NOVA - The Miracle of Life

The presentation does make its stand on evolution vs. creation early by stating that life began in the sea billions of years ago with one-celled organisms that formed there. It partially does this to show how these cells are basically the same as those in our own body. So whether or not this is your belief, let it go, and proceed with the rest, which beautifully illustrates how babies are made.

We first get how each camp's plumbing is layed out, before any contact is made. We learn how, even with the success of the population's reproduction rate, things do have to fall into place for everything to work. When we come to the actual mating part, it is tastefully done, although it does seem to indicate that all humans are wonderful and loving when it comes to sex.

Once man and woman are joined, the filming is terrific in showing that a lot of work still needs to be done to get junior going. If I were a little guy with a tail realizing I had to swim the equivalent of sixty miles with a few million of my little buddies with the best scenario being only one of us will succeed might make me rethink the process, but indeed the guys do make the journey.

We see how the connection is made, and then how the cell-dividing process starts. Once again, the camerawork is excellent, and we see different fetal stages which lead all the way to junior's entering of the big, bad world. This is terrific stuff.

The only drawback to this is that I didn't find it a great tool for sex education. It might work for someone over ten, but our kids, ranging from 4-9, just drifted away to do other things when we put it on. But for adults, something so simple, yet so powerful provides a great occasional reminder of where those birds, bees, rabbits, and storks get their employment papers.


Truly a miracle...   May 18, 1999
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

The cinematography of this video is truly breathtaking. A learning process from beginning to end. Everytime I watch this video, I am constantly amazed and how the photographer was able to capture the events of conception. A masterpiece!


Awesome!   August 24, 2002
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Awesome pretty much covers it. We purchased this to assist us in our 'talk' with our sons. It is perfect. The words may be a bit over their heads at first, but we will be viewing it with them and explaining in 'kid terms' what is happening. The DVD chapter search will be quite helpful. Love it - Love it - Love it! Even after all my research into the subject, I even learned some interesting facts. I will enjoy viewing it again and again.


Very Educational and in good taste!   February 17, 1999
13LadyHawk@excite.com (Massillon,Ohio)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This is the neatest video I've ever seen. It shows just how an egg is fertilized, the odds the sperm have of getting to it, the early growth of the egg, and through the gestational 9 months. I had to buy this video because it is something you can watch over and over and be totally amazed! I think you'll enjoy this video-it's worth every cent and then some!


Spellbinding, incredible photojournal of life's beginning   August 21, 2001
9 out of 12 found this review helpful

I first saw this movie when it aired on PBS many years ago and again when I was expecting my now 13 year old daughter. This is an absolutely spellbinding movie. I came looking for it as my sister who is expecting her 1st baby has never seen it. I am going to be buying it myself so that I can show it to my daughter. Some have complained that it doesn't show enough of the birth process. View it for what it IS: an incredible feat of engineering & direction in viewing God's ultimate engineering & direction. Phenomenal photography!