Imagine cancer as a highly manageable disease. Imagine treatment with few side effects. Imagine a revolution in medicine. Dr. Judah Folkman (Director of the Surgical Research Laboratories at Boston’s Children’s Hospital) shares his 40-year quest for a radically new cancer treatment, including the development of the much-touted drug, Endostatin. Now, Dr. Folkman invites cameras into his lab for a first-person look at the groundbreaking clinical research that offers hope to cancer patients. See a medical pioneer in action and hear the personal stories of courageous cancer patients participating in Endostatin and other drug trials. Special DVD features include: Access to the Cancer Warrior Web site; chapter search; English audiotrack; and subtitles.
Grade levels: Adult
-
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries: A Great Deliverance – DVD
Talk about a puzzling case. Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley of Scotland Yard (Nathaniel Parker, Far from the Maddding Crowd) is assigned to investigate the gruesome murder of a farmer in a seemingly peaceful country village, but it’s his new partner, Sgt. Barbara Havers (Sharon Small, About a Boy), whom he’s finding indecipherable. Havers is as gritty, rumpled, and working-class as the Inspector is refined, well-heeled, and sophisticated. Special DVD features include: virtual tour of the Mystery! studio; Q&A with Nathaniel Parker and Sharon Small; selected cast filmographies; selected cast list; biography for Diana Rigg, host of Mystery!; bibliography for Elizabeth George; selected cast list; link to the Mystery! Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions. (3 hrs. on 1 disc)
-
Battle of the X-Planes
Inside the high-tech, high-stakes competition to create America’s newest fighter plane. NOVA goes behind the doors of the world’s two largest aerospace companies to record classified meetings, climbs into cockpits to fly the most revolutionary planes, and examines the high-stakes battle waged between Boeing and Lockheed Martin to build the most capable and versatile fighter ever created–the Joint Strike Fighter. You’re on the front line as the two aerospace giants fight for a contract that will make aviation history and help protect America, and that could provide the winner total domination of the U.S. defense fighter industry. Special DVD features include: bonus video footage of Lockheed fighters; a visit to a “graveyard” for old military planes; materials and activities for educators; outfitting a fighter pilot activity; designing a stealth plane; link to the Battle of the X-Planes companion Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions.
-
Fly Girls
At the height of World War II, more than a thousand women left their homes and jobs for the opportunity of a lifetime-to become the first female pilots to fly for the United States military. Eager to prove themselves, they faced danger and discrimination, and 38 gave their lives for their country. Led by America’s most accomplished aviatrix, Jacqueline Cochran, these pioneering women logged more than sixty million miles, ferrying planes throughout the United States, test-piloting experimental aircraft, and training men to fly. Still, the WASP fought a daily – and sometimes deadly – battle for respect.
-
MacArthur
No soldier has ever captured the American imagination like Douglas MacArthur. He led Americans into combat for a half-century, through glorious victories and soul-numbing defeats. Courageous and supremely egotistical, he battled anyone who dared question his military judgment–even the President of the United States. 240 min on 2 DVDs.
-
Evolution Teacher’s Guide
This 40-page teacher’s guide is included in the curriculum kit, which is specifically for educators, and includes the 7-part Evolution series on 4 DVDs, an educator’s video featuring seven short classroom segments that explore the fundamental concepts of biological evolution, or 7 video cassette, and four teacher methodology segments that highlight the teaching of evolution in real classrooms around the country. This guide is only available with the Evolution Educational Set.
-
The Blackheath Poisonings DVD
Behind the shutters of a Victorian family’s home lies a lethal potion of lust, corruption and greed. At first glance, the two toymaking families who share a spacious villa in the leafy London suburb of Blackheath appear to be the era’s picture-perfect examples. But looks can be murderously deceiving. A police investigation reveals unseemly secrets and an illicit affair that leads to a shocking–and riveting–conclusion. The Blackheath Poisonings, based on the best-selling mystery novel by Julian Symons, and adapted by Simon Raven (Edward and Mrs. Simpson), boldly and brilliantly redefines the Victorian era. (3 hrs. on 1 disc)
-
Goodbye, Mr. Chips
He went from teacher to legend in one lifetime. Arthur Chipping, the Latin master at an English boys’ boarding school, is as awkward as he is stubborn. The eccentric schoolmaster lives a full, rich life within the cloistered school, defined by his role as the intellectual shepherd of generations of young students. Then, everything changes. When Mr. Chipping travels through the countryside on summer holiday, he unexpectedly falls in love with the unconventional Kathie. Goodbye, Mr. Chips is a tender, heartwarming story that spans over 50 years in one passionate life. Special DVD features include: materials and activities for educators; selected cast filmographies; selected cast list; biography of host Russell Baker: a link to the Masterpiece Theatre Web site; closed captions; and video descriptions. (2 hrs. on 1 disc)
-
The Railway Children – DVD
Set at the turn of the 20th century, three Edwardian children and their mother move to a country house in Yorkshire after their father is mysteriously taken away by the police. However, their mother refuses to inform the children of the circumstances surrounding their father’s disappearance. The children become fascinated by a nearby railroad, and they faithfully wave to passengers daily. Their kindness helps them make friends with some important travelers, one old gentleman in particular. Can he help solve the mystery of their missing father? Special DVD features include: Cast list; Masterpiece Theatre poster gallery; access to The Railway Children Web site featuring essays, an interview with leading actress Jenny Agutter, biographies and photos of Golden Age authors, and more; scene selection; English audiotrack; and closed captions. (1.75 hrs. on 1 disc)
-
Rebecca – DVD
Daphne du Maurier’s classic tale of romance, suspense and jealousy, Rebecca, is brought to you in this lavish adaptation. Set in elegant Monte Carlo and dramatic Cornwall in the 1930s, this drama stars Charles Dance as the sophisticated Maxim de Winter and Emilia Fox as the young woman who becomes the second Mrs. de Winter. After Maxim takes his new wife back to his home, it soon becomes evident that the shadow of Rebecca is all-pervasive, nurtured all the more by the sinister gothic housekeeper Mrs. Danvers. The new Mrs. de Winter beings to uncover the darkness of the past that taints the present and threatens to haunt her future… Special DVD features include: Q&A with Diana Rigg; select cast filmographies; Masterpiece Theatre poster gallery; access to Masterpiece Theatre web site; scene selection; English audiotrack; and closed captions. (3 hrs. on 1 disc)