Two truly panoramic environmental videos look at the history of America, and the global threats of extinction, respectively. Made for HBO, director Bill Couturie's Earth and the American Dream is an exceptionally well-edited montage of stunning nature footage and historical film clips chronicling the history of America's often unwitting war on the environment through the words of famous commentators from Christopher Columbus up through Jacques Cousteau's reminder that "we have forgotten that we have only one planet." Divided into chronological chunks (1492-1776; 1960-1970) which become increasingly shorter as the ability to cause environmental damage increases exponentially, Earth and the American Dream is narrated by a stellar cast (including Jack Lemmon, Mary Steenburgen, Anthony Hopkins, Bette Midler, Harrison Ford, Dustin Hoffman, and others), playing the roles of the "villains" (Buffalo Bill Cody, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison) and the voices of sanity crying out in a consumer-driven society (Rachel Carson, Clifford Furnas, Adlai Stevenson, etc.) Although there is more than a little romantic hindsight here, and a distinct lack of interest in science and technology's grand achievements, the program does offer a sobering reminder of just how high the price of progress has been, as well as a strong suggestion that we can no longer afford it. [Note: this title is being sold to consumers for $34.95.]The Last Show on Earth, taking its title from Barnum & Bailey's legendary "Greatest Show on Earth," is also an epic production. Narrated by actor Kenneth Branagh and featuring music from, among others, Elton John, Soul II Soul, Peter Gabriel, and Kate Bush, and commentary from Ben Kingsley, Sigourney Weaver, the WWF's Simon Lyster, the Dalai Lama, and more, the program travels around the world to examine the plight of endangered species and threatened habitats. Exquisitely filmed, the program is at its best celebrating the motley crew of indigenous animal species that populate the globe--from majestic elephants and ruggedly ugly black rhinos in Africa to the imperial tiger in India and the comical orangutans of Taiwan. We not only see these animals in their native splendor, but also witness the efforts of dedicated individuals working to save animal species in the face of illegal poaching, diminishing natural resources (including habitat), and increasing population and migration to overcrowded shantytowns on the edges of growing cities. At its worst, on the other hand, we're treated to Sigourney Weaver's commentary on the superiority of mountain gorillas to humans (yes, Sigourney, they do have very sharp teeth, but I'd rather have dull molars and a sharp brain than vice versa.) Too, there is the occasional tendency to offer speculation as fact (referring to the disappearing rainforest in Borneo, Branagh says: "among the plants are cures for cancer...and possibly AIDS." Well, maybe so; but, maybe not.) Overall, however, The Last Show on Earth provides a good introduction to the issue of endangered species around the world.Earth and the American Dream is highly recommended for general audiences. The Last Show on Earth is recommended for larger collections with strong environmental emphasis. (R. Pitman)
Earth And the American Dream; The Last Show On Earth
(1993) 79 min. $95. Direct Cinema Ltd. PPR. Color cover. Vol. 9, Issue 3
Earth And the American Dream; The Last Show On Earth
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