The Great Year

The subject of this interesting documentary is the belief—widely held in some ancient cultures—that mankind's development is tied to a lengthy “celestial cycle” spanning several millennia and slowly but inexorably influencing civilizations scattered across the globe. Plato called this cycle “the Great Year,” and he was among many philosophers who believed that human progress does not follow a strictly linear path, but instead advances in cyclical patterns—a theory derived from studying the heavens, and one that even today's scientists are unwilling to dismiss outright as pure superstition. In this multiple award-winner (including CINE Golden Eagle and Telly awards), filmmaker Robert Ballo combines interviews with various scientists and historians (who serve up some intriguing speculation based on relatively recent discoveries), animated special effects, a memorable musical score, and narration by the incomparable James Earl Jones, whose stentorian tone lends gravitas and conviction to the material. While many are likely to summarily dismiss the idea of the motions of heavenly bodies somehow governing the course of human events, this is a provocative and entertaining film. Recommended. Aud: P. (E. Hulse)