Bailes~Composition 2

Monday, November 27, 2006

M*A*S*H~Remembering Robert Altman


One of the 20th century's best filmmakers, Robert Altman, died last week, Thanksgiving week. I was amazed to hear that he continued shooting the film A Prairie Home Companion even while he fought cancer. He will be missed.

I am sure you would find at least one or more of his films fascinating. And although I have not seen his last film, I have seen many of his others--including Gosford Park (2001) and M*A*S*H (1970). To see a full list of his films, click HERE. Ironically, the best-picture Oscar in 1970 went to Patton rather than to M*A*S*H. This is ironic because Patton, directed by Franklin James Schaffner, celebrates the military career of General George S. Patton, Jr. while M*A*S*H is a satirical film about war (specifically the Korean War).

While the choice of Patton for the best-picture Oscar probaby had something to do with the brilliant acting by George C. Scott, you must remember that 1970 was a momentous year in terms of anti-war activity against the Vietnam War. By 1970, one of the largest anti-war rallies was held in Washington, D.C., with about 500,000 mobilizing. Then there were the Kent State shootings. And then we heard that 280,000 U.S. soldiers had died so far in the war. So M*A*S*H was the perfect film to speak of the unrest of the times.

So why did Hollywood choose instead the pro-war film, Patton, rather than M*A*S*H? Did Patton compensate for the terrible feeling about the Vietnam War? And if so, how?

9 Comments:

  • I was just reading about the academy awards and one of the main things is that "best picture" so rarely goes to a comedy. As a matter of fact, the last time an oscar went to a comedy for best picture was in the late 70's for Annie Hall.

    By Blogger Unknown, at November 27, 2006  

  • It is possilbe that the film makers were trying to martyr the veterans of the Vietnam War, but it could never compensate for the feelings against the war while it was joining on. Hollywood just wanted to give the people a piece of what soliders were feeling, but they could never convey the entire message.

    Donna P

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 27, 2006  

  • They chose Patton over M*A*S*H because M*A*S*H was more of a satire and they wanted something more realistic. Not something that made jokes that could possibly offend someone. So Yes, Patton did compensate for the terrible feeling of the Vietnam War because it was more realistic and had more to show about anti war.-Jillian

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 27, 2006  

  • i haven't seen M*A*S*H or Patton yet. I know that they are both historical films, and very imporatnant in americas pop culture history. The reason why Altman didn't get the Oscar was simply because comedies never win at the Oscars. We respect films that make us cry more than those who make us laugh. This is why The Departed will win best picture this year instead of Borat.

    -RYAN DARLING!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 27, 2006  

  • In times of war, people usually prefer to glorify soldiers, even though a large majority may not support the war. Often, people want to support the soldiers even if they don't agree with the war.

    While Patton did not compensate for the feelings about the war, it did mask it by celebrating the soldiers.

    By Blogger Tinamari, at November 27, 2006  

  • I have not seen MASH or Patton yet, but I think Hollywood chose Patton rather than MASH is because MASH isn't as serious, and had more comedy while Patton was more serious and had a larger impact.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 27, 2006  

  • I have not seen either movie, but I think that choosing Patton over MASH maybe was a way to boost morale for the war. Thousands of men were over in Vietnam fighting for a cause which at one point or another seemed neccessary. I think by choosing a pro-war movie it continued to show support for the troops as well as boost morale at home. This was political strategy working at its strongest.

    Alicia Lascelles

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 28, 2006  

  • They chose Patton over M*A*S*H because M*A*S*H was more of a satire and they wanted something more realistic. Not something that made jokes that could possibly offend someone. So Yes, Patton did compensate for the terrible feeling of the Vietnam War because it gave a good face to the war. I have seen both movies and M*A*S*H was way more entertaining. I want to say they even had a long running television program about it.
    Matt H

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 29, 2006  

  • Because America was trying to get over the losses of the Vietnam war rather than see it from another light other than what the newspapers had reported.Instead Americans wanted to hear something good about themselves thats why they chose Patton becuase well Americans needed a moral boost so they chose to go with Patton because he was more of the kind of war hero americans wanted to hear about.


    Thad M.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at November 29, 2006  

Post a Comment

<< Home