Houses of Mystery

Houses of Mystery, a two-volume set on cathedrals and pyramids, leads off with Cathedrals, which takes us on a tour of some of Europe's most magnificent cathedrals and explains some of the structural and symbolic characteristics found in gothic architecture. Why are cathedrals built to resemble ships? When did the use of vaults become commonplace? Why are gargoyles used in the statuary that surrounds the cathedrals? Some other interesting topics explored include the influences of paganism and the Templars, and how stained glass was used to teach Bible stories to an illiterate society during the Middle Ages. Interviews with Dr. J. Michael Stitt from University of Nevada, Las Vegas provide the historical background, and while the photography is very good, and the wide array of featured cathedrals helps hold viewer interest, there are occasional glitches in the sound and the narrator's voice lacks inflection. My biggest problem with this film , however, is the lack of credentials. Where did this information come from? What sources were used? Why was only one "academic" interviewed? What is his background? It would have been nice to see a more rounded program, including viewpoints from, perhaps, a historian, theologian, architect, artist, or professor of the humanities to ties things together. Optional. The second volume, The Pyramids (not seen), looks at Egypt's magnificent tombs. (L. Stevens)