The Universe Within (WGBH/Nova)
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: D Episode: B-
As a sort of follow-up to the successful Miracle Of
Life, WGBH’s Nova series offered a sort of flip side with The
Universe Within (1995), which covers three more aspects of the inner-world
of the human body. Topics this time
include bones and muscles, nutrition/digestion, and
pregnancy/reproduction/birth. Again,
illustrations, animation and actual special photography and videotaping allow a
more detailed look at these functions.
This may make some people uncomfortable, while others will
be intrigued, but it is always interesting and thorough. Those who really like it may think less than
an hour is too short, but they have Miracle Of Life on DVD, so they cold
get both at the same time. All in all
it is a typically strong-if-short Nova installment and one very much
worth your time if you are interested or need it for science reasons.
The 1.33 X 1 image is in good shape for a program ten
years old, though some details are limited.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has very weak surrounds, but is clean and
clear here just the same. There are
hardly any extras, but you do get PDF/DVD-ROM teaching materials and a weblink,
though having subsections for the scene access is a nice touch.
- Nicholas Sheffo
