Wowed by the terracotta warriors

"This is an incredible opportunity for students to immerse in Chinese history and culture, which always helps language studies," said Chen Tang, a Chinese-language teacher from the Overlake School in Redmond, Washington. Last month, Tang took a group of students to the Pacific Science Center to watch the documentary.

"Through film we recreate archeology, the galloping horses that served to fill out his majesty's decrees," said Mahlon Meyer, as assistant professor of Chinese history at the University of Washington. "We have never seen dead sculpture brought to life as it has been done upon the screen. Traditionally, Chinese filmmakers rely on their imagination to recreate the past, but now they are intermingling the ancient objects that exist to revivify a past in contemporary ways," he said.

Others who saw the film weighed in favorably online.

"I highly recommend you see the IMAX film Mysteries of China either directly before or after going to the exhibit. It enhances the experience very much," wrote Mary S. on TripAdvisor.

"Very interesting, gives you the history of the emperor and shows you the detailed work that went into the excavation of this amazing find," said Loreen P. on TripAdvisor.

Jeffrey Totey of Red Tricycle said the movie "explains further the mystery while also ... showcasing the best of modern China before going back in time."

Melton is trying to raise the funding now for his next film, on Tibet.

"From the Western and European point of view, very few people know much about Tibetan people and culture, the Buddhism and what an amazing place it is."

lindadeng@chinadailyusa.com