Violence & Redemption in the Movies

Paper Summary:

In this paper, the writer compares and contrasts the concepts of violence and redemption as they are used and displayed in two films: 'The Patriot' (1998) and 'Revolution' (1985). The writer discusses that both of these movies are set during the American Revolution and follow the war from its beginning to its end. Further, the writer notes that each movie tells the story in its own individual manner and places a different emphasis on violence and redemption, yet both drive home a similar message about the value of American liberty. The writer concludes that despite the differences, both movies portray violence as a part of war and both show that America's independence came at a significant cost with respect to the number of lives lost and the violence suffered by many.

From the Paper:

"One need not look for long in a local Blockbuster Video Store to find a movie that is plagued with violence. However, violence in film comes in many different forms and has different motivations. Many films are full of gratuitous violence that almost seems to be there only for the sake of a new form of macabre entertainment. Other stories use violence as a tool with which to drive home a message. Such message driven violence is often found in movies dealing with war or revolution, and movies about the American Revolution are not to be left out of this category. Countless movies and films have been made detailing the events of the American Revolution, often intertwining history with love or tragedy, or both. Quite often these films are violent out of necessity, in order to truly show the impact of war, and the brutality of war. It is difficult to display the American Revolution separate from the topic of violence, as the revolution was a bloody and violent revolution that took the lives of many men, women and children, on both sides of the lines. However, as with all movies, American Revolutionary movies differ in how they tell the story, and differ with respect to the emphasis placed on violence, or the motives behind violence."

Sample of Sources Used:

• The Patriot (1996) Dir. Roland Emmerich
• Revolution (1985) Dir. Hugh Hudson:

More papers on Violence & Redemption in the Movies:

• Analytical Essay # 58482 : "Innocence and Redemption in "The Crucible"
• Analytical Essay # 58565 : "Redemption in "The Idiot"
• Film Review # 90244 : "'Taxi Driver'"

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