# Why is there No Poetry in the Movies?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-poetry-in-the-movies/105015>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [April 22, 2002, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-poetry-in-the-movies/105015 "2002-04-22T18:02:28Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![mixcoatl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/977dab/32.png) [@mixcoatl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixcoatl)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-poetry-in-the-movies/105015/1 "2002-04-22T18:02:28Z")

</div>

A simple enough question. I have heard that poetry, in cultures that are “less literate”, is far more popular, as their mnemonics make for easier retension and transmission of information. This seems to mesh perfectly with the lowbrow nature of most movies.  
The more I’ve though about this the more it makes sense. Imagine a hard-boiled action adventure movie, with a poetry narration to create the mood. Or equally well, a romantic comedy.  
The director doesn’t have to rely on the sets or the actors or special effects–the poem sets the mood.  
For better or worse, do you think poetry would improve many of the movies you’ve seen recently? Lord of the Rings? The Scorpion King? Changing Lanes? National Lampoon’s Van Wilder?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-poetry-in-the-movies/105015/2 "2002-04-22T22:28:35Z")

</div>

General Questions is for questions that have factual answers.  
Cafe Society is for discussions about the arts.

Off to Cafe Society.

**DrMatrix** - General Questions Moderator

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-poetry-in-the-movies/105015/3 "2002-04-22T22:33:19Z")

</div>

I think _Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring_ was filled with poetry. Same with _Monsters, Inc._ and _In the Bedroom_.

I guess poetry is where you look for it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\
**Post date:** [April 22, 2002, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-there-no-poetry-in-the-movies/105015/4 "2002-04-22T23:47:46Z")

</div>

Oops. [Dupe thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=110967)