Rating: 
Summary: Magnificent! This edition is priceless.
Review: If you enjoyed Cosmos on PBS, you will love it on DVD. This beautifully restored classic work should be in every home. My big problem is trying to decide which Grandchild will receive it in my will. Perhaps I will have to buy copies for all of them. I have extracted a promise from my wife to join me in watching at least one episode a week. Carl Sagan brings us all a better undersstanding of who we are, and where we are going. While watching Cosmos, problems that once seemed so large suddenly become very, very, unimportant.
Rating:
Summary: Cosmos DVD Boxed Set (Collector's Edition)
Review: I just recently bought this set and I'm thrilled to own it.I loved the Cosmos series when it was first shown on PBS and had always lamented the fact that they never re-ran it as often as they re-ran other shows. This series was groundbreaking in its attempt to bring science to everyday people in a manner which ordinary people could understand. It got people interested in science. The DVD collection includes updates made about ten years after the series. These are short and in some cases not terribly interesting. Yet, it is nice to have them. The music selected for the show sounds a lot better coming through my stereo system than it ever did coming out of the TV speakers. If you have a DVD player (or plan to get one) and loved Cosmos, then you'll definitely want the DVD collection and not the VHS collection.
Rating:
Summary: Fisrt time I've seen the complete series
Review: I watched Cosmos when it was first shown on the BBC in the early 1980s and bought the PAL VHS boxed set in the 1990s. The 1990s boxed set contained Carl Sagan's updates but I was surprised to see how short some of the episodes were. I now know why, the versions of Cosmos shown in the UK were cut, the running time of a majority of the episodes is 60 minutes (with even the shorter ones coming out at 58 minutes or so). I would therefore say that anyone who wants to see this fine series to go ahead and buy the DVD set. It is relatively expensive with only two episodes per disc (disc one only has one episode) but if you compare that with what Paramount are charging for two episodes of Star Trek, this is no contest. The picture quality is not great but the series was filmed in the 1970s, the remastered dolby digital soundtrack is, however, outstanding.
Rating:
Summary: Still Fresh after all these years!
Review: I just received this DVD box set for christmas (along with Life Beyond Earth, another great documentary), and all I can say (never actually having heard of this series) is that I love it so far. I have only reached episode number three as of today (12/27/2000), but I have only had it for 2 days now. I plan to watch all thirteen episodes by the end of the week!
I thought that the information within would be outdated, but I was wrong, terribly wrong! Everything Carl Sagan says is pretty much still believed to be true today, and any updates are added at the end of each episode by Dr. Sagan himself (ie: episode two states that it is not known how the dinosaurs became extinct - Dr. Sagan updates this at the end of the video stating that currently it is believed that a giant meteorite was the cause of their extintion).
I even thought the special effects would probably be terrible compared to what I have seen in present day, but to my surprise, they are exceptional (including Dr. Sagan walking through buildings which no longer exist).
The box set itself is great, as it opens after the third DVD to expose all 7 discs (very appealing to observe as they all have great designs). Each DVD contains the episode titles, so I guess the publishers thought you would not need an informational booklet of some sort... I think this is the only bad thing about the box set -- no booklet! The dvd's themselves are informative enough, however, and on the front side of the inner sleeve it does have descriptions for each episode.
I would recomment this box set to anyone, of any age! After all these years, it still has the power to draw you in and want to learn more, hear more of what Dr. Sagan has to say.
BUY IT, YOU'LL LOVE IT!
Rating:
Summary: COSMOS Proves that Science is Fun and Interesting.
Review: Carl Sagan's TV series COSMOS did nothing less than change the course of my life. I did not know what I wanted to do with my life, until watching the TV series COSMOS inspired me to become a teacher of science and mathematics. In the COSMOS series, Carl Sagan proves that science can be understandable, relevant and, most of all, interesting! Before COSMOS aired on PBS, I had no interest in science. This series ignited my desire to understand the Universe and humanity's place in it. His explanations of astronomy, evolution, and other branches of science are the clearest I have ever heard. Even Albert Einstein's theories are simply and clearly explained in a way that anyone can understand. The graphics and photography are stunning, and the music hauntingly beautiful. Carl Sagan does a very important service to the world by letting us know that there is great promise for the future of humanity, if only we can learn to use our science and technology wisely. He also alerts us to the grave perils of our knowledge, if we continue to use it in an irresponsible manner. The human race is standing on the brink - we are living in the most crucial time in all of human history. There is currently an urgent need to improve science education in the U.S. At home or in the classroom, Carl Sagan's videos (and books) have been, and will continue to be, an inspiration and an invaluable learning aid for people of all ages.
Rating:
Summary: Most compelling video series ever created
Review: Just buy this. You'll be a better person because of it, I guarantee it. Your life will change, your eyes will open. There can be no better video, no better film series, than COSMOS. Its a history of life from the Big Bang to the origins and evolution of mankind, and leaves you with a wonderful sense of self-meaning. This series actually gives you the meaning of life. What is it? Buy it and find out. The value this series will bring to you cannot be measured. The music alone, with the stunning graphics and Sagan's charm and voice, will entice you beyond your expectations. See life created from non-life, explore the universe, see the entire world. All, without leaving your living room.
Rating:
Summary: Carl Sagan at his best! Great DVD Collection!
Review: Hello, I had to wait more than 10 years to see this great series again. It was broadcasted in Chile in the mid 80's. And the wait was worth it. About the series my friend customers have already talked about it. It is just sensational! About the DVD box set, it has a great package, you can open all the way so you can see all the 7 DVDs in just one look. There is no minibook inside the box, which I missed a lot, but hey! it is already in the videos anyway! Besides the DVDs are beautifully and colorfully designed. So, to all the people than just love the COSMOS, but this great series collection and enjoy it again and again! And, thank you, Carl, for all your wisdom and knowledge. Wilson.
Rating:
Summary: This Series Can Make Science Accessible to You and Your Kids
Review: One of my most vivid childhood memories is of watching the Cosmos series on PBS. Carl Sagan introduced me to a world full of questions...some with answers and some without. This series sparked a curiosity that continues to drive me even today. Therefore, I cannot encourage parents strongly enough to sit and watch this series with their children. It is creative and colorful and not burdened with scientific jargon. There is time for such things later in life. When Carl Sagan died in 1996, I felt as if a part of my intellect left as well. However, given the lessons first learned in the Cosmos series, I have allowed Carl to become a permanent personal symbol of curiosity and self-improvement. Even his death spurred an epiphany in me. Thanks Carl. I'll see you again...out there.........
Rating:
Summary: Educative and funny,
Review: It's the best television series, i'd ever seen, and can't believe it's going to come out, thank you Druyan!
Rating:
Summary: Finally!
Review: "The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or ever will be." I first heard these magic words nearly twenty years ago, when "Cosmos" was broadcasted on Dutch television. Although I only saw the series in black and white, it is, was and probably ever will be the most memorable TV experience of my life. The visuals were state-of-the-art at the time, even if some of them may seem a little outdated these days. But the inspired and exciting commentary and the excellent choice of music still make the show worth watching. And nobody was more gifted than Carl Sagan when it came to explaining the mysteries of space and time to the public. The DVD release is a great opportunity to re-discover this landmark TV series and to learn more about life, the universe and everything.
| 
