Ghosts of the Abyss

Narrated by Bill Paxton, Ghosts of the Abyss follows a team of historians, scientists, filmmakers and other crewmembers as they chronicle a dive to the wreck of the Titanic. Armed with high tech equipment, team members take turns visiting the wreck and gleaning information from its metal skeleton. Ghostly images of what the luxury liner might have looked like during her maiden voyage are carefully overlaid with images from the actual wreck, providing an interesting blend of fact and fantasy. Using computer animation and real actors selected for their uncanny resemblance to the real people involved, director James Cameron has managed to create another timeless masterpiece of one of the most horrific sea disasters ever. The teams methodically go through the wreck level by level, room by room using small robots affectionately named Jake and Elwood. Feeding images through fibre optic cables, Jake and Elwood show the crew what the Titanic looks like now. Uncovering secrets and treasures, like the leaded glass in the first class dining area still intact despite the sinking, the two robots are indispensable. During their stay at sea, the tragedy of September 11 occurs. Being below the surface delayed the information from reaching those under the waves. Believing their work to be futile, it appears as though their time with the Titanic is over. In an astonishingly emotional meeting, it is decided that things wrought by human hands aren't always destructive and that the filming should continue. A two-disc set featuring two versions of the IMAX movie, theatrical and full length, Ghosts of the Abyss also comes with loads of special features. From interviews with Bill Paxton about his sudden claustrophobia to finding out what the Zodiac Cowboys do for fun, the second disc will definitely not be left out of the DVD player. (Buena Vista)