Mel Gibson Given a Second Chance as a Director

And it looks like he's making it count.

It looks good. However, it's a "Four Feathers" type movie -- a movie that demonstrates that sometimes pacifists -- "cowards" -- are the bravest of all.

There may be truth in that -- and there's at least some truth here; this is based on a true story after all -- but I'm always very skittish about pushing pro-pacificism movies during times of war.

The Four Feathers was a very cruel piece of agitprop against any Dummy who ever signed up to fight for his country in battle. And yes, you can't read the Four Feathers as calling volunteers anything but Dummies. The pacifist keeps his body whole and strong; the warriors come back as cripples, headcases, and amputees.

And then, just for good measure, the pacifist also demonstrates he's a more daring fighter than any of the fighters, too.

Now, this movie isn't that. And it does look rousing. (The Four Feathers, if one gets past the intense anti-war, anti-warrior messaging, is a rousing revenge fantasy too.)

And perhaps this is the only kind of movie they'd let Gibson make. After all, liberals control Hollywood.

But I'd also note that, apart from being an intensely believing Christian, he's also very anti-war himself. So this is probably a film he wanted to make.

Again, this is based on genuine events, so it's not like one can object that this is fictitious agitprop. This guy was a pacifist, and was, despite that, enormously courageous.

I just find it distasteful to praise pacifism while boys are necessarily, unavoidably being asked to fight a war which must be fought.

But looking past my politics: Looks very good.

posted by Ace at 02:51 PM

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