Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #270346 in DVD
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Format: NTSC

Amazon.com essential video
Documentarian Errol Morris has a knack for finding the fascinating quirks of his subjects, and this brings Stephen Hawking's book A Brief History of Time to sparkling life. Through interviews with family and colleagues of the brilliant theoretical physicist, as well as Hawking's own synthesized readings and reminiscences, we learn of his early life, his struggle with the degenerative disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and his wide-ranging contributions to our knowledge of time, black holes, and the origin of the universe. The science is never downplayed; between Hawking's prose and Morris's visual wizardry, important concepts such as entropy and singularities jump from the screen in memorable vignettes. (Hawking believes a truly universal theory of physics will be understood by "scientists, philosophers, and just ordinary people.") Philip Glass's music, subdued and minimal, balances the alternately somber and hilarious moods of the film. The viewer is left with a sense of awe at the joyous spirit of a man trapped in the world of the mind, occasionally letting the rest of us in on his discoveries. --Rob Lightner

Customer Reviews

I wish I could give it six stars...
This is simply the finest documentary I've ever seen. Beautiful is not a word I use often, especially in such a context, but it certainly applies here. The cinematography, music and overall style is understated, yet excellent.

If you're looking for a mere visual depiction of Dr. Hawking's wonderful book, you are apt to be surprised. The video interweaves Dr. Hawking "reading" his book (with appropriate visuals) with interviews of his colleagues, friends and family. While much of the interview material discusses Hawking's disability, there is none of the maudlin pity or false heroics we see so often in the media. The viewer is left with a sense of tremendous awe, both from the material explored, and from the power of one man's genius.

Very highly recommended. I've watched it several times.

The most thought provoking experience I can recall
I rented this video at our summer house and was so entranced by it, I watched it three times in a row until 4:00 AM. Stephen puts very complex, cutting edge theory into easy to understand models for the average guy. Even if you are above average in your understanding of the universe, you will still be provoked intellicutally. I can't say enough about this video. Get it for the kids and watch them astound you as to their ability to think in concepts and question accepted ideas. JUST BUY IT!!! - Terrence J. Boylan, Jr.

A Legend in our own Space/Time
If you have any inkling of intelligence, and crave pondering the mechanisms of the Universe, then this is a must see vid for you. One day, the human species will catch up in our evolutionary process and be able to reach the itch that Hawkings scratches.