Posted on 08/20/2008 1:52:36 PM PDT by baba123
Our son is an 8th grade student at a Charter School. He came home with a list of movies they would be watching in class. As we have not seen any of these movies we would like opinions as to how appropriate and accurate these movies are. We do not let our kids watch R rated movies but would like to know if they are historically accurate. The movies are The Patriot, We Were Soldiers, Glory, Uprising and Saving Private Ryan. We value your opinions. Thank you
He’s in a charter school, normal public school rules don’t apply apparently.
From what I understand the main historical inaccuracy with Glory is the Mass 54th did not have escaped slaves in the regiment. It was composed of free blacks from all over the Union. Frederick Douglas and the abolotionists sponsors of the regiment knew the world would be watching how it performed so they made sure they had the best men the negro community had to offer. Supposedly the educational level of the unit was higher than other Union regiments.
I teach HS history. First question I would ask is what context are the movies being shown in? Is the teacher just popping them in and grading in the back? That’s a lot of lost class-time.
I would only show the opening of Saving Private Ryan (D-Day Landings) which is about 25 min. The rest of the move (another 2 1/2 hours) is not necessary.
Patriot is a joke, don’t bother.
Glory is a good one, I would show that in its entirety.
I never saw Uprising, and only vaguely remember We Were Soldiers.
Both “The Patriot” and “Saving Private Ryan” have some of the most gratuitous violence I have ever seen in films.
And in fact, I walked out of “Saving Private Ryan” when my hubby was watching the DVD. I said, “Tell me how -——, gets killed.” (no spoilers from me) He was shocked that I figured out the ending. To me, it was obvious from the first piece of celuloid.
I couldn’t take the violence.
The Patriot [with Mel Gibson, about the Swamp Fox Francis Marion] seems to give Marion credit for the US Revolution Battle of Cowpens, in which Marion did not lead the US forces, and maybe was not present at. It was much praised by people tending to the political right when it came out, about eight years ago.
Glory [about an all-black regiment in the Civil War led by a white Massachusetts man] includes fictional characters.
Saving Private Ryan involves D-Day but is entirely fictional.
None of above would I consider particularly faithful to history except in the most general sense. The rest I don’t know. What bothers me is that your kid is watching a bunch of movies in the 8th grade. He should be reading books.
Saving Private Ryan and We Were Soldiers are both excellent, but too much for 8th graders. Extremely violent. I read where some combat vets suffered PTSD after watching the first scene from SPR. I don’t know if I would let my 8th grader see it.
The Patriot, althugh a fine film, is not that historically accurate and tends to paint the Brits as bloothirsty patriot murderers.
Saving Private Ryan is pretty intense ... lots of realistic deaths.
When We Were Soldiers is one of the most brutally violent movies ever released.
The Patriot - very plodding ... 2 hours 45 min ... some heavy violence (Mel Gibson’s son is brutally murdered) .....
Not sure any of them would be up to the sophistication of an 8th. grader.
SHOW THEM Gettysburgh. A factual and most realistic film of any battle I have ever seen. Its long I know but I tell you it really hits home how they sent brother against brother in that slaughter.
Glory is an excellent choice for the class.
Didn’t like the Patriot as he only became “patriotic” in revenge for the death of his son.
Private Ryan and Glory are excellent films, although quite graphic and realistic. We were soldiers is probably way too graphic in gore and language for an 8th grader, although Sam Elliott’s role as the Sgt. Major was probably his best. My 12 year old son’s favorites are Gettysburg and God’s and Generals, both of which are incredible and highly accurate. Although realistic, they are OK for younger viewers.
I would hope the films are part of a whole curriculum that actually includes books too.
Excellent movie.
Glory, while not completely accurate is a wonderful movie with good acting and a compelling story.
Why are they watching movies in school???
I would agree with you that short clips would work better than whole movies. I think they can be great to spark discussion.
Didn’t “The Patriot” piss off a lot of liberals when it came out?
My uncle had to get up and leave SPR. He said that it was almost exactly as it was...except there wasnt enough boys crying for Momma while they lay wounded.
ping
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