Mysteries of the Deep

Though I thought Winston Hibbler's narration rather pedestrian and Oliver Wallace has rather intrusively scored this as if it were one of Disney's more famous animations, it's still quite an enjoyable dip in the deep with some fine oceanic photography. I can never see enough of whales - especially when they are breaching. They've even managed to capture some pictures of baby dolphin being born, too. The rest of this is all fairly standard fayre illustrating the whole concept of the survival of the fittest several hundred feet under the water. The squabbling jawfish could have inspired the gophers in "When the Dust Settles" (1997) and just about everything is trying to make an home or a snack - or both - out of everything else. The octopuses look so unnaturally ugly yet they glide about the ocean floor effortlessly (and dangerously) and the seahorse looks as if it's sneezing out it's newborn. Puffer fish live up to their name and the manta rays loom like something from the "Outer Limits". Indeed some of the excellent photography here readily explains why so much maritime folklore features magnificent beasts of all shapes and sizes - many of them do actually exist! It's cleverly stitched together with quite a bit of action photography and I thought it well worth twenty minutes.

This is one of Disney's finest efforts. It shows just how incredibly diverse and compelling this planet we inhabit truly is and the camera work is atounding! Of course, as is the Mouse's nature, it is not in print. The best one can manage is that it runs from time to time on the Disney Channel during "Vault Disney" in the wee hours. It is most decidedly worth seeing. There are more things in heaven and on Earth than are dreamt of in our philosophy. How true! Recommended!

A Walt Disney TRUE-LIFE ADVENTURE.

The MYSTERIES OF THE DEEP are many and strange. This excellent little film, which focuses on a patch of coral reef, showcases some of the more peculiar habits of its denizens. The constant drive to eat or be eaten is played out by creatures beautiful & bizarre. Highlight: the thieving antics of the jawfish.

`This is one of a series of TRUE-LIFE ADVENTURES presenting strange facts about the world we live in. These films are photographed in their natural settings and are completely authentic, unstaged and unrehearsed.' Winston Hibler is the narrator.