Alchemical Films

[Ghislain]

If you want the answers to Alchemy I think this is the film

John Dies At The End [video link broken]

Ghislain

 

[JDP]

Disney's 1981 film Dragonslayer (IMO the best dragon-themed movie ever made) has no less than 3 scenes with references to transmutation, which I think is a record:

1- Ulrich the sorcerer tells his apprentice Galen that he actually saw a guy named "Balizarius" (or "Balatherius", or something to the effect) turn lead into gold, and laments that he could never do that.

2- Ulrich's servant is trying to conceal his master's "magical ashes" from Galen, who jokingly teases him: "What have you got there, Hodge?... Some gold, eh? What do you say I turn it into lead?" (alchemical humor, brilliant! I don't recall any other movie having alchemical jokes.)

3- After King Casiodorus gains possession of Galen's amulet, he and one of his advisers try to use it to turn lead bars into gold, but the amulet refuses to obey and instead burns the palm of his hand.


Not having to do with alchemy, but yet another of the many great scenes in this movie: when Tyrian (masterfully played by the late John Hallam) confronts Ulrich (also masterfully played by the also late Sir Ralph Richardson) and those who seek his "magical" help without requesting proof of such claims first. A very poignant comment on the claims and "deeds" of magicians/sorcerers/necromancers. A nice short lesson in skepticism and critical thinking.

 

[Cyrano]

HUDSON HAWK,starring Bruce Willis

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_Hawk

Old hyronic\comic film,but entirely turning around a device invented by Leonardo Da Vinci,able to to trasmute lead into gold using solar rays...

 

[Ghislain]

Waking Life

A man shuffles through a dream meeting various people and discussing the meanings and purposes of the universe in animation.

[video link broken]

Not sure if the link above will work for everyone, but it worked for me...in my dream

Ghislain

 

[Aham]

Hi G, the link took me to the site that re-directed me to another site and then tried to get me to click ok to print something on my printer and when I hit cancel, had my laptop make an annoying beeping sound... Would not recommend people to click on that link.

I do appreciate you trying to help

 

[black]

For those that like a story about Vampires, Witches, Blood and a whisper
about Alchemy.

 

[Andro]

Quote from episode 3:

"Alchemy exists to transform mortals from a state of suffering to enlightenment."

 

[black]

Hello Mr. Andro

Always good to hear from you.

Quote from episode 3:

"Alchemy exists to transform mortals from a state of suffering to enlightenment."

This is such a very interesting quote indeed and probably runs deeper
than my understanding allows.

Most people believe that Alchemy gives us Wealth, Health and Longevity.

But .... with those 3 gifts I can see that the "State of Suffering" may be
Greatly Reduced so we can then pursue the path of Enlightenment.

Do you think there could be more to it than this ?

 

[Michael Sternbach]

Hello Mr. Andro

Always good to hear from you.



This is such a very interesting quote indeed and probably runs deeper
than my understanding allows.

Most people believe that Alchemy gives us Wealth, Health and Longevity.

But .... with those 3 gifts I can see that the "State of Suffering" may be
Greatly Reduced so we can then pursue the path of Enlightenment.

Do you think there could be more to it than this ?

In my view, your statement is not wrong, although things are a little more sophisticated in reality. From a certain perspective, the Philosopher's Stone stands for an attainment that heals and transcends those things humans are typically suffering from, both externally and internally.

You will even find continued mental focus on the Stone to be helpful in this regard, whether it will be physically in your possession one day or not. And that's part of Alchemy's fascination.

Thus, rather than being a prerequisite for something else (although it could conceivably serve such a purpose as well), the Stone is more of an answer in its own right. It could even be said to be the ultimate answer to what is sometimes called 'the human condition' - which now you will be able to look beyond.

Or the way the last plate of the Mutus Liber puts it with unsurmountable conciseness:

Occulatus abis.

And the Alchemical process is itself the way to get to that state.

 

[Florius Frammel]

From a certain perspective, the Philosopher's Stone stands for an attainment that heals and transcends those things humans are typically suffering from, both externally and internally.

One could argue that to some the stone, or it's symbol in one's mind seems to be like a very suitable and nourishing surface for one's very own projections, which indeed can have similarities of what others may project on or in it.

Some non-alchemists for example project their personal yearnings on the grail, or a new love affair, which can basically be the same process and doesn't necessarily has much to do with the stone at first sight.

BTW Michael, your inbox is full since quite some time now

 

[Michael Sternbach]

One could argue that to some the stone, or it's symbol in one's mind seems to be like a very suitable and nourishing surface for one's very own projections, which indeed can have similarities of what others may project on or in it.

Some non-alchemists for example project their personal yearnings on the grail, or a new love affair, which can basically be the same process and doesn't necessarily has much to do with the stone at first sight.

BTW Michael, your inbox is full since quite some time now

In his (for readers of German) very recommendable book Unsere 6 Dimensionale Welt: Wissenschaftsverständnis von Magie, Mystik und Alchemie, Illobrand von Ludwiger indeed suggests that the Philosopher's Stone is imprinted with the 'projections' of its manufacturer.

Inbox partially cleared.

 

[black]

the Philosopher's Stone is imprinted with the 'projections' of its manufacturer.

When I see post like this I wish I could read German.

It makes me wonder how this would effect the workings of The Stone.

Did he write anything else about this ?

 

[Michael Sternbach]

When I see post like this I wish I could read German.

It makes me wonder how this would effect the workings of The Stone.

Did he write anything else about this ?

As far as I remember, there was some more, but it was years ago that I read this, so I better look up what he said exactly.

I might be too busy for that the next few days, but I will get back to you soon.

 

[black]

As far as I remember, there was some more, but it was years ago that I read this, so I better look up what he said exactly.

I might be too busy for that the next few days, but I will get back to you soon.

Thank you Michael, no rush and greatly appreciated.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Love Potion No. 9 (1992)

An interesting use of the Stone to attract the opposite sex.

 

[Michael Sternbach]

Love Potion No. 9 (1992)

An interesting use of the Stone to attract the opposite sex.

I am not quite sure if the protagonists actually use THE Stone to that end - but based on the trailer I found, the movie sure looks fun! Thanks for sharing, I will seek that one out when the opportunity arises.

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Bobby G. Can't Swim (1999)

 

[Uncle Scrooge]

Skeletor Becomes God aka Becoming the Philosopher's Stone

 

[Dendritic Xylem]

I got a strong Alchemical Spiritism vibe from the sequel to The Shining...Doctor Sleep.
Especially if you follow the Spiritus Mundi, Life Force, and Astral Projection concepts.

 

[Awani]

Watch this film. It has no dialogue. It doesn't need it. It is amazing. And the craft incredible.

 

[black]

A Discovery of Witches Season 2 is now released.

For those that like a story about Vampires, Witches, Blood and a whisper
about Alchemy.

 

[Awani]

A lot could be said about this one... but instead of me rambling about it, just watch it.

 

[Michael Sternbach]

This dude presents a plethora of reviews on classical Hermetic and Kabbalistic texts on his YouTube channel, including Alchemical ones. Here's a sample: a 42 minutes video dedicated to Geber's Summa Perfectionis.

 

[Christophorus]

This dude presents a plethora of reviews on classical Hermetic and Kabbalistic texts on his YouTube channel, including Alchemical ones. Here's a sample: a 42 minutes video dedicated to Geber's Summa Perfectionis.

Esoterica is a good channel. I like the approach they have. Thanks, Michael.

Today I found the channel Nicolas Flamel while I was looking for a specific subject.
I saw there this movie: Le secret des Alchimistes, with Robert Delvar and Bernard Biebel. Good information there, regarding the dry path. You can get an overview of all in the first smaller video (Around 20 minutes) or see the complete one at the second link and other channel 1h24min.

At last:
the 1943 movie Paracelsus from G.W. Pabst

And... that's all folks!

 

[Christophorus]

Just saw "Don't look up".

The parallels with the current reality of the world are immense.
And sometimes a global INRI is the way to go.