In Search of the Obelisk (1993)

In Search of the Obelisk is the first part of a three part interactive 'show' that played at the Luxor Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. In Search of the Obelisk is a short film in which a ... See full summary »

Directors:

Douglas Trumbull, Arish Fyzee

Stars:

Michael Corbett, S.A. Griffin, Marjorie Harris

Cast

Credited cast:
Michael Corbett
S.A. Griffin	...	Osirus
Marjorie Harris	...	Carina

Storyline

In Search of the Obelisk is the first part of a three part interactive 'show' that played at the Luxor Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. In Search of the Obelisk is a short film in which a team of intrepid archaeologists discover an ancient pyramid in the Nevada Desert and discover massive caverns filled with advanced alien technology, which then morphs into an interactive film experience, where the characters talk to the audience in real time as the first motion control 'ride' begins.

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Plot Keywords:

site specific | ride film | special venue | imax | independent film

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Genres:

Short

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Details

Official Sites:

IMAX summary

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Company Credits

Production Co:

IMAX, Luxor Hotel & Casino

Technical Specs

Runtime:

4 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.44 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film (and ride) was shut down in 2004 (as well as the sister attraction, the IMAX Theater) when MGM Grand Resorts bought out the Luxor Hotel & Casino. The Interior of the Disney-esque ride, including all of the major set pieces were donated to the Children's Museum of Las Vegas. The entire interior of the ride has been gutted, except for the actual ride itself. According to engineers, they were built into the building during construction, and cannot be removed unless the entire center section of the casino is demolished so, as of December 2011, they stand there still.

User Reviews

Luxor's Showscan Ride

This film is part of a three part ride in the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada. It is shot in Trumbull's Showscan format which projects 70mm film at 60 frames per second, which is the same rate the human brain processes visual information. The end result is something that looks real rather than like a projected movie.

The film itself is rather insipid, a silly search for an obelisk that is hard to follow, but the technique is amazing to view. At one point you are watching what appears to be a live TV talk show being filmed on a stage in front of you. In actuality, you are watching a movie, but he illusion is so real that actors come out an stand in front of the screen and you can't tell them apart from the filmed actors. It is amazing.