The Elegant Universe - Season 1 (2003)

How did the universe come into being? Why are we here? And where are we headed? Stephen Hawking--one of the world's most famous physicists and author of the international bestseller A Brief History of Time--wants to answer those questions. Trying to unify Einstein's theory of relativity and quantum mechanics, he seeks a single explanation for the entire universe. But he's racing against time, trapped in a relentlessly deteriorating body ravaged by Lou Gehrig's disease. Join Hawking and other renowned thinkers as they explore the revolutionary new ideas that have evolved since the publication of his blockbuster book. Besides interviews, this stimulating documentary uses computer graphics and simple, easy-to-understand demonstrations to explain complex concepts. Topics include black holes, string theory, super-symmetry, dimensions beyond our perception, and the mysterious M force--all potential keys to unlocking the elusive "theory of everything" that seems so tantalizingly close. Features interviews with Stephen Hawking, John Schwarz (California Institute of Technology), Lisa Randall (Harvard), Michio Kaku (City University of New York), and more.