Posted on 06/02/2006 10:28:37 AM PDT by PurpleMan
For your considerations.....
It seems as though Haditha has the possiblity of turning into a version of "Breaker Morant." For those who have not seen it, I commend you to take the time to watch it.
Some memorable quotes:
"The barbarities of war are seldom committed by abnormal men. The tragedy of war is that these horrors are committed by normal men in abnormal situations."
"We shot them under Rule 303."
"Live each day as though it were your last; one day you're sure to be right."
"Needless to say, the Germans couldn't give a damn about the Boers. The diamonds and gold of South Africa they're after."
Morant: There is an epitaph I'd like: Matthew 10:36. Major Thomas: Matthew 10:36? Minister: "And a man's foes shall be they of his own household."
"Shoot straight you bastards."
I actually found that in my college's library after I saw the movie. The youngest one of the three, the one who didn't get executed, wrote the book.
It's funny, on Wikipedia they imply that the book was republished in 1982 because the original, published in 1907, had pretty much disappeared. The copy I read was definitely older than 1982.
I have always admired RULE 303...
BREAKER MORANT was directed by another Aussie, Bruce Beresford.
Originally published in 1907 and was reprinted in 1982 by Angus & Robertson.
Many 1982 versions available.
Did you find an original copy in the school library? Where? (Yea, I know. Under "History.")
Capsule review from IMDB:
Here the story goes back to the Boer War a hundred years ago in South Africa, as the British command for political reasons puts Lt. Breaker Morant, an Australian soldier fighting with the British forces, and two of his fellow Bushveldt Carbineers on trial for shooting Boer prisoners. Their defense is the same as the Nazi soldiers and that of Lt. Calley: they were just following orders.
The superb direction by Bruce Beresford (from the play by Kenneth Ross) makes us identify with Morant (Edward Woodward), Lt. Peter Handcock (Bryan Brown) and the third soldier because we can see that the horrors of war pervert the usual logic of right and wrong so completely that we can appreciate what drove them to do what they did. Jack Thompson, playing defense attorney Major J. F. Thomas, expresses this when he tells the court that war changes us and that therefore the usual rules of conduct no longer apply. Incidentally this film is based on actual events.
Regardless of which side of this very vexing question you come down on, I can promise you will enjoy this outstanding film, winner of 10 Australian Film Institute Awards. In the annuals of war films and courtroom dramas this ranks with the best of them.
Thank you for clearing that up. I had no idea what this was about.
My apologies to Purpleman, for asking "what" in such an unkind manner.
"Unkind manner"???
Whiskey-Tango-Foxtrot? ;)
Yeah, that was it. ROFL. You bailed me out.
I will check that one out. I have to say that the FFL is not French so you can be an admirer of their stubborn will.
There was a show on the military channel where 12 guys went through a "modified" FFL boot camp. Very interesting.
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