One of the oldest storytelling structures that have gained centuries and cultures would be the Hero's Journey. It was first published by Joseph Campbell in the book The Hero with a Thousand Faces in 1949 and has since cemented its place of respect within the adventure cinema paradigm. From ancient mythologies to movie blockbusters, the Hero's Journey will always remain entertaining as universal themes of change, victory, and self-understanding are put forth. As we move in this blog, let's see what the classic adventure films brought to our lives and shaped film archetypes, through the very inspiring influence on mythological themes in cinemas.
Joseph Campbell's work on the Hero's Journey, also called the "monomyth," revolutionized the way in which people considered similarities between various mythologies. He observed that most of the world's great stories have something in common. Such stories typically follow a pattern in which a hero embarks on an adventure, meets with trials, acquires wisdom, and returns home changed. This structure called the Hero's Journey, is more than a plot template-it's a map of personal growth and enlightenment that deeply resonates with human experience.
Campbell identified 17 stages in the Hero's Journey, but they are commonly divided into three broad acts: Departure, Initiation, and Return. Each of these acts is supposed to take the protagonist through a deep personal transformation. Adventure is a natural genre for the Hero's Journey framework because it involves external and internal challenges.
Every big hero begins his journey with a call to adventure. The call could be an external threat, a chance encounter, or an internal urge for something greater. Frodo Baggins, in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), receives his call to adventure when he is entrusted with the One Ring. Likewise, in Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark 1981, Indiana Jones gets abducted for a quest with regard to finding some relic. These are summons by invitation to go into some unknown world out of their ordinary world.
At the beginning of the journey, the hero usually hesitates or declines the call. This step is a manifestation of the inner conflict most of us feel when faced with a challenge or change. Frodo is unwilling to leave his peaceful life in the Shire, and Indiana Jones is resistant to the idea of running after the Ark. It is at this point of doubt that the hero shows vulnerability and his consciousness of the risks ahead.
No hero embarks on his journey alone. Many classic adventure films have a hero meeting a mentor who provides guidance, wisdom, or tools that will help him on his journey. In Star Wars: A New Hope (1977), Luke Skywalker meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who introduces him to the Force and helps him understand his role in the galaxy. In The Lord of the Rings, Gandalf similarly is a mentor to Frodo. All these mentors signify wisdom being passed on through generations. They stand as lights at the end of tunnels so that heroes understand their power.
Crossing that threshold of strange new worlds means, for them to pass that point of no return. This is the place where beloved people stay behind for any reason. This is shown in the film, Lion King (1994). It is through the departure of Simba from his home, in connection with his father, Mufasa's death. A crossing of the threshold signals an entry into another realm characterized by challenges, dangers, and change.
In the middle of their expedition, the hero experiences many difficulties that challenge the hero's will and ability. On this journey, they meet friends who assist them in achieving their goal while meeting enemies, who frustrate their pursuit. In the movie Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), Indy faces physical tests, riddles, as well as opponents while interacting with his friends, especially his father, Henry Jones Sr. These are crucial trials that will determine the growth of the hero and make them face weaknesses to rise above them.
At the climax, the hero is supposed to face his greatest fear or complete the most important task. Such a period normally has a time of crisis or reflection. It can be clearly demonstrated during the climactic moments when Harry Potter and his friends reach the entrance point of the secret chamber containing the Philosopher's Stone in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001). "Inmost cave" indicates the last thing the hero has to do before the hero completes his goal.
The ordeal is the ultimate challenge of the hero, where usually the enemies stand before a life-or-death challenge, symbolizing how much they have fought from within. In The Matrix (1999), Neo clashes with Agent Smith in a last stand, which is an end to his transformation from an ordinary man to becoming "The One." However, the ordeal is sometimes a psychological confrontation, because it makes the hero overcome their fears, doubts, and limitations.
After the hero has emerged from the ordeal, he earns a reward, either in an object, in knowledge, or a sense of inner peace. That is when the hero gets his rewards for fighting. In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo's reward was not only that he had destroyed the One Ring but also that he had gained knowledge about friendship, sacrifice, and courage.
It shows a road that marks the beginning of hero going back towards the ordinary world. However, in many movies, it is usually not simple since there typically are several obstacles or inhibitions that make way for him to take a step on his own in order to arrive at it. In this case in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey released in 2012 Bilbo Baggins finishes off traveling on the rest of the journey home to Shire by experience. Here, also comes the similarity with destination.
This final test is the resurrection, where he must prove he has transformed. This usually occurs as a symbolic death and rebirth, in which the hero faces the last test of his newfound wisdom or strength. The Dark Knight (2008) is an example, in which Batman has to confront the Joker and eventually redefine his role as a hero and symbol of hope for Gotham City.
Finally, the hero gets back to his home bearing something that will benefit not only his community but the whole world. The elixir could be anything ranging from knowledge to a piece of an object or a lesson he learned on that journey. In The Wizard of Oz (1939), Dorothy returns to Kansas with new knowledge about her home and reliance on herself. The return with the elixir means that the journey the hero undergoes is, in fact, a transformation for everybody around them as well.
The Hero's Journey will always remain the foundation of any adventure cinema. It gives filmmakers a powerful set of tools to craft some story of personal growth, transformation, and triumph. One might consider Star Wars; or, more recently, The Lord of the Rings trilogy as examples of successful stories based on the Hero’s Journey. This not only entertains but delves deeper in the process of adventure movies as one progresses through stages of self-discovery, courage, and finally, an eternal battle of good and evil. This is sure to last till the filmmaking era that continues to tap on timelessness, archetypes, and mythological themes where the Hero's Journey stays right at the heart of every story being told.
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