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Product Description
In the Spring of 1914, with Europe on the brink of war, no one had heard of an obscure German physicist called Albert Einstein. A British astronomer, Arthur Eddington, realised that Einstein’s theories could unlock whole new ways of thinking about time and space. Despite the danger of being labelled traitors, the two men began a unique correspondence. An eclipse in Africa provided an opportunity to prove Einstein’s theories to the world. Eddington, an unlikely hero, set out on a journey that would change people’s perceptions of the universe forever.
Product Description
United Kingdom released, PAL/Region 2 DVD: LANGUAGES: English ( Dolby Digital Stereo ), English ( Subtitles ), WIDESCREEN (1.78:1), SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu, Scene Access, SYNOPSIS: In the Spring of 1914, with Europe on the brink of war, no one had heard of an obscure German physicist called Albert Einstein. A British astronomer, Arthur Eddington, realised that Einstein's theories could unlock whole new ways of thinking about time and space. Despite the danger of being labelled traitors, the two men began a unique correspondence. An eclipse in Africa provided an opportunity to prove Einstein's theories to the world. Eddington, an unlikely hero, set out on a journey that would change people's perceptions of the universe forever. ...Einstein and Eddington
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 51 people found the following review helpful
By Suzi 2
Format:DVD
I loved this film. It is beautiful and visually striking, from the opening scence set atop an African mountain, to the contrasting scenes set in Zurich, Berlin and Cambridge. Set admist the turmoil of the great war, a story is told, not just of the greatest scientific discovery of our time, but also of human loss, love, humanity and courage. I admire the writer and director for their ability to put so much into a fairly short film, and especially for setting Einstein's work into the appalling political context of this time so clearly. The film is pacey and engaging throughout. The acting from the whole cast is great. Andy Serkis is very believable as the rebellious, wild and unpredictable Einstein. Tennant demonstrates his versitility with the quietly heroic, if repressed, Eddington. His performance is highly engaging, and he fully portrays the scientist's love for his work. This film should please anyone who enjoys historical drama, is interested in science, or who just likes a good story well told.
29 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By Basiledes
Format:DVD
The academic and situational historical relationship between the inspired genius and the conscientious 'best measurer in England' was just waiting to be given this sort of treatment. Every sort of ingredient a writer of fiction could ask for was there to be taken and used.
Eddington has always been described as the first man in England to understand Einstein and this film shows his struggle to get his ideas taken seriously at a time when, during the First World War, German science was a dirty word. As a Quaker and a pacifist Eddington is shown as an objective and progressive scientist who serves only the truth and the advancement of science. This brings him up against the resistance of the Cambridge scientific community who are supporters of the war, and hostile to Einstein who was regarded as a German, since he was working at the University of Berlin (though he had renounced citizenship and regarded himself as belonging to no nation). In Berlin, heavily committed to the German war effort, they are developing poison gas which is soon used at Ypres with devastating effect.
Einstein for his part is being put under pressure to support the war and put his signature to a list of German scientists, but wants none of it and so his funding is cut off and he is banned from the University. In the film he gets the full romantic genius treatment and comes across as the Einstein legend would have us expect. Don't worry it's very convincing and the idiosyncrasies and anecdotes are based on facts. The arts too are not left out, as much is made of his love of music (Mozart and Schubert, not Beethoven or Wagner unfortunately). Serkis as ever is excellent.... Read more ›
Eddington has always been described as the first man in England to understand Einstein and this film shows his struggle to get his ideas taken seriously at a time when, during the First World War, German science was a dirty word. As a Quaker and a pacifist Eddington is shown as an objective and progressive scientist who serves only the truth and the advancement of science. This brings him up against the resistance of the Cambridge scientific community who are supporters of the war, and hostile to Einstein who was regarded as a German, since he was working at the University of Berlin (though he had renounced citizenship and regarded himself as belonging to no nation). In Berlin, heavily committed to the German war effort, they are developing poison gas which is soon used at Ypres with devastating effect.
Einstein for his part is being put under pressure to support the war and put his signature to a list of German scientists, but wants none of it and so his funding is cut off and he is banned from the University. In the film he gets the full romantic genius treatment and comes across as the Einstein legend would have us expect. Don't worry it's very convincing and the idiosyncrasies and anecdotes are based on facts. The arts too are not left out, as much is made of his love of music (Mozart and Schubert, not Beethoven or Wagner unfortunately). Serkis as ever is excellent.... Read more ›
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By A. Blackwell
Format:DVD
I though this film was excellent. I was concerned before the screening about the quantity and quality of the science but they did a good job. There are numerous wonderful scenes of Einstein explaining bits of his work to his sons so children watching will also understand. They gave Eddington one of Einstein's famous demonstrations to use in explaining it to his sister and his friend.
You see how the work of both men was influenced by their families and their beliefs. Both stood up for what they thought was right when their countries were at war. The film showed the difficulties presented to each by the internal emotional conflict due to the war and the deaths it caused. Also both faced conflict with colleagues because of their pacifist views and these points were well illustrated in the film. I think the scenes with Eddington and a German family are particularly good both in acting and the film presentation.
You see how the work of both men was influenced by their families and their beliefs. Both stood up for what they thought was right when their countries were at war. The film showed the difficulties presented to each by the internal emotional conflict due to the war and the deaths it caused. Also both faced conflict with colleagues because of their pacifist views and these points were well illustrated in the film. I think the scenes with Eddington and a German family are particularly good both in acting and the film presentation.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By J. L. Moore
Format:DVD
By far the best thing I have watched on television for a long time. I knew very little about Arthur Eddington and not much about Einstein beyond what every knows. I have read since watching that there were some historical inaccuracies and dramatic licence taken but hopefully that should not detract from anyone's enjoyment of a beautifully shot film, enriched by a thought provoking script and brilliant performances. David Tennant and Andy Serkis are perfect as two extremely different but principled and courageous men of science, and in Eddington's case, of faith. It was a surprisingly moving and meditative experience. I would recommend it whole-heartedly.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This brings shivers your spine as it unfolds the spectacle of the universe and humanity
11 Aug 2009
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is fabulously well done. A kind of Chariots of Fire for science. Tennant is a much better Dr here than ever he was in Dr Who: Both he and Andy Serkis (Gollum) are perfectly cast. I feared in the opening minutes they were going to try an dumb down Einstein to make him "accessible", but no: He's here is all his magnificence, emotional, as well as mental.
Suspenseful and sophisticated, the skilled writing and direction do a grant job of showing, too quote Blake, "the world in a grain of sand, and eternity in an hour". This story, and once personal and universal, takes us from Africa and transit of Venus, to England at her green and pleasant best, the tragedy of Europe's "civil war", Jewish history in Germany, Germans in England, and the dawning of the 20th C. Eddington's honour and grace ("The pursuit of truth in science transcends national boundaries. It takes us beyond anger and hatred and fear. It is the best of us."), Einstein's playfullness, humanity, and stunning intellectual breakthrough, Lodges dogmatism - doggedly defending Newton and the aether - his patriotism, the Jewish Haber, working on chlorine gas for the fatherland - a story in its own right... So much more.
The ensemble cast let their character's character shine through (what a great story that has Fritz Haber, Max Plank, and Oliver Lodge as co-stars!)
Buy the DVD for a great opportunity to think, feel, and simply to revel!
Suspenseful and sophisticated, the skilled writing and direction do a grant job of showing, too quote Blake, "the world in a grain of sand, and eternity in an hour". This story, and once personal and universal, takes us from Africa and transit of Venus, to England at her green and pleasant best, the tragedy of Europe's "civil war", Jewish history in Germany, Germans in England, and the dawning of the 20th C. Eddington's honour and grace ("The pursuit of truth in science transcends national boundaries. It takes us beyond anger and hatred and fear. It is the best of us."), Einstein's playfullness, humanity, and stunning intellectual breakthrough, Lodges dogmatism - doggedly defending Newton and the aether - his patriotism, the Jewish Haber, working on chlorine gas for the fatherland - a story in its own right... So much more.
The ensemble cast let their character's character shine through (what a great story that has Fritz Haber, Max Plank, and Oliver Lodge as co-stars!)
Buy the DVD for a great opportunity to think, feel, and simply to revel!
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3.8 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
good subject
I didn't know about their friendship, so that was a neat topic for me; but I wonder if the movie was over-edited. I felt like a lot was missing.
Published 1 month ago by W. Marshall
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent film
This has to be a historical reprensentation of two great inventors and how they both helped each other in their lives well worth a watch
Published 3 months ago by feedback909
5.0 out of 5 stars
Einstein and Eddington DVD
Fine performance from Sirks and Tennant, dispite the general portent of the film; that of bombastic British nationalism. Otherwise an excellent viewing.
Published 4 months ago by simon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Blew my mind
I'd always known that Albert Einstein was an unusual character and that there were depths to him and tragedy in his life that most people are unaware of. Read more
Published 4 months ago by David Reid
5.0 out of 5 stars
Einstein And Eddington [DVD] [2008] David Tennant
An excellent Einstein and Eddington, David Tennan plays an excellent role, despite the threat of war these Einstein and Eddington show the scientific desires
Published 5 months ago by Mr. I. D. Rhodes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Einstein & Eddington
I bought this because I am a huge David Tennant fan and was not disappointed. David is an amazing actor and he is so adept at playing any character. Read more
Published 14 months ago by E. Lombard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Entertaining and informative
Thoroughly enjoyed this. I didn't know much about the background to Einstein's work and had not heard of Eddington so found it very interesting, but also entertaining. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Victoria Howard
5.0 out of 5 stars
A film I will watch again and again to understand what I have missed
I enjoyed this film.
I am particularly interested in Albert Einstein having read one or two biographies of him. Read more
I am particularly interested in Albert Einstein having read one or two biographies of him. Read more
Published 23 months ago by K. A. Newton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Einstein and Eddington
A fantastic film. The DVD arrived very quickly allowing me to enjoy the film even sooner. It was well packaged and in beautiful condition
Published on 20 May 2011 by Catherine Chamoun
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great for tv, not for learning
I'm an italian teacher of mathematics and physics in secondary school.
My question was if this movie could be used in classroom to make students understand something about... Read more
My question was if this movie could be used in classroom to make students understand something about... Read more
Published on 11 Oct 2010 by Michele
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