It all goes back to mythology, doesn’t it? I’m talking about sci-fi in general. Some of the hallmarks of science fiction are based upon mythological characters and traditions. Take Star Wars, for instance. It’s one of the keystones of the entire genre, and it was admittedly based heavily on mythological elements. Hell, we even call the complex stories behind sci-fi the show’s “mythology.” So it’s no surprise that famed scholar Joseph Campbell chose George Lucas’s Skywalker Ranch as the setting for his conversations with journalist Bill Moyers.
The conversations were originally broadcast in 1988 on PBS, but they’re still just as relevant today as they were then. The six-part series features some of the most in-depth looks at “world religions, marriage, the virgin birth, and pop culture.” It’s amazing what influence the titular power has on the world, and listening to Campbell spiritedly describe these influences is both engrossing and enlightening.
I’ve had Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth on my video shelf in VHS form for essentially my entire life (an early gift from my father, a spirited sci-fi fan), but thanks to Acorn Media’s documentary imprint Athena, I’ve been able to update the fat six-casette collection to a slimmer DVD package. The two-DVD set features all six hours from the conversations, as well as never-before released conversations, and even an interview with George Lucas himself on the subject.
While a DVD set of an interview doesn’t seem particularly entertaining or rewarding, I have to say that this is actually one of the more rewarding sets I’ve ever seen. You can order the set from Amazon for $34.49. Pre-order the set here.
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