Cosmic Voyage (1996)
An Academy Award-nominated IMAX documentary that takes viewers on a breathtaking journey across the scales of the universe, narrated by Morgan Freeman.
Cosmic Voyage - Movie Information
- Original Title: Cosmic Voyage
- Release Year: 1996
- Directed by: Bayley Silleck
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 36m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): August 9, 1996 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: 时空之旅 (CN), IMAX Cosmic Voyage (US)
- Production Companies: National Air and Space Museum
- Production Countries: United States of America
Cosmic Voyage - Plot
The Academy Award® nominee Cosmic Voyage combines live action with state-of-the-art computer-generated imagery to pinpoint where humans fit in our ever-expanding universe. Highlighting this journey is a "cosmic zoom" based on the powers of 10, extending from the Earth to the largest observable structures in the universe, and then back to the subnuclear realm.
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Cosmic Voyage - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Bayley Silleck
Main Cast
- Morgan Freeman
Writers
- Michael Miner
- Bayley Silleck
Producers
- Jeffrey Marvin
- Bayley Silleck
Cosmic Voyage - FAQs
Who narrates Cosmic Voyage?
Cosmic Voyage is narrated by Morgan Freeman, who lends his iconic voice to guide viewers through the film's sweeping journey across scales of the universe — from the vast cosmic web of galaxy clusters down to the infinitesimally small realm of subatomic particles.
What is Cosmic Voyage about?
Cosmic Voyage is a 1996 IMAX documentary that uses live action and computer-generated imagery to explore humanity's place in the universe. Its centrepiece is a "cosmic zoom" based on powers of 10, travelling from Earth outward to the largest observable cosmic structures and inward to the subnuclear world.
Was Cosmic Voyage nominated for an Academy Award?
Yes, Cosmic Voyage received an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Short Subject at the 69th Academy Awards. The nomination recognised the film's innovative use of computer-generated imagery and its accessible, visually stunning approach to explaining the scale of the universe.
What is the "cosmic zoom" in Cosmic Voyage?
The "cosmic zoom" is the film's signature sequence, structured around powers of 10. It begins at a human scale on Earth, then expands outward through the solar system, galaxy, and beyond to the universe's largest structures, before reversing direction and plunging inward to the subatomic realm.
Who directed Cosmic Voyage?
Cosmic Voyage was directed by Bayley Silleck, who also co-wrote and co-produced the film. Silleck crafted the documentary for the National Air and Space Museum, blending live-action footage with advanced computer-generated imagery to make complex scientific concepts visually compelling for IMAX audiences.
How long is Cosmic Voyage?
Cosmic Voyage has a runtime of 36 minutes, which is typical for IMAX documentary short films designed for museum and science centre screenings. Despite its brief length, the film covers an extraordinary range of scales, from the observable universe down to the subnuclear level.
When was Cosmic Voyage released?
Cosmic Voyage was released on August 9, 1996, in the United States. It was produced by the National Air and Space Museum and screened primarily in IMAX theatres at science museums and planetariums. The film is also known by the alternative title IMAX Cosmic Voyage.
What are similar films to Cosmic Voyage?
Viewers who enjoy Cosmic Voyage may appreciate other science and nature documentaries that explore the cosmos or the natural world in visually immersive formats. The Truman Show (1998) and Inside Out (2015) share thematic curiosity about existence and perspective, while NASA-focused documentaries offer comparable scientific depth.
More About Cosmic Voyage
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