid journey into some of the world's most breathtaking environments and shows us some of the rarest and strangest marine life. Ten years from conception to finished product, this documentary's intended message is the importance of protecting the "world ocean" by displaying its wild beauty and diversity.

The Living Sea does an excellent job showcasing the more visually satisfying aspects of the sea (standout footage includes schools of jellyfish performing a graceful migratory dance and a giant cuttlefish changing brilliant colors for the purpose of camouflage), although ultimately it fails to shed much light on the hows, whys, and urgency of marine conservation. However, despite the short running time (unfortunately characteristic of IMAX productions) and a soundtrack that only true Sting fans will fully appreciate, this film proves to be a remarkable treat for the eyes and is sure to elicit heartfelt oohs and aahs from anyone who loves the sea. --Ed Noble

Product Description

The Living Sea (40 min.) takes you to the world's oceans, traveling to Palau, Hawaii, California, Oregon, Alaska, Nova Scotia and the Red Sea. Explore the mysterious depths and come face to face with life-sized humpback whales when you dive into "The Living Sea." Swim with thousands of golden jellyfish and witness the bizarre spawning behavior of giant clams. Surf in Hawaii, deep-sea dive in Palau and test your courage with the Coast Guard in some of the world's roughest seas! Follow a remotely operated vehicle 3,000 feet down through the ocean depths to view strange creatures (one as long as a football field!) which live where sunlight never penetrates. "The Living Sea" celebrates the "world ocean"--its beauty, diversity and importance to all life on earth. Music by Sting; narrated by Meryl Streep. Ever wonder "how did they do that?" "The Making of 'The Living Sea'" (37 min.), shot in High-Definition Video, takes you behind the scenes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MIND-BLOWING, August 4, 2000

By	The No Evil Killer "Know No Evil" (Everywhere, Anywhere, Nowhere) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Living Sea (Large Format) (DVD)

I've only ever seen 3 IMAX films and this is one of them. I was totally blown away by the incredible sound and photography. I had to study every shot because there is so much in it.

It's not actually a movie like other IMAX films (such as Across the Sea of Time and T-Rex) but more of a documentary about how we are all islanders and how we live because the sea lives. It was surprisingly effective in this sense. My fave part was the discovery of the new underwater fish and the fish that had, what looked like, thousands of little lights flashing on and off.

A scene with a boat fighting waves and crashing back down onto the sea was better than anything in The Perfect Storm. The sound in this particular scene is IN-CRED-IBLE.

Whenever you pass by an IMAX check to see whether or not they are showing this masterpiece. You'll love it.

The DVD is in DTS/Dolby 5.1 and is in fullscreen

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best A/V Experience on DVD, December 30, 2001

By	R. Sanchez "booker" (Thompsonville, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Living Sea (Large Format) (DVD)

I've been watching DVD at home for three years and after watching this one immediately concluded that this was the best audio/visual experience I've had so far from any movie of any genre. In terms of content, sometimes I wish there was a little more science incorporated into this production, but a vital element in science is observation and this movie certainly allows the viewer to do just that. Overall the sound is big and rich, and the music tracks are a perfect match to this incredibly beautiful visual experience. If you are an IMAX fan and don't have this one yet, don't wait any longer.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Waste of Time and Money, August 1, 2005

By	J. Arnett "J. A." (Chicago) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Living Sea (IMAX) (DVD)

I purchased this DVD hoping it would relay information on coral reefs and the myriad of life living in them. While the focus of the movie was on the endangerment of the reefs due to global warming, overfishing, etc., most of the movie was spent above the water focusing on the the filmmaker and his wife and their trivial lives. The imagery was beautiful when they were under the water, but it's only a small percentage of film. Very disappointing.