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Amazon.co.uk Review
While watching The Planets, be prepared to fight your way past all kinds of computer animation which makes Walking with Dinosaurs seem like the last word in realism. It seems that no solar or planetary event which ever happened (or which may or may not have happened) is worthy of mention here without recourse to lovingly detailed shots of implausible-looking collisions and explosions. These come complete with sound effects, despite the fact that there is no sound in the vacuum of space, and are enhanced by a range of colours, some of which are visible only to bees. Somehow Patrick Moore's The Sky at Night manages to convey just as much excitement with little more than a couple of diagrams and the presenter's hyperactive enthusiasm.
Fortunately, this two-DVD set is redeemed by both its subject matter and its sheer scope, offering all eight 50-minute episodes of the 1999 documentary series covering the history of the solar system and humanity's age-old desire to learn its secrets. Detailed indexing and scene access makes this a convenient reference source too, so amateur astronomers everywhere can finally bin those off-air VHS copies. --Roger Thomas
Special Features
16:9 Wide Screen
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Dolby Surround English
Dolby Surround
Danish\Dutch\English\Finnish\Norwegian\Portuguese\Swedish
DVD 9
English
Region 2
Dolby Surround English
Dolby Surround
Danish\Dutch\English\Finnish\Norwegian\Portuguese\Swedish
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I recently did a short Open University course on the Planets and was looking for a TV documentary to complement my learning. I was nearly put off purchasing this series by the Amazon reviewer's comments about the poor quality effects, but after reading some of the customer reviews I decided to buy it - and I'm extremely glad I did.
This is an excellent series that is still contemporary enough to be valid (our knowledge of the planets can change quite rapidly as probes are launched and new observations are made). It not only covers current knowledge of the solar system, but also gives some of the history of space exploration and astronomy - the episode about the race to the Moon is a showcase example. The tone is "grown-up" and serious (rather than patronisingly "fun" or "funky" like some modern documentaries can be), but at the same time one gets a fantastic sense of wonder, a sense that you, too, are discovering new things as you watch (for example) the first colour image arriving from the surface of Mars, or see the orb of Jupiter grow slowly larger as the first Voyager probe approaches it.
One thing to note is that this series doesn't cover one planet per episode. Rather it takes a topic for each programme, such as "Atmosphere" or "Life", but in this way most of the major sights of the solar system are visited in one way or another.
For the record, I think the CGI/special-effects are absolutely fine. Not Hollywood standard, but more than adequate. Jupiter in particular looks pretty cool!
I would recommend this series to pretty much anyone who has an interest in space exploration - you don't need any prior knowledge to find the programmes fascinating and informative.
A note regarding the reviewer who said the music drowned out the narration at times: I had the same minor problem initially, until I turned off the spatial (3-D) sound setting on my TV. That eliminated the problem.
This is an excellent series that is still contemporary enough to be valid (our knowledge of the planets can change quite rapidly as probes are launched and new observations are made). It not only covers current knowledge of the solar system, but also gives some of the history of space exploration and astronomy - the episode about the race to the Moon is a showcase example. The tone is "grown-up" and serious (rather than patronisingly "fun" or "funky" like some modern documentaries can be), but at the same time one gets a fantastic sense of wonder, a sense that you, too, are discovering new things as you watch (for example) the first colour image arriving from the surface of Mars, or see the orb of Jupiter grow slowly larger as the first Voyager probe approaches it.
One thing to note is that this series doesn't cover one planet per episode. Rather it takes a topic for each programme, such as "Atmosphere" or "Life", but in this way most of the major sights of the solar system are visited in one way or another.
For the record, I think the CGI/special-effects are absolutely fine. Not Hollywood standard, but more than adequate. Jupiter in particular looks pretty cool!
I would recommend this series to pretty much anyone who has an interest in space exploration - you don't need any prior knowledge to find the programmes fascinating and informative.
A note regarding the reviewer who said the music drowned out the narration at times: I had the same minor problem initially, until I turned off the spatial (3-D) sound setting on my TV. That eliminated the problem.
53 of 54 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is an excellently made series of documentaries, that GRIPPED my attention, imagination AND interest from the moment i saw it. I have watched the series over and over again and now read whatever i can about astronomy. It has launched me on a personal voyage to understand the universe and it's planets.
What's beautiful, is that the space age and recent trips to space which are presently out there are history in the making... this series will set you up with the knowledge to accompany what is happening right now, and when the latest probes will be landing on their targets.
Who knows what we will discover beyond Titans atmosphere?
Apart from the information included, the esthetics of the film making is worth noting. Samuel Wests voice narrates each episode perfectly, and all scientists interviewed transmit genuine excitement and awe towards what they have decided to dedicate their lives to - the universe and it's mysteries.
If you have the slightest interest in our universe, and like to ask yourself important questions, then i recommend these films for you.
44 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having diligently sat through the series, I placed my order for the DVD as soon as it was available.
This has been the best documentary series of its type ever produced for national television and it makes the licence fee worth it.
Any disparaging comments refer to it being a little bit technical and historical but that is the beauty of it. It wont be enjoyed by young kids (please see SPACE - also from the BBC) but it is fantastic for adults. I have watched this DVD over twenty times and each time I cannot resist being transfixed. The graphics are fantastic, the music is superb and the facts are correct.
This is a must buy for anyone who thinks TV should be about informing us and stimulating our minds. I highly recommend it.
This has been the best documentary series of its type ever produced for national television and it makes the licence fee worth it.
Any disparaging comments refer to it being a little bit technical and historical but that is the beauty of it. It wont be enjoyed by young kids (please see SPACE - also from the BBC) but it is fantastic for adults. I have watched this DVD over twenty times and each time I cannot resist being transfixed. The graphics are fantastic, the music is superb and the facts are correct.
This is a must buy for anyone who thinks TV should be about informing us and stimulating our minds. I highly recommend it.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Gustav Holst would have loved it!
Superb series when first made, but now showing its' age! While it may not have the graphics of later series Wonders of the Solar System [DVD]; the documentary format is well... Read more
Published 18 days ago by J. G. Futers
4.5 STARS
This was an interesting mini-series that seemed to pick up as each episode went along. I love astronomy and so this is exactly the kind of material that I'm looking to track down... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Ryan B
Very informative despite being dated
I bought this after watching Brian Cox's excellent 'Wonders of the Solar System' DVD. The reviews on Amazon said it was good & I was not dissappointed. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Tony Howard
Excellent series
I really enjoyed this series. The explanations are good and the pictures amazing. Well worth the money.
Published on 26 May 2010 by B. Hudson
Pity its not in HD
Excellent series explaining in some depth and detail our solar system and our attempts to understand it. Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by zargb5
The Planets
A bit out of date with recent excursions into space but still a good, informative series, blissfully without the endless repititon of present day format. Read more
Published on 2 Jan 2010 by Mrs. J. Green
The Planets [DVD] [1999]
Despite not being completely up-to-date, this DVD provided an informative introduction to the planets for myself and my 4 year old daughter!
Published on 12 Oct 2009 by John Lynam
Brilliant
Very informative and goes into quite alot of detail about the planets including earth and the moon. The only thing i found disappointing was there was no detailed information about... Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2009 by Louise Hickerman
Amazing universe
This DVD tells all about solar system and explored planets with amazing photos of those planets. The only thing it lacks is update of new explorations of Titan moon of Saturn and... Read more
Published on 2 Aug 2009 by D. Giediminas
Exceptional Music
If I were a movie director looking for a British composer who can capture the drama of the outer worlds of the universe, I'd feel pretty confident choosing this composer, Jim... Read more
Published on 31 Mar 2009 by Nic Penrake
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