(Spike) Lee film to honour black (WWII) soldiers

BBC On Line ^ | Thursday, 7 June 2007 | staff writer

[yankeedame]

Last Updated: Thursday, 7 June 2007, 14:26 GMT 15:26 UK

Lee film to honour black soldiers

Lee recently received a Peabody
award for excellence in electronic
media

Director Spike Lee is to make a film honouring the contribution of black US soldiers during World War II. Lee, who recently announced he would shoot a follow-up to his documentary about Hurricane Katrina, said their role has been overlooked by film.

He told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that before films depicting the Vietnam war, black servicemen were "invisible".

The picture will be based on James McBride's novel Miracle at St Anna and is due to be filmed in Italy.

'Patriots'

"I recently met a black veteran who fought at Iwo Jima and he told me how hurt he was that he could not find a single African-American in Clint Eastwood's two films," Lee said.

He added that despite suffering racial discrimination at home, "black men fought like heroes".

"They behaved like patriots while their brothers were lynched, or at best considered second-class citizens," added the film-maker.

McBride's novel, which is based on a true story, tells the tale of an all-black US army division fighting the Nazi occupation of Tuscany, and a friendship which develops between one of the men and a six-year-old Italian orphan.

Lee, whose other screen credits include Malcolm X and Do The Right Thing, said the film would tell both sides of the story.

"A lot of German soldiers were not faceless evil with no humanity, but simply men fighting on the wrong side - they too were tired, hungry and wanted to go back home," he said

[RedMonqey]

"...Then what's the problem with this movie?"

On reflection and reading your posts perhaps I have made a moutain of a molehill. br>
Other than it being directed by Spike Lee,his director's style, little if any. Frankly, IMHO, much of Lee's work is little better than the "blackspolatation films of the earlier 70's and he gives me little hope of telling a good story, war movie or any other..<

The movie about the Navajo was the Wind Talkers with Nicolas cage and a fair example of telling the story of a real group but with some creative writing to fill the theatre.

A better one comes to mind is "Glory" with Morgan Freedman. The Civil War story about the about the Union's 54th Masss. Colored Regiment.( The first all black army battalion) Another might be "Letters from Iwo Jima" although I have only read reviews as of this time.

If Lee can come up with a good storyline and direct it professionally, I'll gladly eat my words and give proper credit when due.

[RedMonqey]

Just thought of this.

A story that’s been overlooked and I think has good potential is the irreplaceable role the Buffaloe soldiers had in the Spainish -American War in Cuba. At Teddy Roosevelt’s so called Charge up San Juan Hill (it was neither a charge nor at San Juan Hill) However African Americans Calvary played a damned iumportant part(albeit on foot as were most who fought)

[doorgunner46e]

i think they were called the harlem hell cats

[doorgunner46e]

On the contrary, you must remember. these black troops fought for their country even though many of them could not vote, as well as other injustices. if anyone did anything extraordinary it was these brave men who, when they came home, still had to ride on the back of the bus, still could not vote, and still were not represented in the justice system fairly. just google pictures of black swinging from trees. So, it was extraordinary for them to fight for their country despite these injustices. perhaps it is important for many young blacks to see their great grandfathers, grandfathers and fathers in a positive patriotic roll rather then the pimps and drug dealers they are potrayed to be and some aspire to be because that is the only thing they know. maybe, many would want to represent their race in a patriotic way if they had the historic examples of their brave forefathers. such as the Tuskegee airmen, buffalo soldriers, 761 tanks, triple nickle, etc. not to many know about these units. that is why many, such as yourself, perhaps unknowing question why should any one ethnicity be represented in a movie. European americans have movies such as brave-heart, john wayne movies, etc. The movie about the code talkers was a joke. it focused on the white actor and not the Navajo Indians that it was suppose to address.

[doorgunner46e]

your correct. there is no particular veterans day for different races. i believe the discussion is about a movie about black veterans, my goodness this is history. it should be welcomed. you look at many war movies and you can be hard pressed to find black faces in them. it gives the impression that black americans did not contribute in any shape or form for the liberties we all enjoy. you have to remember, many of these black veterans served even though they could not vote, and were treated as second class citizens. so there should be a special thank you for your service inspite of not being able to vote

[doorgunner46e]

no, its time to correct history!!!

[doorgunner46e]

however, you forget, these vets did so, while all the while not being afforded the right to full citizenship

[Wheee The People]

I’m thankful for all military men and women who served. Whatever their skin color.

[wtc911]

There was only one Hollywood film about Black troops in WW2 that I can recall. It was RED BALL EXPRESS and it stands out as the only one out of hundreds.

My Dad's little brother was a 18-19 year old Tank Commander in a recon company of the 14th Armored Division of Patton's Fourth Army. He saw over 100 days straight combat (according to his official record) and it was his tank that was the first through the gates at Moosburgh after a short but harrowing fight with SS sent to kill the POWs there. His role is verified in one of Brokow's books.

He (my Uncle) spoke seldom until he hit his seventies but he always talked of the two times that the 761st pulled his ass out of the fire.

I'd pay to see a movie about these guys.

[KenmcG414]

“no, its time to correct history!!!”

I guess we can trust Spike Lee to do that!!!

[L98Fiero]

Good comments from both you guys with which I agree. I suppose I just don’t trust Spike Lee to make that movie.

I can not imagine what “Glory” would have been like had it been made by Lee. That was an awesome movie and I hope Lee’s movie is built upon the character of men the way “Glory” was.

[wtc911]

The problem with Lee is that he too often writes, produces and directs. With nobody to tell him what's not working he goes over the top. imo, his best work is seen when he directs from somebody else's script, eg, Clockers.

Another factor is cost. Lee can't swing anything larger than Get On the Bus or Girl Six without studio backing. A WW2 era combat flick will have to be his biggest budget ever. No studio will give Lee $30-40 million without a platoon of fiduciary watchdogs and creative decision by committee.

[babble-on]

Spike Lee always irritates me when he speaks in public, but I find that he a subtler filmmaker than speechmaker. “Way back when,” I was prepared to be totally annoyed at Do the Right Thing ( as a white guy living in Brooklyn at the time ) but when I saw it, I had to admit it was not only brilliant, but also “balanced”.

In short, I’ll look forward to see what he does with this subject.

[doorgunner46e]

spike lee disappointed me with the film, malcom x. i would like to see steven spielberg do this movie. he has proven he can direct "black" movies with the color purple, as well as war movies.

[doorgunner46e]

no one else has stepped up to the plate!!