Joseph Campbell - Mythos

Rating:
Summary: This is a NON-Joseph Campbell foundation sponsored DVD
Review: Although I would be the last person on earth to try and get someone not to buy a Joseph Campbell book, video or dvd, that is exactly what I am asking you to do. I have the video versions of both the eastern and western traditions. They are a welcome adition to my nearly complete collection of Campbell's work's. Yet I must tell you that this Wellspring DVD of Mythos is an unauthorized production. None of the money goes to the Joseph Campbell foundation as it would if it were an authorized production. The Joseph Campbell foundation sent emails to all their members to ask that they do not support piracy of jcf copyrited materials and not buy this DVD version. The Joseph Campbell foundation will be producing an authorized Mythos DVD set shortly.
Thank you, JMassey
JCF http://www.jcf.org/

Rating:
Summary: Do not order this from Amazon, it's on heavy backorder
Review: Have been waiting since mid-December for this to ship, and have been told there is an enormous 1000+ backorder on this dvd. Why Amazon lists it as shipping in 1-2 months is beyond me, as I've waited a full 2 months now already.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect except for narration
Review: I enjoyed hearing Joseph Campbell. As always, he is clear, easy to follow and enlightening. Based on his segments alone, the project would easily be a 5 star experience. I did not enjoy the patronizing, condensending narration by Susan Saradon. It is great that Ms. Saradon backed the filming or whatever, but we poor stupid unwashed masses do not need smug, self-righteous Susan explaining to us what her good buddy "Joe" just said. Obviously, the average viewer is not clever enough to understand "Joe" as well as a celebrity. Thank goodness Susan is there to tell us what to think! The narrations sully the whole project. If it were not on DVD where the offensive Susan Saradon segments can be easily skipped, I could not recommend this at all.

Rating:
Summary: Just Joe
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: I hate to do this but...
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: A very human look at our beliefs and ourselves
Review: 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.