In the mood for a particular movie? Saw something interesting and want more? Have a favourite movie you want to recommend? Make those Movie Suggestions.
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I have in mind movies from the 1930s to 70s in which, for example, British colonialists in India or Africa are depicted as the plucky stoic heroes, while the indigenous populations are depicted as savages. I’m interested in the most extreme problematic examples of this trope.
I realise Westerns demonising native americans while celebrating cowboys fit the bill perfectly and feel free to mention the most egregious examples of this, although I feel the list for that type of western will be endless. I’m kind of more interested in films that celebrate the British empire. I haven’t seen them so I’m not sure if Zulu, or the Man who Woukd be King fit the criteria?
I’m asking for examples from classic/ old cinema just because I feel that from the 1980s it will be harder to find such pro-empire movies, but if there are modern examples, feel free to share
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Gunga Din (1939)
I don’t believe Zulu fits as the Zulus are not depicted as slow-witted, cowardly and living without formal structure, quite the opposite. The British soldiers are not plucky supermen. Don’t take my word for it though, it’s a great film and I think you’d enjoy it.
Yeah been meaning to check it out. Are either group shown as tge ‘good guys’, or is more nuanced than that?
The battle is shown from the British viewpoint with the Zulus as the threatening force, but the only person judged by the movie is the cowardly drunken priest who makes a brief appearance.
Mountains of the Moon (1990) about finding the source of the Nile
most Tarzan movies, but esp. the early Weissmuller films: Tarzan the Ape Man (1932), Tarzan and His Mate (1934)
King Kong (1933)
well yes but actually no
The Sea Hawk or Captain Blood
apocalypto for a modern example
King Solomon's Mines (1950, 1985, 2004)
Stanley And Livingstone (1939)
probably any of the Flashman movies and any of the 'Carry On' movies e..g Carry On up the Khyber (1968)
Kim (1950)
The Naked Prey (1965)
Khartoum
The Four Feathers (2002) & (1939)
King Solomon's Mines (1950)
have you watched The Man Who Would Be King (1975)?