By Teresa Mariani

Photo courtesy of Barnett Cox
	The Hearst Castle IMAX

If you've been there, you know: everything about Hearst Castle seems larger than life. That includes the new Hearst Castle movie theater at the castle Visitor Center.

With a silver screen five stories tall, the National Geographic Theater at Hearst Castle qualifies as a big deal. This summer, you can see a movie on the giant screen at a price that's a real deal. The "Hearst Castle Experience" tour (Tour Number One) includes admission to the IMAX-style theater for a showing of the film, "Hearst Castle: Building the Dream." Ticket prices for the tour and movie are only $14 for adults, $7.50 for youths.

"We just started doing this on the first of May," explained National Geographic Theater manager Loui Coleman. "It's a great deal, and it's new."

Of course, if you want to go to the National Geographic Theater without taking a castle tour, you're welcome to do that too. Movie tickets are $7.50 for adults, and $5.50 for youths (ages 6 to 17).

This is the sixth summer of movie screenings at the castle theater. Opened in 1996, the theater offers 7-channel surround sound, and seats 420 people in stadium style in front of that 5-story screen.

The theater has proven to be a hit. This summer, the National Geographic Theater has increased the number of showtimes from eight to 18. "People from all over the world come to Hearst Castle, and they come to the theater, too," Coleman says. "We also have a large local following for our 'guest films.' "

'Guest films' are educational and nature films created especially for giant screen theater. No matter what guest film is showing at Hearst Castle's National Geographic Theater, you'll always find "Hearst Castle: Building the Dream." It's a documentary about the creation of Hearst Castle by the wealthy William Randolph Hearst, Jr.

Hearst first came to San Simeon as a little boy to camp on what his family affectionately termed, 'the ranch.' After inheriting the family fortune, Hearst set out to build his own castle on his favorite camping spot, 'La Cuesta Encantada' - Spanish for 'The Enchanted Hill.'

"The film starts with Mr. Hearst's father coming to California. It highlights the career of Mr. Hearst, and follows him as a child to Europe. He traveled to Europe with his mother, and saw all the castles and antiquities there as a child," Coleman says.

As an adult, Hearst hired architect Julia Morgan to create his own castle, and set to work filling it with priceless works of art, as well as parties and outings for movie stars during Hollywood's Golden Era.

It's all captured in the 40-minute documentary, shot on location in Europe, at Hearst Castle, and along the Central Coast. " 'Building the Dream' was filmed exclusively for us, and it is shown exclusively here" at the National Geographic Theater at Hearst Castle.

The giant screen theater also shows other educational and nature features. Last year's showing of "Mysteries of Egypt," a look at the ancient temples and pyramids there. Coming in Spring 2002 is "Lewis and Clark," a documentary tracing the path of the famed explorers of the untamed and unsettled North America in the early 1800s. The National Geographic Theater may also bring back a summer hit from last year, "Dolphins."

To keep tabs on showtimes and special feature film showings at the National Geographic Theater at Hearst Castle, check out the theater website at www.ngtheater.com, or call the theater at 805-927-6701. The theater is also available for special showings to school groups.

If you want the total "Hearst Castle Experience" during a summer tour, be sure to leave time to take in a film at the National Geographic Theater. No matter who sits in front of you, you'll be able to see the screen. - Teresa Mariani.

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