Product Description

"Off the coast of Baja, Mexico, a remote island serves as one of nature's dwindling sanctuaries to a fearsome ocean predator - the Great White Shark. In a race against time, marine researchers and eco-tourists have forged a unique alliance in the hopes of protecting these animals from potential slaughter. This is a countdown to survival at Isla Guadalupe - the Island of the Great White Shark."

A shark documentary that sets itself apart from all the rest, Island of the Great White Shark is the first comprehensive look at the magnificent Great White Sharks of Isla Guadalupe and the fascinating scientific research taking place there! Take an undersea journey with filmmaker Richard Theiss as he captures the true nature of these incredible predators, up close and personal, and chronicles the efforts of dedicated shark researchers and eco-tourist operators to protect these animals before it is too late.

See remarkable close-up footage combined with computer graphics and interviews with some of the world's leading shark experts in this ground-breaking look at Isla Guadalupe's incredible Great White Sharks. Island of the Great White Shark: an award-winning film, acclaimed by aquariums and scientific institutions nationwide! (Widescreen letterboxed)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47029 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-03-31
• Formats: Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 43 minutes

Review
Island of the Great White Shark brings out the dramatic behavior of great white sharks themselves and the sheer thrill of the divers viewing the King of the Seas, up close and personal. Perhaps more importantly, the film features shark research and conservation at work, and bravely faces the tremendous teeth of threats facing sharks worldwide. Excellent graphics throughout the film help highlight the usefulness of tagging to understand the habits of the sharks, threats to their survival as a species, and occasional subtitling underscores the points for those of us too intrigued by the animals to be paying attention to the fact that it is sharks that are threatened, and we are the top predator of the ocean.

Featuring notable shark scientist- UC Davis Professor Peter Klimley PhD, and young Mexican biologist Mauricio Hoyo Padilla, we see shark science at work. The scientists explore the mysterious world of these animals from movements to dinner habits, and the graphics help translate the arcane into the exalted, and at times the dismal future sharks face. Admirably, the filmmaker does not shy away from taking on the greatest threat to pelagic shark populations worldwide, the rising popularity of shark fin soup, creating a demand for shark fins, and supporting the practice of shark finning; the killing of sharks for just their fins. Kudos to the filmmaker for not soft peddling this very serious issue that not only affects sharks, but the entire oceanic ecosystem of which they play an integral role. Sharks desperately need more films in this light.

Educational yes, but excitement and information pepper this independently produced film and if it weren't for the subtle melodies scoring the film, one might subconsciously hear that familiar tum tum, tum tum we associate with circling sharks. Those of us intrigued by the Man in the White Suit with the cold black eyes and perpetual grin will not be disappointed by a lack of teeth and predatory attack. Tight shots, in focus details and ghostly long shots abound, and the haunting music accompanying the encounters paint a primal scene of intrigue and unearthly beauty.

Films like this help us understand sharks, and with hope, reverse the perceptions of fear or hate, and help demystify the monster. Listed as threatened with extinction, lets hope we will learn to love the Great Whites Sharks before it is too late. The Island of the Great White Shark is a fin in the right direction. --David McGuire, WetPixel.com, Feb. 24, 2008

About the Director
Filmmaker Richard Theiss spent three years filming and editing footage at Isla Guadalupe to capture the true nature of these amazing animals. Theiss has filmed and/or written for National Geographic, Aquarium of the Pacific, InMER.org, HDVideoPro, and national dive publications. His company, RTSea Productions, is dedicated to capturing nature and underwater images that will impress and move viewers to preserve and protect our precious resources - above and below the waves.

Customer Reviews

finally an educational shark film!
There are so many films about great white sharks that show the animal being aggressive and attacking its prey. As a shark enthusiast, I am tired of this type of portrayal. I want to see movies that show the great white in its natural behavior. I want to actually learn about the shark. This DVD does exactly that... it teaches me... about the shark, about the science being conducted, and about what it's like to actually be in the water with these magnificent creatures. Kudos to the filmmaker for taking a risk and making a movie about real research.

Island of the Great White Shark
This is probably the very best documentary I have watched regarding sharks, but especially the Great White Shark. It shows what they REALLY are, not what Peter Benchley portrayed them to be. They are beautiful, awesome creatures that are perfect "machines". I am more than pleased with my purchase. Island of the Great White Shark

Island of the Great White Shark
The video was outstanding. I have been to Isla Guadalupe to cage dive with Great White Shark no less than four times and know several of the people in the video. It was accurate, well done and completely captures the experience of being there under the sea with these magnificent ocean predators for those that have never had the opportunity to do so in person.

Colonel Dick Brauer, USAF (Ret)