Product Details

• Actors: Stephen Hawking, Isobel Hawking, Janet Humphrey, Mary Hawking, Basil King (II)
• Directors: Errol Morris
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Paramount
• VHS Release Date: November 10, 1993
• Run Time: 84 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302718805
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,876 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

Documentarian Errol Morris has a knack for finding the fascinating quirks of his subjects, and this brings Stephen Hawking's book A Brief History of Time to sparkling life. Through interviews with family and colleagues of the brilliant theoretical physicist, as well as Hawking's own synthesized readings and reminiscences, we learn of his early life, his struggle with the degenerative disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and his wide-ranging contributions to our knowledge of time, black holes, and the origin of the universe. The science is never downplayed; between Hawking's prose and Morris's visual wizardry, important concepts such as entropy and singularities jump from the screen in memorable vignettes. (Hawking believes a truly universal theory of physics will be understood by "scientists, philosophers, and just ordinary people.") Philip Glass's music, subdued and minimal, balances the alternately somber and hilarious moods of the film. The viewer is left with a sense of awe at the joyous spirit of a man trapped in the world of the mind, occasionally letting the rest of us in on his discoveries. --Rob Lightner

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I could give it six stars..., November 20, 1998

By A Customer

This is simply the finest documentary I've ever seen. Beautiful is not a word I use often, especially in such a context, but it certainly applies here. The cinematography, music and overall style is understated, yet excellent.

If you're looking for a mere visual depiction of Dr. Hawking's wonderful book, you are apt to be surprised. The video interweaves Dr. Hawking "reading" his book (with appropriate visuals) with interviews of his colleagues, friends and family. While much of the interview material discusses Hawking's disability, there is none of the maudlin pity or false heroics we see so often in the media. The viewer is left with a sense of tremendous awe, both from the material explored, and from the power of one man's genius.

Very highly recommended. I've watched it several times.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most thought provoking experience I can recall, October 14, 1999

By	Terrence Boylan Jr. (Belmont, MA United States) - See all my reviews

I rented this video at our summer house and was so entranced by it, I watched it three times in a row until 4:00 AM. Stephen puts very complex, cutting edge theory into easy to understand models for the average guy. Even if you are above average in your understanding of the universe, you will still be provoked intellicutally. I can't say enough about this video. Get it for the kids and watch them astound you as to their ability to think in concepts and question accepted ideas. JUST BUY IT!!! - Terrence J. Boylan, Jr.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Legend in our own Space/Time, October 12, 1999

By	James Richey (Pflugerville, TX) - See all my reviews

If you have any inkling of intelligence, and crave pondering the mechanisms of the Universe, then this is a must see vid for you. One day, the human species will catch up in our evolutionary process and be able to reach the itch that Hawkings scratches.