Movies on Alchemy

[GrandMasterFox]

Anyone have a reccomendation on materials regarding Alchemy?
A friend of mine asked me to find documenteries regarding Alchemy.

Of course I know when he talks about "documenteries" he includes "what the bleep do we know"

But I figured I might suggest some stuff for him anyway and maybe something will catch on.

Any ideas? Couldn't find anything in any of the usual places.

 

[Lukraak_Sisser]

I doubt there are many documentaries. Alchemy has vanished centuries ago and turned into physics and chemistry, as they started comparing discoveries.
There might be people who *claim* to practice alchemy now, but their actions are as authentic as modern day druids (ie, made up on the spot).

 

[Mysstryss]

Secrets of Alchemy - The Great Cross and the End of Time by Jay Weidner 2004


Product Description
In this visually compelling and thought-provoking documentary, author, scholar and modern-day Indiana Jones, Jay Weidner uncovers some of the deepest secrets of the ancient western tradition of Alchemy - the knowledge of the fatal season of the apocalypse, the end of time and the great and imminent transformation of humanity. Using the work of the mysterious twentieth century French Alchemist, Fulcanelli, as his foundation, and his discovery of a three hundred fifty year old Alchemical Cross in the South of France, Jay Weidner describes the experiences, insights and powerful evidence that opens the door to a new view of the intimate relationship between myth, history, science and the true destiny of humanity. In doing so, he reveals the ultimate meaning underlying the resurrection of Christ, the message of the Book of the Revelations, the vision of Ezekiel and the Kabbalistic concept of the "Restoration of the World."
Join him on this remarkable adventure as Jay Weidner journeys from the shores of Southern France through Alchemical Europe, Ancient Egypt and Peru, to decode the powerful and haunting message of the Great Cross of Hendaye.

I am sorry I died laughing, you will probably choke on woo but that's what I found.

 

[Drs_Res]

Hudson Hawk

Well, it does involve taking over the world via Alchemy using an invention of Leonardo da Vinci.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0102070/

 

[GrandMasterFox]

I doubt there are many documentaries. Alchemy has vanished centuries ago and turned into physics and chemistry, as they started comparing discoveries.
There might be people who *claim* to practice alchemy now, but their actions are as authentic as modern day druids (ie, made up on the spot).

Well, I don't see a problem with a documentary about, for example, greek mythology. Not to claim it is real, but just to cover up what the subject is about.

Or let's say a documentary about psychics that talks about where the word comes from, what people think they can do and of course explanations of what really goes on (cold reading etc)

In other words, the history of the field, not the validity of the claims.
Though debunking is much prefered

I am sorry I died laughing, you will probably choke on woo but that's what I found.

Yes, and quite frankly that's the sort of things the guy is into.
He is very much into the whole Kabala crap

I'm just trying to see if I can find something actually educational for him.

Hudson Hawk

Well, it does involve taking over the world via Alchemy using an invention of Leonardo da Vinci.

LOL, I actually recommended Fullmetal Alchemist.
Though my fox sense is telling me that Hudson Hawk is probably more factually correct than what Mysstryss suggested

 

[catsmate]

BBC: Chemistry A Volatile History. Three parts dealing mainly with the evolution of science from alchemy to chemistry

BBC: Explosions How We Shook The World. Some contents about early alchemical experiments related to explosives and pyrotechnics.

The Philosopher's Stone - The True Story. Documentary examining the myth of the Philosopher's Stone and the alchemists search for it.

TTC: History of Science: Antiquity to 1700. Specifically the episodes Alchemy, Medicine, and Late Islamic Culture and Medieval Latin Alchemy and Astrology.

BBC: The Ascent of Man. Episode 4 The Hidden Structure.

PBS Nova – Newton’s Dark Secrets. Newton's obsession with alchemy and biblical codes.

These are more science than woo orientated.

 

[GrandMasterFox]

Secrets of Alchemy - The Great Cross and the End of Time by Jay Weidner 2004

Just for the heck of it, I decided to google this guy up.
Can't stop laughing... The guy doesn't have his own wikipedia article, but is mentionioned on the Mayanism article.

Let me just sum by saying quoting the wiki article

See also

David Icke

I'm downloading "ordering my copy from Amazon" at the moment... This should be a good laugh.

 

[SusanB-M1]

As a result of reading 'Lost Secrets of the Sacred Ark' by Laurence Gardner some years ago I had a most interesting conversation with someone at the Gold Council (Can't remember its exact title). His job is mainly to advise people on the possible value of gold items, so he seemed to enjoy the subject of our discussion! I spent quite a bit of time trying to find anything that would verify in any way the contention that gold can be changed into a white powder, which was alledgedly the elixir of life or something! I tried challenging David Icke too, but of course did not receive a response. It was on this forum, when I first joined, that I got the scientific, sensible answers.

Yesterday, in contrast to that stuff, I finished an excellent book called 'Periodic Tales' by Hugh Aldersey-Williams, in which each chapter is devoted to one of the metals on the periodic table and gives all sorts of interesting information about what people have thought, done, learnt and written about the elements. I really recommend it. And, yes, there is mention of alchemy in it too!

 

[Nowhere Man]

One problem with alchemy and its materials is that every classical alchemist had his own methods and secrets, and more often than not, they died with him, due to professional jealousy and secrecy.

I recommend the chapter "The Alchymists" in Charles Mackay's Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds. It can be found on Project Gutenberg.

Fred

 

[GrandMasterFox]

Secrets of Alchemy - The Great Cross and the End of Time by Jay Weidner 2004

Okay, I tried watching this crap. I really tried and couldn't.
I wouldn't even mind laughing at the woo, but it's just one guy reading a script in the most monotonous voice I have ever heard.


catsmate1's materials on the other hand were quite enjoyable.
Out of curiosity where did you compile the list from?
Would appriciate to know to help searches in the future.

SusanB-M1 and Nowhere Man, appericiate the materials. I'll look into them.
I generally prefer to distill the materials (pun intended) before I pass them along.