Myth in Film.

I'm gonna come back to this; it looks fascinating. :-D

The first film that pops into my in which myth is played out on many levels is The Matrix.

Myth Meets The Internet

There aren't enough of these films and they are difficult to handle without straying off track. "Field of Dreams" is fantasy/myth and I would think "Bagger Vance" is out of a similar mold but with a more complex mythological base. Cocteau's "Orphee" is obviously based on myth, but myth as it would effect reality.
Paul Schrader "Mishima" is heavy on methaphor with the dramitization of the title character's writings woven into what was happening in his real life. Wish more directors were brave enough to incorporate more myth and metaphor into their films. It's visual poetry and doesn't do well with audiences.

Star Wars the mythology of the hero and of course the Force. And the father sone competition Oedipus perhaps.

What was the name of the Robin Williams film which used the myth of the Fisher King? I liked it and everyone else hated it.

And "O Brother Where Art Thou" - which used the Odyssy - I have not seen that one yet - but I understand it worked brilliantly..

I know there are many more- i just cannot think of them!

The name of the Robin Williams film is "The Fisher King". http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0800108051/102-6745714-4714539?vi=glance

I highly recommend "O Brother..." - one of my favorites.

I also recently rented "Scotland, PA". A modern version of Shakespeare's Macbeth. It got a lukewarm reception, but I enjoyed it. And how can you beat Christopher Walken? http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/ScotlandPA-1112164/

Jean Cocteau's movies rely heavily on myth..."Beauty And The Beast", an enchanting fairy tale, and "Orpheus," a striking Surrealist version of the ancient myth of the poet. Other examples are Kurosawa's "Kagemusha: The Shadow Warrior" and "The Hidden Fortress", which retell Japanese folktales, as does the masterpiece "Ugetsu" by Kenji Mizoguchi. BTW "The Hidden Fortress" is the acknowledged inspiration for "Star Wars."

dlowan, I LOVE The Fisher King! I bought the video tape years ago - the original English version, of course. Haven't seen it in ages because we don't have a VCR anymore :-(