Illuminating Shadows: The Mythic Power of Film

by Geoffrey Hill

Analyzes seventeen films, ranging from "Its a Wonderful Life" to "Blue Velvet," in a study of film as mythology

319 pages, Paperback

First published February 25, 1992

Reviews

[Steve Ellerhoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book from 1992 is quite a delight to read for a number of reasons. Geoffrey Hill took some great strides at this time in modeling what a depth psychology analysis of film could look like. He sets up his theoretical framework quickly and then just has at it, analyzing sixteen films with reference to myths and legends. Even when you think he's reaching a little too far, you have to hand it to him for the exuberance of his engagement. I particularly appreciate his analysis of Little Hop of Horrors (he takes into account the original 1960 film, the musical, and the 1986 film) as a myth built on patriarchal anxieties of the devouring feminine.

Anyone invested in the recent exciting work done on Jungian and post-Jungian film analysis will find a wealth of value in this book, which prefigures so much of what is happening in scholarship right now.

[Abner Rosenweig · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting discussion of film as myth and its significance in contemporary culture. Some of the chapters, particularly at the beginning, fail to demonstrate how the themes of the films are relevant in a broader psychological or cultural context. This problem is generally fixed by the end of Part 2. I got the most from the analyses of: Little Shop of Horrors; The Graduate; Blue Velvet; Field of Dreams. The introduction and conclusion are also outstanding.

Apart from several weak entries, my greatest frustration is that Illuminating Shadows is torn between two purposes:

1) Revealing how mythic films, or "cinemyths" as the author calls them, have cultural significance

2) Commenting specifically on how cinemyths express the dangerous imbalance of masculine and feminine power in modern society

The introduction is clearly about purpose #1, but by the conclusion the author has somehow shifted focus over to purpose #2. In the blurbs on the first page, film historian David Cook comments, "Illuminating Shadows combines a wide-ranging introduction to cinema as modern myth with sophisticated archetypal analyses of individual films and cycles." This clearly refers to purpose #1. Then, noted feminist-historian Marija Gimbutas comments, "These deeply felt and carefully crafted writings analyze the current tragic war on Mother Earth caused by an imbalance of patriarchal mythology." This refers to purpose #2. It's as if these authors were each reading a different book, and there are two partially-formed books, interwoven, here.

While purpose #2 is a subset of the more general purpose #1, the book would have been better if it knew what it was about from the beginning and developed a single, focused theme throughout.

Despite these frustrations, I still give the book 4 stars. There's much for film lovers and depth psychologists to enjoy here.

[Cicely · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took a course by the author who wrote this book, and it was interesting hearing him talk about the spiritual and psychological symbolism behind film making.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a mind opener

There have been many books written on film. Most have a different approach to the film and the metamorphism of film. We usually pull apart the elements like characters, costumes, camera angles, and narrative types. As we would look at a person as a series of systems vascular, lymphatic, respiratory, etc. In the process of dissecting people, we fail to find the soul. In the process of dissecting movies, we do not notice their mystic power.

Geoffrey Hill gives a unique view of films. He shows us what we would have missed just treating the movie as entertainment or a story. The movies he chooses to point out are not overtly mystical. Be sure to read the introduction in which he explains his definition of the terminology used. It also helps to view the movies ahead of the book and then again after.
A selection from the table of contents alone will give you an idea of what to expect.

The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea: The religion of the Nietzchean Samurai Warriors
The Seventh Seal: A Morality Play of the Feminine Principle
It's a Wonderful Life: Saint George and the Dragon
Insignificance: The Destruction of Universal Significance
A Year of the Quiet Sun: Amazing Grace
Shane: The Ambivalent, Violent Prince of Peace
Babette's Feast and The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover: Two Stories of Redemptive Ritual Sacrifice
Little Shop of Horrors: The battle between Heaven and Earth
The Trip to Bountiful: Paradise regained
The Graduate: The Terrible Mother from the Black Lagoon
Blue Velvet: Embracing the Shadow
Santa Sangre: The Bloody Alchemy of the Soul
Rumble Fish: The Motorcycle Messiah
Taxi Driver: The Mad Messiah of the Historic Christian Art
Repo Man: A prophet of Time Travel
Field of Dreams: Seeing the Invisible
You will never look at the film the same way again.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sure, I think some of the reviews are because this is from the early 90's which thrills me that Geoffrey Hill was writing about film as a deep need from our culture's lack of stories that tell us who we are, inform us of ourselves, satisfy the need for archetypal explorations for our personal growths. The eco-feminist message in the end is amazing! This book is instrumental for my own furthering studies!