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Human kind’s 11th hour is here: the last moment when we can change course and stop our rush toward global ecological collapse. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio produces and narrates this urgent and transformational loot at where we’ve been, where we’re going and how we can change. Thinkers from Mikhail Gorbechev to Stephen Hawking to sustainable-design expert William McDonough and dozens more reveal the current, critical state of life on the planet. Images of floods, fires, hurricanes, collapsing ice cliffs and growing mountains of waste juxtaposed with images of sustainable future urge us to take action. 

It’s fascinating to get a crash course on how our population has increased exponentially since the advent of utilizing fossil fuels for energy and how that, ignorance, apathy, and greed, have wrecked havoc upon our planet. The tree-huggers from the 1970s were right: if we do not change, we will essentially kill ourselves from earth abuse, which has a vast effect on every ecosystem around the globe. No one is immune.

But is it too much to change course? Maybe not, if the film gets noticed by the right people. From ardent interviews with professors, specialists and religious folks it’s hard not to be alarmed and swayed by how quickly we need to turn things around before true catastrophe.  Sweeping musical cues by Eric Avery sting our emotions, and superstar Leonardo DiCaprio’s pointed speeches bid us to act aggressively. It can feel manipulative at times, but that’s forgivable given the subject matter. And with that, the film confidently takes the first step in grabbing our attention. Some will act, but the sacrifices of change might inhibit more than the majority.

The statistics are clear about the wreckage the earth has endured in the aftermath of “progress.” It’s easy to become thunderstruck, but many common folk can attempt to make changes and pressure sustainable policies throughout the world. However, by the end, I was left with the impression that people in positions of power are the ones who are going to make or break our sustainability. If we fail, it is most likely that we will not survive through this century.

The Video: How Does The Disc Look?

The film’s theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 is presented in anamorphic video.  All kinds of stock footage are included with the piece. Extensive views over canyons, waterfalls, oceanic life, cities and international landmarks are on display. The source of each of these varies in quality especially with the newer footage having the best saturation of hues, and good contrast ratios aiding depth. Shots of San Francisco’s new federal court building is a pleasing example. The older footage is more grainy and slightly faded. The new interviews with DiCaprio outside and interviews under studio- controlled lighting look the best. However, I was surprised that the studio interviews are a bit faded with dark grays for blacks and middling whites. The finely grained textures and detail in clothing is not great. Fleshtones are slightly pink at times, but they are generally reasonable. The mist from waterfalls seems to stir up a tiny bit of compression issues, and faint edge halos can be traceable - but these are minor complaints because the inconsistent grain is more noticeable. The transfer appears mostly clean aside from minor blemishes inherent in the stock footage. Overall, the film quality is fine, but more than a few issues keep it from exhibiting a consistently rich, dazzling veneer.

The Audio: How Does The Disc Sound?

More impressive than the video quality is the audio quality of the Dolby Digital 5.1 track. Careful audio post-production added nice details to all kinds of footage. Incorporating some original audio material with gently added detail effects truly enhanced the drama of particular scenes. The top end is quite clean with a smooth midrange through deep uses of low frequency effects; the dynamics of this presentation are surprising. The original music composed and performed by Eric Aery is semi- expansive and adds to the hurtling inertia of the film with his swelling minor chords and arpeggios. The surrounds have a nice frequency range, though I didn’t notice dramatically discrete surround activity. A few punchy low effects make the sub woofer come alive nicely, especially that last musical cue in the film before the end credits. Kudos to the producers and audio engineers for delivering a solid audio mix for a documentary.

No other audio mixes are included, which is not wise for this film to reach the world as easily. But even though there are no English Closed Captions, thankfully there are subtitles in English SDH, Spanish and French.

Supplements: What Goodies Are There?

The following five featurettes are additional interviews with experts, and the presentation is in anamorphic widescreen and 2.0 stereo.

The first featurette Nature’s Operating Instructions & Solutions (27:55) includes additional interviews with specialists that talk about the power of science in nature. It’s like a lecture but still quite interesting.

Following that is another featurette Solutions We Have Right Now (26:36), which takes a look at more in depth economic suggestions designed to stabilize the earth’s natural ecosystems. Also, more thoughts about saving aquatic life are discussed.

Next up is a featurette Wonder of the World (5:46). This includes more interviews that talk about the majesty of nature, power of photosynthesis, and the true measure of currency with nature.

After that we have the featurette Our Reactions in the Face of Environmental Collapse (14:59) which have the experts hoping that the ordinary public around the world will positively respond to the film’s message.

Lastly, the featurette Religious Perspectives (14:25) including a Jewish Rabbi and a founder of the American Muslim Advancement passionately talking about how we are to be proper custodians of the earth and how we are failing.

There is also a website: 11thhourfilm.com

The 92- minute film is organized into seventeen chapters.

Exclusive DVD-ROM Features: What happens when you pop the disc into your PC?

There are no DVD-ROM features on this DVD.