doc mcb | 02 Dec 2023 8:08 a.m. PST |
I'm working on a teachers guide to movies that can be used in teaching US. (And I'm fully aware of the problems -- length, problematical material, etc.) I have a good list of older Hollywood films -- and often used them in the classroom, generally in short clips. But I know there have been many Netfliks or Amazon Prime or such, including many I am not familiar with. (Apple+'s GREYHOUND must be one of the best naval films ever.) So, what suggestions do you have for films that have a direct applicability to a middle school or high school US history class? WWhich scenes would you use? The new WASHINGTON'S ARMOR on Amazon is very fine. |
14Bore | 02 Dec 2023 8:44 a.m. PST |
Going to suggest 2 war movies Battleground about the Battle of the Bulge campaign, just watched this week a YouTube review and it gave fantastic information confirming why I think it's one of my favorite war movies. Master and Commander. Another well acted and a great review of sailing warfare if less historical but nevertheless accurate of possibility |
doc mcb | 02 Dec 2023 9:22 a.m. PST |
Yes, I certainly agree about MASTER ND COMMANDER. |
Eumelus ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 02 Dec 2023 10:02 a.m. PST |
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mjkerner | 02 Dec 2023 10:08 a.m. PST |
I second 14bore! Plus… WWII: Tora Tora Tora; The Story of GI Joe; Run Silent, Run Deep WWI: Milestones original All Quiet on the Western Front (not the new remake or even John Boy Walton's and Ernie Borgnine's 1970's version); Dawn Patrol; The Blue Max Korea: Pork Chop Hill; The Manchurian Candidate (again, the original only!) US Civil War: Glory; The Great Locomotive Chase All have lessons about citizenship, serving your country, the ravages of war on people, etc. |
mjkerner | 02 Dec 2023 10:08 a.m. PST |
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The Virtual Armchair General ![Sponsoring Member of TMP Sponsoring Member of TMP](boards/icons/sponsor.gif) | 02 Dec 2023 11:07 a.m. PST |
You might consider "The Crossing," even if it fails to communicate the truly horrific weather Washington's army had to contend with. You might also vidi the Burt Lancaster/Kirk Douglass film version of "The Devil's Disciple." If nothing else, any exposure to George Bernard Shaw's take on history is a great way to learn about ideas as well as not a bad outline of the Saratoga campaign. For WWII, run the original films "Midway" and "Memphis Belle" made during the war. Their immediacy may prove engaging. Another vote for "Battleground" with some commentary after viewing on what it so realistically depicts of the attitudes and behaviors of GI's in action. TVAG |
Ferd45231 | 02 Dec 2023 11:20 a.m. PST |
Taught US. Western, Govt and Econ in a HS setting. I found, as doc already mentioned, using short clips from movies both old and new was the most effective way to use them in a HS class room. A question sheet helped to hold them accountable and provided a framework for a guided discussion. Also team taught a course on film with the English and art department so I learned a good deal from those guys when using film in my own room. So many good choices abound. H |
DisasterWargamer ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 02 Dec 2023 12:17 p.m. PST |
A few from different genres Citizen Kane Bedford Incident All the Presidents Men Dr Strangelove Grapes of Wrath The Right Stuff Wind Talkers Drums along the Mohawk Field of Lost Shoes The Yankee Clipper |
FearAndLoathing | 02 Dec 2023 12:27 p.m. PST |
Bedford Incident great insight into the cold war |
doc mcb | 02 Dec 2023 12:40 p.m. PST |
I taught in a private school -- day and boarding -- and kids were accustomed to saturday classes on occasion. I'd show a whole film as extra credit on a Saturday, 10 am to noon. Had probably 80% attendance. A favorite of mine is THE MOUNTAIN MEN. Over the top in places, yes, but it shows the rendezvous system, and the fragility of native culture that was visibly disintegrating at the slightest contact with whites. Not even farmers, but hunter-trappers. |
doc mcb | 02 Dec 2023 12:41 p.m. PST |
Nobody has mentioned BLACK ROBE. |
35thOVI ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 02 Dec 2023 1:26 p.m. PST |
Doc I used to talk with WW2 veterans a lot, especially pilots. Hands down when I asked about movies that best reflected their experience, the bomber guys said: "12 O'Clock High" with Gregory Peck. |
mjkerner | 02 Dec 2023 2:04 p.m. PST |
Ooooh, yes, Black Robe. And how about The Cruel Sea (not American made, and not about the US per se, but really conveys the Atlantic convoy sufferings. And maybe too juvenile for high schoolers, but there's always Johnny Tremain for the Am Rev. Good list, Disaster! |
FearAndLoathing | 02 Dec 2023 2:54 p.m. PST |
Not North America, but South: The Mission |
doc mcb | 02 Dec 2023 3:48 p.m. PST |
I think RIDE WITH THE DEVIL is very fine. |
wpilon | 02 Dec 2023 8:28 p.m. PST |
1776 and Hamilton for the stories of how we became the United States of America |
Jlundberg ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 02 Dec 2023 8:36 p.m. PST |
How the West was won Gettysburg |
Festerfest | 02 Dec 2023 10:03 p.m. PST |
Matewan covers some often overlooked history related to the US labor movement. |
Black Bull | 03 Dec 2023 2:56 a.m. PST |
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Deucey ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 03 Dec 2023 10:00 a.m. PST |
Black Robe is kind of boring. I tried to watch it recently. Plus I think it's Canadian History. |
Deucey ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 03 Dec 2023 10:01 a.m. PST |
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Parzival ![Supporting Member of TMP Supporting Member of TMP](boards/icons/sp.gif) | 05 Dec 2023 11:49 p.m. PST |
Any American film reflects the filmmakers' attitude and view of America at the point in time at which the film was made, as well as their attitude and view of the American history portrayed in the film. But note that in this case, sometimes the attitude of the filmmakers is not actually reflective of how ordinary Americans not in the movie industry viewed the country or its history. One has to discern who is saying what about whom, and why. Even film itself is history. So it's possible to take even a work like Star Wars and ask what it is saying about American culture and American views of war, combat, individualism, freedom, etc., at the time (and then, in the subsequent films, ask if or how the filmmakers' views of the same may have change). As for strictly American History as a subject of film, even Warner Brother's Bunker Hill Bunny teaches us something about how America viewed itself and its history at the time the short was made— spunky, committed, clever, determined, proud, and thoroughly patriotic. Nothing else would have sold! But I'll add to the functional list, by effective era covered, ranging from the 18th century forward: The Last of the Mohicans Drums Along the Mohawk Johnny Tremaine The Crossing The Patriot (yes, you can learn SOMETHING from the Patriot) 1776 The Buccaneer Gettysburg The General (yes, I am serious.) The Horse Soldiers Glory Gone With the Wind My Darling Clementine Tombstone Sergeant York Wings Captain Eddie (biopic of Eddie Rickenbacker) The Wizard of Oz and The Grapes of Wrath— views of the Depression and how Americans felt at the time. Yes, one is a massive fantasy— but the classic song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is a heartbreaking anthem of hope in a time where things were bad and the American promise looked shaky). Run Silent, Run Deep The Enemy Below Casablanca (history? No. But American attitude about WWII as it was happening, with the end in serious doubt, is something to examine here.) I will leave further WWII movies to others to recommend. Movies about the ‘60s and ‘70s have never really interested me, except for the space program, in which case: October Sky Hidden Figures Apollo 13 It might be interesting to view films which made use of the US military directly as an examination of the attitudes towards, about, and by the military at the time: The Final Countdown, Top Gun. Again, no actual history, but the attitude contrast is very different— one occurred when the military was on a "down" cycle, post-Vietnam; the other when it was "up" and celebrated. And of course, the attitude towards military tech is part of it, too. And I'll leave it there, unless something pops in my head. Oh, and don't forget the possibility of TV shows covering significant periods or events or personalities in American History. Baa Baa Black Sheep comes to mind as one I watched as a boy. |