by G. Jack Urso
In Search of . . . Atlantis Episode on teh Ae13U Blue Planet YouTube Channel.
In Search of . . . Atlantis, narrated by Leonard Nimoy and first
broadcast on May 22, 1977, surveys the various artifacts and myths attributed
to legend of Atlantis, which reached a height of interest in popular culture
during the 1970s. Many of the items presented in the show as possible evidence
of the lost continent were previously introduced in the documentaries In Search of
Ancient Astronauts (1973) and In Search of Ancient Mysteries
(1973), narrated by Rod Serling, which are reviewed in the Aeolus 13
Umbra article In Search of . .
. Preposterous Explanations.
In this episode, the producers
try to make the connection that every unexplained ancient monument or relic is somehow
connected to the Atlantis myth. Petroglyphs, ancient Egypt, Central and South
American Pre-Columbian Native Cultures, the so-called Bimini Wall, psychic Edgar
Cayce, and other cultural artifacts are all tied into the legend of the lost
continent.
Along with other “evidence,” such
as the Easter Island moai and the Antikythera Mechanism, a complicated
clockwork navigational aid from ancient Greece, these relics are connected to
the Atlantis myth based on no more than unsupported speculation. This only
serves to undermine the creditability of the episode and to devalue the
accomplishments of the cultures that actually created these impressive examples
of lost technology. For more information on the aforementioned items, please
visit the Aeolus 13 Umbra articles In Search of . .
. The Easter Island Massacre and The Antikythera
Mechanism: A Relic of Ancient Greek Science.
The Antikythera Mechanism
More serious research regarding
the island of Santorini (aka Thera) and the Minoan culture and its connection
to the Atlantis myth is presented. This provides a more substantial
contribution to helping viewers appreciate the true origins of the legend of
the lost continent – an ancient Mediterranean civilization wiped out by one of
the most powerful volcanic eruptions in history. The scenes shot of the archeological
dig on location at Santorini add a certain authenticity to the episode. The
remains of the inhabitants' former dwellings reminds the viewer of the human
tragedy behind the myth.
Nimoy’s narration is at once
mysterious and inviting, yet there is an extra dimension that goes beyond a
simple vocal performance. If the ISO production team wanted to save money, any
number of voiceover artists could have been used, yet Nimoy’s voice comes with
the gravitas of his role on Star Trek
as the cool and logical Mr. Spock. That extra dimension creates a subconscious
element to the viewing experience that is more than just the words on a page.
The producers recognized this while developing the concept and in fact Rod
Serling, who narrated the two original 1973 In
Search of . . . documentaries, was
intended to host the series before his untimely death in 1975. While Nimoy is
the face of the series now, one can only wonder what contributions Serling
would have made to the program.
Often overlooked is the music
composed by Laurin Rinder and Mike Lewis. In addition to the In Search Of . . . opening and closing themes, they also
composed background and incidental music. In this episode, Rinder and Lewis perform
pieces evocative of the tonal structure used in ancient Greek music that helps
draw the viewer into the episode. It is in these small details, including
Nimoy’s narration, that one can see how the various elements in a production
combine to create an experience for the viewer that goes beyond the script.
Note: While once available for viewing online, YouTube now blocks all In Search of . . . full episode uploads.
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