The BEST episodes of Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth

Every episode of Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth!

Bill Moyers interviews legendary scholar and teacher Joseph Campbell about the origins and meanings of mythology. Using history, art, Jungian psychology, and even modern cinema, Campbell demonstrates the origins of mythic images in the deepest parts of our psyche and the power of myth in our daily lives. Most of these conversations were filmed at George Lucas' 'Skywalker Ranch.' Lucas volunteered the use of the buildings to thank Professor Campbell for the role his work played in shaping Lucas' Star Wars films.

Last Updated: 10/6/2024Network: PBSStatus: Ended

9.81

31 votes

#1 - Sacrifice and Bliss

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 6/24/1988

Chief Seattle, the sacred Earth, agricultural renewal, human sacrifice, sacrifice of the Mass, transcendence of death, story: “The Green Knight,” societal dictates vs. following bliss, “hidden hands” guiding life's work

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9.78

32 votes

#2 - Love and the Goddess

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 6/25/1988

The Troubadours, Eros, romantic love, Tristan, libido vs. credo, separation from love, Satan, loving your enemy, the Crucifixion as atonement, the Goddess, the Earth-mother, virgin birth, the story of Isis, Osiris and Horus, the Madonna, the Big Bang

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9.71

34 votes

#3 - The First Storytellers

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/23/1988

Animal memories, harmonization with body and life-cycle, consciousness vs. its vehicle, killing for food, story: “The Buffalo's Wife,” buffalo massacre, initiation ritual, rituals diminishing, crime increasing, artists, the Shaman, the center of the world

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9.44

34 votes

#4 - The Message of the Myth

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/22/1988

Creation myths, transcending duality, pairs of opposites, God vs. Nature, sin, morality, participation in sorrow, the Gospel of Thomas, Old Time Religion, computers, religion as “software,” the story of Indra: “What a great boy am I!,” participation in society

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9.02

43 votes

#5 - The Hero's Adventure

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 6/21/1988

About Campbell, hero types, hero deeds, Jesus Christ, the Buddha, movie heroes, Star Wars as a metaphor, an Iroquois story: the refusal of suitors, dragons, dreams and Jungian psychology, “follow your bliss,” consciousness in plants, Gaia, Chartres cathedral, spirituality vs. economics, emerging myths, “Earthrise” as a symbol

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9.00

2 votes

#6 - Masks of Eternity

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 6/26/1988

Identifying with the infinite, the circle as a symbol, clowns and masks, epiphanies and James Joyce, artistic arrest, the monstrous as sublime, the dance of Shiva, that which is beyond words

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