For over a decade now, I have traced the Girls Underground archetype as it appears again and again in literature, film, television, fairytales, comic books, art and mythology. This has revealed to me not only the power of this particular story, but the power of Story in general. This is not just a metaphor – I believe Story shapes reality itself. Not surprisingly, some of my favorite movies illustrate the sacred role of Story, and I have recently noted this trend and decided to share a brief list here with you all. If you know a movie that should be added to this list, please let me know in the comments.
Labyrinth – the film that started the idea for Girls Underground begins with Sarah reading from a book (probably a play) called Labyrinth, the details of which (down to the dialogue) she then enacts when the real Goblin King comes for her brother.
The Neverending Story – Bastian is given a special book which turns out to be more than just a simple story. As he reads it, he becomes a part of it, and must save the storybook world from annihilation.
Lady in the Water – a creature named Story arrives from a mythical world to help a writer achieve his destiny. To save her from danger and return her home, the man caring for her must learn the fairytale from which she comes, and find the right people to act out its sacred roles.
Neverwas – Zach’s troubled father wrote a popular children’s book with him as the protagonist when he was younger. Now grown, he finds a delusional man who believes he is a character from the book, and thinks Zach will save his kingdom. However, there is more truth to the story than Zach ever imagined.
Big Fish – Will’s dying father has told tall tales about his life as long as he can remember. But not only is there more truth to his wild stories than Will could have believed, it is the power of the story itself that will give his father the finale he deserves.
The Fall – a little girl named Alexandria is recuperating at a hospital when she meets a man who begins to tell her a long tale. As her imagination bleeds story into reality, the man’s ulterior motives come to light. However, Alexandria wedges herself into the story, and eventually helps heal the man’s heart.
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus – this is perhaps only an “honorable mention,” but during a flashback it is revealed that Doctor Parnassus was once part of a group of monks who ceaselessly told the stories that kept the world moving. When the devil tries to silence them, the world can survive only if people elsewhere are also telling stories.
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January 2, 2014 at 7:05 AM
Kate Winter
Yes, I actually covered it here: https://girls-underground.com/2013/08/12/the-cell/
January 15, 2014 at 7:09 PM
Tilda des Waldes
I think the movie “Ink” might qualify, if you haven’t already covered it–it even has a “Perchten” in it 🙂
Trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBGeErufQdY
January 20, 2014 at 3:08 PM
Kate Winter
I love Ink! Not sure if it qualifies as a movie predominantly about Story, but it’s wonderful…. and slightly Girls Underground, from the little girl’s perspective.
January 18, 2014 at 1:51 PM
Drekfletch
How about Pleasantville, a movie about changing a Story. Sections of The Last Unicorn involve the Unicorn conforming to “Damsel in Distress” Story she uses as disguise.
Many of the Roadrunner/Coyote cartoons involve this as standard business, especially regarding painted tunnels.
January 20, 2014 at 3:09 PM
Kate Winter
Interesting. I’ll have to re-watch Pleasantville with that in mind.
August 6, 2014 at 7:58 AM
Kate Winter
I’m realizing now I should probably add “Inkheart” to this list.
August 6, 2014 at 8:07 AM
Storybound | Girls Underground
[…] by Melissa Burt is one of those books that has all the right elements (it’s even about the Power of Story), but just doesn’t grab me for some reason. Reading the reviews of this book and its sequel, […]
November 6, 2015 at 12:10 PM
New Nightmare | Girls Underground
[…] a solid version of the GU horror trope, this is also a striking and somewhat chilling example of The Power of Story. Additionally, it’s interesting to note that Craven shows the evil entity behind Freddy was […]
January 18, 2016 at 5:14 PM
Kate Winter
“Galaxy Quest” could also be added to this list.
May 26, 2016 at 5:09 PM
Kate Winter
“Secondhand Lions” also demonstrates the power of story.
July 3, 2016 at 8:29 AM
After the adventure | Girls Underground
[…] also speaks to how the journey changes a person. Those of us who understand the Power of Story and implement it in our lives will find this very […]
July 19, 2016 at 9:04 AM
Finding Serendipity | Girls Underground
[…] While the writing in Finding Serendipity by Angelica Banks was a bit too juvenile even for a middle-grade book, in my opinion, I soldiered on because it was not only a GU plot but a classic (if simplistic) example of The Power of Story. […]
July 27, 2016 at 9:20 AM
The Wrinkled Crown | Girls Underground
[…] Along the way, Linny discovers that she resembles a legendary figure that is supposed to save their divided world. In fact, it seems she is this person precisely because her mother journeyed to the wrinkled hills in search of that girl, and in the hills, Story makes reality. When Linny finally reaches her friend Sayra, they manage to return from the distant Away by telling the story of their adventures, over and over again, including an ending that brings them home again, until it comes true. An excellent example of the Power of Story! […]
March 24, 2017 at 5:26 PM
American Fable | Girls Underground
[…] sees the world through the lens of stories (The Power of Story), making sense of what she experiences by relating it to the tales she knows well. And so what is […]
August 20, 2017 at 11:17 AM
Kate Winter
Adding “A Monster Calls” to this list.
August 1, 2018 at 9:00 AM
The Hazel Wood | Girls Underground
[…] and this is one of them. Not only does it follow the archetype beautifully, it delves into the Power of Story in a world where the stories are mostly dark and cruel and perilous – something I noticed a […]
January 27, 2019 at 1:49 PM
Kate Winter
Can’t believe I forgot to add “Unbreakable” to this list.
March 24, 2019 at 8:22 AM
In the Night Wood |
[…] you can see from this excerpt from the book-within-a-book, there is also a deep awareness of The Power of Story running through these recursive tales, which also grabbed my interest. And then, of course, […]
October 4, 2019 at 10:31 AM
Candyman |
[…] I noticed in particular this time around was that in its own way, this is all about the Power of Story. What the Candyman wants most – what he thrives on – is belief. The legend must […]
November 25, 2019 at 8:50 AM
The Ten Thousand Doors of January |
[…] what I was looking for (and more, since it turned out to also touch upon my favorite theme, the Power of Story… in this case, the power of words themselves to change reality). I don’t think […]