Eclipse of Reason

Eclipse of Reason is a 1987 anti-abortion documentary video directed, filmed, and narrated by Bernard Nathanson, with an introduction by Charlton Heston. Eclipse of Reason is a follow up to Nathanson’s first film The Silent Scream. The film is perhaps most known for its controversial depiction of a dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion.[1] The subject matter of this film focuses more on the moral implications of abortion. It served as Nathanson’s call to the women of the world to end the practice of abortion.[1] This film, as well as The Silent Scream, was instrumental in the Right to Life Committee's garnering the attention of the United States public regarding the issue of abortion.[2]

Eclipse of Reason represented the argument that the fetus is human, and therefore abortion is murder.[1] The film also serves to combat critics to The Silent Scream who argue that, although Nathanson claimed the film relied only on imagery and not pejorative speech, the film was heavily reliant on upon the language of the narrator. Therefore, Eclipse of Reason delivers the same message that abortion is murder, with similar imagery as its predecessor The Silent Scream; however, to avoid the previous objection of language over imagery Eclipse of Reason asks it viewers to consider reason rather than using emotionally charged narration.[1]