Ghosts of the Abyss

Starring: Bill Paxton, James Cameron

RS: 3.5of 4 Stars

2003 Other

Despite over-ripe narration and an understandable urge to cram too much in, Ghosts of the Abyss is a thrilling documentary. Titanic director James Cameron goes 2.5 miles beneath the Atlantic to explore the sunken ship that took 1,500 lives, and emerges with something historic and eye-popping. How could it not be, since Cameron filmed the expedition in digital 3-D for IMAX screens.

Wearing 3-D glasses for the film's one-hour length is a small price to pay for the reach-out-and-touch experience. Cameron had used footage of the real ship in his Oscar-winning 1997 film, but the technology didn't exist at the time for cameras to go deep into the ship.

It does now. Once Cameron, along with scientists, historians and Titanic actor Bill Paxton, descended in subs, two small, mobile cameras -- nicknamed Jake and Elwood -- were sent out to explore. Designed by Mike Cameron, the director's brother, the cameras -- operated by remote and connected to the subs by fiber-optic cable -- pick up images that will take your breath away. Cameron uses photos, bios, even dramatic re-creations. Too much? Maybe. But the ghost of the great ship that went down in 1912 will haunt your dreams.

PETER TRAVERS
(April 4, 2003)