Great value 6-disc collection is ideal for the nature lover and adventurous traveler. Perfect gift! Synopsis: Jacques Cousteau is television's most celebrated maker and presenter of documentaries about the underwater world... more ». Setting the standard for such programs for decades to come, he had a profound influence upon succeeding generations of television documentary-makers around the world. This 6-pack DVD gift set includes 12 programs from Cousteau's multiple exploration journeys throughout the Pacific region including Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea« less
"These are some of Cousteau's best programs, part of his, "Rediscovery of the World," which was broadcast on TBS in the late '80s and early '90s (environmentally aware Ted Turner reportedly made sure they made it on the air.)
Five programs explore Australia: Fortunes in the Sea (about the Northwest coast); The Last Barrier; Out West Down Under; Tasmania; and Continent of Dreams (covering Kakadu National Park, Kangaroo Island, and Aboriginal deserts).
Three are set in New Zealand: The Rose and the Dragon looks at the contrasts of the North & South islands; The Heron of the Single Flight is about the conflict between commerce on the one side, and Nature & the Maori on the other; while The Smoldering Sea is Cousteau's attempt to understand a major earthquake.
The last three programs are an especially fascinating exploration of Papua New Guinea: Into the Time Machine retraces the 1930 discovery of a civilisation of more than a million people that had never been seen before that moment; River of the Crocodile Men is a journey up the Sepik River; and The Center of Fire explores the depths of World War 2 wrecks.
These programs are wonderful. The lone caveat: the set is incomplete. Two amazing programs about Borneo, and one about Tahiti could have been included without adding more discs."
Finally, Cousteau is on DVD
Scott George | Los Angeles, CA USA | 08/23/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I loved Jacques Cousteau when I was kid. Ultimately, it was probably these television shows that prompted me to become a diver. This collection of his television shows, produced with his son Jean-Michel, are in excellent condition (much better than the Jacques Cousteau Odyssey DVD set). I understand that there are a few titles missing from the set, which I think is a shame. These remain some of the most fascinating and beautiful underwater documentaries of all time. This is a great series to watch as a family."
Jacques Cousteau - Pacific Explorations
Jennifer England | Columbus IN | 07/30/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This set is informative and relaxing to watch. I love natural movies and this is a great set to add to your collection. I would recommend this to anyone who is familiar with Jacques Cousteau. I love to crochet and this is going to be a great set to watch over and over again while I create."
A nostalgic series, very enjoyable
T.D. | Boston NY USA | 05/30/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I enjoyed this series immensely and was reminded of the reasons I began diving in the first place. The video quality is exactly what I would expect from footage shot 25-30 years ago, a bit grainy with some color shift but that never interferes with the content or becomes a detraction to the program's continuity.
If your old enough to remember the pre-cable made-for-TV documentaries (before "extreme", "mega" or "ultimate" had to be in every title), this DVD set will bring back some nice memories of the men in red hats and Speedos while providing insight to some exotic places above and below the water. And if you have never seen a Cousteau special, this series may give an interesting look back to the earlier efforts of documenting our planet, protecting its inhabitants and environments (and how things have changed)."
Jacques cousteau? Excellent
D. Strahs | toronto, Canada | 02/05/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Jacques Cousteau is the greatest marine biologist so far and his films are beyond wonderful. I bought the Odyssey DVD set and I believe this one is better but both are amazing. I highly recommend them to anyone who is interested in Marine Biology or Underwater nature shows."