zip106

Went to see War Horse today and took the kids with us (9 and 6).

I was a little unsure if they'd enjoy it or even 'get' it.

They did. - Lots of questions afterwards with regards to the war which I was only too happy to answer, as best I could.

It got me thinking - should all school children see a film like this?
Not necessarily about a horse, but one that shows them the horrors of warfare, particularly the 1st World War and the terrible conditions that lads only 5, 6 years older went through and fought for 'us'?

It was quite harrowing at times and really got me thinking, but I can only see a positive of showing our children what it was like, and hopefully showing them that that was the generation (and of course later ones) that we should show the utmost respect for.

I actually believe that it should be part of the curriculum - even a trip out to France to see the graves.

Perhaps a way of instilling some respect amongst our young?

davegtt

Fantastic film, much much better than I expected it to be.

Isnt the World Wars taught as part of the History Cirriculum? I know I was when I was at school. Plenty of documentaries showing the conditions, I certainly didnt need to see a Spielberg filim for it to hit home.

Also lots of friends who took school trips to Belgium etc to see the graves

jef

iTrader: (13)

not from fictional films imo.

a certain exposure to the realisms of war, and what past generations had to endure

a bit more explict than just talking, yes.

films about a horse, no.

itd be like showing scots kids braveheart and telling them this is a failry accurate acount of events, imo.

agree?

albob

you should watch BIRDSONG ?? -- on bbc1 now -- again first world war.....

zip106

I didn't mean specifically about a horse!

And I'm not sure they teach world wars at school anymore (perhaps they do at secondary level - my kids aren't there yet)

I just wondered on the general consensus - should they be taught it?
Graphically or not?

I think the harder it is the better (although not to induce night mares )

Do you think it would help todays children to learn respect?


Haven't seen Birdsong - will check it out, cheers.

jef

iTrader: (13)

problem is where do draw the line on exposure?

what about horrifis incedents from likes of religion, animal testing, inhumane farming ect.

really all things people should know, at some stage or other imo

zip106

I agree, Jef.

But the likes of inhumane farming, animal testing haven't really shaped the world we live in.

They don't breed respect - the inhumane conditions of WW1 should?

jef

iTrader: (13)

hmm kindof disagree, in hiding theyve very much shaped our world, although i understand what you mean

its only at a certain age kids can appreciate what that means,

ive made both my kids see, ficticous, mildy violent accounts on wars.

they display one sided compassion, to whatever the film dicates, and im sure they know what older generations have had to endure

whether it actually has a bearing on there level of respect remains to be seen.

my girl as youd imagine shows much more empathy and compassion, but again shes older and may mean more to her

zip106

I see where you're coming from Jef.

I've seen many films/accounts of WW1 (History channel's great for this) but this film, even though a Hollywood blockbuster and maybe not even factually correct, has really quite affected me - can't get it out of my head the slaughter that happened

Dingdongler

Looks like a load of sh9te from the trailer

hodgy0_2

1st July 1916 - first day of the Somme offensive, the British army suffered 60,000 casualties

unimaginable, until you visit the war graves in northern france

Ant

Watched it last week (wifes decision) i wanted to see ghost protocol .

wasn't a bad film to be honest

zip106

It was ok - depends on what you expect from Spielberg.

It wasn't particularly the story that got me thinking, but the portrayal of WW1.

Leslie

Yes I agree.

I think as children grow up this sort of thing should be part of their education to enable them to be able to make an informed decision about the bad things which do and have happened in the world.

I think a trip to the war graves would not be a bad thing too.

Les

The Zohan

My eldest who is nearly 9 is in y4. She did a term/project on the second world war in y3 which touched on the basics such as who fought, who won the leaders, the reasons why they went to war, etc. Not gory details as far as i can tell. they seemed to focus on the blitz, evacuation and school evacuees.

My daughter has been learning about Michael Morpurgo and his (prolific) writing and yesterday we watched War Horse. She was upset at the death scenes including the people and the horses although the film did not go into great detail and show bodies/bits flying everywhere more the aftermath which you would expect for a cert12 film. We did not let our 6 y/o watch the film as it did not seem appropriate for her.
I am glad we watched it together so we could explain to her what went on and reassure her.

I hope she learns more about why wars are fought and what happens when she goes to secondary school because she is too young to comprehend/understand the true horrors of war but i feel it important to know about why people go to war and about this countries and indeed world history - good and bad.

Geezer

Problem with documentaries is that it's only a description. There is very little true combat footage from WWI or WWII. Even in Vietnam, you only get glimpses because the camermen invariably take cover if the incoming fire is too close (and understandably so!)

Whilst I agree that Hollywood glamourise various elements of the wars, the veterans association did say that the opening of SPR was the first film that gave a realistic impression of what combat was like, so I suppose modern films are a good way to give an idea of conditions.

I think modern films have become very good at portraying conditions in lots of situations, if you can see through of the 'glam'.

Geezer

The Zohan

Saving Private Ryan and BoB being the exceptions to that rule. I find the concentration camp footage from the likes of The World at War and WW2 in Colour truly upsetting and disturbing

davegtt

Boy in the Striped Pijamas

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

"Be brave!...... Be brave!!" lol

The Zohan

Yes, i have seen that another good film

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

+2

Geezer

For some reason, I find B&W footage extremely hard to relate to. But yes, the WWII in Colour footage hits home much more.

Geezer

SwissTony

iTrader: (19)

Adrian Mole

joz8968

iTrader: (13)

lol