The aim of the current series of posts is to do a kind of summary of the Theosophical influence on popular culture, a somewhat ambiguous and speculative undertaking. As such, the following list is almost entirely comprised of films written about in previous posts, therefore no film lists were consulted, and again, rather subjectively conditioned by my personal tastes. Nonetheless, perhaps it can give a respectable snapshot of the variety of Theosophical ideas and themes that have entered into the mainstream culture to a certain extent.
To give a more objective perspective, some Theosophically-influenced properties from a list of highest grossing media franchises: 5-Star Wars 70b; 10-Marvel C U 35; 11-HarryPotter 32 (C. Vablatsky); 28-Neon Genesis Evangelion 16.6; 40-Sailor Moon 14.3; 47- Warcraft 11.7 (Atlantis); 66-X-Men 7.78; Other lists mention: Indiana Jones, The Matrix, Twilight, DC, Marvel, Astro Boy
ultimatepopculture.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_h
Shangri-La, inspired by the Tibetan legends of Shambhala, became a popular notion in society, starting with the success of James Hilton novel, Lost Horizon, inspiring film adaptations, songs, conferences, numerous academic studies, and a Tibetan village even adopted the name.
7 Oscar noms, won 2, art direction, editing.
Notorious 1973 remake actually did well, a cult classic
2- When You Were Born (1938) William C. McGann
An astrologer uses astrology charts to solve a murder case. Script by Manly P. Hall, who had Theosophcial connections. Several important astrologers were Theosophists.
Stars first Asian movie star Anna May Wong. It's a cool film.
Based on L. Frank Baum novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Baum was a Theosophical Society member in Chicago.
5 Oscar noms, won 2, best score, song
Return to Oz, also quite well done.
4- The Song of Bernadette (1943) Henry King
Blavatsky
wrote about the case of the healing waters of Lourdes briefly, (Isis Unveiled 2, 578–580) but in a way that gives an interesting perspective on the film. Moreover, if one looks at the details of the
case, there could be indications that there is some kind of Bodhisattvic
esoteric involvement, although this is not specified by Blavatsky.
12 Oscar noms. Won 4.
5- It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Frank Capra
There is a Theosophical doctrine that each soul is connected to a more advanced soul, whose progress is connected to the progress of the earth-bound soul, whom it can potentially assist. Hence, this story can work as an accurate Theosophical allegory.
The writer was an Edgar Allen Poe specialist.
6 Oscar noms. Won 1.
Blavatsky had Neoplatonic interests, including the Pythagorean musical aspects. Muse of dancing Terpsichore is not pleased with irreverent American
musical about the Muses, so she joins the cast to get them to tweak the
script. Basis for cult classic, Xanadu, Olivia Newton-John, 1980, hit
soundtrack
Kissed by the Muse of RollerDisco: Utopia vs the Golden Ages of America, Hollywood, & Classical Myth in Xanadu, Meredith E. Safran
7-
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Stanley Kubrick
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| 2001: A Space Odyssey |
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Stanley Kubrick
Ancient Aliens concepts, mysticism & primordial moon resonate with Theosophy
4 Oscar noms, 1 win, visual effects
Childhood's End, Arthur C. Clarke, theosophically influenced?
8- Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) Mel Stuart
Seems to have intriguing spiritual symbolism
Mel Stuart: “a complex morality tale,... it is also the story of a quest”. With a popular mention of the seven deadly sins among Christian interpretations, which is often a mystical concept, an esoteric, gnostic aspect could also be pointed out, perhaps influenced by The Wizard of Oz, with the initiatory labyrinth design of the sets. ''What are they? - Rainbow drops. Suck 'em and you can spit in seven different colours.'' The fact that Gene Wilder had connections with the Theosophical Society in his youth perhaps make the use of a Theosophical interpretative model more permissible.
Dante comparison, valid IMO, 2m
9- The Wiz (1978) Sydney Lumet
Besides the L. Frank Baum connection, there is also the Afro-Futurism connection, of whom Sun Ra was a pioneer, and he included Blavatsky on his reading list in a course he taught at Berkeley University.
4 Oscar noms.
10- Hair (1979) Milos Forman
Proclaimed the age of Aquarius, of which Blavatsky was an early signaller, to a mainstream public with panache.
2 Golden Globe noms.
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| The Empire Strikes Back |
The force (and dark side), Jedi Knights, Psychic powers & training, Taoist & Buddhist elements, all resonate with Theosophy- Blavatsky used the term 'Sky-walker'
4 Oscar noms, 2 wins, sound, effects
12- Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Steven Spielberg
Point Loma Theosophist Talbot Mundy's exotic adventuer Jimgrim similarities with Indiana Jones. Once wrote about Ark of the Covenant in a pulp letters page.
9 Oscar noms. 5 wins
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| Raiders of the Lost Ark |
With what people know now about Theosophical role in Indian independence, maybe Blavatsky would get a nod, Besant casted. Nehru was a Theosophist.
11 Oscar noms. Won 8. Picture, director, actor
14- A Passage to India (1984) David Lean
E. M. Forster (1879 – 1970)- Howard’s End reflects Besant-era Theosophists Schlegel sisters interest in theosophy, socialism, feminism, & egalitarianism-Bloosmbury group, Virginia Woolf
A Passage to India see Nakamichi
11 Oscar noms, 2 wins, supporting actress, score.
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| A Passage to India |
15- Return to Oz (1985) Walter Murch
Quite a serious attempt at adapting L. Frank Baum's original novels.
1 Oscar nom.
16- Akira (1988) Katsuhiro Otomo
I
think that the parapsychology elements and the social context of the
story setting can make for a decent Theosophical allegory concerning the dangers of developing psychic powers without the proper ethical education. An interesting example of parallels between the Cyberpunk genre and Theosophy.
17- Dracula (1992) Francis Ford Coppola
Blavatsky & top 12 Theosophical films
10- Dracula (1992) Francis Ford Coppola
Bram Stoker had connections with late 19th c. occult scene & Theosophists, novel reflects esoteric themes of the time
4 Oscar noms, 3 wins, costume
storre.stir.ac.uk/bitstream/1893
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| Kundun |
18- Kundun (1997) Martin Scorcese
The Theosophical Society has been a consistent supporter of Tibetan Buddhism in the west and the current Dalai Lama since his escape into exile.
4 Oscar noms
19- What Dreams May Come (1998) Vincent Ward
In the original novel, writer Richard Matheson references some Theosophical works on reincarnation.
2 Oscar noms, 1 win.
Perhaps the matrix corresponds to the Theosophical astral plane. The theme of a mystical secret society engaged in helpful deeds further strengthens the idea of The Matrix as a Theosophical occult thriller. The core plot seems similar to a Sailor Moon anime, which also appears to contain Theosophical themes, such as astrology.
Matrix is a term used in Blavatsky's The Secret Doctrine: "The expansion “from within without” of the
Mother, called elsewhere the “Waters of Space,” “Universal Matrix,” etc., … '' (SD1, 62).
4 Oscar noms, 4 wins.
21- Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
A lot of the pop culture tropes about Atlantis seem inspired by Theosophical ideas, and this film is no exception. Quite a cool movie.
It would seem that the comprehensive world view of cosmic creation, vast time lines, progressive cycles, lost civilizations and continents was a significant inspiration for the world building propensities of fantasy literature. Tolkien's Numenor seems inspired by the Atlantis theories sparked by Theosophy, and the general historical process seems to have Theosophically-inspired elements.
13 Oscar noms. Won 4.
23- Agora (2009) Alejandro Amenábar
Blavatsky was interested in Neoplatonism, including Hypatia.
13 Goya noms. Won 7.
24- The Lost City of Z (2016) James Gray
Well-received true story of English explorer Percy Fawcett, who had unorthodox Neo-Theosophical views that inspired his expeditions. His brother had worked with Blavatsky's circle.
The mystical pop culture roots of the film has garnered considerable commentary.
26- The Eternals (2021) Chloé Zhao
The original comic book series was a tour de force of Jack Kirby's pet Theosophical pop culture themes. Kirby was an avid reader of science fiction pulp magazines,
who used a wide array of Theosophical concepts throughout his career:
supernatural phenomena, psychic powers, alternate realities/dimensions,
mythology,
alternate/cyclical history, lost civilizations, ancient aliens,
transhuman
evolution, secret societies- good and bad, and the science/magic
overlap. The film had a mixed critical and commercial reception and the planned sequel has been suspended. However, it has developed a cult following in social media vectors.
27- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) Destin Daniel Cretton
The original comic book featured characters created by Sax Rohmer. In Rohmer's Romance of Sorcery, 1914, there is a chapter devoted to Blavatsky. The Rohmer characters have been dropped, but the film probably has more mystical elements that are closer to Rohmer's original Fu Manchu occult thriller series.
1 Oscar nom.
The film guest-stars Namor, or Kukulcan. Namor's creator Bill Everett mentioned the Pseudo-Theosophy pastiche, A Dweller on Two Planets in an interview. Namor became associated with Atlantis in 1962, replaced by Talokan in the film, which fits well with Blavatsk's early account of Atlantis.
4 Oscar noms, 1 win.
29- Sailor Moon Cosmos (2023)
A pop culture Theosophical cosmological allegory? Concepts include the eternity of the world; cyclical concept of time; creation, preservation & destruction Trimurti; reincarnation; karma; spiritual evolution ; primordial moon
The film features a golden gate with mystical properties. Through the Gates of Gold is a classic Theosophical spiritual text that takes up this traditional symbol.
Oscar for best animated film.
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