The Green Berets

[itdo]

For a weekly TV show on the newest features I'm doing, I always talk to the sponsor. We were discussing the prospects of the new Jesus-film, by Mel Gibson, and that a controversy even might help the film at the box-office. That's why he remembered when he had a moviehouse back in the Sixties and just told me this story, thought it might amuse you, too.

Even in Switzerland, The Green Berets was a controversy on the high point of anti-war demonstrations. One movietheater after the other had to back out, pulling the film. The release was around Christmas, so demonstraters had little Vietnamese puppets dangling from a Christmas tree, the Communists parading up and down the movie-theater. To calm them, the moviehouse operator offered them to use the hall for a discussion, after the film. It was a very heated debate!

[A Girl Named Jen]

That's interesting, Roland. Those must have been some strange days in which to live; I'm grateful I wasn't around at the time. It must have been kind of scary in some ways.

Just curious: I've heard that they won't be showing the Gibson film in France (too controversial and far too religious for the country that won't let women wear hijab). Has the film been banned throughout most of Europe?

[arthurarnell]

Hi Jen

It's being allowed in England but (I was going to say its been crucified by the critics) and now I have and it is
as gratutitous violence bordering on the near pornographic with its imagery.

I must say being brought up with DeMille and his image of the bible (and I must admit he also had his moments) I know which one I prefer.

Incidentally with Mr Gibsons recent record its a wonder he didn't have British soldiers carry out the crucifiction.


Best Regards

Arthur

[itdo]

Thank God it's not really a matter of banning a film - after all, we have freedom of speech - but only a matter of if a film can find a distributor. In Switzerland, until now the film hasn't found a distributor yet. I talked to one just today, discussing this, and it's not so much about the issue "not to burn your fingers" but: will the public really be interested? There has been so much talk about it, and the newspaper covered it long ago, that there isn't much left to actually promote the film once he would really come to theaters - anyway, that's this distributor's opinion. And it's their daily bread.

[Chisum]

I would love to discuss the Passion of the Christ. I have recently watched it. But I think the topic should be moved to the off topic discussions.