DVD Review

Details

The Planets (R2 & R4)

6 Hours 30 Minutes

Cast

Themselves The Planets

Synopsis

Using state of the art computer graphics, along with rare space footage and testimony from leading scientists, we are taken on journey of space exploration charting the history and future of our solar system.

Film
The BBC have embraced the technology of DVD by releasing some of its best programming from the vast BBC archives, with hopefully more to follow. By releasing 'The Planets' we can view the computer animation in all its DVD glory, and the rest of the pictures aren't that bad either. This mammoth collection spans over two discs, hence the higher than average asking price, and although the sound is Dolby Digital, it is only the same stereo as what the series was originally broadcast. Never-the-less it still sounds good.

It is hard to actually go into any detail about the programme content, but you can see man's progress from the end of the second world war and in to the space race. Treat it as if it were a Monday night in watching the television where we are informed and educated on our tiny corner of the universe.

The disc is region encoded for 2 and 4 (Australia) with which the BBC may have unwittingly fuelled the region encoding debate further. Until now the American public have had no reason to have their players modified. However, any visiting American tourist may see this disc and take it home only to be horrified by the fact they can't play it. Once this becomes a problem for America it may finally doom region encoding to the furthest reaches of the universe forever.

Extras

There are no extras, but with eight 50-minute comprehensive episodes were you actually expecting any more? The episodes are:-

  • Different Worlds Looks at Space Travel and Planetary Explorations
  • Terra Firma Story of the Pioneering Missions to Our Neighbouring Planets
  • Giants Uncovering the Secrets of the Massive Planets in Our Solar System
  • Moon Solves the Mystery of Why Earth Has A Moon
  • Star The Latest Scientific Advances Bring A New Perspective on the Sun
  • Atmosphere A Voyage through the Skies of the Solar System
  • Life Robotic Exploration of Other Planets
  • Destiny How the Planets Are Going To Evolve over the Next 4 Billion Years
Reviewed by: Simon
DD
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