DVD Reviews

Joseph Campbell on Power of Myth With Bill Moyers – DVD Review

By June L. Oct 25, 2010, 16:49 GMT

The seminal PBS series on world mythology These stimulating conversations between inspirational scholar Joseph Campbell and veteran journalist Bill Moyers created a national sensation when they first aired on public television. In lively, expansive dialogues, the two men discuss how myths hold the key to understanding human experience. They may vary superficially from culture to culture, but at their deepest level they all reveal the path to self-fulfillment, social integration, ...more

This fascinating program brought many people in 1988 the awareness of the importance of mythology in everyday life.  In scholarly, but completely accessible conversations, Joseph Campbell examined the mythologies of the world. 

Looking both to illuminate origins and find similarities in the stories, Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers conversations defined the myths and their continuing influence on how human beings live.  This fine program belongs in any home collection and will be of value to students, scholars and the general public.

In 1949 Joseph Campbell published a book THE HERO WITH A THOUSAND FACES, that was widely read and discussed.  Taking a word from author James Joyce “monomyth” to describe his idea, Campbell suggested that there is a seed story or essence of a myth that is universal to the heroic tales from every culture.

In the years 1986 and 1987 journalist Bill Moyers conducted a series of interviews with Joseph Campbell to expand and illustrate this theory.  These interviews took place at George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch and although the program was not ready for broadcast until after Joseph Campbell’s death in 1987, his scholarly work and lively approach to the material captivated viewing audiences. 

In this fine two disc set viewers can enjoy all six of the conversations which are as relevant today as when they were filmed.  Beginning with “The Hero’s Adventure” Joseph Campbell defines the heroic journey and its types, giving illustrations from various cultures and literatures including George Lucas’s STAR WARS.  The second episode “The Message of the Myth” reveals that the stories are more than just a good yarn. 

They contain a message that human beings would relate to, and incorporate into their own lives.  “The First Storytellers” looks at our earliest ancestors who made sense of their lives in nature by the use of ritual and myth.  The special features on disc one are an additional conversation with Joseph Campbell from “Bill Moyers Journal,” Professor Campbell’s influences, a photo gallery and Bill Moyer’s biography.
 
Disc two opens with episode four “Sacrifice and Bliss” the idea that the hero must undergo some type of sacrifice, a death of self, in order to gain the knowledge that will lead to his bliss or what he is questing after.  Next is the episode “Love and the Goddess” woman’s place within the myth as life giver and the power of love. 

The final episode is “Masks of Eternity” exploring human culture’s practice of making masks for God, as a way to name or identify the idea of greatness that cannot be expressed in human terms.

The bonus features for disc two include a Bill Moyers interview with film maker George Lucas, Sukhavati excerpts, Joseph Campbell’s influences and a photo gallery.  Included with the set is a nine paged booklet that serves as a viewer’s guide with additional resources and information. 

One of the most intriguing programs, this set from Athena is a must have for those interested in human cultures, mythology and how we are more alike than we are different.

Visit the DVD database for more information.