Search - Joseph Campbell - Mythos on DVD

A very human look at our beliefs and ourselves

C. W. Smith | South Burlington, VT United States | 04/20/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a collection of Joseph Campbell's lecture series prior to his death in 1987. It is a no-frills presentation with just the documented lectures of an extraordinary teacher and mind. He humanizes many difficult concepts from psychology to religion while taking you through the process of not only what various people believe, but also how they came to those beliefs. His lectures are inclusive of everything from Carl Jung's psychology to American Indian mysticism to the spectrum of Eastern philosophy. Campbells greatest contribution is that in his work he focused not on the differences between various religions and beliefs, but the fundamental similarities we all share.
The series is very well hosted by Susan Sarandon who prefaces each segment and gives you time to reflect on what it is you've just learned. The production value is limited; as I said this is a collection of documented lectures from the mid-80's with just Campbell on a stage or in front of a projected image. However, for anyone interested in a comprehensive and entertaining view of comparitive psychology and formation of belief systems, this is an exceptional series."

I hate to do this but...

J. Bielawski | 12/11/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"The reason for one star is that this is a randomly abbreviated version of what used to be available on 14-hour VHS series. The tapes showed all the lectures in their entirety - on this DVD we get odd selections here and there intertwined with comments read by Susan Sarandon seated on an uncomfortable sofa. This set omits _all_ the lectures on Western mythology."

This IS A Joseph Campbell Foundation sponsored DVD

Stephen L. Gerringer | Modesto, CA United States | 05/19/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Correcting a misimpression from an earlier review, the Mythos series was indeed copyrighted by the Joseph Campbell Foundation in 1996, and what profits there are do go to the JCF, which administers Campbell's intellectual estate.

The earlier review asking people not to buy this DVD (seemingly - and mistakenly - on behalf of the JCF, which I'd like to assume is an innocent error) has apparently confused Mythos (hosted by actress Susan Sarandon) with Transformations of Myth Through Time (hosted by actor Peter Donat), an unauthorized presentation of some of the same material hurriedly cobbled together and rushed to market to take advantage of Campbell's immense popular appeal in the wake of the first airing of the Power of Myth interviews with Bill Moyers on PBS. This series of lectures was strung together in a format that made sense to the editors, but did not reflect Campbell's own vision - but because it aired first, many believe it to be the original, uncut version (a claim advanced in another review on this page). Litigation has since resolved the dispute, and the Transformations of Myth series is no longer available.

Besides the elegant comments of Miss Sarandon (which serve the same function as Mr. Donat's in the Transformations series, bridging awkward transitions), Mythos has attractive, updated visuals, and a format in harmony with Joseph Campbell's original vision ... visually pleasing, entertaining, educational, and mind-expanding all at once.

This verison of the series has been hard to find - but now, with the resolution of legal and logistical obstacles, the Joseph Campbell Foundation has re-released Mythos I on DVD (autumn of 2007), with Mythos II to be re-released in the spring of 2008. Further volumes of "new" never-before viewed lectures can be anticipated in this series.
"

Just Joe

Erin Bargmann | Moline, IL | 06/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you love Joseph Campbell - his gentle spirit - his charming wit - his extensive knowledge - this DVD is heaven (pun intended - see the last episode, on the Tibetan Book of the Dead). In Mythos you view taped lectures with some beautiful visual aids. That's it. There is no interviewer to interrupt him - you hear what Joe intended to say, his jokes and asides included. I love Joe's books, but I love even more to hear his voice and see his wonderful eyes. This DVD is worth watching again and again."