DVD







World Religions: Volume 1
MANY PATHS

Elda Hartley invites you to travel the globe and view through her camera lens the endlessly varied and vibrant pastiche of religious rituals practiced throughout the world. During the 1970s and 80s, this award-winning filmmaker created documentaries on a number of the world’s great religions that will open your eyes to the extraordinary differences and the striking similarities among individuals of different faiths. Seven engaging documentaries for just $24.95!

HF5001-DVD

 

 

Requiem for a Faith

Renowned world religions scholar Huston Smith (The Religions of Man) travels to Tibet in Requiem for a Faith to provide moving commentary that accompanies filmmaker Elda Hartley's remarkable images of this profoundly mystical culture.

Hartley preserves the images of spirituality - the fluttering prayer flags, the lavishly colorful artwork and dance, the monks engaged in lively debate. Smith's meditation offers a comprehensive overview of the Tibetan belief system, from its deep compassion and densely populated spirit world, to the role of the Dalai Lama and the many methods used in the journey towards enlightenment.

This award-winning film provides a rare glimpse of hypnotic chanting ceremonies of the Tibetan Buddhist monks, who use a chanting technique so unusual that modern science has yet to understand it. Requiem for a Faith is a moving portrait of a society "that is so close to the sky, the natural occupation of its people is to pray."

". . . beautiful, well-made film, documents carefully many aspects of Lamaism. Among many interesting sequences the most impressive is the chanting in chords by these monks."
- Educational Screen and A/V Guide
 

Completed: 1979

Running Time: 30 Minutes

Producer/Director: Elda Hartley

Buddhism: The Path to Enlightenment

Buddhism: The Path to Enlightenment follows Buddha from his princely birth through years of wandering, during which he was dependent on the charity of others.

As he searched during his journey for answers to life's questions, Buddha discovered that the path to enlightenment was for him both ego-shattering and life-redeeming.

"Intellectually and spiritually challenging."
- Henry Littlefield, Amherst College

Completed: 1978
Running Time:
35 minutes

Islamic Mysticism: The Sufi Way

It is said that while a Muslim prays five times a day, the Sufi prays without ceasing. This film, shot by Elda Hartley, captures the Sufi quest for deeper meaning in all things, and includes entrancing footage of Whirling Dervishes, endlessly circling in search of God.

Shot in magnificent Islamic architectural settings from Morocco to Turkey to India, Islamic Mysticism: The Sufi Way provides a window into the rigorous Sufi schedule of prayer, fasting and study.

Professor Huston Smith, renowned scholar of world religions and author of A History of Man, adds commentary as the camera takes an in-depth look at this gentle, mystical branch of Islam.

"This is the finest film I have seen on any aspect of Islam. A really stunning film with exceptional spiritual impact."
- Prof. R. Garon, Philosophy Dept. SUNY, Albany

Christian Mysticism and the Monastic Life

Christian Mysticism and the Monastic Life

The serenity of the monastic life is beautifully illustrated in this film through words handed down from the great Christian mystics, through music, and through exquisite photography of awe-inspiring cathedrals and monasteries in Europe and North America.

Scenes in Christian Mysticism and the Monastic Life of monks gardening, milking cows, and in solemn chapel prayer illustrate in a vivid way the belief that contemplation and work are paths to God.

Completed:
1978
Running Time:
21 minutes
Producer:
Elda Hartley

Narrator: Gordon Gould

"It's a perfectly beautiful film, imparting the peace and passion of the Man of God. It provides breathtaking views of Europe's massive cathedrals and the great monasteries of both Europe and America - A lovely experience".
- Probe

Stairways to the Mayan Gods with Joseph Campbell

This compelling film explores the mysteries and the grand achievements of the Mayan civilization through a journey to its ceremonial centers.

Master Mayan astronomers and mathematicians created cities of extraordinary pyramids and palaces. Joseph Campbell, world-renowned scholar of mythology, provides eloquent commentary on the Mayan images and sacred sites filmed by Elda Hartley in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.

He also considers the cultural impact of Christian colonization on the religious life of formerly Mayan peoples.

Campbell writes: "The memory of the [Mayan] folk is long. Their dances and their Christian prayers to this day carry echoes of the festivals of the Gods that taught their ancestors. Can it be that as trees cut down send up second shoots, so in this simple rite on the rising steps it is the same Maya worship that ascends and the same heart of heaven that hears?"

"A very informative film on the Mayan civilization."
- Los Angeles Public Library System

Running Time:
28 minutes
Producer:
Irving and Elda Hartley
Writer:
Joseph Campbell

Taoism

"Unity at the heart of perpetual change" is the essence of Taoism, according to John Blofeld, renowned author on Chinese culture.

This documentary explores both the ancient origins of Tao philosophy and its ability to coexist with the political agenda set out by today's regime in China.

Viewers can learn the deeper meaning of Yin and Yang, the complementary aspects of the Tao that work for the good of the whole, and find out where the phrase "go with the flow" originated.

Completed:
1981
Running Time:
25 minutes

" - a film that can expand human awareness - excellent coverage of an important subject."
- Los Angeles County Public Library System

The Perennial Philosophy

Some would say that though the liturgy changes, the language differs, and the emphasis varies, at their core, the world's great religions are strikingly similar. It is these similarities that are examined in The Perennial Philosophy, a term coined by Aldous Huxley to describe the common ground of the great world religious traditions.

In this thought-provoking film, writer and director Elda Hartley takes the viewer on a global spiritual journey woven together with words from sacred text and renowned spiritual teachers who articulate with poetry and power the commonalities between Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Taoism.

Completed:
1985
Running Time:
30 minutes
Producer/Director: Elda Hartley

"At a time when creedal fanaticism is rampant and bloodshed in the name of religion is undermining the stability of the world, The Perennial Philosophy speaks importantly in the name of peace, good will and world unity."
- John White, author and educator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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