In this award winning documentary (British Broadcast Awards, 2009) the work of Charles Darwin is presented for consideration by evolutionary biologist and fellow of the Royal Society, Richard Dawkins.
Tackling both the importance and the controversy of the work, Mr. Dawkins leads viewers through Darwin’s monumental contributions to the world of science.
Origin of the Species by Charles Darwin was published over 150 years ago, in a time when most the world view of most individuals consisted of an orderly progression of life from creation to the hereafter, illustrated or punctuated by the glories of nature. One can imagine the furor that erupted when Darwin not only proposed that evolution was responsible for the development of mankind, but that nature had no other function than survival and reproduction.
This revolutionary view turned the Victorian world on its ear, and continues to spark controversy even into the 21st Century. Who was Darwin, and what inspired this new way of thinking?
In three well crafted episodes, the life of Darwin and his development of the theory that changed the way science looks at the world are presented in a unique blend of thought and counter argument. Professor Dawkins not only explores Darwin’s intellectual processes that led to his discoveries, but also the turmoil that he felt in introducing something so revolutionary as evolution or survival of the fittest into a society that saw man as the pinnacle of creation.
Along with the theories and data collected on Darwin and his theory, Professor Dawkins speaks with dignitaries from the world of science and the world of religion to give their thoughts and reflections on Darwin’s work, and their reasoning for a belief in the existence of a Creator.
Regardless of one’s beliefs or philosophies, this is an excellent, intelligent presentation that leaves the viewer with a great deal of knowledge as well as enlightening perspectives of what Darwin accomplished, and what it means to us today.
The Genius of Charles Darwin is presented on two discs with a combined running time for the three episodes of 139 minutes. There is a generous and fascinating 266 minutes of bonus features included. This has four hours of uncut interviews with the dignitaries featured, geneticist Craig Venter, paleoanthropologist Richard Leakey, and Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury.
Three Tales from The Galapagos Islands is a 26 minute special about some of the unusual creatures and behaviors that Darwin observed, “The Evolution of an Idea” explores other contributions to Darwin’s theory.
There is a sixteen page booklet which offers synopses of the episodes, key points from each installment, as well as essays on elements of Darwinian Theory and its repercussions and questions for further thought and study.
The Genius of Charles Darwin is now available at Amazon . Visit the DVD database for more information.
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