The Next Frontier

What resources lie beneath the sea, and how can we harvest them? Rapid advances in technology coupled with accelerating discoveries in the past 25 years have changed our view of the ocean, and this episode in the Universe Beneath the Sea series (the others are The Explorers and Creatures of All Shapes and Sizes; series price: $69.75) takes a close-up look at The Next Frontier of deep-sea oilrig platforms, robotic submarines, deep pressure diving suits, and an underwater hotel. Combining film, newsreels, and interviews with experts such as researchers, marine geologists, a software designer, a research aquanaut and a deep-sea explorer, the program covers topics ranging from the world politics of undersea mining to scientific research into extracting drugs from materials found in the sea. This informative, fascinating documentary will spur viewers to contemplate a wide range of possibilities for future exploration, in the immortal words of Disney's Sebastian, "under the sea." Highly recommended. Aud: J, H, C, P. (J. McDaniel)