Volcanoes of the Deep Sea

In addition to offering dazzling images of unprecedented clarity, Volcanoes of the Deep Sea was also the focus of one of the most ridiculous controversies of 2005. Under pressure from fundamentalist religious groups, IMAX exhibitors in several Southern cities refused to show the film because of references to evolution and the suggestion of a connection between human DNA and microbes found in undersea volcanoes--a clear case of over-reactive censorship, since the factual details are scientifically accurate and undisputed by experts. Directed by IMAX pioneer Stephen Low, executive produced by Titanic director James Cameron, and narrated by actor Ed Harris (star of Cameron's The Abyss), the film offers a concise history of deep-sea bioscience, focusing on the intriguing connection between unique hexagonally-shaped fossil remains in volcanic rock formations in Spain and identical life forms found on the ocean floor at a depth of 12,000 feet. This mysterious, elusive life form, known as Paleodictyon, is investigated here along with a number of other subjects, including the great Galapagos Rift and the massive mid-ocean ridge (Earth's biggest geological feature), unusual creatures of the deep (including a bizarre octopus nicknamed "Dumbo" for its floppy ear-like appendages), and teeming varieties of life near volcanic vents and lava flows, where pressures and temperatures are so extreme that only the toughest, most adaptive life forms can survive. Low's underwater film crew used the versatile submersible craft "Alvin" and specialized high-intensity lighting rigs to capture detailed images that no humans--including astonished deep-sea researchers--had ever seen before (these marvelous sequences are supported by computer-animated simulations of "Alvin" in action). DVD extras include behind-the-scenes footage. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Shannon)