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Ghosts of the Abyss
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Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
Find all by Walt Disney Video
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Theatrical Release: November 20, 2008
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
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Retail Price: $19.99
Online Sale Price: $14.99
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Starring: Lewis Abernathy, Dr. John Broadwater, John Bruno, Mike Cameron, Genya Chernaiev
Walt Disney Pictures and James Cameron, the Academy Award(R)-winning director of TITANIC (1997), present the groundbreaking cinematic achievement GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS. Joined by his personal friend Bill Paxton (TITANIC) and a team of the world's foremost history and marine experts, Cameron journeys back to the site of his greatest inspiration -- the legendary wreck of the Titanic. During the voyage, you will explore the entire ship, deck by deck, room by room, encountering mysteries that have remained hidden for almost a century. Revolutionary underwater robots were designed and built solely for the purpose of allowing the explorers to peer deep into the remains of the once great ship and bring those surreal and haunting images back to the surface. Loaded with never-before-seen footage, revealing interviews, and innovative DVD bonuses, this unprecedented motion picture event is a must-own companion for anyone who loves TITANIC.
User Submitted Ghosts of the Abyss Reviews
June 2, 2008
Awesome
I'm pretty much obsessed with Titanic and other shipwrecks. This movie was very cool. Nothing was taken from the wreck and it provides a great view into something that we will not be able to see anytime we want.
April 6, 2007
A fascinating trip to the Titanic
What made this so interesting was the march of technology - New was a huge light (requiring another ship) called Medussa that was lowered 12,000 feet over the ship. They also had digital recreations on the wreck of the original structure superimposed...
The bridge (among several areas) came to life when they used this digital recreation.
They also brought 2 remotely piloted robotic cameras named Jake and Elwood (Blues Brothers fans I would assume!) that took you into the interior of the ship.
There was some sadness even today when you saw a woman's still laced shoe and realizing that the body was long gone...
This is one DvD that doesn't stay in the shelf long - I have watched it repeatedly.
And I saw the tie in to Cameron's 1997 movie when I realized that this Russian deep sea exploration ship was the same one they used in the 1997 movie...
November 8, 2006
Excellent and informative.
Excellent and informative documentary. Underwater filming was beautiful. My daughter loved it.
May 31, 2006
Amazing footage for the shipwreck that is the TITANIC
Follow director James Cameron as he dives into the deep ocean dephs to find the famous shipwreck that is the TITANIC. Cameron's film shows footage that has never been seen before. Watch Cameron and his crew dive all the way to the ship that was supposed to be UNSINKABLE. Cameron takes you on a jouney that you will never forget! He and his crew take you to the Grand Staircase, Molly Brown's State Room and other places that have not been seen before. When James Cameron and his crew are exploring the Titanic they end up loosing both of their robots that go inside the ship. They eventully find their robots and return to the surface from exploring the greatest shipwreck of all time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 23, 2006
Ghosts of the Abyss
Great Film. The insertion of people walking the decks once again puts the Titanic in the first person.
March 10, 2006
A nice spiritual successor to Titanic
In the recent Titanic SE, James Cameron during the commentary found that many of the sets and things designed for the deep sea exploring at the beginning looked "pretty darn accurate" to the real wreck. With this film we see just how close the actual ship resembles his recreated luxury liner. For those of you who loved the action stuff, look elsewhere. This is purely for people interested in the history and the sinking of the ship.
Bringing along long-time friend and frequent co-star(out of 5 films, he's only not in 2) Bill Paxton, James Cameron goes down to the infamous ship that crashed and sank in 1912: the Titanic. Using advanced robotic technology, they go farther into the wreck than previously shown, including statesrooms, the central staircase and the elevator. An odd bit of mishap happens and they must mount a rescue attempt of one of their beloved ROV(remote-operated vehicles)which just happens to coincide with another historical event.
One thing that plagues this film, as well as subsequent film Aliens of the Deep, is the people doing multiple variations on "that's awesome!". The images are striking enough, we don't need commentary on them and while acting wise he's capable, Bill Paxton is unfortunately not a good "host" for this event. Easily excitable and fidgety, he's, as he puts it, not used to this stuff.
The images are of course the star and the doomed luxury liner has tons of images. While the ship was probably more striking above water, seeing the detail and craftsmanship 12,000 feet down gives it a different kind of look and it's quite something. Especially when they show you what it looked like in real life such as the promenade deck or where the captain's helm was. Also interspersed with the underwater images is CG videomatics to give you a better understanding(which unfortunately aren't that new, they were in Titanic). Giving it a different look is having live actors shot than put over the images to give the titular look.
Out of the 3 deep sea films he's done(others including Expedition: Bismarck and Aliens of the Deep)Ghosts is probably 2nd after Bismarck. The images here are great but Bismarck did a better job at the exploration part but they're all interesting looks at technology and the loss of life that resulted from it.
January 14, 2006
flawed, but worth a rental.
Ghosts of the Abyss.
I caught this last weekend on DVD. This film is a curious mix of entertainment and science. In some cases it works, in others it doesn't.
First, what works: The Titanic. Going and exploring the innards of the great doomed liner. Great premise, especially considering that the level of exploration would be the most indepth ever. Letting the ship tell its story with minimal interference is essentual.
The crew as the explore in the MIRs is also good.
The overlaying CG to orientate where you were in the ship was a nice touch in the unrecognizable areas.
What doesn't work: Bill Paxton. Now, don't get me wrong as an actor I did like Bill Paxton. As a observer and narrator his bits about bathroom breaks in a sub, the nervous fussy demeanor and finally musing about going to his trailor - just one word. UGH. I know Jim Cameron is buddies with Bill but c'mon. Paxton totally took me out of the Titanic and made me focus on him. I'm sure it was unintended, but its an annoyance.
Getting in the way of the Titanic story. The long pieces with the crew above the ocean. I would've much rather seen more Titanic and less crew.
Feeling genuine. Paxton's stuff is absolutely scripted. That works against the realism of this piece in general. The beauty of Dr. Robert Ballard's National Geographic piece about the Titanic is that was very very honest. It was human. Cameron's piece while having touches of honesty, has elements of scriptedness. Which doesn't play well with me. This shouldn't be a piece of fiction, let the real people speak.
In the end, I can't say I loved this. I didn't. Much like Cameron reducing the real story of the Titanic to a background story in his 1997 film. He just clutters up the presentation with things he shouldn't. I love the Titanic story. Its an essentual life lesson and will continue to teach people as long as its told. I wish Jim Cameron had gotten more out of the way and let the ship be the star.
So, rent this. Then buy Dr. Robert Ballard's National Geographic special. Its far better.
November 14, 2005
Hey Yo I dont like this
Its probably alright if you like stuff like this but I dont.
August 31, 2005
Amazing.
I saw this movie in 3D at an IMAX theater and was completely amazed. The story of Titanic is a fascinating and very sad one. This movie shows the Titanic laying beneath the ocean. It is truly an amazing site.
James Cameron does an excellent job here. They go down in a submarine and go around looking at the different parts of the ship. During this, they are imagining what it must have been like at these certain parts and it shows scenes of "ghosts" of the people on the ship.
It is very emotional and really has you thinking after the movie is over.
August 22, 2005
Surprisingly good
When I picked up this DVD I was concerned that there would be too much fluff due to the connection to the blockbuster movie (i.e., Bill Paxton). I was pleasantly surprised to find a number of quality images of the sunken ship, some interesting integration of CGI technology (overlaying and transitioning renderings of what the ship would have looked like), wonderful bits of trivia, and honest and illuminating moments of fear and elation among the crew (Paxton included). Sure, this isn't the meatiest documentary, but it is well-rounded enough to warrant at least one viewing. I think that you will find some great footage (some of the shots of the wood and glass work are splendid - then there is the nail-biter rescue of a submersible robot....).
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