Zion Canyon - Treasure of the Gods (Large Format)

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Zion Canyon: Treasure of the Gods relates both the history and legends of Zion Canyon, a spectacularly beautiful national park in Utah. As the film was originally shown in IMAX theaters, it was designed to be a treat for the eyes, and the detailed shots of sunlit sandstone canyon walls are truly gorgeous. The park has some of the most spectacular scenery on earth, and the canyons are also the birthplace of vivid Native American traditions, as Zion Canyon was home, at different times, to both the Anasazi and Paiutes. The film re-creates events from the history of the canyon area, with actors portraying Native Americans and Spanish invaders. The magical aspect of the area is incorporated into the script, and apparitions of legendary figures who were said to have appeared to the Native Americans are depicted. A segment of the film portrays how two white men who came to the area to photograph it early in the 20th century and happened upon an ancient trove of treasure were suddenly caught up in a raging flood from which they barely escaped. The legends incorporated into the film are interesting and the "plot" segments are well produced, but the real attraction of this film is the sumptuous photography and the way the camera catches the sunlight playing off the multicolored sandstone. --Robert J. McNamara

Customer Reviews:

"Zion" applied to much of the SW canyons .......2005-07-03

This is a small gripe but the canyons shown are in addition to Zion,Chelly,Canyonlands,Arches,Bryce,,, all without credit,so one might go to Zion expecting to see the sites shown and find they are possibly hundreds of miles from Zion confines. As to the cheesy plot,much like the stupid extras clothed in skins frolicking pointlessly in the Grand Canyon IMAX,,,the plot adds nothing to the grandeur of the photography,,,as Imax is limited to 40 minutes or so why dont these stupid directors give us more scenery time rather than idiotic re-enactments,,

Preposterous and silly plot but stunning cinematography.......2002-07-21

This film is pure eye candy. While it's no substitute for actually getting out of your vehicle and hiking into Zion National Park, people of limited mobility can experience perhaps the closest thing to it in this "virtual reality" experience. The aerial photography is very impressive, as are the segments displaying rock climbing at Dead Horse Point State Park and the slot canyons in Zion. Slightly annoying is the music and the gratuitous sound effects (like the puzzling bass rumble as the camera flies over pinnacles at Bryce Canyon).

I would have given the film a 5-star review based on the cinematography alone, but the corny "plot" was just too intrusive and unbelieveable, and ultimately detracted from the impact of the film.

One final beef with the film: from the reviews here and at IMDB it seems that people unfamiliar with the history of the Zion National Park area are leaving the film believing an utterly fictitious story. Just to set the record straight: there was no lost "Spanish treasure" in Zion. It's unfortunate that the makers of this film appear to have led so many people to believe that this plot-driven yarn was actual history.

Exciting.......2000-08-15

I first saw this at the IMAX located at the entrance to Zions National Park. Of the several IMAX films I have seen since, "Treasure of the Gods" is still my favorite. There are spectacular views of the park along with a recreation of a significant event in Zion's history. There are some amazing action shots that hold you in suspense and make you feel like you are the one being filmed.

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