Customer Reviews
A superb DVD of a fascinating place 
2008-09-20
The other reviews here on Amazon, and several others elsewhere, fully describe this extraordinary nature film: stunning camerawork, sweeping music coordinated with the action, excellent closeups, and an attractive narrator. Tilda Swinton's "blue-footed boobies" phrase is enchanting.
As dedicated travelers, my wife and I have decided not to travel there; so many of the sights are underwater, and the environmental pressures are severe. We've decided to continue to read about the 13 main islands and 60 other islets, rocks and reefs, and enjoy these films as armchair travelers instead.
Here's a short checklist of my favorite books to accompany the shows:
Galapagos: The Islands That Changed the World by Paul D. Stewart.
Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles of the Galapagos Islands: An Identification Guide, 2nd Edition by Andy Swash and Rob Still.
Wildlife of the Galapagos (Traveller's Guide) by Julian Fitter, Daniel Fitter, and David Hosking.
Galapagos Conservancy Membership (An excellent annual report and an opportunity to contribute to the maintenance of the site.)
And, we might even plant a couple Galapagos Island Tomato 5 Seeds, a cross with Lycopersicon cheesmanii, a species from the Galapagos islands. Sometimes staying home can be better than actually visiting a place.
Robert C. Ross 2008
The word "awesome" applies. 2008-09-07
GALAPAGOS is a revelation.
This three-part series, narrated hypnotically by Oscar-winner Tilda Swinton, includes a largely informative script, a heartrending score and some of the finest nature photography ever committed to film. Whether tracking an enormous Blue-Footed Booby flock on a massive dive for prey, following the eerie progress of Marine Iguanas on an undersea quest for red algae or honoring, through iconic imagery, the dogged persistence of the Galapagos Tortoise, the film is endlessly fascinating. Through three gripping episodes, it never flags.
If ever there was a film to unite evolutionists with Biblical fundamentalists, this is it. The endless birth and aging of islands in the "hot spot" of the archipelago -- some as young as 30,000 years of age; others in excess of 100 million years -- reveals the full flowering of nature, and justifies the concept of evolution and the holiness of wild places.
Of all the wonderful natural history films released by the BBC these past 30 years, this is one of my three favorites. It ignites the scientific imagination and intellectual curiosity. It's also undeniably beautiful.
Five stars.
Galapagos DVD 2008-06-22
I have visited the Galapagos Islands, so I was looking for a DVD that showed the beauty of the islands and described the geologic and natural history. "Galapagos" is beautifully done. The photography is superb and the narration excellent. Although I have read quite a bit about the islands, this DVD gave some information I had not known before.
I would recommend "Galapagos" to anyone.
No Widescreen in DVD Version 2008-05-18
I have this movie in HD DVD format which is in 1.66:1 format. I had planned to buy my Father this movie in DVD format (we have the same type of 16:9 TV). But from what I can tell every DVD version of this movie comes in the 1.33 format which is full screen and not widescreen.
Very disappointing. So no sale of the DVD version for me. Hopefully they will eventually release the DVD version in widescreen format.
MISDIRECTION 
2008-03-08
Galapagos (Purchased on 02/05/2008)
by Tilda Swinton
Planet Earth - The Complete BBC Series (Purchased on 02/05/2008)
by David Attenborough
The DVDs were shipped to the Hyatt Hotel in Lake Tahoe, Nevada and my name was not included, as I asked. Therefore, it was very difficult to locate the parcel and it was found on the last day of my stay at the Hotel (March 1st !!!).
It was a very disagreeable situation for myself and for the hotel staff.
Perfect photography, and overview, of a place I plan to visit before I die 2008-02-21
The inspiration for Darwin's theory of evolution the Galapagos Islands are a living laboratory a geological conveyor belt that has given birth to and seen the death of many species of plants and animals. As the western islands rise up from the sea offering a chance of life the eastern islands sink back beneath the waves guaranteeing only death. Between the two are the middle islands; fertile lush land in its prime that contains an incredible diversity of life. Nowhere else on the Earth are the twin processes of creation and extinction of species so starkly apparent... see it all unfold before your eyes in this stunning series filmed entirely in high definition from the BBC and the National Geographic Channel.Running Time: 150 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. UPC: 794051295224 Manufacturer No: E2952
review for Galapagos 
2008-02-14
This DVD had beautiful photography and covered all of the bases regarding this island chain, and the role it played as the basis for evolution. One disappointment was that this is not one single documentary, it is a series of three separate segments. At the beginning of each, there is a similar overview of the islands, their geological history, and recreations of Darwin pondering the wildlife there. The introductions even share some of the same shots, such as the same tortise yawning. I wish this DVD could have been one single documentary without the redundancy, and I wish it could have extended beyond the basics, but otherwise it was nice.
Beautiful 2008-01-12
This is one of the most beautiful documentaries I have seen. I just wish they could have left the religion (Evolution) out of it.
Great intro to evolution for biology teachers 
2007-11-18
I bought this dvd to show to my class before I started the lesson on evolution, and I found it very helpful. The documentary is nearly three hours long, but it is beautifully photographed and filmed, and it made the somewhat dry topic of evolution seem interesting to my students. Although there is mention of Charles Darwin's famous journey, the documentary itself does not go into much detail about 'natural selection,' 'genetic drift,' or 'speciation,' but instead sort of lets the islands speak for themselves, so to speak. By showing the 13 different islands, with their explosive creation via volcanoes, vastly different terrains and environmental conditions, the idea of species with a common ancestor adapting to their new surroundings via natural selection became more believable for the skeptical students.
The documentary predictably focuses some of its time on the famous tortoises and volcanoes, but also films the large variety of reptiles, birds, and fauna of the islands, including, of course, Darwin's finches. The harsh environmental conditions (little to no fresh water, explosive and unpredictable volcanoes, long lasting droughts) are vividly depicted.
The bad thing about the Galapagos Islands is that the film noticeably drops in interest and appeal after about two hours. The last third of the film gets kind of boring and repetitive -- how many volcanic "hotspots" can we hear about before getting the picture?
Highly recommended for biology teachers, although I wouldn't show this video to younger students, because the material is a bit complex and there are some scenes of violence between animals that might be disturbing.
awesome for adults and teens 2007-08-18
my 14 going on 15 year old son was as intriqued as I was. Fascinating and beautiful
