IMAX: Fires Of Kuwait
Narrated by Rip Torn
Firestorm in the desert: the terrible legacy of the Gulf War - 608 oil wells burning out of control, ignited by retreating Iraqi troops. Firefighters from 10 countries answered Kuwait's cry for help. Supported by more than 10,000 people from 40 nations, they battled and won. A 1992 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Feature, Fires Of Kuwait is a dramatic story of human ingenuity, cooperation and courage.
Fires Of Kuwait was filmed in the IMAX format and exhibited in IMAX theaters worldwide. This video version is digitally mastered from original 70MM film elements with the sound components specially mixed and mastered to produce the highest quality Dolby Surround soundtrack.
Member Reviews
Leaves so much to be desired - Irving
This could have been a feature length documentary if it weren't for the 40-minute time limit on IMAX films (due to the size of the film stock) at the time.
It had so much promise. I actually saw this particular film at it's debut run back in the early 90s.
While the film itself is far to jumpy to be considered a real documentary - it never follows a subject to completion - the imagery is breathtaking.
But that's another problem here! The transfer of the IMAX to a DVD MPEG-2 stream is so bad it actually looks terrible. The images are washed out and grainy and there's lots of jittery movement.
I would rent this movie for what it's worth; stunning looks at the amazing damage man can do and what amazing men can do to stop it.
But it's no work of art. Sadly.Amazing - Grayson
Wow. Just... wow. The visuals alone are nothing short of stunning, and they do a very effective job of providing a sobering reality-check, even on the small-screen.
This is definately a high-impact film. The voice-overs are effective but unobtrusive, and the film does an excellent job of presenting the reality of the situation, without hyperbole or tangental discussion.Short. But Visually Stunning. - TheShamus
I originally viewed this film on the big IMAX screen. The IMAX features are well done, but a significant portion of the impact is the visual. This is especially true for a piece like, "Fires of Kuwait". It runs 39 minutes.
The relatively short running time is just right for the scope of this film. The filmmakers show the devistation of burning oil wells -- and the mothods used to get them under control. It's easy to imagine the environmental impact when you see the gushing flames from dozens of oil wells fill the screen.
I remember feeling "warm" while watching the movie. At home, the visuals are good, but can not quite convey the awe as well as the big Imax screen. The sound is also excellent ... and helps to bring some of the feeling.
The film crew gets some amazing shots -- perhaps a once in a lifetime experience. It's well worth seeing (especially if you can see this on a big screen).
/\/\/\/\ the Shamus /\/\/\/\
Member Reviews
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Leaves so much to be desired - Irving
This could have been a feature length documentary if it weren't for the 40-minute time limit on IMAX films (due to the size of the film stock) at the time.
It had so much promise. I actually saw this particular film at it's debut run back in the early ...Amazing - Grayson
Wow. Just... wow. The visuals alone are nothing short of stunning, and they do a very effective job of providing a sobering reality-check, even on the small-screen.
This is definately a high-impact film. The voice-overs are effective but unobtrusive, ...Short. But Visually Stunning. - TheShamus
I originally viewed this film on the big IMAX screen. The IMAX features are well done, but a significant portion of the impact is the visual. This is especially true for a piece like, "Fires of Kuwait". It runs 39 minutes.
The relatively short running ...