Creatures Fantastic

Synopsis

Embarks on an odyssey to uncover the origins of myths an mythical creatures the world over. What links do dragons, werewolves, vampires, mermaids and unicorns have to natural history? What is the relevance of myths in today's society?

First Air Date: 1997-01-01

Last Air Date: 1997-01-01

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 13

Networks: BBC One, Discovery

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Zoë Wanamaker as Narrator

Seasons

Season 1 (1997)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Creatures of the Night (1997-01-01)

The different kinds of nocturnal monsters and spirits to appear in mythology, with explanations about what they may represent to us.
Ep. 2: Dragons

Different roles of dragons in mythology, with their links to living reptiles and amphibians as well as exploring their relevance in the modern day.
Ep. 3: Creatures of the Deep

The sea in mythology, including the gods and creatures that live within it.
Ep. 4: Mythical Cats

Many ways that cats appear in mythology, combining both domestic cats and big cats – this includes mythological cat monsters and superstitions about the living animals.
Ep. 5: The Apocalypse

Ancient stories of different doomsdays, exploring why humans come to believe they are destined to be destroyed and comparing these myths to real mass-extinction events.
Ep. 6: Werewolves

The stories of metamorphosis between man and animal, with a particular focus on the stories of werewolves, as well as looking at other folklore surrounding wolves.
Ep. 7: The Underworld

Different underworlds, with an emphasis on the Egyptian, Greek and Christian versions, exploring the role religion plays in these stories and examining both near-death experiences and the different sources for the creation of the devil.
Ep. 8: Man Beasts

The appearance and significance of human-animal hybrids in mythology.
Ep. 9: Spirits of the Forest

The mythology surrounding temperate forests, including the creatures living within it, as well as looking at beliefs about the seasonal changes of the forest environment.
Ep. 10: Mythical Horses

The role of the horse in mythology, including stories about the creation of the horse and creatures with horse-like features.
Ep. 11: Birds and Things with Wings

The role of birds in mythology, including depictions of mythical bird creatures.
Ep. 12: Tricky Tricksters

Trickster characters and the role they play in human society.
Ep. 13: Aliens

The modern stories of aliens, looking at several notable alien encounters, comparing these creatures to living insects and examining if they are an update of ancient myths or actually inspired them.