For centuries, solar eclipses have fascinated humanity.
Ancient cultures explained celestial phenomena in a variety of ways. The Incas perceived solar eclipses as a sign that the sun god, Inti, was angry. They tried to appease the god through sacrifices and fasting.
In ancient Chinese culture, an eclipse of the sun was believed to be the result of a dragon devouring the sun. The Choctaw Native American tribe had a similar belief: they believed that an eclipse was the result of a black squirrel devouring the sun.
Of course, modern astronomy has helped people better understand the phenomenon. Total solar eclipses, in which the moon completely covers the sun, occur about twice every three years.
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Given the mysterious and desirable appeal of eclipses, it’s no surprise that screenwriters have used them in feature films. In most cases, the occasion is used in ominous ways, foreshadowing anything disturbing or frightening on the horizon.
Of course, it’s not all fear. Eclipses have also been used as plot twists, appearing at just the right time to replace a hero’s fate.
Below, we’ve highlighted 12 featured videos showing solar eclipses. They run the gamut of cinema, with horror, thriller, action, fantasy, sci-fi, and family videos represented on the list. What unites them all: But even such strong storytelling is the use of an eclipse as a vital plot tool.
Writers presented the phenomenon in a variety of ways.
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For centuries, solar eclipses have fascinated humanity.
Ancient cultures explained celestial phenomena in a variety of ways. The Incas perceived solar eclipses as a sign that the sun god, Inti, was angry. They tried to appease the god through sacrifices and fasting.
In ancient Chinese culture, an eclipse of the sun was believed to be the result of a dragon devouring the sun. The Choctaw Native American tribe had a similar belief: they believed that an eclipse was the result of a black squirrel devouring the sun.
Of course, modern astronomy has helped people better understand the phenomenon. Total solar eclipses, in which the moon completely covers the sun, occur about twice every three years.
READ MORE: The Most Productive Rock Movie of the Year
Given the mysterious and desirable appeal of eclipses, it’s no surprise that screenwriters have used them in feature films. In most cases, the occasion is used in ominous ways, foreshadowing anything disturbing or frightening on the horizon.
Of course, it’s not all fear. Eclipses have also been used as plot twists, appearing at just the right time to replace a hero’s fate.
Below, we’ve highlighted 12 featured videos showing solar eclipses. They run the gamut of cinema, with horror, thriller, action, fantasy, sci-fi, and family videos represented on the list. What unites them all: But even such strong storytelling is the use of an eclipse as a vital plot tool.