DVD Review: The 11th Hour

By June L. Apr 23, 2008, 13:20 GMT

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With the public’s minds turning more often to thoughts of living green, and with Earth Day and other celebrations of our planet taking place regularly, how appropriate to have a documentary such as The 11th Hour available to watch on DVD. 

In a collection of both sobering scenarios and hopeful suggestions for averting annihilation, this is a thought provoking and absorbing film.

The 11th Hour was produced and narrated by actor Leonardo DiCaprio.  With stunning visuals, music and words, Mr. DiCaprio relates the story of man’s effect on the planet so far, a sometimes frightening prospect of carelessness and neglect.  He also tells us where we are going if we don’t make radical changes in our way of living. 

But to counterbalance the sometimes grim reality, there are the suggestions and solutions offered by a wealth of minds representing some of the most concerned public figures and great thinkers of our age.  Pride of place has always been a strong emotion in mankind, and it is time for us to revive the pride of being from the blue planet, no matter what our address on the globe. 

We must pull together and make a difference for our mother Earth, or we will all be the losers in the game of survival.

Packaged in Earth-friendly materials, The 11th Hour is presented on a single disc in a matted widescreen format, with a running time of over 92 minutes.  The feature has subtitles in English, French and Spanish available.  In addition to the feature, there are bonus materials, a group of featurettes.

“Nature’s Operating Instructions and Solutions,” takes a look at some lessons we can learn from nature to use for our own survival. “Solutions We Have Right Now,” explores advances made by science that are or could be put to work in an attempt to make our situation better. 

“Wonder of the World,” looks at our planet as a unique and very special home to myriads of living creatures. “Our Reactions in the Face of Environmental Collapse” and “Religious Perspectives” show how society has developed an ethical or spiritual responsibility towards the protection of Earth and the continuation of life. 

Some of The 11th Hour is intense and disturbing, and may not be suitable for younger or very sensitive children.  It has been given a PG rating.  Certainly for older children, especially for groups, it might be a good film to show and discuss. 

This is the type of material that has great benefit in encouraging viewers to practice conservation and to search for even more ways to help protect and preserve our precious home planet, Earth.

The 11th Hour is now available at Amazon. It is available for pre-order at AmazonUK for a June 2nd release. Visit the DVD database for more information.