Product Details

• Directors: John Banks
• Producers: Fritz Heede
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, Animated, AC-3, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Artek Images
• DVD Release Date: July 11, 2002
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00006CFA8
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #53,884 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Marty Hornstein, Executive Producer Star Trek - Nemesis
"Illuminated Manuscripts" is a virtual feast for the senses. It's a thoroughly professional state of the art experience. I recommend it with all my heart.

Product Description
Illuminated Manuscripts is video DVD featuring a series of animations exploring the visionary nature of journeys. Layering an original soundtrack over photographic scenes of temples, waterfalls, forests and doorways, this DVD introduces a new experience of art that draws from video, music, nature, and organic special effects. The DVD features organically styled computer animation by John S. Banks and world/electronic music by composer Fritz Heede. This disc contains 17 beautiful works that explore visions of lost worlds and journeys of discovery. With original sources drawn from ancient sites, deep green nature and lost languages, Illuminated Manuscripts will appeal to anyone interested in Animation, Nature, Meditation and Fantasy.

In addition to the main animations, this DVD features 6 eternal loops, ambient remixes, alternate soundtracks, still art gallery and interactive menus.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Scenes straight from your dreams, June 26, 2004

By	A.W. Miller (Birmingham, AL United States) - See all my reviews

Whereas other CGI videos in my collection get a viewing once or twice a year, Illuminated Manuscripts is a frequent guest in my DVD player. Why?

- First and foremost, the images are stunning, organic and gorgeously rendered, way beyond the recycled pseudo-sci fi themes that many CGI videos lapse into. From pulsing mandalas to jeweled oceans to mysterious temples, the video is nothing less than a spectacular journey through some mind-bending dreamscapes. The DVD never ceases to amaze me. I always see something "new" that I hadn't noticed or remembered before

- Fritz Heede's soundtrack is top-drawer: not overpowering so it competes with the music but so skillfully done, it stands on its own. I highly recommend the CD of the soundtrack if you like world music, Indian or Middle Eastern music. (It was so good, it's been played on Hearts of Space.)

- The creators were not stingy in adding bonus features such as ambient remixes of several of the tracks plus a "loop" feature that's like a screen saver for your TV. You pick one of six looping scenes, complete with sound effects and/or music, and just let it play. Always amazes my guests!

- This is a DVD that you can leave quietly playing in the background for ambiance, or you can pour a glass of wine or a cup of tea, sit back, and let it take you on a beautiful journey.

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sets a high benchmark, January 15, 2004

By	Jon Norris (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This DVD sets a high standard for animation or meditation related works. The production values are very good, the menu system works well, and the content is excellent. While the animations are primarily digitally enhanced and morphed video image collages as opposed to full 3D rendered stories, the style and quality of execution are superb.

There are two main themes presented; one primarily of enhanced images, while the other is more like exotic title sequences for films. Some are blends of both. The video images are colored and modified, overlayed with nice animations of glowing lights, geometric patterns, particle fountains, and gorgeously morphed into other images. All kinds of title effects are used with exotic lettering that may or may not be real language. (It's beautiful, who cares?) There is also a menu of looping cuts out of the different pieces.

I was also impressed with the music. It is a nice world music - new age kind of blend, and it fits the video quite well. Traditional instruments and beautiful voicework mix well with some electronic influences. I use it for meditation, and have ordered the CD to save wear and tear on the DVD.

All in all, it lives up to the name, and the concept of video Illuminated Manuscripts shines through admirably. It is a relaxing and satisfying bit of eye candy and more. Having worked with video and computer graphics for nearly 20 years, I can say that few works reach this level. This DVD stands toe to toe with anything Hollywood (or New Zealand) can produce.

I recommend this DVD to anyone who likes beautiful visual images, meditational music and images, or high quailty graphic arts. Definitely worth the money. Get the CD, too.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique 21st Century Vision, May 5, 2003

By A Customer

This has got to be one of the most unique looking DVDs available, a true one of a kind that belongs in every cutting edge, 21st century computer animation collection. The author of "Illuminated Manuscripts" (John S. Banks) filmed nature scenes and ancient sites from all over the world and then wove them together with his computer animation magic into a stunning series of entrancing visual sequences. The tone is meditative and spiritual, a refreshing break from most other computer animation collections that need to tell half baked stories. This DVD has the feel of an accomplished and complete work. It brings the viewer a feeling of merging with an ocean or traveling through ancient spiritual pathways, unfamiliar because of their uncanny computer animation technique, yet strangely familiar. The beautiful musical soundtrack by Fritz Heede, compliments the visuals perfectly and creates a seductive, mesmerizing vehicle for Banks' kaleidoscopic flow of images. I see and hear something different every time I view this DVD. The chapter called `Afterlife' contains what I consider the most beautiful moving image I have ever seen on a television screen. Highly recommended!