Journey into Amazing Caves is a suspenseful expedition by a new breed of scientists who boldly explore the Earth's last true frontier: caves so remote that exploring them is like visiting another planet. At the heart of Journey into Amazing Caves is the compelling story of two tenacious young women—a microbiologist and a cave rescue specialist—who set out to explore some of the world's most unique and mysterious caves in search of "extremophiles"—tiny organisms known to survive in the world's most unforgiving environments. Joining them is a team of intrepid filmmakers who must test their physical and emotional limits in order to bring back the unprecedented footage that will stun audiences when seen on a seven-story IMAX screen. Journey into Amazing Caves opens at the California Science Center IMAX Theater March 16, 2001.

Audiences will drop into the gleaming blue labyrinths of Greenland's awe-inspiring ice caves. They will swim through flooded underground arenas beneath the jungles of the Yucatan and explore the rugged limestone caverns of the Grand Canyon. And they will hold their breaths as their expedition leaders, Dr. Hazel Barton and Nancy Aulenbach, rappel down steep cliffs into unmapped chambers of unparalleled beauty, with the hope of bringing back startling new discoveries.

Dr. Hazel Barton is a British microbiologist who is literally caving to save lives. Like an ancient explorer looking for new worlds, Barton travels the planet's caves seeking undiscovered organisms that might hold new medical applications, inlcuding next-generation medicines to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis. There is great promise in her research—some cave "bugs" being tested by other scientists already appear to attack cancer cells. Dr. Barton's caving partner, Nancy Aulenbach, is a recognized expert in cave rescue and a bold pioneer who is looking to expand the limits of what we know about caves—and how to protect them against pollution and human encroachment.

"With Journey into Amazing Caves, we transport audiences into a place they've most likely never had a chance to see up-close before and give them a sense of the heart-pounding adventure of exploring an utterly unknown world," says Greg MacGillivray, producer. "The immersive experience of IMAX photography is perfect for capturing the excitement of caving, which filled with unexpected discoveries, sights, and sounds that will inspire people of all ages."

Journey into Amazing Caves is produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films in association with Cincinnati Museum Center, with major funding provided by National Science Foundation. The film is MacGillivray Freeman's 25th large-format project.

Beginning March 16, 2001, Journey into Amazing Caves will be shown at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m., with an additional show on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8 p.m. For ticket information or to confirm show times, guests should call (213) 744-7400. Advance ticket purchase and group rates are available by calling (213) 744-2019. The California Science Center IMAX Theater is located at 700 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Parking is $6 per car in the visitor lot at 39th and Figueroa streets. The California Science Center is a non-profit organization. Proceeds from the IMAX Theater helps support Science Center exhibits and education programs.