Chariots of the Gods (film)

Chariots of the Gods
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHarald Reinl
Written byHarald Reinl
Wilhelm Roggersdorf
Based onChariots of the Gods?
by Erich von Däniken
Produced byManfred Barthel
Günther Eulau
Narrated byHeinz-Detlev Bock
Klaus Kindler
Christian Marschall
CinematographyErnst Wild
Edited byHermann Haller
Music byPeter Thomas
Distributed byTerra Film
Release date
  • 26 April 1970 (1970-04-26)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryWest Germany
LanguageGerman
Box office$25.9 million[1] or $12.46 million[2]

Chariots of the Gods (German: Erinnerungen an die Zukunft, lit. 'memories of the future') is a 1970 West German documentary film directed by Harald Reinl. It is based on Erich von Däniken's book Chariots of the Gods?, a pseudoscientific book that theorizes extraterrestrials impacted early human life and evolution. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.[3][4]

Synopsis

The film begins by introducing the cargo cults established by South Pacific Natives after coming in contact with American planes in World War II. It claims that it is likely that all religions began in a similar fashion. The viewer is then presented with various ancient texts, architecture, and artwork. Some of these include the Bible, the Pyramids, the Epic of Gilgamesh, and the Nazca Lines.

Release

The film was re-edited and dubbed into English by Sunn Classic Pictures for release in the United States in 1973.[5]

Reception

The U.S. release of Chariots of Gods grossed $25,948,300.[1] Film critic Phil Hall said "They don't make films like this any more, and we should be glad for that." The film was criticized for a lack of scientific evidence. Anthropologist Robert Ardrey called it science fiction.[6]

Soundtrack charts

Chart (1972) Position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[7] 28

References

  1. ^ a b "Erinnerungen an die Zukunft". WorldwideBoxoffice.com. 1970.
  2. ^ Donahue, Suzanne Mary (1987). American film distribution : the changing marketplace. UMI Research Press. p. 291. ISBN 9780835717762. Please note figures are for rentals in US and Canada
  3. ^ "The 43rd Academy Awards (1971) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
  4. ^ "NY Times: Chariots of the Gods". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2009. Archived from the original on 15 March 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2008.
  5. ^ Cohn, Lawrence (7 July 1982). "'Chariots of Fire' Becomes Top Import Pic In U.S. B.O. History". Variety. p. 1.
  6. ^ Ebert, Roger (20 March 1975). "Interview with Robert Ardrey". RogerEbert.com.
  7. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 281. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.