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The Botany of Desire DVD

Name: The Botany of Desire DVD
Brand: UNIVERSAL SCREEN ARTS
SKU: WA8682
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.76 (25 reviews)

$24.99

25 Reviews Write a Review

Item #: WA8682

Featuring Michael Pollan and based on his best-selling book, this special takes viewers on an eye-opening exploration of the human relationship with the plant world - seen from the plants' point of view. Narrated by Frances McDormand, the program shows how four familiar species - the apple, the tulip, marijuana and the potato - evolved to satisfy our yearnings for ... More

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Customer Reviews

Additional Information

Deleted Scenes:
- Bringing Back Hard Cider: Steven Wood explains the challenges of re-introducing Americans to a forgotten beverage with an elegant history;
- How The Delicious Apple Got Its Name: The story of a bright red apple that has become an American icon;
- Like A Florist From 100 Years Ago: Teresa Sabankaya not only sells antique roses -- she grows most of the flowers in her shop; and
- Racing the Clock: The Dutch Auction: Aalsmeer is the Wall Street of the flower world, where prices are set in a descending-bid system known as 'the Dutch auction.'
Panel Discussion:
The Botany of Desire: Perspectives from the Arts, Humanities and Sciences: A panel of professors from UC Berkeley discusses the interdisciplinary importance of The Botany of Desire.
Bonus Footage:
Additional footage from Michael Pollan's interview: Some fascinating historical and botanical facts that didn't make it into the documentary. Including:
The apple: from Rome to America
Applejack: even harder than hard cider
Johnny Appleseed: the American Dionysus
Beyond sweetness
The tulip: too common to appreciate?
Clusius and the cult of the tulip
Hemp vs. marijuana
Coffee and other plant drugs
The potato in Europe
Growing the NewLeaf potato

Producer: Michael Schwarz
Production Year: 2008
Rating: TV-PG
Narrator: Frances McDormand
Writers: Michael Pollan
Number of Discs: 1
Length: 120 minutes
Language Track: English
Audio Format: 5.1 Surround
Aspect Ratio: 16x9 Widescreen

Customer Reviews

4.7 25 Reviews

25 Reviews

Noth82

05/22/22

Not Quite What I Want

It is not horrible ...but, I will never use this in the classroom, and will probably never watch it again, past the first 20 minutes I have seen. I wish to be respectful of the views of those with a more positive view of the work. I personally, did not find this of real value, given my hopes and goals. Within those first 20 minutes there was one nugget of interesting fact re: the positive effects of grafting vs. the biological isolation expereinced by ancient apple trees ...but that seemed to occupy the entire time ... a bit of a poor Johnny one note... The pace is painfully slow, with sweeping panoramas better suited for the big screen. The narrative is blended, somewhat surprisingly with, and yet still disappointingly, the legend of Johnny Appleseed. I can applaud the desire to integrate history, urban legend and science. Its an admirable concept. Unfortunately for my money, (and it was my money), the filmmakers have managed to give all three areas a bit of a black eye.

Hoary S.

05/22/22

Suitable for Non-Gardeners!

I loved the book... but not everyone has a bench in the garden and time to read! This video is wonderful and valuable synopsis of the whole book, complete with incredible pictures and videos and Pollan himself making the connection between the world of nature and the separate world that we think exists for our living.

Jim R.

05/22/22

Very interesting and informative video

The video is very informative and it provides a novel and interesting perspective on the relationship between plants and man.

Bunny L.

05/22/22

As good as the book...

I read the book and loved the video version, it teaches us so much, gives us the opportunity to think about evolution of some plants. A great buy for students.

Shirley

05/22/22

Botany of Desire - Great Presentation

Having read the book twice I found the DVD to be an excellent representation of Pollans key points elaborated with additional commentary by other folks about the topics. Highly recommend for individuals and schools.

The F.

05/22/22

Most engaging and inspiring

This video should be required viewing for all aspiring Master Gardeners. One of our Maine Extension researchers went to Kazakhstan to get apple stock after seeing this film. Maine growers nurture heirloom apple stocks. Being Native American, my husband was most interested in the domestication and development of the potato, which underscored his teachings. Theres something for everyone in this film!

Science T.

05/22/22

Great documentary

I showed this to my biology class during our plant unit. I found it very fascinating and interesting. Even my tenth grade students found it to have memorable facts and ideas.

Lady N.

05/22/22

The Botany of Desire

I am an instructor in Ornamental Horticulture @ Metro Community College and use this DVD to show students in several classes. The information is great and students comment they really like this as a learning tool.

Sinda R.

05/22/22

Clever title

A very good DVD based on an excellent book. The DVD follows the book implicitly and shows what the words described.

05/22/22

Highly Desirable

I read the book, had a bootleg copy on tape, but now have the real thing for my middle school classroom. Lots of jumping off points for discussion. Enrich you botanical knowledge!

Reschooler

05/22/22

We all need our eyes opened

It is amazing how Human beings never seem ti learn from the past. This DVD will open your eyes to how we are going down the same road Ireland did in the 1850s.

Japper

05/22/22

Enlightened Entertainment

Interesting to see how industry is skirting public awareness of their manipulation of the food supply. Greed never surprises me, but it was nice to see that some rollback came about as a result of public pressure on McDonalds due to the GMO source for their fries.

Barb's N.

05/22/22

Evolutionary Truths Most Arent Aware Of

Some friends and I had a gathering at my home in afternoon to P.M. and watched The Botany of Desire with one break for a snack. What a great experience for all! All are saring this with friends, family and fellow workers.Barbs Nick Name Thank you.

Zvesda

05/22/22

Intriguing

Exceptionally beautiful videography providing interesting facts about these plants and our shared history and relationship as well as a cautionary message for us. The tulips were absolutely stunning. I will defintely share it.

How C.

05/22/22

How Wonderful Our Creator

Very, very interesting subject matter. Good, attention-holding scientific exploration. Really beautiful photography. Excellent mind candy!

Holls

05/22/22

A brilliant documentary!

Dont miss this one! I watched it over and over. Supurb photography and so much to learn!

Elvis

05/22/22

The Botany of Desire

Very good show, the best two hours you could spend...I enjoyed it so much I purchased the video the next day. Highly recommend!

Veba

05/22/22

Botany of Desire was fantastic!

Ive watched it three times on PBS and now Im buying the DVD. I think its fantastic. I learned so much from a point of history to gardening to medical from this program.

Eling

05/22/22

The Botany of Desire

An absolutely brilliant documentary! Thank you for showing these remarkable studies, compelling viewing from start to finish.

KAREN

01/01/22

Enjoyed the great dvd about

Enjoyed the great dvd about plants.

Highlighted Customer Reviews

Azsun reviewed The Botany of Desire DVD

Botany of Desire

Good documentary

Warhorse reviewed The Botany of Desire DVD

A wonderful view of our world.

You cant do any better than this DVD. I was wonderfully amazed by how plants evole into what can be used for our plasure!

Suzanne reviewed The Botany of Desire DVD

I learned a lot

Absolutely fascinating