Seven Wonders of the World

The third feature to be shot and presented in Cinerama—a process that used three cameras synched up to show a single image across a vast screen—is hosted and presented by journalist Lowell Thomas. Thomas begins his survey with the only surviving wonder of the ancient world—the Great Pyramid of Giza (with the lens lingering on the nearby Sphinx as well)—before launching on a trip around the globe in a converted B-25 to capture other sights, both natural (Victoria Falls, the Grand Canyon, an active volcano in Africa) and man-made (the Angkor Wat temple ruins, the Taj Mahal, the Statue of Liberty), as well as glimpses of cultures worldwide. The 1956 production is a genuine time capsule, with condescending narration that expresses a sense that ancient rituals and cultural differences were signs of naiveté, becoming sober only when it reaches the ancient Holy Land, the Vatican, and the final round of American spectacles, from Niagara Falls to the Hoover Dam. More pageant than documentary, Seven Wonders of the World is a cinematic artifact of sorts, restored from the original negative and presented in “Smilebox” format, which flairs the image on the sides of the frame to mimic a curved movie screen. Presented on DVD and Blu-ray, extras include a documentary on Cinerama composers, as well as behind-the-scenes footage, newsreels, a restoration demonstration, and a booklet featuring a miniature reproduction of the original souvenir program. Likely to be of interest to some film buffs and cultural historians, this is a strong optional purchase. [Note: also newly available is the fourth Cinerama production, 1957's Search for Paradise.] (S. Axmaker)