It has often been said that there are no atheists in foxholes. This sentiment is becoming more and more prominent in Hollywood’s treatment of war movies.
Gruesome scenes of carnage and conquest juxtaposed with poignant moments of spirituality and prayer… This apparent dichotomy of themes seems to be dominant in the majority of the great war movies of this decade. Examples are numerous, and include We Were Soldiers, Band of Brothers, Saving Private Ryan, and – as clearly evidenced by its title – Gods and Generals.
In the following clip, the theatrical trailer for Gods and Generals, notice the emphasis placed on religion.
The religiosity of this film particularly surprised many in the realms of Christendom because its producer, Ted Turner, was once considered openly hostile to Christianity. That opinion certainly not a great stretch after his remarks to a group of Dallas reporters in 1989 wherein he called Christianity “a religion for losers” and said that Christ should not have bothered dying on the cross. (As reported in the Rome News- Tribune)
By the time of Gods and Generals’ release in 2003, it appears that Turner had changed his tune, or at the very least – had realized that Christianity played a great part in the epic story this film was trying to depict and that it therefore was vital to the overall tone of the film.
Strong Christian faith is shown in both word and deed on both sides of the battle. At one point in the film Gen. “Stonewall” Jackson is asked by a subordinate how he keeps his calm even in the heat of battle. His reply is powerful.
“Mr. Smith, my religious faith teaches me that God has already fixed the time of my death; therefore, I think not of it. I am as calm in battle as I would be in my own parlor. God will come for me in his own time.”
In ChristianCinema.com’s review of the film, Stephen Lang, who portrays Jackson, is cited as calling “his character’s relationship with Christ the ‘lens’ through which he ... In Lang’s words, Jackson was an ‘Old Testament warrior with a New Testament theology.’”
On other side of the engagement, Union Colonel Chamberlain, portrayed by Jeff Daniels, tells his brother, Sam, of his Christian motivations to continue in the fighting.
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“[Slavery] has been around since the book of Genesis it exists in every corner of the world, but that is no excuse for us to tolerate it here when we find it right in front of our very eyes in our own country. As God as my witness there is no one I hold in my heart dearer than you. But if your life, or mine, is part of the price to end this curse and free the negro, then let God's work be done” (emphasis added).
The Christianity presented in the film is overt, blatant, and for once, it is not trite, contrived, and controversial. Gods and Generals presents a realistic, balanced portrayal of great men engaged in a great conflict. History tells us that these men leaned heavily upon their faith, and so the question must be raised – is it, for Christians, too good to be true? Was the overt religiosity of Gods and Generals designed only to accurately describe the events, or was it a clever business move on the part of Ted Turner to win-over a market which had viewed him as hostile for the 14 years prior to the movie’s release?
The inclusion of religion and christianity in Gods and Generals and other war movies certainly ads depth and meaning to the film and I think a lot of directors and producers see that. I think it was a clever business move on the part of Ted Turner, but I also think that it does help to accurately represent the turmoil of the civil war and helps people to understand and sympathize with both sides, especially the confederates. So, I think that the portrayal of christianity in this movie, although we may not know all of it to be accurate, is a great tool used to prick the hearts of it's audience.
ReplyDeleteReligion and Christianity definitely add a new level of commitment and determination in films such as Gods and Generals. I think, even as an atheist, you should be able to recognize the spirituality of many of the country's early leaders historically. Quotes and biographies have identified many of our country's heroes as feeling divinely appointed or led in their course of action. I think that Ted Turner, probably recognized the faith of these men while trying to portray them accurately in the film. Sure, it helps Christians relate more to the turmoil and struggles in the film, but I think most Christians will add that kind of element into the meaning of the film without the direct association that was presented. It could also be said that Ted Turner wanted to show that both sides thought God to be on there side and throw out the question - which side really had the divine leading them in their cause? I think the element of religion in these films helps connect an audience, but it also demonstrates the harmful effects of religious cause that I think atheists emphasize because they see historically both sides fighting in the name of God - and why would God have everyone fight?
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't see anything wrong with Ted Turner, an Atheist, promoting shows where religion abounds. It's smart really. People will watch something simply because of religious undertones. The way I see it is this: if religious institutions can make money by selling religious merchandise, than why can't Ted Turner make money by providing religious entertainment.
ReplyDeleteBesides, I wouldn't so much be paying attention to the religious values expressed in the program because it's not the purpose of the program.
Maybe I'm just being optimistic, but I think there is an undeniable truth to the idea that war brings about a deeper understanding of the Divinity and His explicit role in our lives. I think that to make a war movie and not include the religious side of it all would be like telling only half of a story. The fact that religion was so well represented probably stems from the fact that religion IS so well represented in a real-life war setting.
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