Physics – The Elegant Universe & Beyond (Nova DVD Set)

 

                               Picture:  Sound:  Extras:  Episodes:

The Elegant Universe    C+       B-       C-          B+

Einstein’s Big Idea        C+       C+      C            B

Einstein Revealed         C+       B-       C-          B

 

 

In another great Nova/WGBH DVD Set, Physics – The Elegant Universe & Beyond combines three exceptional and related programs into one fine collection.  We have looked at the previous two releases, which are:

 

The Elegant Universe

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3317/The+Elegant+Universe+(Nova)

 

Einstein’s Big Idea

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/2973/Einstein's+Big+Idea+(Nova)

 

 

That leaves the excellent two-part, two hour Einstein Revealed, which is the only 1.33 X 1 production here and the oldest of the three.  It covers the personal life, isolation, genius, sacrifice and survival of the man over the years from a childhood that had some stability problems, to his days in a patent office, to his landmark success.  Though it is good at that, the majority of the production is to use personal chronology to try and unravel where his thinking was and how it progressed for him to figure out all the amazing things he did.

 

Animation fans will be happy an animated short by Max Fleischer explaining one of his theories, but there is well-researched information, direct quotes from the man (even using an actor) and some new animation showing where he was going with his ideas.  It is very informative and as vital an installment as ever in this great series.

 

The picture is a little soft and detail limited like the later discs, while the Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has some interesting Pro Logic surrounds you should try out.  The few extras are once again printable DVD-ROM material and a weblink, but as part of this larger set, not as much of a disappointment.  Catch all three volumes either sold separately or in this nicely illustrated box.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo