1.

American Almanacs: A Living History of Old Farmers Almanac (Documentary)
starring: Mark Goslen, Jack Pyle, Taylor Reese, Bob Ryan, Peter Geiger
directed by: Ron Senkowski

Learn why Gramps kept his near his Bible. Secrets revealed. Over two entertaining hours for fans of Farmers' Almanacs. This visually breathtaking journey shows you the intriguing evolution of the almanac, from ancient times to today. Learn why Farmers Almanacs have become indispensable, as scientists, astronomers, weather forecasters, farm folk and others detail the unique history of these time-honored publications.

Unearth the secrets behind weather forecasting, uncover the almanac scandals of Benjamin Franklin and Poor Richard's Almanac, learn how to plant by the moon and much more.

As an added bonus, MARTHA MATILDA, author of the award winning "Keeping Hearth and Home" series is featured sharing 100-year-old gardening secrets, household hints, remedies and recipes that still work today.
September 09, 2003

2.

American Experience - The Great San Francisco Earthquake
starring: Marion Ross
directed by: Rocky Collins; Matthew Collins (III)

A look at the destruction and rebirth of San Francisco as a result of the famous 1906 earthquake.
January 01, 2006

3.

Disaster By The Bay: The Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906
directed by: Ken Joy

Disaster by the Bay: The Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906, a film by Ken Joy, is destined to be the definitive documentary of the greatest natural disaster ever to hit California. Never-before-seen footage, shot just minutes after the quake struck on April 18, 1906 at 5:13 a.m., combined with thousands of rare and previously unreleased photographs, and recreations of eyewitness accounts written by those who survived the disaster, culminate in this hour-long epic that chronicles the horror, the aftermath, and the heroes who survived it.

Ken Joy's astonishing direction takes us into the heart of the vibrant city that was San Francisco at the turn of the century. The love of the Californian for his State, and the devotion of the San Franciscan to his city, were only intensified by the disaster of April 18, 1906. It is a matter of common observation that hardships and suffering wed people to their native land. Indeed, the fear had been expressed that in a country so fair as California, the people, pampered by luxury and enervated by ease, would ultimately lose the virile qualities of citizenship which makes a nation great. There were indications here and there of the evils which flow from uninterrupted prosperity, but the privations of a few brief months hardened every fiber, and softened every heart.

Astonishing footage and photographs take us beyond the disaster by the bay, and give us a first-hand glimpse of what life was truly like in turn-of-the-century San Francisco.
April 04, 2006

4.

American Wonders - National Parks of the West

Journey with us as we explore America's amazing National Parks of the West. We'll visit such majestic spots as the Grand Tetons of Yellowstone, Californian treasures Yosemite and Big Sur, the phenomenal Grand Canyon, and many, many more magical spots amongst America's vast western landscape.
April 04, 2002

5.

Ansel Adams: A Documentary Film
starring: Josh Hamilton, Barbara Feldon, Eli Wallach, Ansel Adams, David Ogden Stiers
directed by: Ric Burns

Ric Burns's documentary for the American Experience series winningly persuades one to think of Ansel Adams as not only the greatest American photographer of the 20th century, but also one of its most treasured artists. Using the familiar formula of New York (and his brother Ken's documentaries), Burns vividly brings Adams's world to life. Narrator David Ogden Stiers is used minimally after the initial set-up, leaving the words to curators, authors, and family members who knew Adams's life and art best (Adams's own letters are also voiced). The film, sponsored by the Sierra Club to mark the 100th anniversary of the photographer's birth, makes a passionate plea for this man "who helped transfer the meaning of wilderness and what people thought about it." There is plenty of time for his magnificent pictures to be shown, often nicely accompanied by modern-day color films of the area. It's a must-see for any fan of Adams. --Doug Thomas
September 09, 2004

6.

Antarctica - An Adventure of a Different Nature (Large Format)
starring: Alex Scott
directed by: John Weiley

True to the IMAX tradition, Antarctica is replete with breathtaking aerial and underwater footage of the earth's highest, coldest, and driest continent. Most folks' TVs are 4,500 times smaller than an IMAX screen--too small to duplicate the acrophobic-stomach sensation that is the hallmark of the IMAX in-theater experience. All the same, like most IMAX movies, Antarctica has some of the best production values on film today. The story begins with a flock of penguins above--and below--water, and moves to gargantuan underwater ice sheets and then to a look at Antarctic climatic changes. Watch scientists locate and extract ancient ice to analyze preserved bubbles of ancient air, as well. Explorer Robert Scott makes an important contribution with his appealing voice and serene, well-articulated narrative. The DVD's special features include Spanish and French language tracks, subtitling, and Internet links if you use the disc on your computer. --Erik Macki
March 03, 1999

7.

Nature: Antarctica
starring: F. Murray Abraham, Paul Christie, Howard McGillin, Peter Coyote, Jay O. Sanders
directed by: Nigel Cole

NATURE Takes You to the End of the Earth - and Below! - Program 1: The End of the Earth - Prepare yourself for a full blast of this fierce, remote, and astonishingly beautiful part of the Earth. You'll look into the face of the Katabatic, the downward-sloping wind that decimates life and dictates the weather. Marvel as scientists and explorers brave the conditions to uncover "the end of the earth." Program 2: Under Antarctic Ice - Beneath the surface of stunningly cold water are an abundance of life forms and ice scapes. Academy Award-winner Hilary Swank narrates encounters with jellyfish with 30-foot tentacles, sponges the size of large mammals, killer whales and more in this fascinating look under the deep blue sea with humankind.
April 04, 2006

8.

Apalachicola River: an American Treasure - nature film documentary
December 12, 1969

9.

Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious Universe

Clarke and his team of highly respected scientific experts travel the globe seeking the truth behind mythical creatures, ancient legends and hair-raising rituals. Is it possible for the soul to leave the body for a glimpse of Heaven - or Hell? Are crop circles hard evidence of extra-terrestrials, hoaxes...or both? Is the "face" seen on new NASA photos of Mars a natural weather phenomenon or an indication that we are not alone?
March 03, 2003

10.

Atlantis
directed by: Luc Besson

A fitting companion to his globally popular feature The Big Blue, Luc Besson's Atlantis presents a mesmerizing, nonverbal experience of undersea wonders. Described by one critic as "a thinking person's Fantasia," this 75-minute documentary belongs on your DVD shelf next to Baraka and Koyaanisqatsi, glorifying ocean wildlife with a refreshing absence (apart from a pretentious spoken prologue) of narrative interference. In fruitful collaboration with composer Eric Serra and cinematographer Christian Petron, Besson traveled the world to capture the grace and beauty of such amazing creatures as Floridian manatees, Bahamian dolphins, Australian great white sharks, sea snakes in the Seychelles, and many others. Divided into thematic "movements" like Disney's animated classic (including a stunning sequence of manta rays set to a Maria Callas performance of La Sonnambula), this glorious film has been visually overshadowed by the spectacular BBC series The Blue Planet, but it serves a different purpose: It's not so much a documentary as a meditative journey, perfect for all-ages viewing. --Jeff Shannon
April 04, 2003