Why Man Creates

11/20/17. I can see why this film won an Oscar and is a National Film Registry pick! Educational as well as entertaining at just the right length to keep you engaged and focused. Don't we wish all films were made this way? While it is very much a product of its time ('60s), it still has a message for any and every generation, what makes Man (Humankind) unique is its creativity. It is the stuff of Culture and what makes us who we are. Wished this was longer.

I was 8 years old when this film came out, so I saw it a couple of times in school (in California). I had never seen anything like it before, nor have I seen anything to compare it with since. For example, Louis Pasteur would have probably remained uninteresting and forgettable to me had I never seen this film; it stimulated my curiosity and enthusiasm for otherwise dry, boring topics. Its short and digestible segments intrigue and entertain. We who love this film get a smile on our faces and warmth in our hearts just to hear the title spoken out loud. "Why Man Creates" is definitely a cult classic and a "must see" for newcomers. I'd love to be able to see it again and show it to my kids.

My talented and gifted group has watched this movie at least once a year since 5th grade. I have now seen the movie at least 10 times. It is one of the most thought-provoking films I have ever seen, plus it is a lot of fun to watch. The vast majority of my friends can quote lines with me; it's that good.

Why Man Creates explores different parts of the creative process, from its history (an amazing animation sequence) to themes of originality, criticism, experiencing art, and searching for meaning. It's very thought-provoking and well worth seeing for anyone. You probably won't find this film outside of an educational setting, but if you ever get the chance to watch it...seize the opportunity.

I saw Why Man Creates in grad school in 1969 and used it at the beginning of nearly every high school World History or Western Civ class I taught here in Alaska between 1970 and 1993. It is the most thought-provoking, engaging, stimulating film I've ever seen that can be used from about 5th grade to age 95. The other descriptions of sequences and 'mini-episodes' in IMDb are very accurate but do not replicate the experience of seeing it. Having seen it 150 or 200 times, to me it still is entertaining and I still notice new details in its fast paced blow by. Bass created a masterpiece. He died in 1996 but this is his generous legacy.

Should WMC be shown regularly on TV? Maybe, but I think it's best when viewers can discuss WMC together, rather than watching it alone in the dark. It ought to be put on DVD and marketed at a low price; it is timeless and could sell across generations. I'm curious how it might be regarded in other nations if it were seen abroad. Would Canadians, Australians or the British find it funny or provocative? How about English speakers in Nigeria or Kenya or India? Parts of it are culturally bound to European civilization, but other sections could be dubbed into any local language and enjoyed. Unequivocally, Why Man Creates is a MUST-SEE film!

I first saw Why Man Creates in high school 1978. I also saw it in college - both times it was shown by a drama teacher/professor. When I started teaching in 1984 I got a copy from the service center and I also showed this film to my drama classes. With an average of 2 classes a year and 40 students, I have now shown this to over 700 students. I start my Theatre I class with a unit on creativity and the importance of failure to the creative process. And after seeing it over 40 times, I'm still finding new things to discuss! I have had several students come back to me after graduation asking where I got my copy, so I was thrilled to find in on the Internet. While it does appear dated in some ways, the message is loud and clear. I would hate to start the year without it!