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December 07, 2007
Not According to Script
Today is Dec 7, a day that will live in infamy.
Before, during, and after World War II, Hollywood supported America and her allies in the battle against genocidal enemies. Make no mistake about it, the value of Hollywood films during war is incalculable. Our images shape opinion and memory. In fact, America has never lost a war without Hollywood's support. Hollywood cheered the defeat of America in Vietnam, thus enabling the Vietnamese gulags and mass murders carried out by the Communists, and of course the subsequent Cambodian genocide.
Times have changed.
A generation of Hollywood talent, reared on the myths of heroic opposition to the Vietnam War are making the decisions now. And their decisions are so out of step with mainstream America that it's not just fiscally irresponsible and artistically disastrous, but movies that actually enable the enemy are given the green-light.
Say what you will about the old Hollywood moguls; they were crude, they were ruthless, they often treated talent like cattle. But they loved America. Almost every original studio head was a dirt poor Jewish immigrant fleeing pogroms, who made it in the Goldina Medina, the Golden Land. They were grateful to live in America, grateful for our freedoms, and they placed the enormous weight and prestige of their studios behind the war effort.
Now, the studios, broken vessels unsure of the new media at hand, piloted by clever ivy league graduates, compete to make films that besmirch our troops and make filth of America's name. At the same time—and they never foresee the terrible consequences of their ghastly productions—strengthening the hand of Jew-hating jihadists, barbarians who would gladly slit their throats as quickly as they would slit my throat.
Before the strike, I had a meeting with a Hollywood producer and we were discussing the failure of the recent tsunami of anti-Iraq war films. The producer said:
“Well, I guess audiences aren't interested in Iraq.”
“I think audiences would be very interested in Iraq if we made films where American troops weren't portrayed as psychopaths, rapists, and hillbilly war criminals, but as honorable, multi-faceted warriors who are fighting the scum of the earth.”
“Huh, never thought of that.”
The guns of war have fallen silent for Hollywood. Studio executives, who could once count on Americans filling theaters for just about any war movie they produced, are finding this year's war flicks to be a bunch of duds. "Lions for Lambs," Robert Redford's case against the war in Afghanistan, is a flop. It stars Mr. Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise and may not make back its $35 million price tag. Brian De Palma's "Redacted" played to empty seats. Even "The War," Ken Burns's much-anticipated World War II documentary that aired on PBS in September, met a less-than-explosive reception.
But Americans haven't lost their taste for war footage. They've just found a better place to see the type of war film they actually enjoy watching. Some of the hottest videos on YouTube are of actual battles that have taken place in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is footage that often hasn't made its way onto the nightly news or CNN--although some of it has--but it's largely unadulterated film that shows American soldiers in action, bringing the full weight of American military might to bear against the enemy. And in most of these films, it's clear who the enemy is.
To read the entire Wall Street Journal editorial by Brendan Miniter, please click here.
Hat Tip: Seraphic Friend MoChassid.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at December 7, 2007 09:06 AM
Comments
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The producers comment is insightful....
Especially when one observes the junk that passes for art that is currently being released.
And.....how many people today take note of "Pearl Harbor Day".....
Thanks Robert for helping us not to ever forget that terrible day.
Posted by: Lance at December 7, 2007 10:19 AM
Lance:
You're very welcome. Have a Good Shabbos and a happy Chanukah.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at December 7, 2007 01:04 PM
I posted some pictures from the Naval historical Center (http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/events/wwii-pac/pearlhbr/pearlhbr.htm) on my blog--some things that I never saw before. I didn't know, for instance, that the Army took the flag that had flown over the Capitol on PH Day and flew it over Berlin, Tokyo, and Rome. There's a moving aerial photo of sailors on the USS Bennington spelling out "ARIZONA" on the deck as the ship passes the sunken wreck.
I have a friend who got married on December 7 a few years ago. I was shocked that she would even consider that date, but I guess I come from a different era.
May those lost at Pearl Harbor rest in peace.
Good Shabbos and Happy Hanukkah.
Posted by: Dr.Carol at December 7, 2007 03:59 PM
Dr. Carol:
Thanks so much for the link to the photos and the valuable information. We had a wonderful Shabbos Chanukah.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at December 9, 2007 09:02 AM