Film Study: Disney Animated Movies (2nd Golden Age)

Following the poor box office performance of Bambi in 1942 it became quite apparent that the movie business was in decline due to the ongoing conflict of World War II. During this time Walt Disney pumped the breaks on his feature films and produced a variety of patriotic and propaganda films.

The film Victory Through Air Power was an unusual animated documentary that demonstrated Walt's fondness of aviation as well as his support for the country. Also during the war, Disney underwent a Latin American phase with the release of Saludos Amigos and The Three Cabelleros. These films received some Academy recognition however are hardly considered classics.

Following WWII, Disney Studios became understaffed and short on finances. They released a variety of live action films, short stories, and contemporary music films such as Make Mine Music, Song of the South, and Melody Time. Each of these films received some Academy recognition however yet again fell short of the critical acclaim that was achieved in the earlier fairy tales. It was not until 1950 that Disney was able to return to the top of the animation industry with the release of it's feature film, Cinderella. This era of Disney animators, known as the Nine Old Men, produced a string of successful films that went on to become iconic classics.


Cinderella

Release Date: 1950

Authorship: Cinderella by Charles Perrault (published in 1617; French)

Running Time: 75 minutes

Synopsis: Having lost both her parents, Cinderella works as a house-maid for her step-mother who treats her very cruelly. She is bullied by her two step sisters, who are jealous of her beauty. When an opportunity arises to attend a fancy ball hosted by the king, the three young women are excited at the idea of marrying the prince. However the wicked step-mother tells Cinderella she can only go if she finishes an impossible amount of chores and has a suitable dress to wear. Cinderella is able to finish the chores with the help of her mice friends, and re-fashion an old dress wore by her mother. However the dress is destroyed to shreds by her two sisters and Cinderella is left without a dress on the night of the ball. At this point her fairy godmother visits her and is able to magically restore her dress as well as transform her animal friends into coachmen. She arrives to the ball and instantly falls in love with the prince, however she must flee before midnight to return the magical dress. She however leaves her glass slipper behind which the prince is able to recover and search the land for this mysterious woman. The wicked step-mother realizes Cinderella is the mysterious woman and locks her in the attic. However when the prince visits their chateau, Cinderella's mice friends free her from the attic and she tries on the slipper to perfection. The film ends with her marrying the prince and living happily ever after.

Academy Accolades:

• Oscar Nominee for Best Song, "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo"
• Oscar Nominee for Best Music Score by Oliver Wallace
• Oscar Nominee for Best Sound

Songs:

• A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes
• The Cinderella Work Song
• Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo

Significance: This theatrical film helped put Disney back on top and was their most profitable film since Snow White. It was the first film in which the Nine Old Men all worked on together, some of which had worked together on previous Disney films. The film was a success at the box office and also received critical acclaim.

My Review: Yet another classic that I had never seen from beginning-to-end until just this past Christmas. I had Philip, Shawnna, and the kids over for this one to watch and was also working on a Cinderella puzzle at the time. The film is definitely quite dated and no doubt caters more to a feminine viewership. I would consider Cinderella (along with Snow White and Sleeping Beauty) perhaps the most quintessential format of fairy-tale romance. It is a rags-to-riches story where the beautiful fair maiden is able to aspire to something greater and finds a happily-ever-after ending as a princess. This film had some playful songs and magic however could have used a little more conflict in my opinion (even Snow White and Sleeping Beauty faced some proper villains). I still found this film to be quite familiar, and would give it a rating of 7 out of 10.


Alice in Wonderland

Release Date: 1951

Authorship: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol (Published in 1865; British)

Running Time: 75 minutes
Synopsis: A young girl stumbles into the magical world of Wonderland, where she meets many unusual fantasy characters, such as mad hatter, the march hare, the Chesire cat, and a wicked Queen of Hearts. She is able to escape her execution and returns to the door by which she entered the magical land at which point she awakes from what surely was a dream.

Academy Accolades:

• Nominated for Music Score by Oliver Wallace

Significance: The film was somewhat of a financial disappointment upon it's release and received mixed criticism on the portrayal of Lewis Carroll's iconic characters. However the film was later re-released on television and began to grow in popularity during the psychedelic era of the 1960s-1970s. The film was nominated by the Academy for it's musical score.

My Review: I wrote about Lewis Carroll's iconic children's novel last summer and am going to echo those feelings in this review. While I consider the work to be very significant due to it's popularity, I find the material to be far too nonsensical for my taste. The same goes for this adaptation by Disney, which produced some entertaining animated characters but the story simply did not awe-and-inspire. I would give this movie a 5 out of 10 rating.


Peter Pan

Release Date: 1953

Authorship: Peter and Wendy by J.M. Barrie (Published in 1904: British)

Running Time: 76 minutes

Synopsis: The young girl Wendy has a wonderful imagination and tells her younger brothers fantasy stories about pirates. However her father grows frustrated with this and scorns Wendy for being too old for make belief. At nighttime the children are visited by the magical Peter Pan and his fairy Tinkerbell, who teach them how to fly. They journey to Neverland where they encounter pirates, including Peter Pan's arch-nemesis Captain Hook. Whilst Peter Pan must do battle with Captain Hook, he must also convince Wendy that it is alright to never grow up. When Wendy awakens from her dream, she is able to share her experiences on a pirate ship which ultimately settles her father's scorn.

Songs:

• A Pirate's Life
• What Made the Red Man Red?
• Never Smile at a Crocodile

Significance: Similar to Alice in Wonderland this British adaptation received mixed criticism. It also would later receive criticism for it's racial portrayal of the native Americans. The film was the last produced by the RKO Radio Pictures before Disney established his own distribution company. It was not nominated for any Academy Awards.

My Review: I found this movie to be very enjoyable and recently watched it with me nephews and dad over the holidays. I think the message of the story is quite clear and that is to cherish one's childhood. I think the character of Peter Pan, with his rebellious American voice and persona, demonstrated to children and adults alike that it is okay to use one's imagination and stay young at heart forever. I would give this movie a rating of 6 out of 10.


Lady in the Tramp

Release Date: 1955

Authorship: "Happy Dan, the Cynical Dog" screenplay by Ward Greene (American)

Running Time: 76 minutes

Synopsis: A romance between a domesticated dog named Lady and a street dog named Tramp. Lady finds her world turned upside down when her owners plan to have a baby. She finds solace in Tramp the street dog who explains to her that she needs to learn to fend for herself. However Lady is captured and imprisoned in a dog-pound and blames Tramp for the terrible experience. After Lady is released from the pound and returned to her owners she tells Tramp to leave her alone. However later-on a terrible rat threatens the owner's new born child, and Tramp is able to kill the rat and rescue the baby. He is eventually adopted by Lady's owners, and the two have puppies of their own.

Songs:

• Bella Notte
• La La Lu
• The Siamese Cat Song

Significance: Having broke ties with RKO Radio Pictures, this was the first animated film released by Disney's newly established Buena Vista Distribution company. It was also the first animated film shot in widescreen format. The story was conceived by a Cosmopolitan journalist and became a profitable box office success for Disney. Although it was not nominated for any Oscars it is considered today as one of Disney's most famous animated films.

My Review: I remember watching this film as a kid with a fond memory of Lady and the Tramp's past dinner. This romantic scene of the two dogs sharing a plate of spaghetti-and-meatballs at an Italian restaurant has become one of the most iconic scenes in all of Hollywood. I also especially enjoy the scene/song of the mischievous Siamese cats. I consider this film among my top ten all time favorite animated films and would give it a 7 out of 10. 


Sleeping Beauty

Release Date: 1959

Authorship: Sleeping Beauty by Charles Perrault

Running Time: 75 minutes

Synopsis: The King and Queen have a grand ceremony to welcome their new child Princess Aurora, after many infertile years. However the evil fairy Maleficent is insulted that she was not invited to the ceremony and puts a curse on the child on her 16th birthday. Afraid that the curse might become a reality the king and queen send their daughter to hide in the countryside with three good fairies. Aurora grows up to be a beautiful young lady and falls in love with a dashing young prince named Philip. However the evil Maleficent is able to find Aurora and tricks her into touching the spindle of a spinning wheel that sends Aurora into a deep spell. Maleficent also abducts the Prince Philip so that he cannot break the spell of the sleeping beauty. The three good fairies realize Maleficent has kidnapped Philip and courageously are able to free him from her castle. Philip must then defeat the wicked Maleficent who has transformed into a dragon with a magical sword and shield. Philip is victorious in killing Maleficent and is able to break the curse of the sleeping beauty by kissing Aurora.

Academy Accolades:

• Nominated for Music Score by George Burns

Songs:

• Once Upon a Dream
• I Wonder

Significance: It was the most expensive Disney animated film of it's time and led to financial losses and layoffs at Disney studios. It was the last fairy tale story until Disney studios released to this genre in 1989 with the release of Little Mermaid. This was the first of many Disney musical scores composed by George Burns. His musical score and the theme song, "Once Upon a Dream" is based off of Tchaikovsky's ballet, Sleeping Beauty. The film received mixed reception upon it's release and did not acheive it's iconic status until many years later.

My Review: I had not seen this film from beginning-to-end until just a couple months ago and consider it one of the three classic Disney fairy tale princess stories (with Snow White and Cinderella). One thing I was most impressed with in this story was the wicked element of Maleficent, who was able to transcend the story from fairy tale to a dramatic fantasy. The climatic scene in which Maleficent turns into a dragon and the courageous Philip must defeat her to save the princess is the quintessential stuff of an epic-romantic-fantasy. I found the dramatic fantasy element of this film to be quite entertaining and overall would give this classic a 7 out of 10.


One Hundred and One Dalmatians

Release Date: 1961

Authorship: The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Doddie Smith (published in 1956; British)

Running Time: 79 minutes

Synopsis: A couple with two dalmatian dogs have 15 puppies and are approached by a former associate, Cruella De Vil who wants to buy the puppies. The owners do not trust Cruella however and refuse to sell her the puppies. She later hires some henchmen to kidnap the puppies as she intends to use them for fur coats. The puppies are brought to Curella's estate that houses 84 other puppies that have been kidnapped. Meanwhile the owners and parents of the puppies enlist all the help they can get to find their missing puppies. The puppies are eventually freed by a street cat, a mouse, a horse, and a sheepdog named Colonel. Cruella de Vil is defeated and the owners adopt all the puppies and raise all 101 of them on a farm.

Songs:

• Cruella deVille Song

Significance: The film was a success at the box office and became quite profitable for Disney as it was produced on a rather low budget. Although it did not receive any Oscar nominations it still received favorable reviews.

My Review: I found this film to be quite entertaining, and do remember watching it as a kid. It has the typical Disney elements of good-natured talking animals (however is somewhat lacking in musical songs.) I did enjoy the urban setting of London where the bachelor songwriter finds a female mate, and together they raise their family in an apartment. Perhaps the most iconic character from the movie is the villainous Cruela de Vil. I would give this movie an overall rating of 6 out of 10.


The Sword in the Stone

Release Date: 1963

Authorship: The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White (Published in 1938; British)

Running Time: 79 minutes

Synopsis: A young orphan named Arthur is discovered by the magical wizard Merlin and is taught in the arts of magic. Merlin takes him on various adventures which include transforming into a fish and a bird, and later doing battle with the wicked witch Mim. Arthur later joins his foster father and brother to a jousting tournament in London. When Arthur misplaces his brother's sword, he searches all over town to find a replacement. He finds a sword sitting in a stone and is able to pull it out, much to the surprise of all the townspeople. The sword is a magical sword in which whomever pulls it out of the rock is to rule over England. Arthur is thus chosen as the rightful king of England and keeps Merlin nearby as his counselor.

Academy Accolades:

• Nominated for Music Score by George Burns

Songs:

• That's What Makes the World go Round
• The Most Befuddling Thing
• Mad Madam Mim

Significance: It was a success at the box office yet received mixed criticism for it's heavy dose of humor and lack of dramatic quality. This was the first of many Disney films in which the Sherman Brothers wrote songs for. The music score composed by George Burns was nominated for an Oscar.

My Review: I enjoyed watching this film as a kid and found it's humorous use of magic to be quite entertaining. It had some elements of a classic Disney fairy tale; a young hero in a medieval setting aided by a powerful wizard, however was lacking in any significant romance or drama. The wicked witch Mim, was an antagonist of note, however to whimsical and brief to be considered a proper villain. All-in-all this film had a light and humorous tone to it, of which I would give an overall rating of 6 out of 10.


The Jungle Book

Release Date: 1967

Authorship: The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (Published in 1894; British)

Running Time: 78 minutes

Synopsis: A baby child named Mowgli, is abandoned and under the guidance of a black panther Bagheera, is adopted by a pack of wolves. Mowgli is raised by wolves and learns how to survive and fend for himself in the deep jungles of India. However he is later discovered by an evil man-eating Bengal tiger named Shere-Khan and must find refuge. The wolves agree that Mowgli must leave the jungle and find a human village for his own safety. He is escorted by Bagheera, however the two are later separated after a fight and Mowgli meets and befriends a sloth bear named Baloo. Mowgli and Baloo establish a fun-loving, laid-back lifestyle and Baloo promises Mowgli he will look after him and that he does not have to return to the man-village. However Mowgli is later kidnapped by a group of monkeys and after he escapes has another fight with Baloo. He must later confront Shere-Khan with the help of vultures and Baloo. At the end Baloo and Bagheera escort Mowgli to the man village, and all agree that it is in everyone's best interest.

Academy Accolades:

• Nominated for Best Song, "The Bare Necessities" by Terry Gilkyson

Songs:

• Trust in Me
• Colonel Hathi's March
• The Bare Necessities
• I Wan'na be Like You
• That's What Friends are For
• My Own Home

Significance: This was the last film Walt Disney produced before his death at the age of 66. It was an instant box office success and celebrated for it's popular music soundtrack written by the Sherman Brothers. The famous iconic song of "Bear Necessities" written by Terry Gilkyson, was nominated for an Oscar. The film become one of Disney's most profitable releases of it's time, much ado to the recent passing of the innovator himself Walt Disney.

My Review: I found this film to have a good balance of light-tone humor with also some more mature dramatic tones. The young Mowgli lives a very free-spirited life in the jungle with his animal friends but must accept that he does not belong there. The wicked tiger Shere-Khan serves as a proper villain that drives the plot. It is thru this conflict that Mowgli is able to overcome his fears and with the help of his friends find a safer life. I especially enjoy the songs I Wan'na Be Like You and of course Bear Necessities which has become a theme song at the Indianapolis Indians games. I would consider this among the Disney classic animated films and would give it a 6 out of 10.


The Aristocats

Release Date: 1970

Authorship: The Aristocats screenplay by Tom McGowan and Tom McRowe (American)

Running Time: 79 minutes

Synopsis: Set in 1910 Paris a wealthy madam decrees to hand over her fortune to her Duchess cat and three kittens. Much to the dismay of her loyal butler, he is to be 2nd in line for her inheritance, behind the cats. Infuriated by this insult the butler decides to abandon the cats deep in the countryside. There the cats meet a feral cat named O'Malley who helps them return to Paris. O'Malley demonstrates to the fancy cats the free-spirited jazzy side of life. However the Duchess and her kittens chose to return to their madam. The butler however insistent to receive the madam's inheritance places the cats in a package to be shipped to Timbuktu. However the house moues informs O'Malley of his evil plot, who in turn brings forth his gang of cats to fight off the wicked butler. In the end the butler is sent of to Timbuktu and O'Malley is adopted to live in the madam's estate with Duchess and her kittens. 

Songs:

• Scales and Arpeggios
• Thomas O'Malley Cat
• Ev'rybody Wants to be a Cat

Significance: The film performed well at the box office and with critical reception. Although it was not nominated for any Oscars it is considered one of Disney's more successful classics. The song "Ev'rybody Wants to be a Cat" has become an iconic Disney melody.

My Review: Just like Jungle Book, I found this film to have a good balance of humor with drama. Like many Disney films it consists of talking animals as the driving characters, where the butler plays a proper villain. I also enjoyed the setting of Paris both the urban side as well as the countryside. The playful tune of "Ev'rybody Wants to be a Cat" was a favorite of mine as a kid. I would give this film an overall rating of 6 out of 10.


Robin Hood

Release Date: 1973

Authorship: The Legend of Robin Hood (British)

Running Time: 83 minutes

Synopsis: The wicked Prince John has levied a harsh tax on the townspeople of Nottingham. Robin Hood the fox and his companion Little John the bear go on an escapade to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Robin Hood later takes part in an archery contest to win a kiss from the lovely Maid Marian. However the Sheriff of Nottingham discover the Robin Hood is the villain they are after and a battle ensues. Robin Hood, Little John, Maid Marian, and their friends are able to escape to a nearby forest and make a mockery of Prince John. Infuriated by the townspeople's mockery Prince John triples his tax which sends the town into a severe depression. All those who cannot pay the tax are arrested by the sheriff of Nottingham. Robin and Little John devise a plan to free the prisoners and steal all of prince John's money. A battle ensues within the kingdom walls and Robin Hood and Little John are able to escape with all the money and prisoners. King Richard later returns to England and has Little John arrested, while Robin Hood and Maid Marian get married.

Academy Accolades:

• Nominated for Best Song, "Love" by George Burns 

Songs:

• Whistle Stop
• Oo De Lally
• Love

Significance: The film was yet another box office success with positive reception. This was voice actor, Phil Harris' third return to a Disney film, having voiced the characters of Baloo the Bear, O'Malley the Cat, and Little John. This was also George Burns 4th Oscar nomination for a musical score and his last contribution to Disney films.

My Review: I remember watching and enjoying this film as a kid. I loved the British medieval setting and the rebellious hero of Robin Hood. I also found the romantic element between Robin Hood and Maid Marian to be quite special, especially with it's song, "Love". The story had a great balance of humor and dramatic quality which I believe are essential Disney animated films. These are the types of stories both children and adults can enjoy together. This one has a very nostalgic value to me and I feel it is one of Disney's more underrated films which I give a 7 out of 10. 

Film Study: Disney Animated Movies (1st Golden Age)

The main reason I subscribed to the new Disney streaming service last fall was to watch the Star Wars show, The Mandalorian. As expected the show was incredible and well worth the value. After I finished the 1st season, I almost debated cancelling my Disney subscription until the 2nd season was released. That was until I decided to embark on a Disney Animated phase around Christmas time. I decided to watch every major animated film released by Disney studios.

The Disney Streaming service offers three major niche markets to its customers; The Star Wars Universe, the Marvel Universe, and obviously the Disney universe. Some of this content has been available on Netflix the past few years but not to this extent. What I found to be especially enticing was the Disney animated gems available, often deemed as "Out-of-the-Vault" classics. 

In looking at some of the classics I realized there were many I have not even seen such as Snow White, Bambi, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty to name a few. Then of course there were the ones I grew up with as a kid but had not seen in a very long time such as Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Lion King. So I decided to take this on as a film culture study, considering Disney as one of the major key-players in the history of Hollywood. I also was able to share this phase with my younger nephews which made it all the more enjoyable. 

I have written several times now on Disney and animated films, see Walt Disney, Animated Classics, Top Ten Animated Movies (10-4), Top Ten Animated Movies (3-1). This post however will be a chronological order of the major Disney theatrical releases highlighting their significance and my overall review of each film. I've broken the timeline into 5 groupings; the 1st golden age of Walt Disney (1937-1942), the 2nd golden age of Disney (1950-1967), the post Walt Years (1970-1988), the Disney Renaissance (1989-1999), the Digital Pixar Age (2000-present). 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Release Date: 1937

Authorship: "Snow White" by the Brothers Grimm (published in 1812; German)

Running Time: 83 minutes

Synopsis: The wicked queen asks a mirror who is the fairest in the land of which the mirror replies that is Snow White, which makes the queen extremely jealous. She sets a huntsman out to kill Snow White, however the hunter has a change of heart and warns Snow White to run away. Snow White flees to the forest where she befriends a band of dwarfs. However the queen is able to eventually locate Snow White, and disguised as an old hag she tricks her into biting a poisonous apple. The dwarfs arrive too late to save Snow White, however are able to chase the evil queen down a cliff to her demise. The apple puts Snow White into an eternal sleep in which the dwarfs chose not to bury her, yet encase her in a glass tomb. However a dashing prince whom once loved Snow White later discovers her and gives her a kiss that breaks the spell and brings her back to life. 

Academy Accolades:

• Oscar Honorary Award for Significant Screen Innovation
• Oscar nomination for Music Score by Frank Churchill

Songs:

• With a Smile and Song
• Whistle While you Work
• Heigh-Ho
• The Dwarfs Yodel Song
• Someday my Prince will Come

Significance: This was Disney Studios first theatrical animated release that set a groundbreaking new benchmark in the film business. In moving away from the Mickey Mouse satire, Walt Disney decided to embark on a new era of fairy tale animations. The release of Snow White became a major success that remained one of the highest grossing animated films until the 1993 release of Aladdin. This film ushered in the 1st golden age of Disney Studios. 

My Review: Sure, I've always known the story and was familiar with the animation and it's iconic songs such as Heigh-Ho and Whistle While you Work. However I can shockingly say that I had no memory of watching this movie from beginning-to-end until a few months ago. I found the watch to be very enjoyable, bursting with German culture and fantasy elements reminiscent of Lord of the Rings. I can understand why it is such an iconic Disney film and would give it an overall rating of 8 out of 10. 

Pinocchio

Release Date: 1940

Authorship: "The Adventures of Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi (Published in 1883; Italian)

Running Time: 88 minutes

Synopsis: An old woodcarver named Gepetto builds a wooden puppet he names Pinocchio and wishes he could become a real boy. The wish is somewhat granted by a fairy who brings the wooden puppet to life, however still in his puppet form. Pinocchio is an innocent curious young child who is guided by his conscious, Jiminy Cricket. However he undergoes various tribulations such as being kidnapped and sold into Stromboli's Puppet Show. He is able to escape yet is once again tricked into traveling to Pleasure Island, where young boys transformed into donkeys. He is yet again able to escape with the help of Jiminy Cricket, but when he returns to Gepetto, he learns that his father was swallowed by a whale. Pinocchio thus bravely sets sail to rescue his father and in doing-so the fairy transforms him into a real boy. 

Academy Accolades:

• Oscar Win for Best Music Score by Leigh Harline
• Oscar Win for Best Song, "When you Wish Upon a Star"

Songs:

• When you Wish Upon a Star
• Give a Little Whistle
• Hi-Diddle-Dee-Dee
• I've Got No Strings

Significance: Walt Disney's 2nd theatrical release of Pinocchio was somewhat of a box office bomb, mostly due to WWII, however was still critically acclaimed upon it's release. It went on to win 2 academy awards and perhaps it's greatest claim to fame was the song "When You Wish Upon a Star" which would later become Walt Disney's theme song. 

My Review: While I have always been familiar with the story, shockingly I had never seen this film from beginning-to-end. I came away with mixed feelings about the film, enjoying the general theme, the characters, and the music. However I found some of it's content to be somewhat misleading such as how the young innocent Pinocchio is kidnapped and sold to Stromboli. Even more distasteful was when Pinocchio is brisked away to Pleasure Island where children are transformed into donkeys and sold to slave labor. I understand the intent of these conflicts, however think they are somewhat dated and perhaps a bit on the harsh side. Despite some of these peculiar sub-plots, the film is still quite iconic and I would give it a 6 out of 10. 

Fantasia

Release Date: 1940

Musical Composer: Leopold Stokowski 

Running Time: 126 minutes

Synopsis: Collection of animated short stories and visual interpretations set to classical music. 

Academy Accolades:

• Oscar Honorary Award for Innovation in Visualized Music
• Oscar Honorary Award for Advancement of Sound

Segments:

• Tocacata and Fugue in D Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach 
• The Nutcracker Suite by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
• The Sorcerers Apprentice by Paul Dukas
• Rite of Spring by Igor Stravisnky
• The Pastoral Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven
• Dance of the Hours by Amilcare Ponchielli
• Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky
• Ave Maria by Franz Schubert

Significance: This was yet another truly innovative creation by Walt Disney to present an animated film unlike any before that's sole purpose was to celebrate music. The film is broken up into 7 segments of classical music, in which a visual story is presented without any dialogue to encapsulate the musical piece. Similar to Pinocchio the theatrical release did not make much profit due to WWII, however went on to become very critically acclaimed. 

My Review: I have written numerous times about the genius of Fantasia and would include it in my top 25 greatest films of all time. It was very influential to me as a kid, having a musician for a father. I enjoyed the entire film, but some of my favorite segments included the Nutcracker Suite's presentation of forest plants and animals; the Rite of Spring's presentation of the earth's beginning and the evolution of life; and especially the Pastoral Symphony's presentation of a Greek mythological setting. This film has become a very nostalgic classic for me, and I give it an impressive 9 out of 10.

  

Dumbo 

Release Date: 1941

Authorship: "Dumbo, the Flying Elephant" screenplay by Helen Aberson (American)

Running Time: 64 minutes 

Synopsis: In a traveling circus, a baby elephant named Dumbo is bullied for his large ears. He is later separated from his mother after she goes on an uproar to defend her son, and as a result she is imprisoned. Sadly Dumbo must learn to fend for himself in the circus and befriends a talking mouse named Timothy Q. Together they discover that Dumbo has an odd ability to fly with his abnormally large ears. Thru this new found skill, and the help of some humorous talking crows, Dumbo is able to achieve fame and fortune in the circus with his flying act. As a result of his fame, his mother is freed and reunited with her son. 

Academy Accolades:

• Oscar Winner for Music Score by Frank Churchill
• Oscar Nominee for Best Song, "Baby Mine"

Songs:

• Casey Junior
• Baby Mine
• Pink Elephants on Parade
• When I see an Elephant Fly

Significance: Walt Disney's fourth theatrical film of Dumbo was an attempt to regain loss revenue from his previous endeavors of Pinocchio and Fantasia. The film was thus a return to animated simplicity and due to it's low budget cost it was able to rake in a sizable profit. The film also went on to acheive some critical acclaim most notably for it's music. It later became criticized for it's racial stereotypes of the talking crows. Dumbo is one of Disney's shortest animated films at 64 minutes. 

My Review: I distinctively remember watching this movie as a kid and recall how sad it is when poor Dumbo gets separated from his mother. The scene of mamma Jumbo rocking her baby from a jail-car, to the song of Baby Mine, has to rank among the saddest movie scenes of all time. However once you get past that very depressing moment, the movie becomes quite entertaining and has a happy ending. Some memorably scenes include Dumbo's drunken hallucination that produces the iconic Pink Elephants on Parade song. Later on he befriends some talking crows who sing one of my favorite songs, When I see an Elephant Fly. This movie is the first example of Disney's parental loss format, which demonstrates an early emotional tragedy by which the protagonist must overcome. This movie was included in my top 10 animated films a few years ago, and I give it a favorable rating of 7 out of 10.  

Bambi

Release Date: 1942

Authorship: "Bambi, A Life in the Woods" by Felix Salten (Published in 1923; Austrian)

Running Time: 70 minutes 

Synopsis: The life of a young deer named Bambi living in the forest with his mother. He befriends other animals in the forest such as an owl, a rabbit, and a skunk. However his mother is tragically killed by a hunting part and Bambi must endure the forest life on his own. He later grows into a young buck with the help of his friends and his father, and later finds love.  

Academy Accolades:

• Oscar Nominee for Music Score by Frank Churchill
• Oscar Nominee for Song, "Love is a Song"
• Oscar Nominee for Sound

Songs:

• Love is a Song
• Little April Shower

Significance: The film was yet another box office flop in the midst of World War II, and received mixed criticism. However it's musical score and sound was acclaimed with three Oscar nominations. Bambi also demonstrated groundbreaking depth to it's animated forest thru the use of overlapping planes.  

My Review: This was a film I never watched at all as a kid and hardly knew much about it growing up. It was not until a college course of film studies, where we studied it's groundbreaking animation, that I realized it's significance. I just recently watched this film with Philip, Shawnna, and my little nephews over the Christmas holidays. My general assessment was that the story was quite weak, without much of a hero/villian story arch often associated with Disney works. In contrast to most of Disney's fairy tale films, this is perhaps one of it's most realistic and dramatic animated stories. Once again Disney demonstrates it's iconic parental loss format with the loss of Bambi's mother. I felt this movie had some very tense and dramatic elements for a children's movie, perhaps reflective of the ongoing crisis that was World War II. Despite it's weak story the movie still had top quality music and animation and for that reason I give it a 6 out of 10. 

Game Review: Assassin's Creed Odyssey

Well after 7 weeks of serious gaming I finally have concluded Assassin's Creed: Odyssey and can say it ranks among my all time favorite gaming experiences. First because I have always loved Greek history and culture, but second is because of it's incredible RPG gameplay style. Similar to AC: Origins this wide-open gameplay makes for such an interactive experience. However AC Odyssey provides the largest map and most content by far yet in the series. Also there is the unique experience to play as two different characters as well as make decisions throughout the game with multiple outcomes.

I can't remember the last time I've been so emerged into a game, finding it entertaining yet also very challenging at times. There were various days where I would simply lose track of time so immersed into the beautiful detailed map of Ancient Greece. There were also times where I felt invigorated by a challenging quest. It was a similar feeling as watching my Detroit Lions play, where the pendulum often swings from frustration to jubilation (however with a video game it's much nicer to be in control). All-in-all this game has reawakened my appreciation for video games, especially the Assassin's Creed Series (which I intend to continue with). 


The Story

The setting is in the Classical Era of Greece during the Peloponnesian War (430-404 BC) between Sparta and Athens. I chose to play as Alexios (as opposed to his sibling Cassandra). Alexios was mysteriously abandoned by his parents in Sparta, and he later took refuge on the island of Kephallonia. As an adult he becomes a powerful warrior and eager to search the world for his parents. On the island of Kephallonia he is able to enlist a sea captain, Barnabbas, to take him on a journey across the Aegean Sea on-board the Adestria.

One of his first big jobs is to assassinate the "Wolf of Sparta" who he later discovers was his adopted father.  Upon completing the job, Alexios discovers he was hired by a member of a cult who seek to overthrow Greece thru the war. Furthermore he discovers that one of the key leaders of this cult is his abandoned sister, Cassandra, referred to as Deimos. Alexios seeks out to Oracle of Delphi to get more answers about the cult as well as the whereabouts of his mother. At this point he is joined by the wise historian, Herodotus.

Together they sail to Athens to get more answers where they meet powerful leaders such as Perikles and Aspasia. Alexios also meets and befriends other famous Athenians such as the political playboy Alkibiades, the playwrights Aristophanes, Euripides, and Sophokles, the physician Hippokrates, and the great philosopher Socrates. Alexios is later able to discover his mother and learns that the Cult of Kosmos was the reason he was abandoned. He also sets off on a quest to find his true father, Pythagoras, who is on a mission to open the lost city of Atlantis. Alexios discovers that he is the descendant of the great Leonidas.

Alexios is later able to defeat and convince his sister Cassandra to leave the Cult, at which point he discovers that Aspasia is their leader. Aspasia however claims she was forced into the role and is glad to see the cult brought to an end. After this main story, there are still many other side quests to complete such as discovering Atlantis by finding 4 artifacts guarded by a Minatour, Sphinx, Cyclops, and the deadly Medusa. Alexios must later fight his father to protect the secrets of Atlantis and pass it on to the present day scientist, Layla.


The Gameplay

The game stays true to the Assassin Creed elements of viewpoints, investigation, and stealth while completely expanding the hero's combat skills. The fighting in this game was my favorite part about it, with a whole menu of weaponry and abilities to be updated. I eventually found four special moves (the health upgrade, the bull charge, the fire swords, and the spartan slice-n-slam) and stuck with those most the game. The hero is also very quick at parrying and side-stepping which works great for counter-attacks. The climbing is extremely efficient and the hero's ability to jump from great heights was quite the treat.

As it was introduced in Origins, the aerial view is once again made available with Alexios' eagle, Ikaros. This bird provides great scouting detail as well as a helpful aid during combat. The horse-riding is also vastly superior with greater climbing durability. I enjoyed the ability to whistle and use Phobos as a quick escape when things got out of hand. However he could not survive the long falls and jumps as Alexios could.

Another new feature I really enjoyed in this game was the expanded menu. Normally the AC series includes the map, quests, and inventory however AC Odyssey offered some new features. This included a ship menu where updates to the Adrestia could be made. A Cultist menu where there was clues and information about the cultist members to hunt. And my favorite was the inclusion of a mercenary menu which detailed all the bounty hunters and their respective levels. My side goal early in the game was to become the top tier, number one mercenary before I called it quits, which I did.

There was so much more to the game that I perhaps did not take full advantage of, such as the conquest battles. Each Greek city-state had a political faction and Alexios is able to lure into each state into war by burning national supplies and by assassinating it's leader. I took part in this feature only a few times when it was necessary to hunt a cultist or a part of the main Odyssey campaign.

Perhaps my least favorite part of the game was the sea battles, and that's only because I wasn't very good at it. I found many of the battles were unfair in which I was fighting 5 triremes at a time. I only partook in the sea battles when I had to, and hardly ever sought out any pirates or mercenaries at sea. I did enjoy the open water voyages tho, and the songs of the ship's crew. The idea of someday touring the Greek Islands along the Aegean Sea was inspired by this aspect of the game.


The Mythical Beasts

The most challenging part of this game was fighting the mythical beasts. There were the four beasts required to discover Atlantis, and the eight beasts required to complete the Daughters of Artemis task. Both of these objectives were not main quests, yet rather a matter of pride (more-so the Daughters of Artemis). The fighting took place in some sort of den and each beast had it's unique abilities which is perhaps why these were more difficult then fighting other soldiers or mercenaries in the game. 

The Minotaur: The hardest part about the Minotaur was finding it on the island of Crete. This required a series of tasks in order to obtain a disc key into a temple of lost souls. Inside the temple was a labyrinth to navigate thru, and finally there was the beast itself. I found fighting the Minotaur to be the easiest of the 4 Artifacts of Atlantis.

The Sphinx: This mythical creature was not so much a fight yet rather a test of wit. If you did not get the riddle right, the creature would blast you to oblivion. I believe it took me a couple tries to figure out what was going on and over-all would say this one wasn't too difficult.

The Cyclops: This monster was difficult to find and very difficult to fight. I would rank him as the 3rd hardest beast in the game! In order to find him I had to help some lunatic who thinks he is related to the creature. The cyclops is massive in size and is as powerful as he is stupid. One stomp from his foot, swing from his knuckle, or swing from his club is instant death. Which is what makes the fight so frustrating is you have to be perfect and avoid all his attacks. It took me many deaths before I established a rhythm of arrow shots and powerful counter attacks.

Medusa: This iconic monster is the second hardest beast to fight in the game. She was difficult to locate in her temple yet even more-so difficult to fight. It took me many deaths to establish a rhythm to defeat her. She shoots a laser from her eyes which will slowly turn the hero into stone. Even more damaging however are her aerial fire bombs which devastate the player's health. She also summons stone guardians in which the player must defeat while fending off her attacks, at least 3 times throughout the fight. I eventually was able to hide behind the columns when she shot off her lasers, and strike the moment she shot off the aerial bombardments.

Kalydonian Boar: The 1st of Daphne's beast challenges for Alexios is quite easy. It is a larger than usual boar with a more deadly attack, however some simple side-steps and strike at it's back with flames and bull rushes will do him in. The only trick however is there are several other mini boars to deal with simultaneously.

Kalisto the Bear: This beast was quite difficult. It had a ferocious charge as well as a series of swinging claws that was instant death upon impact. After several attempts I was able to develop my usual routine of counter-attacks, flaming swords, and bull charges.

Kretan Bull: The father of the Minotaur on Crete island was a bit more difficult than the other beasts of Artemis. This was a very angry bull, the only beast of it's kind in the game. Obviously his horned-charge packed a deadly punch, but he also had a killer kick and would occasionally go on a mad jumping tirade of thrusts. This one took me maybe two or three tries to defeat.

Krokotta Hyena: This beast was fairly easy with the similar attack pattern of the boar or the dear. It was basically just a large hyena with a killer lunge. I was able to easily defeat this beast on my first try with some flames and counter attacks.

Erymanthian Boar: In my opinion, this was the hardest beast to fight in the entire game. It was very different than all other boars in the game and had a unique arsenal of attacks. First was it's deadly charge that covered long range in a very quick instance. Then it would go on a series of unpredictable spins and thrusts that made for even more difficult up-close fighting. However the most challenging aspect was the deadly poison it omitted from it's farts. After a while this poison would linger throughout the den and cause severe health damage. I tried many tactics and died many times fighting this creature, until finally I had to lure in the help of another mercenary to kill it.

Hind of Keryneia: This is a majestic deer with massive antlers, the only creature of it's kind in the game. There are deer and moose to hunt in the game, but none compare to the ferociousness of this beast. Besides it's massive size, the beast didn't have any special abilities and was a fairly easy kill.

Lykaon Wolf: This wolf had the same attack movement as the Krokotta Hyena with a killer lunge, and also had an army of smaller wolves at it's disposal. However it was still fairly easy as long as you can stay away from this lunge and fend off the other wolves. I was able to defeat this beast on my first try.

Nemean Lion: This beast moved very quickly and had some vicious jumping claw attacks. It also had several smaller lioness at it's disposal. However by using targeting it is fairly easy to avoid his quick movements and strike at the opportune time. I was able to defeat him and his assistants on my first try with my usual arsenal of bull charges and flaming swords. 

Mythological Study: Greek Gods of the Underworld

I had originally intended for this post to be included with my main study of the Greek gods, however since the gods of the underworld dwell separately from Mount Olympus, I thought it more fitting to make a separate post on the Underworld. Poseidon on the other hand will not get a separate post pertaining to his realm of the seas. While he is often associated as dwelling in a palace under the Aegean Sea with a minion of gods and mythical creatures, he is considered one of the main 12 Olympians that dwell on Mount Olympus and thus I already included him in the previous post. Perhaps some other time I'll dive deeper into Poseidon's underwater realm of Greek mythology.

The Greek Underworld

Just as Egyptian Mythology has the afterlife and Christianity has heaven-and-hell, Greek mythology also has a realm of the dead; it known as the underworld. In Greek mythology, the underworld does not demonstrate the Egyptian ideals of reincarnation, nor does it portray Christianity's distinctive symmetry of the righteous and wicked souls being separated into heaven and hell. Instead the underworld is seen as one physical other-world where all dead souls must journey to. Within the realm, often referred to as Hades after it's patron god, the dead souls exist in a lull without any purpose.

Hades is the master of the underworld and has various gods, goddesses, spirits, and monsters working under him to maintain order. Some of these include his unwilling wife Persephone, his loyal guardian dog Cerberus, the ferryman Charon, the three judges, and the furies. The underworld is reached by 6 different rivers, the Styx being the most prominent one navigated by the ferryman. It also has various levels, the bottom being referred to as Tartarus, the darkest of places where the titans and most wicked of men dwell. The highest of levels was known as Elysium where the greatest of heroes and most righteous men dwell.


The Gods of the Underworld

Hades

Known as: "God of the Underworld"
God of:  Underworld, death, riches
Symbol: Cornucopia, Cypress, Narcissus, serpent, dog
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Spouse: Persephone
Offspring:

• Zagreus: (Eldest son of Zeus and Persephone, often considered a spirit of Dionysus) 
• Macaria (Goddess of a blessed death)
• Erinyes (Also known as the Furies, they were the product of Uranus' castrated genitals who serve as deities of vengeance under Hades)
• Alecto (Punisher of Moral Crimes)
• Megaera (Punisher of Infidelity)
• Tisiphone (Punisher of Murderes)

Temples: Perhaps one of the most significant temples dedicated to Hades and the Underworld was the Necromanteion of Acheron. The temple was located near the Acheron river in the northwestern region of Epirus. It was believed by cultists that the temple was the door into Hades and that priests and followers could communicate with the dead there. The temple housed an Oracle of the Dead who served as a seer who could speak with the dead. The site was first mentioned in Homer's Odyssey where Odysseus called upon the ghosts of the future. It was also described by the historian Herodotus in the 5th century BC. It is believed the site was burnt and destroyed in 167 BC by the Romans.

Significance: He is often represented as the arch-villain to the other gods, yet his true purpose is as god of the underworld, the realm of the dead. He played a significant role in the war of the titans helping his brothers Zeus and Poseidon defeat the titans and thus divide the world into three realms; the sky, the waters, and the underworld (Gaia was the god of the earth and land). Hades is often represented with a 3 headed dog named Cerberus. His most infamous legend is his abduction of Persephone of whom he tricks into eating a pomegranate seed. Persephone is thus forced to live with Hades as the queen of the underworld for one-third of the year. This season is normally marked as the winter season by the Greeks.


Persephone 

Known as: "Goddess of the Underworld"

God of: Underworld, springtime, vegetation
Symbol: Pomegranate, seeds, grain, torch, flowers, deer
Parents: Zeus and Demeter
Spouse: Hades
Offspring:

• Melinoe (Nymph from the underworld associated with nightmares and madness)
• Plutus (God of wealth; yet often considered the son of Demeter and Iasion; regarded as the divine child)

Temples: Persephone did not have a significant temple dedeicated to her, however she was often honored in the same temple as Hades, in the Necromanteion of Acheron. Furthermore Persephone was one of the central figures along with Demeter in the Eleusinian Mysteries. She is honored and celebrated as the goddess of springtime, flowers, and vegetation.

Significance: She is the beautiful daughter of Zeus and Demeter who was abducted by Hades while picking flowers. Her mother Demeter grows furious at this and insists Zeus bring her back. Zeus then sends Hermes to the underworld to request that Hades returns Persephone of which he complies. However before Persephone returns, Hades gives her a pomegranate seed which she eats and as a result is forced to spend one third of the year living with Hades in the underworld. This period of time in which she spends with Hades is considered winter-time. When Persephone returns to earth marks the beginning of spring season, hence why she is also associated as the goddess of spring and vegetation. She later does find another lover in the mortal Adonis, of whom she shares with Aphrodite however for one third of the year.


Hecate

Known as: "Goddess of Crossroads"
God of: Crossroads, boundaries, witchcraft, and ghosts
Symbol: Torches, dogs, serpents, keys, polecats, and daggars
Parents: Perses and Asteria
Offspring:

• Scylla (Legendary sea monster often depicted with numerous heads, whom Odysseus sails by to avoid the more intimidating monster, Charybdis)
• Circe (Goddess of magic; specializes in herbs and potions)
• Empusa (Shape shifting phantom) 

Temples: She had various sanctuaries and temples throughout ancient Greece including one in Lagina, Selinunte, Argolis, and Aigina. She was also worshiped in the temples of other gods in matters concerning the crossroads, afterlife, and sorcery.

Significance: She is the daughter of titans Peres and Asteria associated with crossroads, witchcraft, magic, and sorcery. The crossroads represent a significant threshold, entrance, doorway in life or into the afterlife. While she does not have any relations with Hades, she is still considered a significant goddess from the underworld. She holds the keys to unlock realms, particularly the gates into death. She is also associated with ghosts and spirits that travel to and from the underworld. 


The Erinyes

Known as: "The Furies"
God of: Vengeance

Deities:

• Alecto (Punisher of Moral Crimes)
• Megaera (Punisher of Infidelity)
• Tisiphone (Punisher of Murderes)

Significance: They are associated as the spirits of vengeance that arise from the underworld. Their origins come from the spilled blood and genitalia of Uranus. They dwell in the underworld as infernal goddesses and take vengeance upon those who have committed wrongdoings or sworn false oaths. They are normally depicted as old women, or witches, with snakes as hair, bat's wings, and blood shot eyes.


Three Judges

Known as: "Judges of the Underworld
God of: Laws of the dead

Deities:

• Aecus (King of Aegina Island, became a judge of the afterlife)
• Minos (King of Crete, later became a judge of the afterlife with Aecus) 
• Rhadamanthus (Wise king of Crete, later becomes judge of the underworld)

Significance: The three judges of the underworld judged the lives and actions of the newly deceased entering the underworld. They enacted proper placement and laws by which the dead souls were to abide by. These three judges were the mortal sons of Zeus and former kings in their past lives. Aeacus was the guardian of the keys and the judge of the deceased from Europe, Rhadamanthus was the Lord of Elysium and the judge of the deceased from Asia, and Minos was the supreme judge with the final vote on all matters. 


Charon

Known as: "The Ferryman"

God of: Guide into the Underworld
Significance: He is the ferryman of Hades, who transports dead souls on his boat across the Styx River into the underworld realm. He is often depicted as an old bearded man, who requires a coin to pay for passage. For this reason it was an ancient Greek tradition to put coins on the eyes of the dead as the fee for safe passage. Those who cannot pay the fee are often depicted as lost souls who wander the underworld aimlessly. Charon is the son of Erebus, the god of darkness, and the grand-son of Chaos. 


Cerberus

Known as: "The Hell Hound"
God of: Guardian of the Underworld

Significance: He was Hades' loyal three headed dog, and guardian of the gates into the underworld. His main purpose was to prevent dead souls from trying to leave or escape. He was the offspring of Echidna, the mother of monsters and Typhon the most feared giant serpentine monster. Cerberus is often depicted as a large beast with three ferocious heads, and the tail of a snake. The most famous account of Cerberus is as Herakles' twelfth and final labor. The myth has multiple accounts by which Herakles is able to subdue the beast, some versions state Herakles was able to use his club and lion-skin while other accounts state he had to fight Hades to acquire the beast.  

Mythological Study: Greek Gods of Mount Olympus

The past month now I have been consumed by the Assassin's Creed: Odyssey video game set in the golden age of Ancient Greece. The map is extremely detailed with so much free-roaming game play,  interactions, and historical references which is why I love the AC game series. I will later have a full review of this particular game but for now I want to turn to the culture. I have written many times now about Greek history, mythology, and culture and would consider it among my favorites of all world cultures.

Just a couple years ago I wrote a historical study of ancient Greece, (Greek Antiquity) focusing on this exact classical period that is covered in the game (approximately in the 5th century BC). The post was a general summary of the golden age of Greece, beginning with the Persian Wars, the Peloponnesian War, the leading figures of the time, the notable writers, historians, philosophers, the classic architecture, the conquest of Macedonia, and the eventual downfall to the Romans. I most likely will make a deeper dive into these historical events at some point but for now I want to shift focus to the mythology.

I have also already written a general summary of Greek Culture and Mythology before, (Greek Culture and Greek Mythology) which was almost ten years ago. However I noticed that in my mythology post, I somewhat overlooked the main gods and focused more on the heroes. (Perhaps that's because Homer's Illiad story has always been the root of my appreciation for Greek Mythology). Therefore in this post I would like to focus on the main Greek gods, their significance, and their offspring.

Mount Olympus

The major deities of the Greek Polytheistic Religious system are often referred to as the 12 Olympians. And from these 12 great Olympians came many offspring who went on to also become respected gods, goddesses, kings, queens, and heroes. However in truth these 12 main gods are not the founders of life, yet actually are third generation super-beings. They became the major deities because of the role they played in the War against the Titans, lead by the great Zeus. From which point on they reigned over mankind from high in the mountainous clouds of Olympus. The term Olympians was derived from their residence on Mount Olympus. The mountain is the highest in Greece, and the gods dwell among it's highest peak Mytikas in the clouds. 

Major Greek Gods of Olympus


Zeus

Known as: "King of the Gods"
God of: The Sky, Lightning, Thunder, Law, Order, and Justice
Symbol: Thunderbolt, eagle, bull, oak
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Spouse: Hera and many others
Offspring:

• Aecus (King of Aegina Island, became a judge of the afterlife)
• Agdistis (Symbol of androgyny and uncontrollable nature)
• Angelos (Became a deity of the underworld) 
• Aphrodite (Goddess of Love)
• Apollo (God of the Sun)
• Ares (God of War)
• Artemis (Goddess of the Hunt)
• Athena (Goddess of Wisdom)
• Dionysus (God of wine and festivity) 
• Eileithyia (Goddess of fertility) 
• Enyo (Goddess of war)
• Epaphus (King of Egypt)
• Eris (Goddess of strife and discord)
• Ersa (Goddess of dew)
• Hebe (Goddess of youth and prime)
• Helen of Troy (Most beautiful woman in the world, who causes the Trojan War)
• Hephaestus (God of blacksmiths)
• Heracles (Greatest of the Greek heroes, slayer of monsters, and the Twelve Labours)
• Hermes (God of travel and messenger of the Gods
• Minos (King of Crete, later became a judge of the afterlife with Aecus) 
• Pandia (The daughter of Zeus and the goddess of the moon Selene) 
• Persephone (Goddess of vegetation, queen of the underworld) 
• Perseus (Greatest of Greek heroes, slayer of Medusa)
• Rhadamanthus (Wise king of Crete, later becomes judge of the underworld)
• The Graces (Goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, and  creativity) 
• The Horea (Goddesses of the seasons and the change of time)
• The Muses (Goddesses of literature, science, art, and inspiration) 
• The Moirai (Gods of fate and destiny) 

Temples: Temple of Zeus in Olympia Greece completed in 457 BC; it housed the Statue of Zeus which was considered an ancient wonder of the world.

Significance: He is the king of the gods, the great warrior who defeated the titans. Zues' thunderbolt is his main symbol and weapon. It was presented to him as a gift from Cyclops for after Zues saved him from the dungeons of Tartarus. He ruled the sky, while his brother Poseidon ruled the waters, and his other brother Hades ruled the underworld. He is often paired with his sister Hera, who ruled the skies as his wife and queen.


Hera

Known as: "Queen of the Gods"
God of: Marriage, Women, Childbirth, Family
Symbol: Peacock, Cow, Cuckoo
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Spouse: Zeus
Offspring:

• Angelos (Became a deity of the underworld) 
• Ares (God of War)
• Eileithyia (Goddess of fertility) 
• Enyo (Goddess of war)
• Eris (Goddess of strife and discord)
• Hebe (Goddess of youth and prime)
• Hephaestus (God of blacksmiths)

Temples: The Heraion of Samos was considered the greatest of Hera temples built in approximately the 8th century BC.

Significance: Hera is associated as the motherly queen of the Gods and of all mankind. While she gave birth to various children with Zues she is often portrayed as spiteful of his actions. She is especially jealous of her husband's many affairs with other women.

Poseidon

Known as: "God of the Seas"
God of: Sea, Water, Storms, and Horses
Symbol: Trident, Horse, Bull, Dolphin
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Spouse: Amphitrite and various others
Offspring:

• Theseus (King, hero, and founder of Athens)
• Triton (King of the sea, often depicted as a merman)
• Polyphemus (One eyed man-eating giant mentioned in the Odyssey)
• Orion (Giant huntsman who later become a constellation of stars)
• Belus (King of Egypt)
• Agenor (King of Tyre)
• Neleus (King of Pylos and father of Nestor mentioned in the Odyssey)
• Atlas (First king of Atlantis)
• Pegasus (White winged horse, who is the stead of the great hero Perseus)

Temples: The Temple of Poseidon in Sounion is one of the most iconic monuments from the Golden Age of Athens associated to the sea-god. It was built in 440 BC and some of it's columns still remain to this day.

Significance: He is the brother of Zeus and the king of the seas often depicted with his golden trident. He played a significant role in Homer's iconic Odyssey, a tale of a hero traveling the seas to return to his wife. Poseidon is bitter towards the Greek hero Odysseus, for defeating the Trojans and his monster son Polyphemus. He is often depicted as a powerful god who demonstrates his fury through waves, hurricanes, and storms. His spouse was Amphitrite however he had other lovers and gave birth to various monsters, animals, and non-humans.


Demeter

Known as: "Goddess of the Harvest"

God of: Harvest, Agriculture, Nature, and the Seasons
Symbol: Poppy, wheat, torch, pig
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Spouse: Iasion, Zeus, and Poseidon
Offspring:

• Persephone (Goddess of vegetation, queen of the underworld)
• Despoina (Goddess of mysteries)
• Arion (An extremely swift immortal horse)
• Plutus (God of wealth; yet often considered the son of Persephone and Pluto)
• Philomelus (hardworking demi-god associated with ploughing and agriculture)
• Eubuleus (Depicted as a good counselor) 

Temples: The Temple of Demeter on Naxos Island is considered the most significant shrine to this god, built in the 6th century BC.

Significance: She is associated as the motherly goddess of the harvest and also presides over sacred laws. Unlike the other goddesses she had various relationships with the gods ranging from Iasion, Zeus, and Poseidon. However her favorite child was Persephone who would later become the goddess of vegetation and springtime. Demeter is the prominent figure (along with her daughter Persephone) of the ancient Greek celebratory tradition known as the Eleusinian Mysteries.


Athena

Known as: "Goddess of Wisdom"
God of: Wisdom, Warfare
Symbol: Owl, olive tree, armor, helmets, spears
Parents: Zeus
Temples: Greek's greatest city of Athens was named after the goddess of Wisdom. The greatest monument in all of Greece is the Parthenon which was dedicated to her. Also there is the Temple of Athena Nike which sits on top the Acropolis of Athens, besides the great Parthenon. The Acropolis was completed by 420 BC, as a monument to Athena, the patron of victory. The monument still stands to this day as one of the most historical sites in all of Greece.

Significance: The story of Athena is quite a unique and fascinating ones as she is depicted as one of the first great female warriors in ancient folklore. She was the daughter of Zeus, who burst from his head in full body armor. She was as skilled in wits as she was in warfare hence the title, Goddess of Wisdom. In Homer's Iliad, her feud with Hera and Aphrodite is what brought upon the Trojan War. In many of the ancient Greek tales, she provides counsel to the great heroes such as Herakles, Jason, Perseus, Bellerophon, and Odysseus. She did not have a spouse, lover, nor any children which is why she is often considered as the full time protector of Greece.


Apollo

Known as: "God of the Sun"
God of: Light, the sun, prophecy, philosophy, archery, medicine, healing
Symbol: Arrow, Sun, lyre, swan, mouse
Spouse: Many lovers
Parents: Zeus and Leto
Offspring:

• Asclepius (Hero and god of medicine)
  
• Aristeaus (Hero, founder of bee-keeping)
• Korybantes (Armoured male dancers who worshiped the Phrygian goddess Cybele)
• Hymenaeus (God of marriage, ceremonies, and feasts)
• Ialemus (Mournful character who wrote the song of lamentation)
• Apollonis (One of the three daughters of Apollo worshiped at the Delphi Oracle)
• Borysthenis (One of the three daughters of Apollo worshiped at the Delphi Oracle)
• Cephisso (One of the three daughters of Apollo worshiped at the Delphi Oracle)
• Agreus (Hunter son of Apollo)
• Amphiaraus (King of Argo)
• Amphissus (Founded the city of Amphissa, and built a temple to his father)
• Amphithemis (Son of Apollo and Acalle)
• Anius (King of Dalos and priest of Apollo)
• Apis (Seer and healer)
• Chariclo (Nymph, wife of Chiron the centaur, and nurse to Achilles)
• Coronus (King of Sicyon)
• Cycnus (Son of Apollo and Hyrie)
• Delphus (Founded the city of Delphi)
• Dorus (Founded the Dorian nation)
• Eleuther (Renown for his excellent singing voice)
• Epidaurus (Founded the polis of Epidaurus)
• Eriopis (Renown for her lovely hair)
• Erymanthus (Son of Apollo, saw Aphrodite bathing and was blinded; Apollo responded by killing Aphrodite's spouse Adonis; Apollo took the form of a boar to kill Adonis which became referred to as the Erymanthian Boar) 
• Eurydice (Enchanting wife of the famed poet Orpheus who attempted to bring her back to life with his music)
• Hector (The greatest warrior of Troy)
• Iamus (Son of Apollo who learned the art of prophecy and speaking to birds)
• Idmon (An Argonaut seer)
• Linus of Thrace (Leader of lyrical music)
• Lycorus (The city of Lycoreia was named after him, later to become Delphi)
• Melaneus (Founder of Oechalia)
• Melite (Lover of Herakles)
• Oaxes (Founder of the town of Oaxus)
• Oncius (Founder and ruler over Oncae)
• Orpheus (Legendary poet, musician, and prophet)
• Tenes (Legendary hero from the island of Tenedos)
• Troilus (Prince of Troy, murdered by Achilles)
• Phemonoe (Legendary poet and one of the first priestess at Delphi)
• Philammon (An excellent singer and musician) 
• Syrus (Son of Apollo and Sinope of which the Syrian nation got it's name from)
• Tenerus (Theban hero and prophet) 

Temples: There were many temples to Apollo scattered throughout Greece in the ancient days, with mention dating as far back as the 8th century in Homer's Illiad. One of the more historical ones is located at Delphi, where the ruins still stand to this day.

Significance: His influence throughout Greek mythology rivals that of Zeus when considering the amount of children and temples he has. He was the son of the titan goddess, Leto and the twin brother of Artemis. He is depicted with a unique blend of strength and beauty. He brings light upon the world thru the use of his bow and arrow yet is also renown for his musical talents on the lyre. He is considered the father of the sun and the patron of the wise all-knowing oracle. Thru his masculine beauty he had many lovers and produced many offspring who became kings, queens, heroes, and artists in their own regards. His influence carried over to Roman mythology, and interestingly he is the only major Greek god he kept his same name for the Romans.


Artemis

Known as: "Goddess of the Hunt"

God of: Wilderness, hunting, virginity, moon,
Symbol: Moon, Deer, Bow, Arrows, Dogs
Parents: Zeus and Leto
Temples: Artemis was one of the most worshiped of the Greek deities and had many temples and shrines built to honor her. The most famous of these was the Temple of Artemis located in Ephesus, Turkey which was once considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is believed to have first been built in the 8th century BC, however was destroyed by a flood. It's second construction was far more monumental and took place during the classical age. It stood for only a hundred years however when it was burnt in 356 BC by an arsonist seeking fame. The third construction of the temple was initiated by Alexander the Great and was even more impressive than before. This temple stood for nearly 600 BC and was later witnessed by Christians as a house of paganism.

Significance: The goddess Artemis shared a commonality to Athena and Hestia in that they did not have any lovers nor children. She remained a maiden of Greece and served as the people's protector of the wilderness, hunting, the night, and of sickness.


Ares

Known as: "God of War"
God of: War, violence, bloodshed, and masculinity
Symbol: Sword, Shield, helmet, chariot, boar, dog, vulture
Parents: Zeus and Hera
Spouse: Aphrodite and others
Offspring:

• Eros (God of love and sex; one of the winged gods known as Erotes)
• Anteros (God of requited love and love returned; one of the winged gods of Erotes)
• Phobos (Personification of fear)
• Deimos (God of terror, twin brother of Phobos)
• Phlegyas (King of Lapiths)
• Harmonia (Goddess of harmony and concord)
• Enyalius (Son of Ares and Enyo, god of soldiers and warriors)
• Thrax (Reputed sons of Ares, and the patron of Thrace)
• Oenomaus (King of Pisa, drinker of wine)
• Amazons (Female warriors whose sole purpose was war)
• Hippolyta (Queen of the amazonian who possessed a magical girdle)
• Penthesilea (Queen of the amazonian, who fought in the Trojan war and was killed by Achilles)
• Adrestia (Goddess of equilibrium, balance between good and evil, revolt, and retribution)

Temples: One of the most notable temples built to Ares was located in the northern part of the Agora of Athens. The ruins of the temple date it's construction back to the 5th century during the golden age of Greece.

Significance: He is the utmost embodiment of war, neither good nor evil, rather a sheer representation of the violent chaos that comes with it. His lust for blood and violence often makes him the front-runner of Greek masculinity and therefore he is the perfect opposite to his sister Aphrodite, the very feminine goddess of love. Their love affair is the stuff of total romance yet also total scandal at the hands of Aphrodite's righteous husband, Hephaestus. Ares played an influential role in the Iliad when his father Zeus tells him he is the most hated of all the gods. He later aids the Trojans in the war yet is defeated by his sister Athena who aids the Greeks. Ares' character demonstrates the unique mixture of strength and courage, yet also selfishness and wickedness that comes with war.


Aphrodite

Known as: "Goddess of Love"
God of: Love, beauty, femininity, passion, desire,
Symbol: Dove, bird, flowers, apple, bee, swan
Parents: Zeus and Dione (or Uranus severed genitals)
Spouse: Hephaestus, Ares, Poseidon, Hermes, Dionysus, Adonis, and Anchises
Offspring:

• Eros (God of love and sex; one of the winged gods known as Erotes)
• Anteros (God of requited love and love returned; one of the winged gods of Erotes)
• Phobos (Personification of fear)
• Deimos (God of terror, twin brother of Phobos)
• Harmonia (Goddess of harmony and concord)
• Pothos (Member of the Erotes who embodies yearning and festivities)
• Hermaphorditus (Son of Aphrodite and Hermes who became a winged angel of Erotes)
• Rhodos (The daughter of Apollo and Aphrodite and the wife of Helios)
• Peitho (Daughter of Apollo and Dionysus, goddess of persuasion and seduction)
• The Graces (The three goddesses of charm often associated as daughters of Zeus yet retainers of Aphrodite)
• Priapus (Son of Dionysus and Aphrodite, protector of livestock, gardens, and male genitalia)
• Aeneas (Trojan hero who escaped the burning of Troy to become the first hero of Rome)

Temples: Two of the most notable temples to Aphrodite were located in Urania and Ancient Corinth. The Temple of Aphrodite at Acrocorinth was the more notable of the two built during the golden age of the 5th century BC. It's greatest claim to fame was it's accusations of temple prostitution which was believed to have occurred yet never was confirmed.

Significance: As the goddess of love she is the embodiment of beauty, allure, passion, and femininity. Her birth is often debated as the child of Zeus and the titan goddess Dione, or as a product of the severed genitals of Uranus who was castrated by his son Cronus. Her influence takes center stage in the Iliad, as she is able to win the argument with Hera and Athena, and convince Paris to choose love over power and wisdom. Unlike the other major Greek goddesses who are presented as pure, righteous, and motherly with their virginity intact, Aphrodite represents total passion and has numerous relations. She is first married to Hephaestus, then has a love affair with Ares to the dismay of Hephaestus. Aphrodite and Ares is perhaps the most recognized of Greek love stories, as together they compose perfect symmetry of masculinity and femininity and produce the famous angels of love known as the Erotes. Aphrodite also has love relations with the gods Hermes and Dionysus, and the humans King Anchises, the son of Aeneas. She also had another feud with the goddess Persephone over the very handsome mortal hunter, Adonis. However one day Apollo's son Erymanthus saw Aphrodite bathing nude, and she blinded him, and in response Apollo transformed into a boar and killed Aphrodite's lover Adonis. Aphrodite is the pinnacle of human beauty and has inspired many works of art, paintings, sculptures, and architecture. 


Hephaestus

Known as: "Blacksmith of the Gods"
God of: Craftsmanship, Blacksmith, Forgery, Fire
Symbol: Fire, hammer, anvil, donkey, tongs, quail
Parents: Zeus and Hera, or Hera alone
Spouse: Aphrodite, Aglaea
Offspring:

• Thalia (Nymph daughter, who had an affair with Zeus then hid underground to avoid Hera's jealousy. Her children grew from the ground and henceforce Thalia was associated with flourishing plants)
• Eucleia (The daughter of Aglaea and Hephaestus, who became a younger member of the Graces; spirit of glory and good repute)
• Eupheme (Daughter of Aglaea and Hephaestus, who became younger member of the Graces; spirit of good omen, praise, and acclaim)
• Philophrosyne (Daughter of Aglaea and Hephaestus, younger member of Graces; spirit of welcome, friendliness, and kindness)
• Euthenia (Daughter of Aglaea and Hephaestus, younger member of Graces; spirit of prosperity)
• The Cabeiri (Group of mysterious underground deities and craftsmen) 

Temples: Many temples were built to glorify the god of building, Hephaestus and he is especially honored in the region of Lemnos. However the most famous monument to Hephaestus is Theseion located in the Agora of Athens. The temple was completed in 415 BC and is one of the few temples from the classical age to still stand mostly intact. No doubt the ingenuity of this edifice is a testament to the god of craftsmanship.

Significance: Hephaestus is the righteous hardworking god of Olympus, not spoiled or deterred like his counterparts. His birth is often debated as a product of Zeus and Hera, or merely as an asexual reproduction from Hera. There are also conflicting accounts that Hephaestus defended his mother from Zeus' advances yet was also cast from Olympus by his own mother due to his deformed feet. Hephaestus is often depicted as the ugliest of the gods and his cripple made him not as majestic as the others. However his true glory came from the work of his hands, as he was no doubt the most skilled of the gods. He was first married to the beautiful Aphrodite, yet she later cheated on him with Ares causing them to separate. He later married one of the Graces, Aglaea and they had several children together. The children of Hephaestus and Algea went on to be charming spirits in their own regards.


Hermes

Known as: "Messenger of the Gods"
God of: Travel, commerce, communications, diplomacy
Symbol: The Caduceus, winged sandals, stork, tortoise
Parents: Zeus and Maia
Spouse: Merope, Aphrodite, Dryope, Peitho, Polymele
Offspring:

• Pan (God of the wild, shepherds, the flock, and pastoral music; he is a satyr)
• Hermaphorditus (Son of Aphrodite and Hermes who became a winged angel of Erotes)
• Abderus (Daughter of Hermes, lover of Herakles)
• Autolycus (Considered one of the greatest thieves in Greek mythology)
• Eudoros (Son of Hermes and Polymele, one of Achilles' commanders)

Temples: Hermes did not have many major temples like the other gods however he did have many statues scattered around ancient Athens and Greece.

Significance: Hermes is considered the messenger of the gods and serves as the administrator of all business and diplomatic dealings. He is often associated as a speedy courier with his winged cap and winged shoes. He is also the patron of travel, roads, merchants, sailors, and athletes. He is often associated with trickery and thievery perhaps due to his quick and sneaky nature. He has also made various missions into the underworld and is sometimes seen as another guide of dead souls.


Hestia

Known as: "Goddess of the Hearth"
God of: The hearth, fire, the home, family, domesticity, and the state
Symbol: Fire
Parents: Cronus and Rhea
Temples: She did not have any major significant temple however the ancient court houses of Greece known as the prytaneum were often regarded as the sanctuary of Hestia for she was seen as the goddess of the government.

Significance: She was the eldest daughter of Cronus and Rhea however is one of the least popular of the Gods of Olympus. Her claim to fame is the goddess of the fireplace and she became a symbol of the sanctity of the household as well as family. Similar to Athena and Artemis she did not have any lovers nor children. She is rather seen as a maiden and protector of Greece.


Dionysus 

Known as: "God of Wine"
God of: Wine, Festivities, Ecstasy, Madness, Drama, and Resurrection
Symbol: Thyrsus, grapevine, bull, panther, ivy, goat, chalice
Parents: Zeus and Semele, or Zeus and Persephone
Spouse: Aphrodite, Ariadne
Offspring:

• Priapus (Son of Dionysus and Aphrodite, protector of livestock, gardens, and male genitalia)
• Hymen (Goddess of marriage ceremonies, feasts, and celebratory songs
• Thaos (King of Tauris)
• Staphylus (Son of Dionysus and Ariadne associated with wine-making)
• Oenopion (King of Chios who introduced wine-making to the island)
• Comus (Son and cup-bearer of Dionysus; God of festivity, excess, and sexual lust) 
• Phthonus (God of envy and jealousy) 

Temples: Dionysus had many cults and following due to his exuberant personae. His character is celebrated in festivals, plays, and art throughout Greece and Rome. Perhaps one of the most significant of these temples was located in Naxos built in the 4th century. All that is left of the temple today is it's ruins.

Significance: Dionysus is one of the most intriguing of the major Greek gods, with many accounts from various sources. It is ultimately accepted that he was a symbol of indulgence and festivity however his origins are often speculated. It is often debated who his parents were, whether Zeus, Persephone, or Semele or even suggested as a wayfaring foreigner who introduced wine to the gods. Various accounts indicate that Dionysus was killed by the titans and he was somehow resurrected by his mother Semele. For this reason he is often associated with the underworld and even Egyptian connections to the god of the afterlife, Osiris. He is celebrated in many festivals and is seen as a god of festivity, theatrical drama, the arts, and just having a good time.