MovieChat Forums > Gargoyles (1972) Discussion > An Interesting Theory (For Those Who've ...

An Interesting Theory (For Those Who've Seen It)

posted 6 years ago by twinA (4826)
5 replies | jump to latest

So the gargoyles spawn every 500 Earth years to wrestle control of the mortal realm away from humanity, appearing in all parts of the world, various cultures and folk tales from the sands of ancient Egypt to the castles of medieval Europe. Are they really necessary in destroying the human race considering all the deadly, destructive conflicts we put ourselves through (The World Wars, Black Plague, nuclear annihilation, and so on)?

I know this is just a made-for-TV movie and am putting too much stock into it but my point is: even though the gargoyles are evil in their purpose and nature, they serve as a unifying catalyst in bringing all of humanity together to fight a common enemy. In this sense, they stop humanity from destroying themselves. Assuming the movie takes place the year it was filmed, 1972, that means these hell bound creatures last surfaced in the late 1400s, shortly before Columbus's historic journey to the new world, ushering in unprecedented contact in the time of man. It may explain how the gargoyles gradually ended up in what would be the southwest of the continental United States.

Last thing to consider. The gargoyles were defeated before the next generation could be born from their incubation period by a small band of people with only a handful of guns, gasoline, and a lighter. Can you imagine what the gargoyles might face against humanity in the future, if we've managed to survive from imploding ourselves? The fate of humanity is uncertain and the ending should give us pause.

[–] Underdog_73 (759) 6 years ago

Are they really necessary in destroying the human race considering all the deadly destructive conflicts we put ourselves through (The World Wars, Black Plague, nuclear annihilation, and so on)?

Considering the fact the human population is thriving and multiplying exponentially, despite the examples you've mentioned, the answer would be a resounding yes.

[–] twinA (4826) 6 years ago

I love your answer! Are you implying that humanity needs to be taken down a notch, despite overcoming incredible odds? I mean no offense, it's just I thought about your response, re-reading to myself, wondering if by sheer dilemma, that sometimes we see ourselves as the heroes and the gargoyles as the villains, but only because we choose to see it that way? It's fascinating to ponder since we are known to see ourselves in the center of our own story in the classic tale of the struggles between the forces of good and evil.

[–] twinA (4826) 6 years ago

I realize my question quoted above may need some explaining. Since I'm human and very much want all of us to be alive and well, of course I'm advocating from a position that humanity must be saved, haha! (^ ^)

[–] Underdog_73 (759) 6 years ago

"Taken down a notch" would be a good description. I in no way advocate the destruction of human kind, but I also don't always see us as the heroes. We seem to want to control the population of all species, but our own. Worse, as we get smarter, we're able to overcome nature's controls, and sooner or later, as Agent Smith so eloquently put it, we will be the cancer of the planet. If we're not already. I didn't mean to get this deep. I'm not an activist oddball about it. It's simply a fleeting opinion.

[–] twinA (4826) 6 years ago

I don't think you came off that way. It seems like generations of people time and time again are always having to repeat the same lessons of past mistakes. Humans do not change on the turn of a dime; the same mentality to wage war once by only throwing rocks is now capable of destroying Earth with weapons of mass destruction. You figure the world as we see it today is not the same world our ancestors saw; resources were more abundant, huge vegetation covered the world's landmasses, the ecosystem was so much more diverse.

We look at the incredible number of people living today. Imagine all the people who used to be alive throughout history, an untold number of people have inhabited this world and its riches. It's unknown how we'll be viewed in the future, with the chapters in history yet to be written. Somehow, I think humanity will ultimately survive because people are inherently good, despite the odds.

My goodness, looks like I'm the one who sounds nutty now. Thanks for such a lively discussion. (^u^)

Congrats on reaching 500 posts! The numbers may not mean anything but it's nice recognizing a regular contributor here.