Scorcese Throws A Little Left-Wing Political Indoctrination Into "Shutter Island"

David Horowitz's NewsRealBlog.com ^ | April 11, 2010 | John L. Work

[Borges]

Ever hear the claim that ‘Taxi Driver’ was a slander of Vietnam Vets?

[Spirochete]

1940s to early 1950s House Un-American Activities Committe (HUAC). The late Senator Joseph McCarthy, who tactlessly investigated numerous Soviet agents within the U.S. Government, immediately came to my memory

McCarthy was not a member of HUAC. He never had anything to do with Hollywood investigations.

HUAC was a House committee, and McCarthy was a Senator.

[Clemenza]

The "psychotic vet" motif was used in many films in the 1970s and early 1980s. It arose out of the belief that the guys coming home from Vietnam had more psychological baggage than vets from previous wars. In reality, "shell shock" was a bigger issue among WWII vets, with the concept of "group therapy" originally being devised to help WWII vets adjust to civilian life.

My fave Taxi Driver theory is the one where Travis is not really a vet, but adopted the persona as a defense mechanism. Both Schrader and Scorsese have denied this, however, and we should all assume authorial intent being that of Travis truly being a Vietnam vet.

[Borges]

I’ve heard that theory about Travis being delusional and sort of dig it. The way Travis handles weaponry suggests he’s not used to it. It would also be one of various personas he adapts throughout the film.

[I Buried My Guns]

"..The "psychotic vet" motif was used in many films in the 1970s and early 1980s. It arose out of the belief that the guys coming home from Vietnam had more psychological baggage than vets from previous wars...."

Rambo!

[jmaroneps37]

I saw it. It sucks. Anyone who couldn’t see the ending belongs in the place. It was a big fraud especially when you saw the crazy looking woman at the beginning but never saw her again.

[RedRedRose]

Sorry, my lips are sealed. It shouldn’t last too long at the theaters though and you can probably get the video by summers end or before Christmas. LOL

[RedRedRose]

I just read your post and must say that you’re a braver man than me, SnakeDoctor.

[SnakeDoctor]

Yeah ... I tried to write “Spoiler” at the top of that, but screwed it up by using HTML brackets instead of regular brackets. Live and learn.

SnakeDoc

[denydenydeny]

Scorcese’s movies are almost always entertaining, but Shutter Island is lifeless and boring from beginning to end. The director is only interested in quoting from obscure Val Lewton movies that no one but him has seen.

[sand lake bar]

I saw the whole film and never noticed any anti-McCarthy message. Maybe I missed it. I liked the flick!

[discostu]

Did you bother to notice that DiCaprio’s “partner” is actually his shrink playing through the character’s paranoid delusions trying to force him to a break through? Things that are acknowledged as paranoid delusions internally by the story aren’t really propaganda.

[Borges]

Speak for yourself. Val Lewton films are legendary among film lovers. And they were box office hits as well. This was Scorsese’s best in a while.

[discostu]

It’s been out almost 2 months and just slipped from the top 10 this weekend. And it’s a pretty typical release cycle that a movie released in Feb will have it’s DVD release probably in August or September.

[Borges]

Do you also not read or listen to music?

[Borges]

It shouldn’t last too long at the theaters though and you can probably get the video by summers end or before Christmas. LOL

Huh? It was a pretty big hit.

[McGavin999]

Nope, I read and listen to music, I just don’t like the garbage Hollywood puts out. I’m also careful of what I read and listen to.

[Borges]

A vast generalization is just that. Not all American films are made by ‘Hollywood’ if there even is such a thing these days.

[what's up]

Didn't notice any political message at all.

We enjoyed the movie. Thought it better than the 80's version, though the story does differ.