Or they could have gone to the folks that MacArthur often left to mop up...the ANZACs. Not as big an American audience, granted, but still a story well worth telling.Originally Posted by Bob's World
Or they could have gone to the folks that MacArthur often left to mop up...the ANZACs. Not as big an American audience, granted, but still a story well worth telling.
"On the plains and mountains of the American West, the United States Army had once learned everything there was to learn about hit-and-run tactics and guerrilla warfare."
T.R. Fehrenbach This Kind of War
Apparently we talk funnyno market in subtitles
So long as the story is realistic (as opposed to completely accurate), then I would be satisfied if the audience gets to know the characters who die - judging from the trailer, this movie might be attempting to do that. Too many war movies just have random, anonymous characters who die in the background. The only characters whom you get to know are the ones who run through a hail of gunfire, go on to save the day, and return home to their happy family. That wasn't my experience in war. I know a lot of men who were killed, or lost limbs, wives who were widowed, and of marriages that caved under the weight of deployments and training exercises that, on average, consumed 10 months out of every year, for 5 years or more. Those people are not "extras" who blend into the background.
I think that there would be less tendency to politicize the deaths and other sacrifices of our Soldiers if there was a better appreciation for who they are - beyond just numbers in the media's body count, extras in the background of an action scene, or brainwashed killing machines in some ridiculous Rambo-esque movie. I would also hope that, in getting to know the characters in the movie, the writers are able to convey that troops are not just members of the poor, huddled masses, going off to fight the rich man's war because they have no other alternatives in life. That is the root of the soft bigotry that many hold towards the military and probably the greatest obstacle to many people with high potential choosing to serve.
All very well said and understandable. I fear however that the greater US public does not want to know the reality and is more than willing, indeed eager to accept the shorter, glitzier, and ultimately artificial version.
There have been attempts to do what you call for in the past and some have come close. I still like the mini-series Once An Eagle with Sam Elliot playing Sam Damon. There was very little combat shown in the series. A parallel would be the mini-series Lonesome Dove where the western setting was merely a vehicle for the rich character development. Another was Shawshank Redemption; a deliberately long movie to develop the effects of time against the will to survive.
Absent companions,
Tom
I don't know that I'd go that far. I'd say they may have been conditioned to expect that, but given the popularity of the movies and mini-series you mentioned, as well as some you didn't, I'd say that the public (whatever that is) can still be moved by books and visual media where characters are developed and some of those characters die.
Plus, ultimately, we're all somewhat moody in what we read or watch (and we do make up part of that public). Glitz can be entertaining on some days.
"On the plains and mountains of the American West, the United States Army had once learned everything there was to learn about hit-and-run tactics and guerrilla warfare."
T.R. Fehrenbach This Kind of War
Will this man get a part?
See his obituary: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obit...n-Clemens.html
davidbfpo
He could...I think it depends on where they decide to start. Leckie's book covers the Canal, while Sledge joined the First Marine Division after that campaign.
"On the plains and mountains of the American West, the United States Army had once learned everything there was to learn about hit-and-run tactics and guerrilla warfare."
T.R. Fehrenbach This Kind of War
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