Power of Myth, The

Synopsis

During the last two years of Joseph Campbell’s life journalist Bill Moyers interviewed him at filmmaker George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch in California and at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. It was the museum and its American Indian exhibits that first inspired his lifelong study of history, art, philosophy and religion. In these interviews he discusses God, art, eternity, and the relevance of mythology to modern life.
1: Campbell explores how the hero’s journey is possible even in everyday life today, and challenges everyone to see the presence of the heroic journey in his or her own life.
2: Campbell compares the creation story in Genesis with creation stories from around the world. He explains why the snake was blamed for the fall, how computers are related to mythology and why myths are clues to the spiritual potentialities of human life.
3: Campbell discusses the importance of accepting death as rebirth in the myth of the buffalo and the story of Christ, the rite of passage in primitive societies and the role of mystical shamans and the decline of ritual in today’s society.
4: Campbell discusses the role of sacrifice in myth, which symbolises the necessity for rebirth.
5: Campbell talks about romantic love, beginning with the 12th century troubadours, and addresses questions about the image of woman - as goddess, virgin, and Mother Earth.
6: Campbell provides insights into the concepts of God, religion and eternity, as revealed in Christian teachings and the beliefs of Buddhists, Navajo Indians, Schopenhauer, Jung and others.


DVD extras include: Interview with George Lucas; Biographies & bibliographies; Art gallery; Trailer; Weblink.

Language

English

Country

United States

Year of production

1988

Notes

First released on video and DVD in the UK in 2001.

Subjects

Philosophy; Religious studies

Keywords

ceremonies; creationism; mythology; philosophy of science; religious belief and practice; storytelling

Credits

Director

Bill Moyers

Producer

Catherine Tatge

Contributor

Bill Moyers

Cast

Joseph Campbell

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 2 PAL

Price

£19.99

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

342 minutes

Year

2011

Sections

Title

Hero’s adventure, The

Synopsis

1: Campbell explores how the hero's journey is possible even in everyday life today, and challenges everyone to see the presence of the heroic journey in his or her own life.

Title

Message of the myth, The

Synopsis

2: Campbell compares the creation story in Genesis with creation stories from around the world. He explains why the snake was blamed for the fall, how computers are related to mythology and why myths are clues to the spiritual potentialities of human life

Title

First storytellers, The

Synopsis

3: Campbell discusses the importance of accepting death as rebirth in the myth of the buffalo and the story of Christ, the rite of passage in primitive societies and the role of mystical shamans and the decline of ritual in today's society.

Title

Sacrifice and bliss

Synopsis

4: Campbell discusses the role of sacrifice in myth, which symbolises the necessity for rebirth.

Title

Love and the godess

Synopsis

5: Campbell talks about romantic love, beginning with the 12th century troubadours, and addresses questions about the image of woman - as goddess, virgin, and Mother Earth.

Title

Masks of eternity

Synopsis

6: Campbell provides insights into the concepts of God, religion and eternity, as revealed in Christian teachings and the beliefs of Buddhists, Navajo Indians, Schopenhauer, Jung and others.

Production Company

Name

PBS

Web

http://www.pbs.org External site opens in new window

Distributor

Name

Acorn Media UK

Email

customerservices@acorndvd.com

Web

http://www.acorndvd.com/ External site opens in new window

Fax

020 7627 250

Address

55 Drury Lane
London
WC2B 5SQ

Notes

Founded in 1997, Acorn specialises in distributing archival television programmes, predominantly licensed from the BBC and ITV. Sale on DVD and Blu-Ray, in Region 2 PAL format, direct and via retail outlets.