DR, on "Arc of Dinosaurs."

 

Religion is the most powerful concept in human history. It has been the root cause of small acts of altruism to wide scale wars, it has given meaning and purpose to individuals lives, while taking others away. The power religion bestows has prompted it to appear in countless varieties of popular culture; Disney is no exception to this. Religious elements can be seen in many Disney productions. One clear example is seen in the 2000 film ‘Dinosaur’. On the surface, Dinosaur is about a group of Dinosaurs trying to find a inhabitable environment after the earth’s collision with a comet. However, the film seems to be symbolic of the events surrounding William Miller in 1844 known as the Great Disappointment. Accompanied by Bruce Dickinson’s “Arc of Space” from the album “Accident of Birth” it is easy to see the synchronisations between the Dinosaurs in the film and the Millerites.

Millerism was a strong religious movement in the 1800s. The movement was based on William Miller’s teachings that the second advent would occur on October 22nd, 1844 (Greenwood).  Through rigorous study of the bible, Miller developed a formula for the time of the Second Advent. Miller’s work was published in “The Signs of the Times” had helped generate over 50,000 followers. All uncertainty for the followers was laid to rest with the appearance of Halley’s comet just months prior to the expected date; it was viewed as a sign from God that the advent was approaching (Boyer) . When the day finally came the Millerites joined together with their families, climbed to the hill tops, and waited for the return (Greenwood). Sadness filled the hearts of the Millerites as the time passed and everything was the same; many wept and described a sorrow greater than anything they had ever experienced (Boyer). This event is known as “The Great Disappointment”. Despite this, William Miller still believed the time was coming. He estimated that the Advent would occur in just one year.

The film Dinosaur and the song Arc of Space depict this religious event. The film is based upon what is the end of time, exactly what the Second Advent would bring. The arranged symmetry of eggs in the films opening can represent Miller’s mathematical formula and calendar. Early in the film the characters witness a series of comets dash across the sky; this can be seen as symbolic of  witness of Halley’s comet by the Millerites. The Dinosaurs begin their physical and mental journey, awaiting the moment of salvation. As they reach their destination, they are filled with sadness as everything they had hoped for did not come to be. As this transpires, the sounds of melodic guitars, strings, and cellos accompany Dr. Dickinson’s operatic vocals. He sings specifically of the pilgrims on the hilltops awaiting the return of Christ. Dickinson belts “In my heart I touch the face of God” with a passion and closeness the Millerites would have expressed. The nothingness that occurred is represented in the lyric “Its all a dream somehow”. In the final verse Dickinson reflects on the uncertainty of such events but still maintains a hope that they might occur within a year, just as Miller did.

             Popular culture is filled with religious elements. The realms of film and music often express religious elements. The Bruce Dickinson song “Arc of Space” is specifically inspired by the Great Disappointment, while the Disney film “Dinosaur” depicts the event in a more symbolic way. Combined, the music and the film clearly demonstrate the Millerite movement, from its hopefully beginnings to its sorrowful endings.