Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #228967 in DVD
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Running time: 25 minutes

Amazon.com
This documentary on the May 1980 eruption of Washington's Mount St. Helens volcano does a fine job of explaining why the mountain exploded, but what distinguishes this production is its spectacular cinematography. Originally shown in IMAX theaters, this film presents highly detailed and lavish views of the gorgeous scenery of the Pacific Northwest, both as they appeared before the top 1,300 feet of Mount St. Helens was blown into the sky and during the disaster's dramatic aftermath. When the first eruption occurred on the morning of May 18, 1980, the entire region was showered with gray ash, and the footage of towns that took on a wintry appearance in the springtime is truly eerie. For weeks after the mountain blew, it created its own unstable weather system, but when the clouds finally cleared and camera crews could fly near the volcano, the footage they brought back was stunning. Shots of what had been wooded mountainsides made utterly desolate are terrifying, and they dramatize how powerful and deadly a volcano can be. More recent footage showing the landscape after it recovered is inspiring and reassuring, and this film, which was nominated for an Academy Award, will leave viewers in awe of both the beauty and violent fury of Mount St. Helens. --Robert J. McNamara

Customer Reviews

noneruptive
My college graduation was cancelled when the eruption of Mount Saint Helens sent a boiling ash cloud east and covered Spokane, WA. This personal experience hightened my anticipation of the DVD release of "The Eruption of Mount St. Helens." I even put money down for an advance purchase. But, alas, the film is sorely lacking in 1) scientific explanation, 2) IMAX quality images, and 3) a decent script. Believe me -- I'm not picky! I love all the IMAX format DVD I've purchased. But this one was a big disappointment. There is so much more that could have been captured -- from the personal stories that collided with the eruption to the scientific/natural marvel of a volcano blasting away in the modern era. The eruption of Mount Saint Helens was an unexpected event, and I realize that the visual material available for this production is limited. But I did expect that, twenty years after the event, someone could edit the material with more skill, better interpretation, and a sharper sense of the drama of that terrible/incredible day.

A reasonable DVD but a little short.
I was disappointed to find that the documentary was only 34 minutes long.There is another documentary of similar time,but no other extras.It does have some spectacular footage from the air and some film on the ground.The "before and after" film footage of areas around Mount St Helens is amazing.The DVD also has a series of photos taken of the eruption which are quite spectacular and the documentary conveys the huge size of the explosion.Worth having just to see the might of Mount St Helens.

Some interesting historical footage, no science, poor quality film
Do not be fooled by the advertisement. This movie is only 26 minutes long! Although sold as a "former" I-MAX movie the footage was clearly shot on film of a much lower grade and quality. This DVD was released in 2000 but the original movie was actually shot soon after the eruption - most of the time you get the "hazy" 1980s TV-quality picture.

Other than a few great shots of the eruption (some repeats here) there is no science to speak about. Words like lahar, pyroclastic flow, or Plinian eruption are not used. This is a descriptive video without any background, analysis of processes, or scientific background. This video would never even be nominated for best documentary today - there simply isn't enough information in it. If you played this video in a classroom without the sound you wouldn't miss anything.

Am I the only one to notice the helicopter's rotor blades at the top of the screen on virtually every aerial shot?

If you want some nice historical footage of the eruption - this is a good video (though short) - if you are looking for a classroom tool loaded with good science and information - don't bother.