Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8330 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-12-03
• Rating: Exempt
• Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 176 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Space is a visually impressive six-part popular science series from the BBC that follows their runaway successes Walking with Dinosaurs and The Planets into the realm of lavish computer animation. In a stroke of inspired casting Jurassic Park's Sam Neill (no stranger to acting alongside CGI effects) is our earthbound anchor, and he takes the viewer on journeys across the universe in each half-hour segment, thanks to some nifty special effects. Like Carl Sagan's pioneering Cosmos from 1980, Space delves in to the mysteries of how stars and planets were created; but unlike Sagan's visionary and optimistic view of cosmic wonders, Space is astronomy for the Age of Anxiety, revealing with terrifying clarity and in graphic detail how fortunate we are to exist at all, and how it could all end at any moment as a result of space-bound monsters like rogue comets and asteroids that might crash into our planet; or, the worst horror of the universe, wandering black holes that could tear our sun apart. Even if we survive these implacable cosmic forces bent on our destruction, viewers will not be reassured to be told that the sun is doomed anyway, and its inevitable death will swallow our planet whole (but not before burning it to a crisp first). Finally, the series finds cause for faint optimism with Star Trek-style speculations on the development of Ion-drive and solar-powered spaceships, terraforming new worlds and wormhole technology that might, just might, allow humanity to escape from a doomed Earth and seek refuge somewhere else in the galaxy. A series that sheds light on both the secrets of the universe and, implicitly, the anxious state of our new millennial society, Space is a compelling combination of popular astronomy and really, really scary cosmology. The handsomely illustrated companion book is lucidly written by astronomer John Gribbin. --Mark Walker

DVD Description
DVD Special Features:

Photo Gallery
On Location film
Space Facts Encyclopaedia
Behind the Graphics

Subtitles: English SDH
Dolby Digital 5.1
16x9

Synopsis
This awe-inspiring six-part TV series, hosted by actor Sam Neill, explores the universe using state-of-the-art computer graphics. The programme poses big questions while it reveals fascinating glimpses of outer space. The release includes "Star Stuff," "Staying Alive," "Black Holes," "Are We Alone

Customer Reviews

Good series ... but forget about DVD extras.
I suppose this series, with its extensive CGI effects lays itself open to the possible charge of 'dumbing down'. However, it escapes this by involving the viewer closely in the science that is being explained. Having said that, some of the science is rather shallow. For example, we are told about 'worm holes' and that they theoretically exist, and efforts are being made to make one but are given not the slightest hint about how this can be done. We are only told that it will involve black holes.

That said, this is a really interesting series, well worth buying and watching more than once.

Avoid the 'Special features' though. I had a look at them expecting more interviews with the fine line-up of scientists in the main programmes. What you actually get are some bizarre clips which look like in-jokes for the production crew. Funny for them maybe, not for anyone else. I would have given 4 stars without the 'extras'.

Ignore the knockers - this title is brilliant
'For every grain of sand on Earth there are a million stars in the universe'.

Judging from the reviews below one would think SPACE is either a 'love it' or 'hate it' type of product. Personally I fall into the 'love it' catergory. I own both this title and the BBC's excellent 'The Planets' title and would say definately that SPACE exceeds Planets in terms of the very clear and accurate way it uses to explain many of the topics covered by the series. The concept behind the series is clearly to educate viewers about just how amazing the universe we live in actually is, and as such it uses lots of very nice looking computer animations and visual effects to achieve this aim. The result is a very slick, entertaining and well thought out series which will educate and entertain for many veiwings (I have watched mine about 5 times so far and still enjoy it). If you enjoy learning about space and the universe then this is a must have title.

Glossy, Glitzy, Disappointing
This is a very average documentary. Sam Neil gives it a Hollywood feel, but the subject matter should be enough to excite without this being necessary. The graphics are good but that is all it has got in it's favour. I strongly recommend ignoring this and investing in Channel Four's awesome Universe narrated by John Hurt. It is far superior in every way.