Luke Stephenson

So many films, be it through nationalistic fervour or propaganda, glamourise, glorify and normalise the promotion of war. Assess the extent to which popular war films engage with the reality of conflict and what agenda this serves.

Could you clarify what you mean by "agenda?" Are we talking about directors and screenwriters consciously appropriating nationalist imagery into their war scenes? I feel like this could branch out much further than war movies - what about the Marvel movies ("Civil War" reflecting the dividedness of the US populace, etc.)? I totally agree that war has been glamorized, but what sort of war? Historically based conflicts like Saving Private Ryan? Narnian creatures swinging axes? Romanticized events (The Patriot)? I assume you definitely mean the last kind, but it might need clarification. If an article was written about this topic, I would certainly read it. – Dillon Raborn 8 years ago
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The agenda served by war is that creative expression in TV, film and plays maintain audience interest through conflict. War is an easy way to engage audiences' attention. Good vs evil always creates drama. – Munjeera 8 years ago
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Glamorize is the key term, and is almost unavoidable in Hollywood movies which tend to have a cohesive narrative that ends in triumph for someone. But this of course doesn't make the glamorization of war any less reprehensible. would be interesting to also examine reaction to Sainsbury's 2014 Christmas advert which caused some degree of outrage, for harnessing a scene from WWI in its Christmas marketing strategy... – lizzyhajos 8 years ago
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The question you pose: "What does this agenda serve?" is an important question to ask. Considering when war films are released and the manner in which they promote specific political agendas is a topic worth investigating. It seems as if many war films have a component of glamorizing and glorifying war - showing the true horror would be a downer! If we critically view this genre of film, how many would be exposed as nationalistic ploys to endorse and legitimize armed conflict? I think your opening sentence clearly states how these films may promote specific political pro-war agendas. It may be interesting to take a look at when these films are released in relation to specific armed conflict. This would be a good read! – margo 8 years ago
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5	arts Write this topic The Most Influential Philosophers and Cultural Critics A look at roughly half a dozen cultural theorists and the impact they have had on our understanding of the world. Scientists, Astrologers and Revolutionaries et al are all fair game. Add Note

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Apr 28, 2016 Luke Stephenson I’m so glad you enjoyed reading! Also (I too am a proponent of such elementary adverbs), thank you ever so much for your lovely feedback. Here’s hoping you hold my future articles in such high regard 😉	Five Slightly Less Conspicuous Classics of British Literature
Apr 28, 2016 Luke Stephenson Me neither! And there’s me thinking I was the only one…	The Effect of "Friends"
Apr 25, 2016 Luke Stephenson A very relevant piece. Recently re-watched the Dark Knight Trilogy and also Kick-Ass. Needless to say, I pondered over many of the questions you raise here.	Superhero Villains and their Struggle with Morality
Apr 17, 2016 Luke Stephenson My goodness… I’m not sure a budding penman such as myself could receive greater laudations! I think I’d have to agree. Perhaps we’d both speak at great length, and I would learn a great deal.	Five Slightly Less Conspicuous Classics of British Literature
Apr 17, 2016 Luke Stephenson Both demented and gripping, wasn’t it?	Five Slightly Less Conspicuous Classics of British Literature
Apr 17, 2016 Luke Stephenson Thank you for the charming write-up 🙂 But oh, no! In a good way I hope?	Five Slightly Less Conspicuous Classics of British Literature
Apr 16, 2016 Luke Stephenson Do you really think so? It is the most agonizing of finales, I must say.	Five Slightly Less Conspicuous Classics of British Literature
Apr 16, 2016 Luke Stephenson Thrilled that you think so!	Five Slightly Less Conspicuous Classics of British Literature

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Luke Stephenson

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Five Slightly Less Conspicuous Classics of British Literature

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How Cinema Imagines War

The Most Influential Philosophers and Cultural Critics

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