Tilda Swinton Movie:

		List Price: $19.98		Label: BBC Warner Salesrank: 3118 Released: April 3, 2007
		Our Price: $12.59
		Used Price: $12.58
		MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
The inspiration for Darwin's theory of evolution the Galapagos Islands are a living laboratory a geological conveyor belt that has given birth to and seen the death of many species of plants and animals. As the western islands rise up from the sea offering a chance of life the eastern islands sink back beneath the waves guaranteeing only death. Between the two are the middle islands; fertile lush land in its prime that contains an incredible diversity of life. Nowhere else on the Earth are the twin processes of creation and extinction of species so starkly apparent... see it all unfold before your eyes in this stunning series filmed entirely in high definition from the BBC and the National Geographic Channel.Running Time: 150 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. UPC: 794051295224 Manufacturer No: E2952

Description of Galapagos:
While its title may be superfluous, Galapagos: The Islands That Changed the World is a beautifully filmed journey into "the islands of the tortoise." Located due west of Ecuador, the Galapagos islands are full of gorgeous scenery and exotic wildlife. And this 150-minute documentary shows it all, thanks to stunning cinematography shot from all viewpoints--the air, sea and, of course, land. The collection is both soothing and exhilarating as it allows viewers to peek in on mating albatrosses (which are monogamous), penguins fishing, and surprisingly graceful giant tortoises swimming in the ocean. The filmmakers also manage to capture a ferocious volcanic eruption that is amazing in its clarity. The problem with many documentaries lies in the narration. A documentary filmmaker hits the jackpot when he is able to get someone like Sigourney Weaver, whose crisp narration fits in beautifully with the sweeping footage in Planet Earth. While Tilda Swanton lends a relaxing quality to Galapagos, her voice at times is a bit too lulling to hold the viewer's interest. The writing also borders on melodramatic, with talk of the simmering sea and such. With visuals as stunning as this, hyperbole is unnecessary. Charles Darwin has described the Galapagos as a world within itself, and it is said that the islands were one of his inspirations for his book The Origin of Species. While the film doesn't clearly explain why the Galapagos are unlike any other place on earth, it does showcase a destination that is unlike what most of us know. --Jae-Ha Kim

Galapagos Reviews:
Galapagos DVD
2008-06-22 - I have visited the Galapagos Islands, so I was looking for a DVD that showed the beauty of the islands and described the geologic and natural history. "Galapagos" is beautifully done. The photography is superb and the narration excellent. Although I have read quite a bit about the islands, this DVD gave some information I had not known before.

I would recommend "Galapagos" to anyone.

No Widescreen in DVD Version
2008-05-18 - I have this movie in HD DVD format which is in 1.66:1 format. I had planned to buy my Father this movie in DVD format (we have the same type of 16:9 TV). But from what I can tell every DVD version of this movie comes in the 1.33 format which is full screen and not widescreen.

Very disappointing. So no sale of the DVD version for me. Hopefully they will eventually release the DVD version in widescreen format.



MISDIRECTION
2008-03-08 - Galapagos (Purchased on 02/05/2008)
by Tilda Swinton
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series (Purchased on 02/05/2008)
by David Attenborough

The DVDs were shipped to the Hyatt Hotel in Lake Tahoe, Nevada and my name was not included, as I asked. Therefore, it was very difficult to locate the parcel and it was found on the last day of my stay at the Hotel (March 1st !!!).
It was a very disagreeable situation for myself and for the hotel staff.



Perfect photography, and overview, of a place I plan to visit before I die
2008-02-21 - This program is the pinnacle of programs done on the Galapagos Islands. My science classes loved it, and the explanation of why Darwin's theory started here is fascinating to even the layman. I have wanted to go to the Galapagos personally since I was a boy, and this is the next best thing to being there.

Flawless photography, perfectly executed, and Tilda Swinton is an inspired choice for narration. Her understated British accent gives the program even more class.

You won't find a more technically perfect {or comprehensive, not to mention fascinating) account, of the discovery of the Galapagos Islands and about how studies of these islands forever changed our view of biology on the planet.

review for Galapagos
2008-02-14 - This DVD had beautiful photography and covered all of the bases regarding this island chain, and the role it played as the basis for evolution. One disappointment was that this is not one single documentary, it is a series of three separate segments. At the beginning of each, there is a similar overview of the islands, their geological history, and recreations of Darwin pondering the wildlife there. The introductions even share some of the same shots, such as the same tortise yawning. I wish this DVD could have been one single documentary without the redundancy, and I wish it could have extended beyond the basics, but otherwise it was nice.