Tony Award

“It’s ‘Finding Nemo’ with a ‘Wow’ factor of 100.” – Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post

“A visually stunning affair…” – Mike Scott, New Orleans Times-Picayune

WASHINGTON (June 22, 2009)—For the first time, National Geographic will deliver the thrills and chills of some of the Dinosaur Age’s most fearsome marine reptiles to home viewers as “Sea Monsters 3-D: A Prehistoric Adventure” and its stunning 3-D effects go from the giant screen to DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday, Aug. 11.

The film brings to life the extraordinary prehistoric creatures of the deep. The DVD edition, packaged in a lenticular cover and supplemented with four pairs of 3-D glasses and an interactive timeline, is available for $19.97 SRP. The Blu-ray edition is available for $28.99 SRP. Both can be found in stores where DVDs are sold, online at shopNGvideos.com or by calling (800) 627-5162.

“Sea Monsters 3-D: A Prehistoric Adventure,” narrated by Tony Award-winning actor Liev Schreiber, with an original score by longtime musical collaborators Richard Evans, David Rhodes and Peter Gabriel, takes audiences on a remarkable journey into the often overlooked world of the “other dinosaurs,” those reptiles that lived beneath the water. Funded in part by a grant from the National Science Foundation, the film delivers a vision of some of Earth’s grandest ocean creatures.

“Sea Monsters 3-D: A Prehistoric Adventure” weaves together spectacular photorealistic animation with stand-out finds from paleontological digs around the world — treasures that shed light on the film’s incredible cast of characters.

The film follows a family of Dolichorhynchops, known informally as “Dollies,” as they traverse ancient waters populated with saber-toothed fish, prehistoric sharks and giant squid. On their journey the Dollies encounter other extraordinary sea creatures: lizard-like reptiles called Platecarpus that swallowed their prey whole like snakes; Styxosaurus with necks nearly 20 feet long and paddle-like fins as large as an adult human; and at the top of the food chain, the monstrous Tylosaurus, a predator with no enemies.

“Sea Monsters 3-D: A Prehistoric Adventure” is a remarkable visual journey that also educates audiences on the “How do we know that?” side of paleontology. Do scientists need full skeletons to learn about these creatures? Not always, as we learn from shark teeth found throughout the central United States, proof that these modern-day hunters were thriving during the age of dinosaurs when Kansas was at the bottom of the sea. How do we know what these creatures ate, and what pursued them? The shapes of jaws and teeth provide dietary clues, and occasionally paleontologists are lucky enough to discover bones of one species inside the remains of another. In fact, one fossilized Xiphactinus, a 17-foot-long predatory fish, was found with an entire 6-foot fish inside — swallowed whole.

An audience and critics’ favorite, the film has won the Visual Effects Society’s award for Special Venue Project and a Golden Reel award from the Motion Picture Sound Editors Association for Best Sound Editing — Special Venue.

The film can currently be seen on the giant screen and in digital theaters in 3-D at 70 theaters worldwide, including recently added engagements at Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute; the Science Spectrum in Lubbock, Texas; the Proctors Theater in Schenectady, N.Y.; and the Louisville Science Center in Louisville, Ky. Also available are “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” companion books for adults and young readers in standard, 3-D and pop-up formats; a video game licensed by Destination Software Incorporated, available in Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS™ and Wii™ formats; and a line of licensed plush toys, puzzles and apparel available at www.nationalgeographic.com/store.

National Geographic Entertainment (NGE) was established in 2007, combining into a single operating group National Geographic’s Cinema Ventures, Feature Films, Kids Entertainment, Home Entertainment and Music & Radio business units. NGE is part of National Geographic Global Media (NGGM), also formed in 2007, bringing together all of National Geographic’s editorial platforms to streamline collaboration and further support the Society’s mission. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 300 million people worldwide each month through magazines, books, digital media, television, radio, music and film. It funds more than 250 scientific research, exploration and conservation projects each year and supports an education program promoting geography literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.
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“We’re thrilled with the enthusiastic response ‘Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure’ has received from audiences around the world. It’s a testament to the strength of the story about some of Earth’s ancient sea dwellers and how beautifully National Geographic captured these characters on screen,” said Mark Katz, president, Giant Screen Film and Distribution for National Geographic Cinema Ventures. “We’re confident that this film will be enjoyed by audiences for years to come.”

“Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure,” narrated by Tony Award-winning actor Liev Schreiber, with an original score by longtime musical collaborators Richard Evans, David Rhodes and Peter Gabriel, takes audiences on a remarkable journey into the often overlooked world of the “other dinosaurs,” those reptiles that lived beneath the water. Funded in part through a grant from the National Science Foundation, the film delivers a vision of some of Earth’s grandest ocean creatures.

The film, produced in both 2-D and 3-D, had the largest day and date release in the history of the giant-screen industry when it debuted in October 2007, becoming the first film to release simultaneously in IMAX® and digital 3-D theaters. It is currently licensed in some 140 theaters in 20 countries worldwide, with recent or upcoming openings in Barcelona and Madrid, Spain; Borre, Denmark; Athens, Greece; Salmiya, Kuwait; Regina and Sudbury, Canada; and in the United States in Tallahassee, Fla.; Lubbock, Texas; Milwaukee, Wis.; and Louisville, Ky. “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” can currently be seen in more than 50 theaters across the United States.

An audience and critics’ favorite, “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” was recently honored with awards in the categories of “Best Film,” “Best Film for Learning” and “GSCA Marketing — Big Idea,” by the Giant Screen Cinema Association. The film also has been awarded the Visual Effects Society’s award for Special Venue Project, and a Golden Reel award from the Motion Picture Sound Editors Association for Best Sound Editing — Special Venue.

The film is now available in DVD at stores where videos are sold. Also available are “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” companion books for adults and young readers in standard,
3-D and pop-up formats; a video game licensed by Destination Software Incorporated, available on Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo DS™ and Wii™; and a line of licensed plush toys, puzzles and apparel, available at www.nationalgeographic.com/store.

National Geographic Cinema Ventures is part of National Geographic Entertainment (NGE). Building on its global reputation for remarkable visuals and compelling stories, National Geographic Cinema Ventures produces original 2-D and 3-D productions for the world’s largest screens. National Geographic Cinema Ventures also retains distribution rights to one of the largest film libraries in the giant-screen industry.

“Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure,” a 3-D film released to both giant-screen and digital theaters in 2007, took home three prizes, including the Best Film award, one of GSCA’s highest honors, as well as the award for Best Film for Learning and the GSCA Marketing – Big Idea award for its unique day and date release strategy. “U2 3D,” produced by 3ality Digital and released by National Geographic in 2008 to giant-screen 3-D and digital 3-D cinemas, won for Best Film Produced Non Exclusively for Giant Screen Theaters. “U2 3D” also won the award for best poster art.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized by our peers for these two wonderful films,” said Mark Katz, president, distribution, National Geographic Cinema Ventures. “Both films take full advantage of the 3-D format and are incredibly innovative in their own ways. We’re deeply appreciative to be honored by the GSCA and giant-screen theaters worldwide.”

“Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure,” narrated by Tony Award-winning actor Liev Schreiber, with an original score by longtime musical collaborators Richard Evans, David Rhodes and Peter Gabriel, takes audiences on a remarkable journey into the relatively unexplored world of the “other” dinosaurs, those reptiles that lived beneath the water. Funded in part through a grant from the National Science Foundation, the film delivers the fascinating science behind what we know about, and a vision of, history’s grandest ocean creatures.

“U2 3D” is the first live-action film shot completely in digital 3-D. Created, produced and filmed by 3ality Digital, the leader in perfect 3-D image capture and processing, the film marries innovative digital 3-D imagery and multi-channel surround sound with the excitement of a live U2 concert. Shot in South America during the final leg of the band’s “Vertigo” tour, “U2-3D” creates an immersive theatrical experience unlike any 3-D or concert film before. Ushering in a new dimension of filmmaking, “U2 3D” takes viewers on an extraordinary cinematic journey they will never forget.

“We were delighted to be able to apply both our skills as creative producers and our ground-breaking 3-D technologies to the production of ‘U2 3D’ with National Geographic Cinema Ventures as our distribution partner,” said Sandy Climan, CEO of 3ality Digital. “U2 was the perfect subject for this innovative, immersive concert experience.”

National Geographic Cinema Ventures is part of National Geographic Ventures, a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. Building on its global reputation for remarkable visuals and compelling stories, National Geographic Cinema Ventures produces original 2-D and 3-D productions for the world’s largest screens. National Geographic Cinema Ventures also retains distribution rights to one of the largest film libraries in the giant-screen industry.

Narrated by Tony Award-winning actor Liev Schreiber and with an original score by longtime musical collaborators Richard Evans, David Rhodes and Peter Gabriel, the film brings to life the extraordinary marine creatures of the dinosaur age on the most advanced and captivating cinematic mediums, creating an unparalleled visual encounter for audiences of all ages.

Launching the film in REAL D digital 3-D theaters will significantly expand the reach of National Geographic’s 3-D film by offering access in markets not being served by existing giant-screen theaters. REAL D cinema also offers audiences a state-of-the-art digital 3-D experience unlike anything currently available.

“‘Sea Monsters’ on REAL D will make your jaw drop,” said Lisa Truitt, president, National Geographic Cinema Ventures. “Like the giant screen, REAL D is an immersive medium that takes audiences on an eye-popping journey in a way never thought possible. In teaming with REAL D, we not only double the film’s reach but also are able to bring the most fantastic imagery to life via the most cutting-edge cinematic delivery.”

Funded in part through a grant from the National Science Foundation, “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Journey” submerges the audience in the ancient waters populated by saber-toothed fish, prehistoric sharks and giant squid — the relatively unexplored world of the “other dinosaurs.”

National Geographic Cinema Ventures (formerly National Geographic Giant Screen Films) is part of National Geographic Ventures (NGV), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Geographic Society, one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. Building on its global reputation for remarkable visuals and compelling stories, National Geographic Cinema Ventures produces original 2-D and 3-D productions for the world’s largest screens and retains distribution rights to one of the largest film libraries in the giant-screen industry. More information is available at www.nationalgeographic.com.

The film, narrated by Tony Award-winning actor Liev Schreiber and with an original score by longtime musical collaborators Richard Evans, David Rhodes and Peter Gabriel, takes audiences on a remarkable journey into the relatively unexplored world of the “other dinosaurs,” those reptiles that lived beneath the water. Additional information on the film, as well as an educational poster, lessons and activities for teachers and informal educators, can be found at www.nationalgeographic.com/seamonsters.

“This is the first giant-screen film about what lived in the water during the dinosaur age,” said producer Lisa Truitt, president of National Geographic Giant Screen Films and Special Projects. “It is perfect subject matter for such an immersive format, one that allows these giants to literally swim off the screen and directly into the audience.”

The Cretaceous world was very different from the Earth we know. Eighty million years ago, places such as Kansas were at the bottom of a great inland sea that divided North America in two. A warmer climate meant more of the globe was submerged — Europe was just a smattering of islands, much of Asia was underwater and a shallow ocean engulfed nearly all of Australia. On this sodden sphere, cold-blooded seagoing reptiles flourished, and as these ocean giants died, their skeletons were left in locations that are now high and dry.

“Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” weaves together spectacular photorealistic animation with standout finds from paleontological digs around the world — treasures that shed light on the film’s incredible cast of characters.

The film follows a family of Dolichorhynchops, also known informally as “Dollies,” as they traverse ancient waters populated with saber-toothed fish, prehistoric sharks and giant squid. On their journey the Dollies encounter other extraordinary sea creatures: lizard-like reptiles called Platecarpus that swallowed their prey whole like snakes; Styxosaurus with necks nearly 20 feet long and paddle-like fins as large as an adult human; and at the top of the food chain, the monstrous Tylosaurus, a predator with no enemies.

“Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” is a remarkable visual journey that also educates audiences on the “How do we know that?” side of paleontology. Do scientists need full skeletons to learn about these creatures? Not always, as we learn from shark teeth found throughout the central United States, proof that these modern-day hunters were thriving during the age of dinosaurs when Kansas was at the bottom of the sea. How do we know what these creatures ate, and what pursued them? The shapes of jaws and teeth provide dietary clues, and occasionally paleontologists are lucky enough to discover bones of one species inside the remains of another. In fact, one fossilized Xiphactinus, a 17-foot-long predatory fish, was found with an entire 6-foot fish inside — swallowed whole.

From fossil digs to larger-than-life visions of predatory chases in shallow seas, the film immerses audiences in a rarely explored environment during the dinosaur age. Merging ultra-high-resolution 3-D graphics with National Geographic’s trademark authenticity, compelling imagery and powerful storytelling, the film is a perfect combination of subject and medium: ancient leviathans of the deep brought to life in the world’s biggest film format.

Distributed by National Geographic, “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” will be supported by companion books for both adults and young readers in standard, 3-D and pop-up formats. A video game licensed by Destination Software Incorporated will be released to coincide with the worldwide premiere of the film and will be available on the Sony PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo DS™ and Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo. These, plus an additional line of “Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure” licensed products, including plush toys, puzzles and apparel, will be available at www.nationalgeographic.com/store. Additional information on the film can be found at www.nationalgeographic.com/seamonsters.