Tag: documentary

Dinosaur 13

Produced, Directed, Edited by Todd Miller
Director of Photography: Thomas Petersen
Music Composer: Matt Morton

Little known subject of paleontology stars in this awesome documentary about scientists, the feds and 10 tons of T-Rex.

It is clear why Lionsgate and CNN Films acquired the North American rights to this lovely film directed and produced by Todd Miller, who will quickly become an audience favorite.  Early on in the film you hear a paleontologist describe how being in the field gives one a sense of who were are and how we fit into the scheme of things.  They can look up at the stars the light of which was emitted billions of years ago while finding fossils from billions of years ago and feel the sheer grandeur of nature.  It is clear that the director also felt that this subject matter has put things in perspective for him.  The film truly makes paleontology sexy. A big star is Dinosaur 13 – at the time the thirteenth T-Rex ever discovered and to date the most complete.  If you didn’t find fossils cool beforehand – you certainly will now.  The story is set in beautiful South Dakota – 65 million years ago the home of many dinosaurs.  The T-Rex dig takes a grueling 17 days, and the separation of the skull from the pelvis takes a long two years of meticulous work.  A most fascinating look into something so few of us know anything about.

That being said the story is not at all straightforward and not all feel-good.  Being made an example by the Federal Government the team of scientists from the Black Hills Institute becomes subject of the largest Federal investigation in history.  While this story was in the news throughout the 90’s, I venture to guess that very few of us are really familiar with it.  Heavy on the perspective of the scientists, the film does manage to show a bit of the other side.  But still leaves us with gaping questions regarding exactly why things happened the way they did.  One thing for certain: the events of the grueling court battles of the 90’s have come to define all of the U.S. fossil research today.

Full of original footage from the discovery and the events following, the documentary beautifully weaves in interviews and new footage, keeping the audience engaged throughout.  Miller edits the story in just the right way to keep it moving and incorporates beautiful new shots to give the film a cinematic feel.  It’s to his credit that this potentially long and complex story that could have easily lost the viewer, instead stays on top of its message and hits every point it strives to make.   Miller tells an emotional story but carefully balances facts with raw emotion, making the audience engrossed and invested in the tale and its outcome.  Lovely music by Matt Morton is fitting and aids in the successful narration of this documentary.

One thing for certain: while truly an up and down roller coaster of a story, no one can ever take away from these talented scientists the sheer joy of discovery they felt at the time their work on Dinosaur 13 began and this writer hopes that the film brings about the closure they so deserve.

Final Score: 4 out of 5

http://youtu.be/OCrzMXiopK4