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Amazon.co.uk Review
The sky and outer space have fascinated man for centuries and the History Channel's series The Universe is the story of man's study of the cosmos from his earliest attempts to map and understand the heavens through modern day scientific studies, advances, and theories. A mix of historical footage, modern space imaging, and conceptual computer graphics presented in high-definition, the visual component of this production is absolutely breathtaking. Each of the thirteen 44-minute episodes begins with a general introduction of subjects ranging from the sun to individual planets, alien galaxies, the search for extra-terrestrial life, and scientific theories like the Big Bang. Each topic is then broken down into a series of segments that detail specific ideas, theories, or components integral to the understanding of the main topic as well as historical material, current studies and theories, and projections of potential future events and scientific advances. The 90-minute "Beyond the Big Bang" feature relates "the story of everything"--from the universe's formation following the "Big Bang" to its eventual projected demise from unchecked expansion dubbed the "Big Rip." Leading experts from universities and scientific institutions around the world do a great job of taking very complex subjects like galaxies with spiral density arms and relating them to easily graspable concepts like a city with a downtown core surrounded by suburbs and plagued by freeway traffic jams. Amazing photographs from the Hubble space telescope, infrared views from the Spitzer space telescope, and x-ray images from the Chandra X-ray Observatory augment understanding as do demonstrations of modern science's ability to simulate historical events like the formation of earth and to project future cosmic events. The Universe is a fascinating and understandable study of space that speaks to viewers ranging from the generally curious to the serious student of cosmology. --Tami Horiuchi
Product Description
The stunning, best-selling set is finally available on Blu-ray Disc. As the Earth grapples with the effects of global warming, science has increasingly looked to outer space for answers to the glaring threats facing our world. Are there other planets in the Universe with the unique ability to support life or is there truly no place like home? HISTORYTM ventures into the uncharted territory of outer space through the visions, studies, and predictions of scientists and explorers, utilizing cutting-edge computer graphics and stunning footage to bring the universe down to Earth. Now available on Blu-ray Disc for the first time, HISTORYTM presents all 13 visually arresting, awe-inspiring episodes from THE UNIVERSE: THE COMPLETE SEASON ONE plus the feature-length documentary Beyond the Big Bang. From the planets to the stars and out to the edge of the known universe, history and science collide in this epic exploration of space and its limitless potential. Available on Blu-ray Disc for the first time, THE UNIVERSE is a breathtaking exploration of far-away planets, exploding stars, black holes, alien life-forms, and much more. All 13 episodes are filled with state-of-the-art computer graphics and stunning NASA images plus the feature-length bonus documentary Beyond the Big Bang. Already a best-selling franchise, Season Two was expanded to 18 episodes and is due for release on 2nd November.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
168 of 181 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a great series, but Goentertain have released it minus the last 2 episodes - "The Search for ET", and the full length feature episode "Beyond the Big Bang". I spoke to Goentertain to ask why, and all they said was that the licensing deal didn't allow them to issue these 2 episodes. So, why call it the "Complete" series 1 when it obviously isn't?? The entire 14 episode series is only available on import from the US as a 4 disc set. The 2 missing episodes in this Region 2 set are crucially important to the series, and the best of the bunch. I'm sending my copy of this back to Goentertain where they can Gostickitwherethesundontshine. I've reordered a Region 1 set. Why settle for less when you can have the whole Universe!! (well series 1 anyway)
49 of 53 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase
I thought this would just be the same documentary that was shown on the normal History & Discovery channel's so I thought it might be a bit pointless having it on Blu-ray as the original series with the English narrator had quite poor image quality but it has been completely re-made with new interviews, scenic shots and CGI which makes full use of HD. Although obviously much of the non-earth shot footage doesn't tend to be good enough quality to look any better in HD.
The only bad thing I can say about it is it's just got a bit too much American cheesiness where they occasionally make it needlessly over dramatic. The most annoying thing though is for some reason they feel the need to constantly flash a bright white screen at you (I think they're trying to give you a seizure), after 10 minutes it really gets irritating, there is no need for it, but on the whole it's a great documentary.
The only bad thing I can say about it is it's just got a bit too much American cheesiness where they occasionally make it needlessly over dramatic. The most annoying thing though is for some reason they feel the need to constantly flash a bright white screen at you (I think they're trying to give you a seizure), after 10 minutes it really gets irritating, there is no need for it, but on the whole it's a great documentary.
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
No matter how many documentaries I watch about space, there's always some facts that I didn't know or had forgotten, and the poor coverage of astronomy on terrestrial TV prompted me to buy this series of THE UNIVERSE. It looks stunning on Blu-ray with a nice blend of actual photos and computer graphics. Some viewers may be put off by this American production. If you are used to a quiet laid-back BBC "Horizon" type of documentary, you might find the slap, bang, flash presentation of this DVD annoying. I was a little irritated by this at first as well as the noisy soundtrack, but as I watched more episodes I found that I had got used to it and concentrated more on the facts presented. The fascinating subject matter and the beautiful images of our Universe is the most important factor here, and I shall be buying series 2 and 3 when available.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent series, looks stunning in Full HD
This series is a must for anyone with an interest in space. I watched this in SD on Sky, and I have to say it really benefits from the full HD quality of this blu ray.
Published 2 months ago by Dr. W. E. Allen
Trailer for Armageddon
If you are English and used to quality documentaries narrated by a none hysterical Englishman you may wish to avoid this. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Zmb-68
Excellent
This is much more American in style than Bryan Cox (it has obvious places where advert breaks originally were) but it's really rather good. Read more
Published 8 months ago by A. Eastham
Might be OK for kids
Pros:
- very easy to understand
- shows astrophysical phenomena most people never heard of (know what a Magnetar ist? Read more
- very easy to understand
- shows astrophysical phenomena most people never heard of (know what a Magnetar ist? Read more
Published 10 months ago by The Weatherman
The Universe, in a tiresome videoclip
It is an interesting subject. Sadly the animations are of a poor quality. Some animation sequences are shown in almost every episode, it feels real cheap. Read more
Published 11 months ago by A. de Vries
not as described online
I bought this solely to get a specific 1 1/2 hour segment, which is terrific, called 'Beyond the Big Bang'. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Mrs Furley
Alright for the odd episode but overall a bit rubbish..
I find space, the universe and planets a really fascinating subject. I usually buy books on these subjects as I have found that there aren't all that many quality DVD's available. Read more
Published 16 months ago by El Stevo
the universe blu ray
The pictures are nice
DISAPPOINTMENT there are no subtitles! At all
Makes it difficult to follow for non-native English speakers
DISAPPOINTMENT there are no subtitles! At all
Makes it difficult to follow for non-native English speakers
Published 17 months ago by henk de vries
Too sensational
It's hard to describe this documentation without referring to it as "typical US style". If you know other documentation from the US with their overly sensationalist story and... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Harald
Nice graphics, but pretty far fetched ideas.
This set of the universe...theores from scientists on how certain aspects of it work.
It is interesting to seeing some data and images they have collected, but a lot of... Read more
It is interesting to seeing some data and images they have collected, but a lot of... Read more
Published 18 months ago by P. McCauley
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