Posted by Darth Dobbin at 208-58-252-158.s412.tnt2.nwhv.ct.dialup.rcn.com on May 25, 2001 at 12:14:08:
In Reply to: "We had, quite literally, conquored the world".... posted by Roosta on May 25, 2001 at 11:56:23:
: However, MANY nations joined together to win that one, and I feel that you post, Darth Dobbin, displays quite clearly the concerns of some people that these recent war movies paint a picture that the US won the war on it's own.
This is very, very true. In the "conquoring the world" turn of phrase, I was talking about unleashing the atom bomb. After that action, America was, if only momentarily, the only clear "superpower" to emerge out of the conflict. But yes, the British were fighting, and being bombed on their own soil, for too long before we were were begrudingly forced into action. Actually, it was, to be honest, the Russians who dealt the heaviest blows to the Axis, and who suffered the heaviest losses. And yes, our Hollywood movies all too often do not show the selfless acts and bravery of the other nations who were Allies.
Saving Private Ryan, I believe, was particularly guilty of this.
I didn't get that from SPR; I thought it was told from an American perspective, obviously, but only because it had to do with a very specific American's company and it's journey through the war.
U-571, what was going on there?
That, I'll give you in a heartbeat. That was a travesty, and I think an embarrasment. Why "steal" a British accomplishment to make a film? I don't know.
. Britain got involved to stop an injustice in Europe. America got involved because they got bombed and hit back.
Well, I'd argue that Britain got involved because far-seeing men like Churchill understood the threat that the whole world was soon to face, while Chamberlain though appeasment was possible. I understand there are arguments that appeasment was a time-stalling policy to allow an under-prepared Britian to begin fortifying, but still.. Point conceded. In ALL my posts on the subject thus far, I have tried to point out that our greatest sin was staying isolationist too long, and not getting involved sooner.
: Movies these days do not communicate this fact and there are many people that feel that this is a great, great injustice.
: Peace.
Thanks for your note of perspective. It's true, in the zeal that we feel, sometimes as Americans, we tend to crow about OUR own actions, and not put the actions of others in the spotlight.
At least we can all agree on one thing.. To hate the French.
(just kidding.)