Biography: Sir Isaac Newton - Gravity of Genius (A&E Archives)

Biography: Sir Isaac Newton - Gravity of Genius (A&E Archives)

Biography: Sir Isaac Newton - Gravity of Genius (A&E Archives)
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DVD details

Artist: Sir Isaac Newton
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 50 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-08-10
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: A&E Home Video

DVD Reviews of Biography: Sir Isaac Newton - Gravity of Genius (A&E Archives)

DVD Review: Biography - Sir Isaac Newton: Gravity of Genius
Summary: 4 Stars

BIOGRAPHY: SIR ISSAC NEWTON THE GRAVITY OF GENIUS-Was a very good DVD which I would rate at four stars. Other fine biographical films have also been made on the life of Sir Isaac, like NEWTON'S DARK SECRETS. This one was a bit less "entertaining" but filled with interesting facts and good scholarship. Unlike NEWTON'S DARK SECRETS, this film featured few special effects or colorful animations of scientific principles.

THE GRAVITY OF GENIOUS restricted itself to photos, sketches, period woodcuts, and factual source materials. It is more the work of academic science historians than physicists and does not go to any efforts to provide new educational materials or illustrations of basic science. Nevertheless, if you are in for some interesting basic information on the life of Sir Isaac Newton, this is a good film for you.

The film describes his single minded work as a student of physics and math, how he worked tirelessly at university forsaking all social life, and his many great early achievements. These included early studies involving motion, inventing calculus while on leave from university and his first experiments in optics. We are all aware of these facts which make Isaac Newton one of our favorite physicists.

The film also described some his darker less admirable traits of his later life which indicated that during that time when he was discovering less but publishing more, he worked to justify the status he had attained in important scientific and political circles. This often included making certain that he was recognized for the discoveries he made during his early years, regardless of the impact this had on other important scientist and mathematicians. He destroyed much of the original credit given to Hooke and Leibniz. It is said that Leibniz died a broken man, and that an important astronomer died before ever publishing his work because of the political affiliations Newton employed.

Isaac has been variously described as: driven, obsessive, introverted, shy, reclusive, having few friends, unmarried, one who seldom traveled and never left England. The above list can strike a sensitive nerve depending on who you are and how you feel about Newton, but please read on.

It is also widely known that as a scientist Newton suffered the ultimate indignity as a victim of a serious nervous breakdown. Historic references are sited indicating that he wrote at least two paranoid letters which were extremely difficult to believe were justified. It is often said that this form of behavior is an almost inevitable price of great genius, but I can recall some facts about the life of this man and offer some alternate possibilities for those interested enough to read on.

This biography, as well as NEWTON'S DARK SECRETS, reported that Sir Isaac was a part time alchemist and theologian who spent almost as much time on these questionable occupations (for a hard scientist) as he did on physics and mathematics. As an alchemist Newton would have worked with mercury at high temperature, making him subject to possible mercury vapor poisoning. This can cause paranoid delusions, and it is known that the peak of his alchemical and occult studies were conducted sometime just prior to his apparent breakdown.

Perhaps his disregard for the legitamite work of other scientists was an after effect of his short but serious mental breakdown. It scarcely needs to be said that he remains one of the greatest physicists who ever lived.
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Description of Biography: Sir Isaac Newton - Gravity of Genius (A&E Archives)

Explore the incredible achievements and lonely life of one of the greatest scientists of all time.
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