IMAX Niagara Falls – The Movie

    This post is continued from IMAX Niagara Falls – The Theatre

    The Falls Movie signSince 1987, the IMAX Niagara Falls Theatre has been showing Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic. With most of the promotional material you see now, you wouldn’t know that was the name of the movie. Everything talks about The Falls Movie Legends & Daredevils. I asked Karen Mariano, Sales Manager at IMAX Niagara Falls Theatre, about this. She explained that they found that people really were not aware of the purpose of the film so they “decided to incorporate the FALLS MOVIE logo to create awareness that the film is the perfect Prelude to your Niagara Experience.”

    I went to the 4 pm showing of the film on September 6. I expected since this was the day after Labour Day, that the theatre would be empty. To my surprise, there was a fairly good turnout. Most of the people were middle aged, many of them on a bus tour (there were a couple of large buses parked outside).

    There is a snack bar just like any other movie theatre. And just like any other movie theatre, the cost of refreshments is rather high. We purchased 2 drinks and a large popcorn and it came to over $9 CDN. My sister wanted an empty cup, and they wanted a quarter for it.

    They let us into the theatre right at 4 pm, and we waited a few minutes before anything happened. There is a brief introductory audio message that plays before the movie that gives you a bit of history of the theatre, as well as some facts about the IMAX experience. Apparently the screen is 6 stories high by 8 stories wide and has 15,000 watts lamp that could be seen from the moon. There are a lot more interest bits of information on the IMAX Niagara web site.

    As is the case with most IMAX movies, the movie is phenomenal. There are four main parts to the movie. The movie starts with the story of Lelawala, the Maiden of the Mist. There is a re-enactment of one of Blondin’s walks. There is a great scene of the steamship Lelawala going through the rapids (my favourite scene). The final scene re-enacts when Roger Woodward, a 7-year-old boy, went over the falls, and lived to tell about it.

    The cinematography is stunning and the sound of the Falls shakes your seat. The story is well told and as far as I know is accurate. It retells old legends, states facts, and leaves you want to see more. The movie is approximately 41 minutes long. If you include the introductory audio message, as well as the concluding message, you are in the theatre for almost 50 minutes.

    There are approximately 450,000 people who view the movie Niagara: Miracles, Myths and Magic every year.

    The Destination Cinemas website describes the movie as follows:


    Daredevils and awestruck explorers play out their drama against the backdrop of the thundering Niagara Falls in “Niagara: Miracles, Myths & Magic.” From a rivet-popping steam ship ride through whirlpool rapids to the heart-stopping plunge of a young boy who survived the 150-foot drop, “Niagara: Miracles, Myths & Magic” examines the lure and majesty of this natural wonder for the adventurers that have challenged her might. Director: Kieth Merrill. Producer: Nicholas J. Gray, Richard James. Formats available: 15/70, 10/70, 8/70. Length: 41 minutes.

    Be sure to read the post IMAX Niagara Falls – The Daredevil Exhibit.

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