AllMovie

From the very moment of birth, death is a reality that every living creature will inevitably experience -- but what is death, really? In this documentary narrated by acclaimed actor Gabriel Byrne, the research of late cultural anthropologist Ernest Becker is explored to reveal his theory of death as the primary motivator of human behavior -- especially in regards to aggression and violence. In addition to Becker's fascinating theory, a group of researchers, philosophers, and scholars including Robert J. Lifton, Cheldon Solomon, and Sam Keen all discuss various cultural views on death and the act of dying while simultaneously offering a life-affirming look at the human condition.