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The Eruption of Mount St. Helens! (Large Format)
The Eruption of Mount St. Helens! (Large Format)
Director: George Casey
Actor: Robert Foxworth
Studio: SlingShot Entertainment
Category: DVD

List Price: $19.99
Buy New: $3.54
You Save: $16.45 (82%)



New (21) from $3.54

Avg. Customer Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars 6 reviews
Sales Rank: 41887

Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Mandarin Chinese (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Running Time: 28 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.44:1
DVD Layers: 1
DVD Sides: 1
Picture Format: IMAX
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.6

ISBN: 1584481226
UPC: 017078914122
EAN: 9781584481225
ASIN: B00003ETHK

Theatrical Release Date: 2000
Release Date: May 23, 2000
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New! Factory Sealed 100%Satisfaction Guaranteed!

Similar Items:

  • Ring of Fire - IMAX
  • National Geographic - Volcano!
  • NOVA - In the Path of a Killer Volcano
  • Mount St. Helens: The Eruption and Recovery of a Volcano
  • Volcanoes of the Deep Sea (IMAX) (2003)

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
This documentary on the May 1980 eruption of Washington's Mount St. Helens volcano does a fine job of explaining why the mountain exploded, but what distinguishes this production is its spectacular cinematography. Originally shown in IMAX theaters, this film presents highly detailed and lavish views of the gorgeous scenery of the Pacific Northwest, both as they appeared before the top 1,300 feet of Mount St. Helens was blown into the sky and during the disaster's dramatic aftermath. When the first eruption occurred on the morning of May 18, 1980, the entire region was showered with gray ash, and the footage of towns that took on a wintry appearance in the springtime is truly eerie. For weeks after the mountain blew, it created its own unstable weather system, but when the clouds finally cleared and camera crews could fly near the volcano, the footage they brought back was stunning. Shots of what had been wooded mountainsides made utterly desolate are terrifying, and they dramatize how powerful and deadly a volcano can be. More recent footage showing the landscape after it recovered is inspiring and reassuring, and this film, which was nominated for an Academy Award, will leave viewers in awe of both the beauty and violent fury of Mount St. Helens. --Robert J. McNamara


Customer Reviews:   Read 1 more reviews...

3 out of 5 stars Some interesting historical footage, no science, poor quality film   November 11, 2005
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

Do not be fooled by the advertisement. This movie is only 26 minutes long! Although sold as a "former" I-MAX movie the footage was clearly shot on film of a much lower grade and quality. This DVD was released in 2000 but the original movie was actually shot soon after the eruption - most of the time you get the "hazy" 1980s TV-quality picture.

Other than a few great shots of the eruption (some repeats here) there is no science to speak about. Words like lahar, pyroclastic flow, or Plinian eruption are not used. This is a descriptive video without any background, analysis of processes, or scientific background. This video would never even be nominated for best documentary today - there simply isn't enough information in it. If you played this video in a classroom without the sound you wouldn't miss anything.

Am I the only one to notice the helicopter's rotor blades at the top of the screen on virtually every aerial shot?

If you want some nice historical footage of the eruption - this is a good video (though short) - if you are looking for a classroom tool loaded with good science and information - don't bother.



2 out of 5 stars Poor Eruption Footage   October 20, 2004
 5 out of 5 found this review helpful

I was really disapointed, for the price you pay you sure do not get much footage of the Eruption. I live in Seattle and was hoping to learn a lot about the Eruption and honestly didnt learn a single thing. Eruption footage only lasts maybe 1 minute of the entire movie.


1 out of 5 stars noneruptive   October 18, 2000
 28 out of 29 found this review helpful

My college graduation was cancelled when the eruption of Mount Saint Helens sent a boiling ash cloud east and covered Spokane, WA. This personal experience hightened my anticipation of the DVD release of "The Eruption of Mount St. Helens." I even put money down for an advance purchase. But, alas, the film is sorely lacking in 1) scientific explanation, 2) IMAX quality images, and 3) a decent script. Believe me -- I'm not picky! I love all the IMAX format DVD I've purchased. But this one was a big disappointment. There is so much more that could have been captured -- from the personal stories that collided with the eruption to the scientific/natural marvel of a volcano blasting away in the modern era. The eruption of Mount Saint Helens was an unexpected event, and I realize that the visual material available for this production is limited. But I did expect that, twenty years after the event, someone could edit the material with more skill, better interpretation, and a sharper sense of the drama of that terrible/incredible day.


2 out of 5 stars A mixed bag   August 23, 2000
 10 out of 12 found this review helpful

A mix of decent photography and before (1980) and after (1990) snippets, but overall, not very impressive. No character studies of those affected are included, and certain aerial shots seem to be repeated throughout. Although it was originally shown on IMAX, clearly much of the photography was not shot with IMAX cameras. The CD cover says "Academy Award nominee for best short documentary" - that was apparently a very slow year for documentaries...


3 out of 5 stars A reasonable DVD but a little short.   August 5, 2000
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

I was disappointed to find that the documentary was only 34 minutes long.There is another documentary of similar time,but no other extras.It does have some spectacular footage from the air and some film on the ground.The "before and after" film footage of areas around Mount St Helens is amazing.The DVD also has a series of photos taken of the eruption which are quite spectacular and the documentary conveys the huge size of the explosion.Worth having just to see the might of Mount St Helens.

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