James Cameron, director of the hugely successful TITANIC, returns to a subject with which he appears infatuated. GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS sees Cameron assemble a team of scientists, documentarians, and actor-narrator Bill Paxton to descend 12,000 feet to the wreckage of the Titanic. The results are rendered in the stunning IMAX 3-D format, following two submersible vehicles that carry the crew members to the depths of the ocean floor. A visibly nervous Paxton takes his first trip to the wreckage, and muses on the historical and scientific importance of their journey. The Titanic appears from the murky gloom of the ocean depths, an eerie and startling occurrence that leaves Paxton and crew awestruck. Two mini robotic cameras are unleashed to explore the nooks and crannies of the ship, with director Cameron superimposing shots of actors playing out scenes that may have occurred in the final hours of the dying ship.
Cameron has created an important historical document by filming a wreckage that is slowly decaying, and Paxton provides a sympathetic narration that is both in awe of what he is witnessing, and sympathetic to the tragedy that lies before him. The IMAX process is utilized to awesome effect, providing an edge-of-your-seat journey that you can almost reach out and touch.
Theatrical Release: April 11, 2003
DVD Features:
2-Disc Set
Region 1
Note: The audio in this program is THX certified.
Note: This program contains both the original 61 minute version of the feature and the extended 92 minute version.
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound - English
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound - French
Additional Release Material:
Featurette:
1. "Reflections from the Deep"
2. "The ROV Experience"
Interactive Features:
Interactive Menus: Animated Menus
Distributor Notes: Ghosts Of The Abyss
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.
Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
Director
James Cameron: Director/Screenwriter, TITANIC (1997), ALIENS (1986)
Producer
James Cameron: Director/Screenwriter, TITANIC (1997), ALIENS (1986)
Chuck Comisky: Producer, GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS (2003)
Andrew Wight: Producer, GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS (2003)
Executive Producer
Giedra Rackauskas: Executive Producer, GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS (2003)
Featured
Bill Paxton: American Actor
Featured
Don Lynch: Featured, GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS (2003)
Featured
Dr. Lori Johnston: Featured, GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS (2003)
Featured
James Cameron: Director/Screenwriter, TITANIC (1997), ALIENS (1986)
Featured
Ken Marschall: Featured, GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS (2003)
Featured
Lewis Abernathy: Screenwriter/Director
Featured
Vince Pace: Featured, GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS (2003)
Director of Photography
Vince Pace: Featured, GHOSTS OF THE ABYSS (2003)
Review 1:
"...Visually splendid..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.52 05/02/2003
Review 2:
"...A thrilling documentary....The ghost of the great ship that went down in 1912 will haunt your dreams..."
Source: Rolling Stone
p.63 05/01/2003
Review 3:
"...Pretty darn cool. The history and anecdotes are still poignant....It's fascinating, especially in 3-D..."
Source: Box Office
p.60 06/01/2003
Review 4:
"This 90-minute documentary has James Cameron, Bill Paxton and a crew getting amazingly intimate with the Titanic..."
Source: USA Today
p.6E 05/07/2004
Review 5:
"...As with all Cameron productions, tech package is first-class and a lavish demonstration of the faith in the latest technology..."
Source: Variety
p.20 04/14/2003
Review 6:
"...The movie is an impressive achievement..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.27 04/11/2003