Solar eclipses in fiction

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of fictional stories in which solar eclipses feature as an important plot element. Passing mentions are omitted from this list.

Contents 1 Written works 1.1 Novels 1.2 Other 2 Films 2.1 Trivia 3 Television

[edit] Written works

[edit] Novels

• A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, by Mark Twain (1889; protagonist predicts a solar eclipse in 528 A.D.).
• Pharaoh, by Bolesław Prus (1895 historical novel with a culminating solar eclipse predicted by the priest Menes).
• Solar Eclipse, by John Farris (suspense novel).
• Pitch Black: Fight Evil with Evil, by Frank Lauria and David Twohy (horror novel).
• Gerald's Game, by Stephen King (1992).
• Dolores Claiborne, by Stephen King (1993).
• Nightfall, by Isaac Asimov, considered by many to be one of his best short stories (1941). In 1990 Asimov wrote a novel-length version in collaboration with Robert Silverberg.
• Sunwing, by Kenneth Oppel (1999).

[edit] Other

• Prisoners of the Sun (Tintin comic-strip album).
• Jim Templeton Vernal Equinox Poetry
• The cover of the 1972 Tangerine Dream album, Zeit

[edit] Films

• A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949)
• Faraon (1966, adapted from Bolesław Prus' 1895 novel, Pharaoh)
• 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
• Dragonslayer (1981)
• Ladyhawke (1985)
• Little Shop Of Horrors (1986)
• Baraka (1992)
• Dolores Claiborne (1995)
• Pitch Black (2000)
• Apocalypto (2006)

[edit] Trivia

• While director Peter Weir was filming Witness (1985) in the Amish region of Pennsylvania, a genuine solar eclipse occurred in the sky above his location. Weir filmed several of his actors in costume and character, responding to the eclipse, with a vague intention of revising the film's storyline to include a solar eclipse. Ultimately, however, the eclipse footage was not included in the final edit.

[edit] Television

• In the animated cartoon, The Simpsons, a solar eclipse induces a temporary power failure of the solar-powered monorail, causing it to stop for a few seconds.

• Sailor Moon: In season four, two eclipses granted power to the villainous Dark Moon (Circus).

• Heroes' first episode Genesis, features an eclipse as a "global event". The series title card is also reminiscent of an eclipse.

• In the animated television series Avatar: The Last Airbender, namely during the second season, an upcoming solar eclipse plays a key role in defeating the Fire Nation, as it is revealed that Firebenders will lose their powers during a solar eclipse. The eclipse is also known on the show as "The Day of Black Sun".

• The Recess episode "Outcast Ashley" partly revolves around Gretchen's attempts to view the solar eclipse occurring that afternoon, and who she views it with.

• In Samurai Jack (animated series, 2001-04), Aku is able to escape the tree he is sealed in due to an eclipse.