Suggesting further that Director of Seminars Tim Caspar doesn’t give a fuck or is, possibly, a horrendous bigot, here are some excerpts from my A-garnering essay for the “War on Film” CCA lecture series:
“As a glaring point of misunderstanding, there is a scene [in Grand Illusion] where an American is rude to a Frenchman. Though it is somewhat minor, it goes to show the trouble with their understanding of the greatness of America and the necessity and opportunity of fighting for a great cause.”
“The film [Zulu] is wonderfully shot and shows the courage and honor of war. It is fun to watch Chard and Bromhead pick these traits up and lead the charge against the Zulus, who are portrayed as equally noble. This is the major qualm I have with the movie…Not to say that those African people were completely unjustified in their attacks, but they were, let’s face it, the attackers on the well-meaning British occupying forces. Further, Americans watching this movie will obviously, naturally, and probably rightly associate with the British side, so to act as though the other side was equal and could actually be right is likely false and may be detrimental to the American spirit as the country tackles the current war.”
“He repeatedly found fault with American war films, especially World War II films, for depicting the enemy as largely evil. My question for Mr. Cowley is: so what? These were groups of people who were threatening to destroy American lives — the very people trying to spread freedom and democracy to them. If that does not sound evil, I don’t know what does.”
“If films were made like they were, for the most part, in World War II, then many leftist liberals could hopefully grasp with their Ivy League educations how good and even inspiring a war can be when fought for democracy and freedom. Then, for once, their degrees would be going to good use.”
