American movies are often very good at mining those great

Tom Hooper, a craftsman of story and image, once observed: “American movies are often very good at mining those great underlying myths that make films robustly travel across class, age, gender, culture.” At first, these words may seem a reflection upon cinema alone, yet they hold within them a truth that belongs to the whole human race. He speaks of myths—those timeless stories that lie deeper than fact, deeper even than history, in the very marrow of humanity. These are the tales that bind us, the patterns of heroism, love, sacrifice, and transformation that echo across peoples and ages.

The origin of Hooper’s thought lies in the power of American cinema to draw upon such universal myths and cast them in forms that the world embraces. From the cowboy riding into the sunset, to the rebel fighting an empire among the stars, to the dreamer who rises from poverty to triumph—these are not merely stories of one nation, but reimaginings of ancient archetypes. American filmmakers, with their vast reach and ambition, have learned to weave the threads of legend into modern garments, so that a story born in Hollywood may be understood in villages, cities, and countrysides far beyond its borders.

The strength of these myths is that they transcend the boundaries of class, age, gender, and culture. A child and an elder can both marvel at the courage of a hero. A laborer and a king can both see themselves in the struggle of a man or woman against injustice. A story of love touches the mother in her home, the soldier on the battlefield, the stranger in a foreign land. Myths endure because they are not bound by circumstance—they speak to what is unchanging in the human soul.

History confirms this power. Consider Homer’s Odyssey: though written in the cradle of Greece thousands of years ago, it still resonates today. The yearning for home, the struggle against monsters within and without, the endurance of loyalty—these are truths recognized in every corner of the world. In the same way, when American films retell such myths in modern form, whether through epics like Star Wars or dramas like Rocky, they strike the same universal chords. This is why they travel so well across nations: they do not merely tell a tale, they awaken an inheritance already dwelling in the human heart.

Yet Hooper’s words carry also a challenge. For myths can be used to unite, but also to manipulate. They can uplift by reminding us of nobility, or they can deceive by glorifying violence, greed, or domination. To mine myths responsibly is to understand their sacred weight. A storyteller who awakens these ancient echoes bears a burden: to shape not only entertainment but the imagination of generations. Thus, the artist must ask—what virtues am I cultivating in the souls who watch? What vision of humanity am I strengthening or weakening?

The lesson for us is clear: seek the myths beneath the stories you consume. Ask yourself not only, “Was it entertaining?” but, “What does it teach about courage, love, and truth?” In our own lives, we too are storytellers, shaping the myths that guide our children, our communities, our nations. When you tell your story, let it be one that inspires, that builds bridges across boundaries, that reflects the deeper patterns of hope and perseverance that unite mankind.

Practically, this means cherishing the stories you pass down—whether through film, literature, or your own words. Share tales that teach responsibility, kindness, and bravery. Support works of art that honor the dignity of all people, rather than dividing them. And in your own journey, live a story worth telling, so that your life becomes its own myth—a testament to values that endure when the lights have dimmed and the stage is silent.

Thus, Tom Hooper’s reflection becomes more than commentary on cinema: “American movies are often very good at mining those great underlying myths that make films robustly travel across class, age, gender, culture.” It is a reminder that stories are bridges, myths are anchors, and art is a mirror to the eternal within us. Let us then be careful miners of myth, weaving tales that carry peace, courage, and truth across the divisions of this world, so that all who hear may recognize themselves in the grand story of humanity.