What a surprisingly beautiful film. I expected to see just another episode of a PBD "Nature" show. They really put a lot of effort into it. We thought it was pretty funny that, when you see the old Grey Fox silent movie about Beavers (included on the DVD), you realize that Low and company have copied the storyline almost exactly except with the modern iMAX technology! I guess there's nothing really new under the sun; you just add transistors to the old stuff!
6 Reviews
Beautiful beavers
TheLittleSongbird20 June 2022
Beavers are lovely, interesting animals that should be shown more than they are in nature documentaries. When they are shown or focused on, which is not enough, it has always been done engagingly and in an informative way. While not being fond of every IMAX short film there's ever been, many of them are good and more (the best of them absolutely great). Any flaws are fairly common (which is often the length), but the strengths are as well (the production values being most common).
1988's 'Beavers' is an excellent and beautifully done short film. Not one of my all time nature documentaries, but when talking about documentaries showing or focusing on beavers it is a contender for the second best and very close behind the Disney True Life Adventure short film 'Beaver Valley'. It isn't flawless, but it's close to that and the strengths are numerous. The best of them nothing short of miraculous and that is not being hyperbolic, regardless of how it sounds.
To me, 'Beavers' like a lot of the IMAX short film documentaries is too short, it could have done with 10-15 minutes longer.
However, everything else works wonders. It looks great and at its best stunning. The scenery is enough to take the breath away and the intimacy of the vibrant cinematography mostly worked very well. The beavers look wonderful and are both adorable and mischievous, not to mention very easy to relate to in whatever circumstances they're in. Their story entertains and touches.
It is also very educational, did find myself learning a lot and caring for the beavers. The information for these scenes is informative and not too cute, juvenile or over-serious. The narration never comes over as too jokey or gimmicky, neither does it come over as mawkish or too sugary. Did appreciate that it didn't over explain or was not overused. Earl Pennington's delivery has nice authority and any messaging doesn't preach.
Concluding, excellent. 9/10.
1988's 'Beavers' is an excellent and beautifully done short film. Not one of my all time nature documentaries, but when talking about documentaries showing or focusing on beavers it is a contender for the second best and very close behind the Disney True Life Adventure short film 'Beaver Valley'. It isn't flawless, but it's close to that and the strengths are numerous. The best of them nothing short of miraculous and that is not being hyperbolic, regardless of how it sounds.
To me, 'Beavers' like a lot of the IMAX short film documentaries is too short, it could have done with 10-15 minutes longer.
However, everything else works wonders. It looks great and at its best stunning. The scenery is enough to take the breath away and the intimacy of the vibrant cinematography mostly worked very well. The beavers look wonderful and are both adorable and mischievous, not to mention very easy to relate to in whatever circumstances they're in. Their story entertains and touches.
It is also very educational, did find myself learning a lot and caring for the beavers. The information for these scenes is informative and not too cute, juvenile or over-serious. The narration never comes over as too jokey or gimmicky, neither does it come over as mawkish or too sugary. Did appreciate that it didn't over explain or was not overused. Earl Pennington's delivery has nice authority and any messaging doesn't preach.
Concluding, excellent. 9/10.
Superb Nature Documentary
Jim M.18 October 2006
I watched the film on the high-definition cable channel INHD2 last night, and was glad I caught it. The remarkable work of beavers is beautifully filmed, including underwater and inside-dam footage that is hard to believe. The narration is excellent--intelligent, restrained, not in the least sappy. Ditto for the musical score. This production was originally for IMAX, and it must have been wonderful to see it in one of those theaters. Other animals besides beavers make appearances, too, including a rabbit, skunk, and bear. The director, photographers, and all who contributed are due thanks from nature lovers. Great short for kids and adults!
Forgotten Masterpiece!
Axiom-23 April 2000
"Beavers" was just released on DVD last week,so I decided to buy it. What a beautiful film. It was amazing to say the least. Director Stephen Low has done it again with another top notch outing. This film is just as good as his later effort of "SuperSpeedway" The thing that I can't get over about this film,is that it is nearly 12yrs old. I don't ever remember seeing any ads for it back then. This is a must have DVD for thos who enjoy this kind of quality entertainment. The sound is amazing in 5.1 & there is a "Making Of" Documentary. I hope "Stephen Low" & team keep making these highly enjoyable films.
Brilliant execution and subject
Horst_In_Translation15 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The title says it already. This is a documentary on beavers by IMAX and it runs slightly shorter than IMAX usual does, namely 30 instead of 40 minutes. That is not a problem at all though. It helps the documentary in staying more essential. And this half hour should be a must-see for nature documentarians. It all works so well here. the focus is mostly on beavers, but the animals living nearby that have an impact on beaver lives get their fair share as well. The music is very soothing and the film never tries to be dramatic, even when a beaver is hunted by a gigantic bear. It is not about danger, drama or stuff like that, it is about the life of beavers. The video recordings, especially under water photography, are a lot better than you would expect from a 1980s film. The audio recordings are top-notch as well. I had no idea what noises beavers made before watching this little movie, but the way they communicate audibly is the cutest thing ever. As are beavers themselves, these cute furry creatures that always look a bit plump, but are among the very best architects that Planet Earth has to offer. This was a breathtaking watch, on first watch even better than on rewatch, but also worth watching a second, third or fourth time. My favorite IMAX and I highly recommend checking this one out. Truly makes me wonder why there are so few documentaries on these exceptionally gifted creatures. Watch it. Don't miss out.
Horrible
garrett-5827 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers
My wife and I watched this movie and when it was over, we were both disgusted and angry. The movie did little to educate about beavers or anything else in nature. It was all about how the egotistical film makers could create beautiful and detailed pictures of the beaver and their simulated environment.
The limited narration added little to what was being seen and the music was dreadfully saccharin. This was no documentary, but a manipulation of animals (tame beavers and captured kits) for exploitation. If you are interested in learning about beavers and a realistic portrayal, do not see this movie.
The limited narration added little to what was being seen and the music was dreadfully saccharin. This was no documentary, but a manipulation of animals (tame beavers and captured kits) for exploitation. If you are interested in learning about beavers and a realistic portrayal, do not see this movie.
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