Mill Creek Home Entertainment has really solidified itself as a go-to source for natural Documentary releases on Blu-ray. There have been a host of
quality releases that, to be sure, come up well short on the video-audio ratings scale but that do provide rather strong insights into the natural world
and
wonders of the United States in the National Parks Exploration Series. Titles such as The Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, and Yosemite: The High Sieras deliver educational and sometimes narratively
captivating glimpses into the nation's most treasured places, and they of course display the natural beauty of the locations with steady camerawork
that could stand a boost in technical quality but that still manages to capture a base sense of the true majesty of the places in question. One of the
latest in the
series to arrive on Blu-ray is Glacier National Park - Crown of the Continent, an insightful, enlightening, and educational tour of Montana's
Glacier National Park. It follows the basic Exploration structure and is the next best thing to hopping in the car and checking it out firsthand.
If you ever wondered why they call it "Big Sky Country..."
Glacier National Park - Crown of the Continent explores what has become known, as the title states, as "The Crown of the Continent" and
"The
Backbone of the
World" as home to the narrowest section of the Rockies. The program begins by examining the natural beauty of Glacier National Park, including
the
splendor of its mountain lines and the atmospherically-influenced appearances thereof. It also focuses on glacier-carved lakes, the area's
biodiversity,
and the effects of climate change on the area through the juxtaposition of then-and-now photographs. The documentary's second major section
deals
in the area's ecosystem. Studied in detail are the dueling forested areas separated east-west by the Continental Divide. "Ecosystem" studies the
tree
species and the wildlife of the area, including bear and prong horned antelope. It also focuses on human history of the area, including fur trappers,
the
construction and utilization of the famed "Going-to-the-Sun road," and the functionality and design of modern lodging. The program concludes with
an "Experiencing the Park"
section that introduces potential visitors to a few of the key attractions and eateries at Glacier.
Glacier National Park - Crown of the Continent -- as is the case with all of the National Parks Exploration Series videos -- provides a
well-rounded and sufficiently detailed glimpse into the historical, scientific, and even cultural realities of Glacier. It reveals some spectacular natural
sights and interesting scientific insights into them, making the program a treat for the eyes and a bit of exercise for the mind. It intermixes some
fairly deep scientific insight with some casual facts and figures, both of which nicely support the beautiful presentation that cannot be very
much diminished even through the lower-end high definition video quality. The program is at its best, however, when it allows audiences to simply
soak in the sights
rather try to make them absorb all of the scientific and historical minutia surrounding Glacier. That's not to say those elements are not smartly
presented -- they
are -- but the locations are simply so gorgeous that the program will satisfactorily delight on its most superficial level. It will whet one's appetite to
experience Glacier beyond the limitations of the television screen, to enjoy the real thing and make use of all the senses, to sample the smells, taste
the crisp air, touch the fallen tree's root system, to hear the gentle waterfalls and wildlife that define the environment.
Though it will likely leave its audience wanting to shut off the television and go explore the park in person, this release still does present some quality
technical merits and structural components that make the old armchair visit palatable at worst and exciting at best. The narration is balanced and
engaging, well-spoken and smart but not haughty. Instead, it vocally captures the splendor of Glacier, conveying a sense of awe but not excess
excitement. The narration is balanced by various interviews with park rangers, writers, and other knowledgeable individuals. In fact, much of the
"Ecosystem" segment is comprised of a virtual walking tour with a guide who highlights all of the important nuggets along a mile-long hike through
some
of Glacier's most interesting natural occurrences. Certainly, the production is on the low-end side of the spectrum -- it's not a top technical
documentary -- but it does well to mask its shortcomings with breathtaking subject material and good narration and insight. Even when the camera
lazily catches the reflection of the helicopter cockpit during a flyover, the attention will be focused on what's below. It's about as polished as a
Documentary of this
production size can be, and those wishing to experience Glacier without the cost and hassle of getting there won't find a better overview tour than
this.
Glacier National Park - Crown of the Continent features the usual National Parks Exploration Series video quality. Click through any of
the above-linked titles, read the video reviews, and come back. Or save time and don't. Here's a hint: they all read the same, as does this one.
Generally, this is a lower end video production, sourced from lesser HD video cameras than those which fans of the newest, slickest Hollywood
productions may be accustomed. The image fluctuates between soft and moderately sharp with details that rarely impress. Certainly it's more crisp and
better defined than standard definition, but it has a "prosumer" feel rather than a major production structure. Nevertheless, close-ups are suitably sharp
and fairly revealing of basic textures. Colors are fine, showing off greens, colorful flowers, and other elements well enough. Skies can look a bit washed
out; light blockiness, banding, and jittering are evident; and a glossy sheen defines much of the image. It does well enough to show the
material, but reference quality this most unfortunately is not.
Glacier National Park - Crown of the Continent features a terribly basic Dolby Digital 2.0 soundtrack. It offers little of note beyond the
conveyance of the basics. There is decent musical presence across the front, but the track fails to offer music that's rich, full, and naturally clear.
Voiceover narration comes through nicely enough, playing with a fine front-center balance and good clarity. In-program dialogue lacks a professional
quality, but whether out in the field or comfortably in front of a gas fireplace, speakers come through with adequate clarity. There's nothing else here of
note. The track works in basic elements and delivers those about as well as a low end production featuring the minimum soundtrack can be expected.
Like all of the National Parks Exploration Series Blu-ray releases, Glacier National Park - Crown of the Continent offers a beautiful and
balanced guide through one of the most scenic areas of the United States. The production values could stand a boost, but content is king and this is one
of
the best tours yet in the way it so easily covers both the natural and manmade areas of the park. Mill Creek's Blu-ray release of Glacier National Park
- Crown of the Continent
delivers adequate video and audio. No extras are included. This would be a fine addition to a classroom library, and it comes recommended to armchair
travelers.
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