The photography and the narration are first rate in this documentary on the history of the wonderful Colorado River. My primary issue is the soundtrack. During the narration, it's first rate as it accompanies the story and pictures. But, during the sequences with no narration, the music is so loud as to overwhelm the spectacular film.
8 Reviews
Great but...
veldalewis11 March 2021
Unique and compelling
rlsmith19944 March 2021
This movie focuses on the human context of the Colorado. As with a lot of challenging films, the average Jimmy Fallon or Adam Sandler fan will lack the patience. Or empathy to watch. The camera work, music, and human stories are great.
Great images, terrible presentation
billsoccer11 March 2021
This is truly a tale of 2 Cities: The best of times are looking at the images and film of the various canyons, etc., including some now lost to Lakes Powell and Mead. The worst of times - is the narration and soundtrack. Others have complained about the music (justifiable), but I found that minutes of silence between many images was worse! Worth it if you can put up with these things.
Amazing views, great narration, but horrifying music that ruins the experience..
sch-638618 March 2021
I was looking forward to watching this, but had to turn it off after 20 minutes. The issue isn't the great scenery or the historical narration, it is the 'what the music' that is so loud and horrifyingly obnoxious, it takes away from what could have been a great show to watch. If you are going to watch it, don't, wait for a version without the god awful music, this movie is NOT the place to showcase this "music". A real shame, would have liked to watch it.
Unique, beautiful, and worth seeing!!
jeanschneider-202883 February 2023
This is a really special film. It is as informative as any standard documentary, but it is structured such that music plays a prominent role - music written specifically for the film by 5 different composers whose voices are unique. Nine different chapters tell the story and half of each chapter has narration - Mark Rylance is phenomenal! - followed by a second half of music accompanying images. And how glorious those images and the cinematography are! If you watch this with an open mind to its unique presentation of music paired with history up to the present-day challenges of climate change, I promise you will be both educated and edified!
Beautiful, moving, and informative
jth-159603 February 2023
The cinematography as well as the libretto, narration, and music are terrific. Some viewers had trouble with the music but I felt it was lovely and very well suited to create an atmosphere where the viewer feels like she is there. It's quite immersive, and tells the story of the river itself and of the people who live there whose roots go back for millennia and the challenges they face from climate change. I especially valued the juxtaposition of archival footage with contemporary photography. Based on a book by William deBuys and Joan Myers, Salt Dreams: Land and Water in Low-down California, The Colorado it's a wonderful example of how to bring a complex book and story to the screen. Very powerful.
A Powerfully Moving Documentary
margaretgaychanler28 February 2023
With spectacular cinematography, evocative music and an elegant historical narrative, this film captures the unique beauty of the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon and the desert landscape of the southwestern US.
For anyone who has not had the opportunity to raft through the Grand Canyon, this film provides a great vicarious trip.
Along the journey, it pays tribute to the indigenous people's love and respect for water in the desert, in contrast to 20th century man's exploitative engineering to harness the resources of the natural world. The consequences are unexpected and sometimes dire.
Not just for environmental enthusiasts, this film is a must see in light of the current crisis in the Colorado River basin.
For anyone who has not had the opportunity to raft through the Grand Canyon, this film provides a great vicarious trip.
Along the journey, it pays tribute to the indigenous people's love and respect for water in the desert, in contrast to 20th century man's exploitative engineering to harness the resources of the natural world. The consequences are unexpected and sometimes dire.
Not just for environmental enthusiasts, this film is a must see in light of the current crisis in the Colorado River basin.
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