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Gorgonzola cheese is named after the small town of Gorgonzola on the outskirts of which Italian city? | Gorgonzola Cheese product reviews and price comparison
Disadvantages
My favourite cheese
While I'm reviewing a few cheeses, I felt it only right to talk about my beloved gorgonzola next. As someone who adores cheese my favourite one had to be a good one, albeit one that bloody stinks.
Gorgonzola derives its name from the place of the same name, located in Milan, where it was originally made. It is made from cow's milk, and is a blue viened cheese, which is produced in a similar way to roquefort cheese. The mould which gives it its blue viens is actually made separately and then added to the cow's milk (sounds delicious doesn't it?)
The end result is a fairly soft and squidgy cheese which carries a strong odour and an even stronger taste. To me it is like a cross between a stilton and a brie. It is similar in texture to brie or maybe camembert, but the taste is more like that of stilton. It is basically a hybrid of two already fantastic cheeses, which therefore means that this is the absolute king of the cheese world!
It is not dissimilar in taste to most other blue cheeses so I think it is definitely the creamy texture of this one that knocks it into poll position. I've heard the taste described as being like both 'sick and 'feet' but frankly I'd be surprised if anyone who says this actually knows what either of these things taste like. I think blue cheese is one of those tastes that is unique and you either like it or you don't. If you are a fan of other blue cheese but haven't tried gorgonzola then I wholly suggest you give it a go.
Gorgonzola is a very versatile cooking ingredient and some of the ways I like to enjoy it include:
*Risotto - just stir the cheese in near the end. It is soft anyway and melts very easily. It gives the risotto a good kick and a delicious flavour.
*Cheese sauce - some make this to go with steak but as I'm not a fan I usually make this to stir through pasta. I make it exactly the same way as I would a normal cheese sauce; melt butter, stir in flour, add milk, and then just add the gorgonzola in place of your normal cheese for a rich tasting, stronger alternative.
*Pizza - pizza ai quattro formaggi (four-cheeses pizza) is often found on the menu in an Italian restaurant, and gorgonzola is one of the cheeses used. I often add bits of this cheese to pizzas myself at home too.
*On its own, or with crackers and grapes as a cheese board. Simple and delicious!
*Tart - using puff or filo pastry, I love using caramalised red onion, cherry tomatoes and a strong cheese like this as a filling.
Over all, I highly recommend giving gorgonzola a go if you're a cheese fan and haven't tried it. It is sold in most supermarkets for about £2.00 for a 150g block. A 30g portion contains around 100 calories which is this case isn't bad as the strength of it means you don't need loads.
| MILAN |
Robert Koch won the 1905 Nobel Prize for Medicine for his work on which disease? | The Best Cheese in Italy: Some of Our Favorite Formaggio
Home » All Articles » Food & Wine » The Best Cheese in Italy: Some of Our Favorite Formaggio
The Best Cheese in Italy: Some of Our Favorite Formaggio
Ricotta salata (wiki commons: Paoletta S.)
Move over, France—cheeses from Italy are some of the world’s best. Not to mention the most famous: From Gorgonzola to Asiago, mozzarella to Fontina, parmesan to to provolone, Italy’s cheeses are world-renowned, too!
So it’s no surprise that many of Italy’s best cheeses are so beloved, they’ve been recognized as DOP products for their high quality, local production, and traditional recipes. (Here’s more about Italy’s DOP foods and what DOP really means !). In fact, historic cheese-producing towns take great pride in their characteristic cheese; you’ll often find signs boasting local products (like “Home of Fontina”!) as you pass through. After all, some Italian towns have been using the same tradition for over 1,000 years.
When tasting Italy’s cheeses, therefore, always look for the “DOP” seal—it’s the best guarantee that what you’re tasting is what the product is supposed to be. (Just do a taste-test of your average “buffalo mozzarella” from a U.S. grocery store and of the real deal in Italy, and you’ll get why that’s so important!).
Here are some of our favorite cheeses from Italy!
Asiago cheese
Asiago cheese, one of our favorite Italian cheeses. Photo by Jon Sullivan
If you find a “product of the mountains” stamp on an Asiago cheese, it means that it was produced at an altitude of more than 600 meters (1,968 feet)! Made from cow’s milk and from the regions of Trentino and the Veneto, this cheese can be found either fresh (called Asiago Pressato), for its smoothest, sweetest taste. For a bolder flavor, try the aged version (Asiago d’allevo). Want the most intense taste? Go for stravecchio, which is aged for up to two years.
Try it in: Trentino and the Veneto, including Venice, Verona, and Trento.
Fontina cheese
Fontina. Photo by Luigi Chiesa
One of the main ingredients of fonduta (fondue), a comfort food for the cold mountain weather, Fontina is a cow’s-milk cheese with a semi-soft texture and strong, nutty flavor. Thanks to its depiction in a 13th-century fresco castle on the border of Italy, France and Switzerland (where the cheese is made), we know Europeans have been enjoying these cheese for, well, millennia!
Try it in: The Valle d’Aosta, the Alps-ridden border region of Piedmont, France, and Switzerland.
Gorgonzola cheese
Gorgonzola. Photo by Rachel Black
You’ll recognize this pungent cow’s milk cheese by its blue-green veins and creamy texture. Gorgonzola dolce (“sweet gorgonzola”) has a milder taste, while gorgonzola piccante (“spicy gorgonzola”), while not exactly spicy, definitely has a sharper flavor. The beloved cheese gets its distinct flavor from the bacteria added during the production process, as well as from the perfect cold, damp conditions that accelerate the aging process.
As for where Gorgonzola comes from, well, that’s still a debate—but some think it was named after the town that it was created in in the late 9th century.
Try it in: Piedmont and Lombardy, including Milan and Turin.
Mascarpone cheese
Tiramisu’, an Italian specialty that uses mascarpone. Photo by Markus Mitterauer
This thick cheese from Lombardy claims just two ingredients: cream, and citric acid. That accounts for its whipped texture and mild, complementary flavor. You’ll see mascarpone in both savory and sweet dishes, from risotto to tiramisù—or even just served with strawberries for a sweet summer dish.
Try it in: The Lombardy region, including Milan.
Mozzarella cheese
Burrata, one variety of mozzarella. Photo by Tomislav Medak
The secret behind mozzarella’s soft, milky cheese is the spinning and cutting process used in its production—which is where it gets its name from (in Neapolitan dialect, mozzare means “to cut”).
The most popular varieties include buffalo mozzarella , where mozzarella is made from water buffalo’s milk for a creamy texture. There’s also fior di latte, made from fresh cow’s milk; mozzarella affumicata, known for its savory and smoked flavor; and burrata, a pouch made from mozzarella, filled with cream and tied with a knot. No matter what variety you try, if you’re tasting the authentic versions, they’re sure to be delicious!
Try it in: Campania and southern Lazio, including Naples.
Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Parmigiano reggiano. Photo by Dominik Hundhammer
Commonly referred to as “parmesan” in English, Parmigiano Reggiano, like wine, gets better with age. Italians are passionate about this flavorful, cow’s milk cheese; only the finest quality gets the DOP seal of approval after the standard 12-month inspection, while all other rinds are branded with lines to indicate the lesser quality. (Want to know more about parmigiano-reggiano? Don’t miss our fun video on how it’s made, below!).
Parmigiano belongs to the Grana (hard cheese) family, along with grana padano. (Grana padano has a similar taste, but is produced in Lombardy, and its producers provide fewer controls over the cows’ diets—all why Parmigiano Reggiano is the “finer,” more expensive cheese). You’ll find it either eaten alone or grated over certain pastas across the country.
Try it in: Like the other beloved cheeses listed here, except even more so, Parmigiano Reggiano is available across Italy. But you’ll find the most varieties closest to the source, especially in Parmigiano-producing Emilia-Romagna.
Pecorino cheese
Pecorino pepato. Photo by Ji-Elle (Wiki Commons)
Rome’s answer to Parmigiano—and often substituted for it—this sheep’s milk cheese matures relatively quickly and has an intense taste. Pecorino romano is considered to be the highest quality around, with a salty bite. Other varieties include pecorino sardo from Sardinia, local specialties from Sicily and Tuscany, and pecorino pepato with fresh peppercorns, if you’re looking for something zesty. Try any of these specialties at the end of a meal, paired with something sweet like honey, jam or fresh fruit. You’ll also sometimes see it offered to be grated over certain pasta dishes.
Try it in: Lazio, Sardinia, Sicily, and Tuscany, including Rome.
Provolone cheese
Homemade provolone. Photo by Brian Boucheron
This full-fat, semi-hard cheese, made across northern Italy and in Campania, can be easily spotted in a store or market by its large size, molded into shapes like pears and sausages with cords. Try provolone dolce for a milder taste (due to its young age) or provolone piccante for a more developed, piquant flavor.
Try it in: Naples (production still takes place near provolone’s birthplace in the mountains near Mount Vesuvius), as well as various areas in northern Italy.
Ricotta cheese
Ricotta and red wine… the perfect pairing!
Perhaps Italy’s most versatile cheese, ricotta can be made from sheep, goat, buffalo and cow’s milk. Slightly “cooked” with a soft and grainy texture, this mild cheese can be enjoyed even by those with a milk allergy—the production process uses byproducts after casein has been removed. You’ll find ricotta in desserts like cannoli or savory pasta dishes with ricotta salata (smoked ricotta with a hard texture and salty flavor).
Try it in: You can try it across Italy, especially in Rome and Naples, but we especially like the ricotta salata in Sicily.
Taleggio cheese
Taleggio. Photo by Dominik Hundhammer (Wiki Commons)
Best when eaten fresh, this very creamy, cow’s milk cheese is named after where its birthplace in the Alps. Taleggio has been around since the Roman times, and it’s so good, even Cicero wrote about it! Fruit and spices are sometimes added to give a sweet hint of flavor.
Try it in: Lombardy and the Italian Alps.
What’s your favorite Italian cheese? Let us know in the comments!
| i don't know |
Which Nazi was known as the 'Chief Executioner of the Third Reich' as he organised the transportation of people to the concentration camps? | Adolf Eichmann - History Learning Site
Adolf Eichmann
Citation: C N Trueman "Adolf Eichmann"
historylearningsite.co.uk. The History Learning Site, 22 May 2015. 16 Aug 2016.
Adolf Eichmann is labeled as the man who masterminded the actual organisation of the Holocaust . Adolf Eichmann was a SS officer who planned with meticulous detail the sending of Jews and other groups to death camps such as Auschwitz-Birkenau , Treblinka and Sobibor . Such work was to earn Eichmann the title ‘Chief Executioner of the Third Reich’.
After dropping out of college in 1925, Eichmann worked as a travelling salesman for the Vacuum Oil Company. Such work brought him back, once again, to Germany in 1930. While in Germany he joined the ‘Wandervogel’ group – a group that was anti-Semite in its views but seems to have tolerated Jews to be in the movement. In 1932, aged 26, Eichmann moved back to Austria where he joined the Austrian Nazi Party.Adolf Eichmann was born on March 19th, 1906 in Solingen. His father was a reasonably successful businessman who moved the family to Linz in Austria in 1914. After serving in the Austrian army in World War One , Eichmann’s father moved the family back to Germany in 1920.
In April 1932, Eichmann joined the SS Division of the Austrian Nazi Party. In November of the same year he became a full SS member and was appointed as a SS-Mann. For about one year, Eichmann served in Salzburg.
When Hitler came to power in January 1933, Eichmann returned to Germany and applied to join the German SS full time. His application was accepted and in November 1933, Eichmann was appointed to the administrative staff at Dachau Concentration Camp, just outside of Munich.
In 1934, Eichmann applied to join the fear Security Police (Sicherheitspolizei) and his transfer was accepted in November 1934. He worked in the SD’s headquarters in Berlin. His work as an administrator was quickly recognised and in 1937, he was commissioned as an SS-Untersturmführer.
After working in Austria after the Anschluss in 1938, Eichmann was selected by senior SS officers to create the Central Office for Jewish Administration in Austria, which was an organisation that was introduced to expel/deport Jews from Austria after they had left their property and wealth to the Third Reich. Once again, Eichmann demonstrated his organisational skills. It was at this time that Eichmann made a study of Judaism which led to him formulating extreme anti-Semite beliefs.
At the start of the war in 1939 , Eichmann worked in the Office for Jewish Emigration. He had made a visit to Palestine in 1937 and developed contacts in the Zionist movement which he used to speed up the deportation of Jews from Nazi controlled Europe. By late 1939, Eichmann’s work covered the whole of Nazi-occupied Europe and in 1940 , he was transferred to the Gestapo.
In 1941 , Eichmann had been promoted to Obersturmbannführer and he was appointed the commander of the Gestapo’s Jewish Division of the Religions Department. In January 1942 , Eichmann attended the infamous Wannsee Conference at the personal invitation of Reinhard Heydrich. Eichmann took the minutes at this meeting. It was at the Wannsee meeting that the ‘Final Solution’ was decided on and Eichmann was appointed “Transportation Administrator”. It was to be Eichmann’s job to ensure that the rail transportation was available to send the Jews and other groups to the expanding death camps in Poland. He performed his task with zeal and it is reported that on occasions Eichmann was heard to boast that he had sent 5 million Jews to their deaths as a result of the efficiency of the rail network he controlled.
In 1944 , Eichmann was sent to Hungary after the Nazis had occupied the country. Hungary’s proximity to Auschwitz-Birkenau mean that their fate was effectively sealed once Eichmann arrived to take up his new task. As many as 400,000 Hungarian Jews were sent to Auschwitz.
In 1945 , with the war turning against Nazi Germany, Eichmann did what he could to protect himself. In 1944, he had been commissioned in the Waffen-SS as a reserve officer. This meant he could be called to the eastern front at any time. In 1945, Eichmann fled Hungary and went to Austria and went into hiding. Although he was arrested by the Americans, he gave them a false name and was released as a demobilised German soldier. In 1947, Eichmann managed to leave Germany and went to live in South America.
In 1947, Eichmann left Europe as ‘Ricardo Clement’ and flew to Buenos Aires in Argentina. He spent a number of years doing various jobs ranging from water engineer to rabbit farmer.
In 1960, the Israeli Secret Service (Mossad) learned that ‘Ricardo Clement’ was Adolf Eichmann. On May 21st, 1960, Eichmann was brought to Israel as part of a covert kidnapping operation by Mossad. He stood trial in Israel for crimes against humanity, amongst other charges.
Eichmann’s trial started on February 11th, 1961. As well as crimes against humanity, Eichmann was charged with crimes against the Jewish people. The trial was broadcast live throughout the world. Eichmann’s defence was that he had only been following orders from a higher authority. The three judges at the trial did not accept this and he was found guilty on all charges. On December 15th, 1961, Eichmann was sentenced to death and he was hanged a few minutes after midnight on June 1st, 1962. His body was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.
| Adolf Eichmann |
In which American sit-com did Ted Danson play the title character, a misanthropic doctor who operates a small practice and is constantly annoyed by his patients? | The "Final Solution" |
Students will learn that:
1. An entire state bureaucracy was mobilized solely for the purpose of annihilating Jews.
2. German technological expertise was harnessed to make the mass murder as efficient and low-cost as possible.
3. Special camps were created solely for the purpose of killing Jews and other “undesirables.”
4. The conditions in these death camps and other concentration camps were brutal, and designed purposely to make survival only temporary.
CHAPTER CONTENT
On October 23, 1941, S.S. head Heinrich Himmler issued an order down the Nazi chain of command which heralded a major change in Nazi policy with respect to the “Jewish problem.” Until then, the Nazis worked vigorously to encourage Jews to emigrate. The Madagascar Plan (see below) was one example of strategies which were formulated to remove Jews from Germany and its occupied lands. As is described in more detail in Chapter 11, many countries refused to accept Jewish refugees. This shift in policy resulted in the deportation of Jews to camps and ghettos in the East. The policy to “resettle” Jews to these ghettos and camps was a significant step in what was to become the “Final Solution” the systematic murder of millions of Jews.
Madagascar Plan
Before the “Final Solution” was devised to murder all Jews in Nazi jurisdiction, the scheme the Nazis planned to rid their land of the Jews was forced emigration. In 1940, plans were devised by the Nazis to ship all Jews under Nazi control to Madagascar, an island in the Indian Ocean. It was not until 1941 that Nazi bureaucrats were referring to the “Final Solution” (Gesamtlosung) in the context of genocide rather than a “Territorial Final Solution” (territoriale Endlosung) in the context of forced emigration. Some historians believe that the Madagascar Plan was a smokescreen for Hitler’s desire to murder European Jewry (see page 62 of Marrus’ The Holocaust in History).
Deportation
In response to this new “resettlement” policy, the first death camps were designed. Chelmno was the site of the first gassing of Jews, which occurred on December 8, 1941. The Nazi war machine had limited resources, including slave labor, much of it Jewish. Even so, the Nazis made a decision that the annihilation of the Jews of Europe was a more important achievement than the value of their labor. Similarly, the Nazis made a decision not to let the need for transport for the war effort interfere with the need for trucks and rail cars to carry the Jews to concentration camps and death centers. It was Adolf Eichmann who masterminded the logistics of the deportation of Jews. (1)
Deportation was the first step in the “Final Solution.” Typically, the Jews were informed that they were going to be resettled for work. Each was told to take some clothing, blankets, shoes, eating utensils (but no knife), a bowl, and some money. Rounded up, they were herded into trucks for the trip to the rail station, or were forced to walk. The rail cars were often strategically located at a distance from the passenger terminals, so that this scene would not arouse the ire of the local populace. Many who did see chose not to protest.
The deportees were forced into rail cars, most of which were windowless, unheated cattle cars, and squeezed in so tightly that most were forced to stand. The doors were then sealed shut from the outside. Neither drinking water nor sanitary facilities were available. Each car held more than 120 people, and many froze or suffocated to death or succumbed to disease during the trip to the camps. The dead were not removed from the cars during the journey because the Nazi bureaucracy insisted that each body entering a car be accounted for at the destination.
(1) Adolph Eichmann
Transporting enough Jews to feed the death camps was a major logistical undertaking. The Nazi officer in charge of this duty was Adolph Eichmann, who traveled from country to country that was under German occupation to systematically plan the deportation of the local Jewish population to the death camps.
Eichmann received various levels of cooperation from each of the various occupied governments. But in countries such as Holland, Belgium, Albania, Denmark, Finland and Bulgaria, some Jews were saved from their deaths by the action of the sympathetic populace and government officials. Denmark’s government and populace were exemplary in their heroism in saving Jews. In other countries such as Poland, Greece, France, and Yugoslavia, the deportation of Jews to the death camps was facilitated by the cooperation of the government.
Ghettoization (December 1939 to March 1942)
Although the Nazis were successful in isolating Jews socially and economically, the actual physical isolation of the Eastern European population did not begin until December 1939. Jews had known the ghetto since the Middle Ages, although Jews were then permitted to leave the ghetto during the day and participate in the business of the general community. The purpose of the Nazi ghetto, however, was to create a total confinement for the Jewish population, turning entire neighborhoods into a prison unlike the ghettos of centuries past.
The Nazis hoped that the wretched ghetto conditions would deplete the Jewish population quickly and naturally through starvation, disease and cold. The ghetto also served as the holding area for eventual transport to the death camps for those who were able to survive.
Ghetto inhabitants in many areas were forced to become slaves for German industry. Factories were built alongside or within ghetto walls so that industries could take advantage of this free labor. The administration of Jewish life was the responsibility of the Jewish Councils, the Judenröte (see Chapter 11).
Life in the ghetto was abominable, and thousands died. There was no medicine. The food ration allowed was a quarter of that available for the Germans, barely enough to allow survival. The water supply was contaminated in many ghettos. Epidemics of tuberculosis, typhoid, and lice were common. Bodies of new victims piled up in the streets faster than they could be carted away. In the Warsaw ghetto, more than 70,000 died of exposure, disease, and starvation during the first two winters. Almost all of those who survived the Warsaw ghetto were either killed when the ghetto was razed in 1943 or died in the death camps.
Theresienstadt Ghetto
The Theresienstadt ghetto was established by the Nazis in an 18th century fortress in Czechoslovakia on November 24, 1941. More than 150,000 Jews passed through the ghetto during its four-year existence, which was used as a holding area for eventual murder in Auschwitz. By 1943, rumors began circulating in the international community that the Nazis were exterminating Jews in gas chambers, and that the conditions of the ghettos did not permit survival. The Nazis rebuilt parts of this ghetto to serve as a “showpiece” for propaganda purposes. Flower gardens were planted in the ghetto. Shops, schools, and a cafe were built. When an investigating commission of the International Red Cross came to visit, they did not see a typical ghetto. In July 1944 the Nazis made a documentary propaganda film about life in this ghetto. After the movie was completed, most of the Jewish “actors” were shipped to their death at Auschwitz.
Wannsee Conference
At the Wannsee Conference on January 20, 1942 in Wannsee, a Berlin suburb, the details of the “Final Solution” were worked out. The meeting was convened by Reinhard Heydrich, who was the head of the S.S. main office and S.S. Chief Heinrich Himmler’s top aide. The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate the Nazi bureaucracy required to carry out the “Final Solution,” which provided for:
Deportation of Jews to killing centers.
Immediate death for those who were unable to work or the very young, the old, and the weak.
Segregation by gender of the remaining Jews.
Decimation through forced labor with insufficient nourishment.
Eventual death for the remnant.
Concentration Camps
The Nazi concentration camps were established beginning in 1933 for the purpose of imprisoning political opponents. After the “Night of the Long Knives” (see Chapter 8, page 65), authority and management of the concentration camps was turned over to the S.S. The S.S. expanded the concentration camp system, and used these facilities to warehouse other “undesirables,” including hundreds of thousands of Jews. Dachau, Buchenwald and Sachsenhausen were among the first concentration camps built by the Nazis near Munich, Weimar, and Berlin respectively.
Upon arrival at a camp, the inmates were usually stripped of all their valuables and clothes. They were then shorn of body hair, disinfected, given a shower, and issued a striped prison uniform without regard to size. Each step of the process was designed to dehumanize the prisoners, both physically and emotionally. Each prisoner was given a number. At Auschwitz, for example, the number was tattooed on the arm, but some camps did not tattoo their inmates.
Life in the camps was a living hell. As described by Judah Pilch in “Years of the Holocaust: The Factual Story,” which appears in The Jewish Catastrophe in Europe, a typical day in the life of a concentration camp inmate began at dawn, when they were roused from their barracks which housed 300-800 inmates each. Their “beds” were bunks of slatted wood two and three tiers high. Frequently three to four prisoners shared each bunk, not permitting space enough for them to stretch out for normal sleep. The inmates were organized into groups to go to the toilets, marched to a distribution center for a breakfast consisting of some bread and a liquid substitute for tea or coffee, and then sent out to work for 10-14 hours in mines, factories, and road or airfield building, often in sub-zero weather or the severe heat of summer. They were subjected to constant physical and emotional harassment and beating. The inmates’ food rations did not permit survival for very long. Those who resisted orders of the guards were shot on the spot. Numerous roll calls were held to assure that no prisoners had escaped. If one did attempt an escape, all of the inmates suffered for it.
Death Camps
The German skill in adapting the 20th century techniques of mass production was applied in engineering the “Final Solution.” In 1941, the engineers of the “Final Solution” utilized these same principles to cheaply and efficiently murder millions of Jews and other “undesirables.” The plants established to carry out this mass murder were the death camps.
Unlike concentration camps, death camps had no barracks to house prisoners, other than those for workers at the camps. In order to process the murder of thousands of people, great pains were taken to deceive the victims concerning their fate. Jews deported from ghettos and concentration camps to the death camps were unaware of what they were facing. The Nazi planners of the operation told the victims that they were being resettled for labor, issued them work permits, told them to bring along their tools and to exchange their German marks for foreign currency. Food was also used to coax starving Jews onto the trains. Once the trains arrived at the death camps, trucks were available to transport those who were too weak to walk directly to the gas chambers. The others were told that they would have to be deloused and enter the baths. The victims were separated by sex and told to remove their clothes. The baths were in reality the gas chambers. The shower heads in the baths were actually the inlets for poison gas. At Auschwitz, the gas chambers held 2,000 people at a time. With the introduction of a cyanide-based gas called Zyklon B, all 2,000 occupants could be killed in five minutes. As a result of this technological “advancement,” Auschwitz was able to “process” the death of 12,000 victims daily. Before the bodies were removed by workers with gas masks and burned in crematoria, the teeth of the victims were stripped for gold, which was melted down and shipped back to Germany. Innocent victims were exploited and desecrated to a degree unknown in human history.
Unlike the death camps of Treblinka, Chelmno, Sobibor, and Belzec, which were built and operated solely to kill Jews, the two death camps of Maidanek and Auschwitz also had a work camp attached. Upon arrival at these two camps, a selection was made at the train station concerning which Jews (about 10 percent of the arrivals) would be permitted to live and escape immediate gassing in the gas chambers. These “lucky” survivors were permitted to live only to the extent that they endured the physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon them. They were given a food ration that permitted them to survive for only three months. As they died from exhaustion, beatings, and starvation, they were replaced with newly arrived victims. Auschwitz was also used as the site for medical experimentation. Many of these experiments had little scientific value but were only exercises to discover how much torture a victim could endure until death. By the end of 1944, an estimated two-and-a-half million Jews had died at Auschwitz. More than a quarter of a million Gypsies also died there.
Einsatzgruppen or “Special Action Squads”
Specially trained units of the S.S. followed the first wave of German army troops in the invasion of the Soviet Union (June 1941). Their orders were to execute on the spot all Communists, Jews, and Gypsies.
It is estimated that by the end of 1942, they had killed more than a million Soviet Jews. These victims were shot or loaded into enclosed trucks modified for the introduction of carbon monoxide to asphyxiate its victims. An additional 400,000 were killed by other S.S. units, anti-Semitic native civilians, police units, and the German army.
Babi Yar
The Jews of Kiev were rounded up by the Einsatzgruppen for “resettlement” in late September 1941. Thousands of Jews were brought to a ravine on the outskirts of Kiev and mowed down by machine guns. Many who were not wounded, including thousands of children, were thrown into the pit of bodies and were buried alive. According to an account in The Holocaust by Martin Gilbert, Ukrainian militia men joined in the slaughter. The records of the Einsatzgruppen unit which participated in the executions recorded 33,771 Jews killed at Babi Yar on September 29-30. In all, more than 100,000 persons, most of them Jews, were executed at Babi Yar between 1941-1943 by the Nazis. In the summer of 1943, the bodies were dug out by slave labor and burned to hide the evidence of the slaughter.
Nazi Murder of Non-Jews
While the focus of Nazi genocide was unquestionably targeted toward Jews, the Third Reich’s policy of mass murder was not restricted to Jews but devastated the ranks of other non-Aryans.
Michael R. Marrus, in his book, The Holocaust in History, writes about the targets of Nazi murder:
“The Nazis murdered between five million and six million Jews during the Holocaust, two-thirds of European Jewry and about one-third of the entire Jewish people. But a staggering 55 million may have perished in all theaters during the Second World War including some 20 million Soviet citizens…five million Germans, and three million non-Jewish Poles…In all, some 18 million European civilians may have died as a result of famine, disease, persecution, and more conventional acts of war.
“Awesome as they are, therefore, numbers do not in themselves prescribe the singularity of the Holocaust. But they provide a clue. For the proportion of European Jews killed during the Second World War, with roughly one of every three civilian deaths in Europe being that of a Jew, was undoubtedly greater than that of any other people, because of the Nazis’ policy toward them. Unlike the case with any other group, and unlike the massacres before or since, every single one of the millions of targeted Jews was to be murdered. Eradication was to be total. In principle, no Jew was to escape. In this important respect, the Nazis’ assault upon Jewry differed from the campaigns against other peoples and groups; Gypsies, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, Poles, Ukrainians, and so on. Assaults on these people could indeed be murderous; their victims number in the millions, and their ashes mingle with those of the Jews of Auschwitz and many other camps across Europe. But Nazi ideology did not require their total disappearance. In this respect, the fate of the Jews was unique.”
Gypsies
Approximately a half million Gypsies (a dark-skinned, Caucasian ethnic group targeted by the Nazis) were murdered out of approximately 1.6 million who were living in Europe. The Gypsies in Germany and the occupied territories of the German War machine were subjected to many of the same persecutions as the Jews: restrictive, discriminatory laws, isolation and internment, and mass executions at their camp sites, in labor camps and death camps.
Polish Christians
Of the six million Poles murdered by the Nazis, half were Polish Christians. The Nazis considered the Poles and other Slavic peoples to be sub-human destined to serve as slaves to the Aryan “master race.” The Polish intelligentsia and political leadership was sought out specifically for execution, and other Polish civilians were slaughtered indiscriminately. Among the dead were more than 2,600 Catholic priests.
Ukrainians
Almost four million Ukrainians fell victim to Nazi slaughter, through combat, starvation, and terror, particularly as a result of the efficient Einsatzgruppen. Of these, 900,000 were Jews, according to Bohdan Wytwychky’s The Other Holocaust: Many Circles of Hell.
Other Victims of Nazi Genocide
The Germans rounded up thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses and homosexuals and sent them to the death camps for extermination. Homosexuals were forced to wear pink triangles on their clothing paralleling the yellow Star of David for Jews.
Death Marches
By the beginning of 1945, the Soviet troops were advancing through Poland. The retreating Germans forced all remaining Auschwitz prisoners to march toward Germany under indescribably cruel conditions. Approximately 20,000 of 58,000 prisoners died en route, from exhaustion, starvation, cold, beatings, and executions by guards.
In his bunker, in the Chancellory building in Berlin, knowing that the war was lost and that the “1,000 Year Reich” had lasted only a few years, Hitler committed suicide hours after marrying Eva Braun. Germany formally surrendered to the Allies on May 7, 1945. By the end of the war, more than 55 million had died and 35 million wounded. Only 17 million of the dead were soldiers.
Historical Events Listing
April 9, 1940 – Germany invaded and occupied Denmark.
April 27, 1940 – Himmler ordered the establishment of a concentration camp at Auschwitz.
April 30, 1940 – The ghetto at Lodz, Poland, was sealed off.
June 4, 1940 – Germany invaded Holland, Belgium, and France.
June 29, 1940 – Marshal Petain surrenders France to the Germans.
September 27, 1940 – The Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis was established.
September 27, 1940 – The Warsaw Ghetto was sealed off, making thousands of Jews inside virtual prisoners under house arrest.
June 22, 1941 – Germany invaded Greece and Yugoslavia.
June 22, 1941 – The Germans attacked and declared war on the Soviet Union.
July 8, 1941 – Wearing of the Jewish Star was decreed in the German-occupied Baltic states.
July 31, 1941 – S.S. Obergruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich was appointed by Goering to carry out the “Final Solution”, the murder of all the Jews in Europe.
September 1, 1941 – Wearing of the Jewish “Star of David” was decreed throughout the Greater Reich.
October 1, 1941 – All Jewish emigration was halted.
October 14, 1941 – Mass deportation to concentration camps of Jews from all over Nazi-controlled Europe began.
December 8, 1941 – 27,000 were massacred in Riga.
October 23, 1941 – 34,000 were massacred in Odessa.
October 28, 1941 – 34,000 were massacred in Kiev.
November 6, 1941 – 15,000 were massacred in Rovno.
December 7, 1941 – The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The United States entered the war.
December 8, 1941 – Chelmno death camp on the Ner River in Poland opened and the first gassing took place.
December 11, 1941 – Germany declared war on the United States.
October 17, 1942 – The Allied Nations pledged to punish the Germans for their policy of genocide.
Winter of 1943 – The tattered and frozen German army on the Eastern front surrendered to the Soviets at Stalingrad.
April 1943 – The Bermuda Conference on Refugees was convened. The agenda was to discuss action by the Allies to rescue refugees in Europe under Nazi control. No formal action was agreed to.
October 7, 1943 – Hitler ordered that all Jews of Denmark be deported to the death camps in Poland. Almost 95% of Danish Jews were whisked to Sweden, escaping the S.S.
March 18, 1944 – The Germans invaded and occupied Hungary. Deportations of Hungarian Jews to Auschwitz followed under the direction of Adolf Eichmann. Mostly all of the half-million Hungarian Jews were sent to the gas chambers.
June 1, 1944 – D-Day. The Allies invaded France at Normandy.
VOCABULARY
Auschwitz – The most infamous and largest of the Nazi death camps, located near Cracow in Southwestern Poland.
Babi Yar – An area in the Soviet Union near Kiev, where thousands of civilians, most of whom were Jews, were murdered by the Nazis.
crematorium – An oven where the bodies of newly murdered prisoners of camps, and those who died from other causes, were incinerated.
death camps – Centers established in mostly rural areas designed specifically for mass murder. Six death camps (Auschwitz, Treblinka, Sobibor, Maidanek, Chelmno and Belzec) were established solely for the extermination of European Jewry.
death marches – Forced marches under brutal conditions required of death camp and concentration camp inmates by the Nazis to avoid liberation by advancing Allied forces.
Einsatzgruppen – “Special Action Squads” of the S.S. which had as their mission to seek out and murder Jews, Communists and Gypsies.
extermination – Mass murder, in the context of the killing of Jews in a manner which would be no less heinous than the killing of insects.
Final Solution – The term used by the Nazis to describe their program of mass murder of the Jewish people.
gas chamber – Rooms constructed to be air-tight so that poison gas introduced into the room would kill large numbers of people.
Gypsies – A dark-skinned, Caucasian ethnic group with origins in India who had, in many cases in Europe, a migratory way of life.
labor camp – A prison camp where the prisoners were used as slave labor for German industry and war machine.
tuberculosis – An infectious disease which can affect any organ, but particularly attacks the lungs.
typhus – Disease transmitted by lice or fleas which was epidemic in concentration camps.
zyklon B – A cyanide gas developed to kill Jews at Auschwitz in a manner which was more efficient than using carbon monoxide gas.
ACTIVITIES
Research the average daily calorie intake of people in the United States and the developing world, and compare this to the average intake of a concentration camp inmate.
Research why the Nazis kept detailed chronicles of all aspects of their genocide.
Research the story of “The Precious Legacy.” What did the Nazis have in mind by creating this exhibit?
Define the following words using their dictionary definition, and construct another definition, using the Nazi context if appropriate:
murder massacre euthanasia mass-murder slaughter liquidation
deportation assassination pogrom decimation execution terrorism
killing extermination persecution genocide holocaust
What do these words have in common? Which words above are interchangeable?
Which are euphemisms? Which may be condoned (and under what circumstances) and which may not? Why is there sensitivity among scholars and survivors of the Holocaust on how these words are used?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Discuss what you would have taken into a ghetto had you been deported to one.
How did the Nazis succeed in carrying out the Final Solution? Why were the orders from the top obeyed all the way down the chain of command?
EVALUATION
typhus
Gypsies
2. Describe life in the Nazi ghettos for the Jews and the major differences between these ghettos and those of the Middle Ages.
3. What was the mission of the Einsatzgruppen? Who were their targets? What methods did they use to accomplish their mission?
4. Who was Adolf Eichmann, and what was his job?
5. How was the Theresienstadt ghetto in Czechoslovakia different than any other ghetto?
6. Name three death camps, and briefly describe typical conditions in one.
7. What was the Wannsee Conference? Who convened it? What was its purpose?
8. What prompted the Nazis to order the “death marches” of 1945?
9. Why were experiments performed on inmates of the death camps?
TEACHING STRATEGIES
Show the class the book and filmstrip, I Never Saw Another Butterfly.
Recreate the discussions on human nature and values from previous chapters. Let the students describe if their views on human nature have changed as a result of learning about what occurred during the “Final Solution.”
Have students view the film, The Wannsee Conference. Study guides on this film are available (contact the Holocaust Resource Center nearest you).
Read to the class poignant excerpts from Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank.
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Akrotiri and Dhekelia are British Overseas Territories on which island? | Akrotiri and Dhekelia – Britain Treasure Island
Akrotiri and Dhekelia
About
The British Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia comprise those parts of Cyprus which stayed under British jurisdiction and remained British sovereign territory when the 1960 Treaty of Establishment created the independent Republic of Cyprus.
They cover 254 km2, 123 around Akrotiri, the Western Sovereign Base Area (WSBA) and 131 around Dhekelia, the Eastern Sovereign Base Area (ESBA). Because they are run as military bases, the Sovereign Base Area Administration (SBAA) reports to the British Ministry of Defence in London, rather than the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. They are a British Overseas Territory with a civilian administration working under an Administrator who is Commander of the British Forces, Cyprus. The Chief Officer, Administrative Secretary, Resident Judge, Chief Constable and other senior officials are recruited from or seconded from UK departments. The administration of the Bases exists to ensure the effective use as a military base; the full co-operation with the Republic of Cyprus; and the protection of those resident or working in the Bases. The laws deliberately match those in the Republic of Cyprus, where practicable.
The SBAA is responsible for protection of the environment in the Bases, working with the relevant Cypriot Republic departments. Work includes protecting breeding endangered loggerhead Caretta caretta and green turtles Chelonia mydas, which nest here. The only remaining colony of griffon vultures Gyps fulvus on Cyprus is found on the cliffs at Episkopi in the WSBA, and there is a large colony of Eleanora’s falcons Falco eleonorae both here and on the cliffs bordering the Royal Air Force station at Akrotiri. The most important wetland on the island of Cyprus, Akrotiri salt lake, lies within the WSBA and is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.
Twenty seven habitat types are recognised across this spectacular mosaic of marshland, salt lake, coastal and marine areas. Two hundred species of migratory birds use the wetland for over-wintering or breeding, such as over 30,000 greater flamingos Phoenicopterus roseus demoiselle crane Anthropoides virgo, various migrant waders, black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa, blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, alongside many resident species. The Bases support hundreds of plant species, many of which are rare or endemic such as Achillea maritime, Lotus cytisoides and Mesembryanthemum crystallinum. They also contain hundreds of invertebrates, including nearly eighty endemic insect species, and various reptiles and amphibians, some of which have a disproportionately high importance here due to the reduced habitat elsewhere in Cyprus.
Read more about the wildlife, history and cultural heritage of all of the UK Overseas Territories in the 704 page Britain’s Treasure Islands book ( CLICK HERE ).
Watch 42 ‘mini-documentaries’ that explore the wildlife, cultures and history of all of the UK Overseas Territories ( CLICK HERE ).
| Cyprus |
In which American drama series does Michael C. Hall play the title character, a bloodstain pattern analyst for Miami Police who moonlights as a serial killer? | Akrotiri and Dhekelia - Mr. Rungsun Klinkaeo 4
Mr. Rungsun Klinkaeo 4
Asia http://worldtv.com/AsiaMap https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Abkhazia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYGyyuxRPws https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Afghanistan http://worldtv.com/klinkaeo_afghanistan https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Akrotiri and Dhekelia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff1AMTxFFHs&list=PLy7UpOoeU9oGYmlIVQ0GqViYPhxd4BRVk https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Armenia http://worldtv.com/klinkaeo_armenia https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Azerbaijan [Europe] http://worldtv.com/klinkaeo_azerbaijan https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Bahrain http://worldtv.com/klinkaeo_bahrain https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Bangladesh http://worldtv.com/klinkaeo_bangladesh https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Bhutan http://worldtv.com/KlinkaeoBhutan https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
British Indian Ocean Territory http://worldtv.com/BritishIndianOceanTerritory https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Brunei http://worldtv.com/bruneichannel/ https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Cambodia http://worldtv.com/CambodiaKlinkaeo https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
China http://worldtv.com/ChinaKlinkaeo https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Christmas Island http://worldtv.com/christmasisland https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Cocos (Keeling) Islands http://worldtv.com/CocosIslands https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Cyprus [Europe] http://worldtv.com/CyprusChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
East Timor (Timor-Leste) http://worldtv.com/Easttimordili https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Georgia [Europe] http://worldtv.com/GeorgiaChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Hong Kong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htuj-fmfKcU https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
India http://worldtv.com/India https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Indonesia http://worldtv.com/IndonesiaChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Iran http://worldtv.com/IranChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Iraq http://worldtv.com/IraqChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Israel http://worldtv.com/IsraelChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Japan http://worldtv.com/JapanChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Jordan http://worldtv.com/JordanChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Kazakhstan http://worldtv.com/KazakhstanChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Kurdistan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmW1AX9QzmM https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Kuwait http://worldtv.com/KuwaitChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Kyrgzstan http://worldtv.com/KyrgyzstanChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Laos http://worldtv.com/LaosKlinkaeo https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Lebanon http://worldtv.com/LebanonChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Macau https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gq_YAd3HpQ https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Malaysia http://worldtv.com/MalaysiaKlinkaeo https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Maldives http://worldtv.com/MaldivesChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Mongolia http://worldtv.com/MongoliaChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Sunrise on the World Heritage site of Bagan, Mynamar (Burma) Bagan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers an area about 7 km by 7 km and is packed with 7000+ pagodas. It was one of the world's greatest cities from around AD 850 until it's demise around the 13th century. Myanmar (Burma) http://worldtv.com/Burma https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Nagorno-Karabakh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BO4UAMlbmM https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Nepal http://worldtv.com/NepalChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
North Korea http://worldtv.com/NorthKorea https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Northern Cyprus http://worldtv.com/NorthernMarianaIslands https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Oman http://worldtv.com/OmanChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Pakistan http://worldtv.com/PakistanChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Palestine https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Palestine+ https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
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Singapore http://worldtv.com/SingaporeChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
South Korea http://worldtv.com/KoreaChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
South Ossetia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2D2iKzSXIk https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6120369158040918033#map
Sri Lanka http://worldtv.com/SriLankaChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Syria http://worldtv.com/SyriaChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Taiwan http://worldtv.com/TaiwanChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Tajikistan http://worldtv.com/TajikistanChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Thailand http://worldtv.com/ThailandChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Turkey [Europe] http://worldtv.com/TurkeyChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
Turkmenistan http://worldtv.com/TurkmenistanChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
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Yemen http://worldtv.com/YemenChannel https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/albumMap?uname=111071375087731116073&aid=6146357686324493057#map
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Ceuta and Melilla are Spanish Overseas Territories in which country? | The battle over Ceuta, Spain's African Gibraltar - Telegraph
Spain
The battle over Ceuta, Spain's African Gibraltar
It overlooks the mouth of the Mediterranean, a fortified port city in the shadow of a towering rock. Long notorious for its smugglers, it is now a duty-free haven, owned by a country across the sea but claimed by the sovereign nation that surrounds it.
While Morocco claims Ceuta as its own, Spain has no intention of giving up the exclave Photo: John Robertson
By Fiona Govan, Ceuta
5:51PM BST 10 Aug 2013
And each morning thousands of people queue in searing heat to cross its international border for a day’s work before crossing back to their homes in the poorer surrounding towns whose very existence depends on it.
This could be a description of Gibraltar , the British exclave on the southern Spanish coast that was the subject of an international row last week as Madrid stepped up its claims of sovereignty over the Rock.
But in fact it is Ceuta, the tiny Spanish territory that lies just 18 miles across the water from Gibraltar in North Africa. While Morocco claims Ceuta as its own, Spain has no intention of giving up the exclave.
The rock of Gibraltar seen from Ceuta (John Robertson)
The similarities between the two are striking.
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Both are military and naval bases dominated by fortified mountains, and both contain populations which are racially mixed but united in their fervent loyalty to a crown and country whose capital lies hundreds of miles away.
In Gibraltar, the Union flag flutters from every balcony and British bobbies pace the streets past fish and chip shops, English pubs and store names familiar from every market town the length and breadth of the British Isles.
In Ceuta, on a palm tree-lined boulevard that could easily be in Barcelona or Alicante, Spaniards pick at tapas washed down with a cerveza or glass of Rioja, as the crimson and gold of their flag stirs on flagpoles in the evening sea breeze.
Ceuta (John Robertson)
And the 84,000-strong population is just as determined to remain as it is.
“We are as Spanish as people from Madrid or Valencia, it would be unthinkable to try to give the city to Morocco,” said Maria Leon, a 30-year-old born in Ceuta who like many Spanish suffering in the economic crisis is currently unemployed.
“In that way, I do feel sympathy with the people of Gibraltar. So what if our land is at the tip of another country? I think the politicians should just leave things alone and let us get on with our lives peacefully.”
The diplomatic row over Gibraltar erupted last week when Spain imposed lengthy border checks that led to queues of up to eight hours, seemingly in retaliation after Rock authorities created an artificial reef in their waters to promote fish stocks but also stop what it saw as illegal fishing by Spanish boats.
Spain’s foreign minister ramped up tension with threats to introduce a 50 euro (£43) crossing tax at the border and close Spanish airspace to Gibraltar traffic.
In the shadows of the row, Madrid is anxious that the world quietly forgets its own controversial ownership of its African enclaves and doesn’t invite comparisons.
Ceuta and its larger sister city Melilla, some 250 miles further south along the coastline, have long been a flashpoint in Moroccan and Spanish diplomatic relations.
When King Juan Carlos made his first royal tour of the cities in November 2007, he stirred up a hornet’s nest, igniting Moroccan claims that the two enclaves be returned to maintain its nation’s “territorial integrity”.
Angry demonstrations were staged on the Moroccan sides of the borders and outside the Spanish Embassy in Rabat, while the Moroccan government expressed “strong rejection and clear disapproval” of the “continued and anachronistic colonialism” shown by Spain.
“We would like to remind everyone that the two cities form an integral part of Moroccan soil and their return to their homeland will be sought through direct negotiations with our neighbour Spain,” said the then Moroccan Prime Minister Abbas El Fassi. King Mohammad VI even briefly recalled his Ambassador to Madrid in protest over the visit to the “occupied territories”.
In the parallel dynamics of the enclaves, the Moroccan reaction foreshadowed Spanish expressions of outrage at a visit by British royals to the Rock last year.
(John Robertson)
When the Earl and Countess of Wessex paid a visit to Gibraltar as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations, Spain’s government expressed its “upset and unhappiness” over their presence in the disputed territory. The distinction, Spain insists, is that while Gibraltar is recognised as an overseas territory and therefore ripe for “decolonisation”, Ceuta and Melilla form an integral part of Spanish territory and have the same status as semi-autonomous regions as those on the mainland.
While Spain ceded Gibraltar to the British in the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, its enclaves in North Africa were founded centuries ago, long before the Kingdom of Morocco, Melilla in 1497 and Ceuta in 1580. “Those people who want to make comparisons are uneducated,” argued Juan Jose Improda, the regional president of Melilla from the PP party last week as the Gibraltar dispute yet again made headlines.
“Gibraltar is recognised as a colony by both Spain and Britain – not so with Ceuta and Melilla, which have the same state legislation as is applied in the rest of the nation.”
He went on to argue that Gibraltar is considered a “non-self governing territory” by the United Nations, which means its status is discussed annually by the Committee on Decolonisation, while Morocco has done nothing to include Melilla and Ceuta on that list.
Samir Bennis, a Moroccan and political adviser on Arab affairs at the UN in New York, believes this is because of historical political failings by Morocco.
The arab quarter in Ceuta (John Robertson)
“What mattered most during the Sixties and Seventies when such things were discussed was for Morocco to recover its territories in the south, including the Spanish protectorate of the Western Sahara,” Mr Bennis, who has published books on the subject, told The Sunday Telegraph.
“That was cleverly exploited by Spain who persuaded Morocco not to take the matter of Ceuta and Melilla up with the UN but agree to make it a strictly bilateral issue between Spain and Morocco.”
He accuses the Spanish of operating “double standards” by dismissing Moroccan sovereignty claims as unfounded yet pursuing their own claims over Gibraltar.
“Morocco has always put forth the parallel between the two issues, highlighting that Spain cannot claim to regain its sovereignty over Gibraltar while refusing the legitimate right of Morocco to regain its sovereignty over the two enclaves. The solutions are inextricably linked.”
In Ceuta itself, its residents, like those in Gibraltar who in a 2002 vote rejected the idea of becoming Spanish by 17,900 to 187, show no desire to change the status quo.
As Ms Leon put it: “If there are people here who want to be a part of Morocco, and I haven’t met any, there is nothing stopping them from crossing over and living life there. But most of us, even the Arabs, are happy being Spanish.”
In the Principe district of Ceuta one could be forgiven for thinking they had accidentally crossed the border and entered an Arab town.
Ceuta near the border with Morocco (John Robertson)
The run-down neighbourhood of winding alleys and shabby apartment buildings with its several mosques stretches across a hillside near the Moroccan border, and is a far cry from the sophisticated Spanish lifestyle on display in Ceuta’s port area. Here, residents chatter in Arabic and stroll through the streets in djellabas as they prepare festivities to mark the end of Ramadan. But they too are appalled at the idea of one day being turned over to Morocco.
“Of course Ceuta should stay a part of Spain,” said Mohammad, a small businessman and one of the Muslims who make up almost half of Ceutas population.
“It’s always been Spain. We feel Spanish even though we are part of Africa. I’m a Muslim first because that is my religion, but I was born here, I have a Spanish passport, and when the King Juan Carlos visited I came down and waved a Spanish flag at him.
“I have links with Morocco but if you gave me a choice I would always stay Spanish. I’m much better off than my Muslim brothers across the border.”
The border serves as a reminder, if any were needed, of why those born in Ceuta are better off than their Moroccan neighbours. Across no-man’s land stretch three high fences topped by rolls of barbed wire and equipped with motion detectors, flood lights and automatic tear gas canisters.
Over the years dozens have lost their lives trying to scale that fence to get into Spanish territory, with the promise of making a life in Europe.
But for the time being at least, it is the accusations of human rights’ abuses at another border, that of Gibraltar and La Linea, that are grabbing headlines, as people attempting to cross between the two towns are forced to endure long lines in temperatures above 86F (30C).
“For Spain,” a former British diplomat to the country told The Sunday Telegraph, “Gibraltar is like a stone in the shoe. It rubs and rubs and causes discomfort. It always has and it always will.”
| Morocco |
Which Nazi leader avoided execution after being sentenced to death at the 'Nuremburg Trials' by committing suicide hours before he was due to hang? | Country Reviews - Country Watch
Country Overview
SPAIN
Located in Southwestern Europe, the main body of Spain is a country that stands at the crossroads of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Europe and Africa. Spain 's borders include the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, as noted above, but also the Bay of Biscay, the Pyrenees Mountains, France, Portugal, and Andorra. Another border includes Gibraltar -- a semi-autonomous overseas British territory, while the Spanish overseas territories of Ceuta and Melilla border Morocco.
Through exploration and conquest, Spain became the most powerful nation in Europe in the 16th century, due to the immense wealth derived from its presence in the Americas. Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind England, France, and Germany in economic and political power.
Controversy over succession to the throne consumed the country during the 18th century, leading to an occupation by France during the Napoleonic era in the early 1800s. As well, a series of long, costly wars and revolts began a steady decline of Spanish power in Europe. The 19th century saw the revolt and independence of most of Spain's colonies in the Western Hemisphere.
Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II but suffered a bitter civil war in 1936-1939. Following the victory of his nationalist forces, General Francisco Franco ruled as dictator of Spain until his death in 1975. After Franco's death, Spain made a peaceful transition to democracy and achieved rapid economic modernization.
Spain joined the European Community, now the European Union, in January 1986. Spain's economy is dominated by the services sector, and the tourist industry holds particular importance since Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Today, the government continues to confront the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorist organization, but its major focus for the immediate future will be on measures to reverse the severe economic recession that started in mid-2008. To date, that economic crisis has seriously challenged the Spanish financial system and the country's overall economic prospects.
Country Forecast
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Which European capital city is the highest above sea- level? | What Is The Highest European Capital? - Gadling
Gadling
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Gadling
by Sean McLachlan on
Jun 4, 2012
I’ve lived in Spain part time for eight years now and I’ve been under the impression that Madrid is the highest European capital at 667 meters (2,188 feet) above sea level. You see the “highest capital in Europe” claim everywhere, including city tours , travel websites and even the second edition of “City Guide Madrid” by Blue Guides.
A friend who just came back from hiking in Andorra , however, told me that’s not true. Andorra’s capital, Andorra la Vella , stands at 1,023 meters (3,356 feet) and takes the prize for highest European capital. While its population is only a bit over 22,000 and the city governs one of the smallest countries in Europe, size doesn’t matter in this contest.
Andorra la Vella is nestled in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. My friend tells me there are numerous day hikes from town that take you into spectacular valleys and peaks past alpine streams and waterfalls. The winter ski season is justly famous. The city is pretty cheap too. Sounds like I’ll have to do an Andorran series sometime soon.
Defenders of Madrid can nitpick, though. Andorra is a co-principality and you could make the case that it isn’t a fully independent country. The President of France and the Bishop of Urgell in Spain act as co-princes. Like other European monarchs, however, they don’t have much power in the day-to-day running of the country. Andorra is a parliamentary democracy with an elected Prime Minister. Andorra has all the other trappings of nationhood as well, such as a flag, diplomats and membership to important international bodies such as the EU and UN. So it looks to me that the common statement that Madrid is the highest capital in Europe is wrong.
It just goes to show that you can’t believe everything you hear and read.
| Madrid |
What was the name, deriving ultimately from the Berber for 'spear'. for the short spear used as a stabbing weapon by the Zulus? | Madrid, Spain : Image of the Day
News & Notes
download large image (2 MB, JPEG, 2500x2000)
The white, mottled area in the right-center of this image from NASA�s Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) is Madrid, the capital of Spain. Located on the Meseta Central, a vast plateau covering about 40 percent of the country, this city of 3 million is very near the exact geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. The Meseta is rimmed by mountains and slopes gently to the west and to the series of rivers that form the boundary with Portugal. The plateau is mostly covered with dry grasslands, olive groves and forested hills.
Madrid is situated in the middle of the Meseta, at an elevation of 646 meters (2,119 feet). To the northwest of Madrid, and visible in the upper left of the image, is the Sistema Central mountain chain that forms the �dorsal spine� of the Meseta and divides it into northern and southern subregions. Rising to about 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), these mountains display some glacial features and are snow-capped for most of the year. Offering almost year-round winter sports, the mountains are also important to the climate of Madrid.
Three visualization methods were combined to produce this image: shading and color coding of topographic height and radar image intensity. The shade image was derived by computing topographic slope in the northwest-southeast direction. North-facing slopes appear bright and south-facing slopes appear dark. Color coding is directly related to topographic height, with green at the lower elevations, rising through yellow and brown to white at the highest elevations. The shade image was combined with the radar intensity image in the flat areas.
Size: 172 by 138 kilometers (107 by 86 miles)
Location: 40.43 degrees North latitude, 3.70 degrees West longitude
Orientation: North toward the top
Image Data: shaded and colored SRTM elevation model, with SRTM radar intensity added
Original Data Resolution: SRTM 1 arcsecond (about 30 meters or 98 feet)
Date Acquired: February 2000
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Who was the Aboriginal Australian athlete who won the women's 400m Gold Medal at the Sydney Olympics in 2000? | Sydney Olympic Games, 2000 | australia.gov.au
Sydney Olympic Games, 2000
The exceptionally well-organised Sydney Games were a true celebration of Olympic values and sporting excellence.
Olympic Committee
The Sydney Olympic Games were held from 15 September to 1 October 2000. Sydney was awarded the right to host the 2000 Olympic Games in 1993. It was the second time that an Australian city had hosted the Olympic Games, the first being in Melbourne in 1956. The first Olympic Games of the modern era were held in Athens in 1896 following the founding of the International Olympic Committee in 1894. The Olympics began in Greece about 3,500 years ago but were discontinued in 393 AD. In 1887, Baron Pierre de Coubertin came up with the idea of reviving the Olympics.
At the Sydney 2000 Olympics there were 199 competing countries and four individual athletes from East Timor who marched in the parade of nations. There were 10,651 athletes (4,069 women, 6,582 men). There were 300 events. One of the extraordinary characteristics of the Sydney Olympics was the number of volunteers, 46,967, which had grown from an original group of 500, honoured in a parade through the city after the games. The extent of interest world-wide in the Olympics is reflected in the 16,033 accredited media people (5,298 written press, 10,735 broadcasters).
Highlights – 100 years of women's participation
Cathy Freeman wins gold in the 400m. Image courtesy of the ABC.
Sydney 2000 celebrated 100 years of women's participation in the Olympic Games. The Triathlon made its Olympic debut with the women's race as the first event. Brigitte McMahon of Switzerland swam, cycled and ran to win gold and beat the favoured Australian athlete Michelie Jones who won silver. McMahon only passed Jones in sight of the finish line.
Taekwondo was another new addition to the Olympic programme. Australian Lauren Burns, won gold in taekwondo, women's -49kg. Roared on by home fans, Burns surged ahead to 4-2 in the second round after being tied at the end of first round. Susanthika Jayasinghe became the first Sri Lankan woman to win a medal, claiming bronze in the 200m, whilst Birgit Fischer of Germany earned two gold medals in kayaking to become the first woman in any sport to win medals 20 years apart, having won gold at the Moscow, Barcelona and Atlanta Olympic Games.
Women also took part in weightlifting and the modern pentathlon for the very first time. Australian Maria Pekli, won silver in judo for the women's 57kg. Other Australian women gold medal winners included Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst for beach volleyball, and Jenny Armstrong and Belinda Stowell for sailing, in the women's 470 class. The Australian women's hockey, softball and water polo teams also showed their excellence in winning gold.
Opening ceremony and Olympic Flame
Sydney 200 opening ceremony. Image courtesy of the ABC.
The opening ceremony began with a tribute to Australian culture, history and identity with over 120 Australian stock horses stepping out, paying tribute to Australian stockmen. Performances that followed included references to the arrival of the First Fleet, immigration and rural industry as well as a large display of lawnmowers and an Australian Hill's hoist clothes line representing domestic life and ingenuity.
Music and performance highlights of the opening were two hundred (200) Indigenous women from Central Australia dancing to cleanse and protect the Games and hundreds of tap-dancing teenagers. Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham sang the duet 'Dare to Dream' while walking among the athletes. Torres Strait Islander Christine Anu sang 'My Island Home' and the Australian National Anthem was sung by the boy band Human Nature with the second verse sung by Julie Anthony.
The games were opened by the Australian Governor-General Sir William Deane with the Olympic Flag carried around the arena by eight former Australian Olympic champions: Bill Roycroft, Murray Rose, Liane Tooth, Gillian Rolton, Marjorie Jackson, Lorraine Crapp, Michael Wenden and Nick Green.
Cathy Freeman lighting the Olympic Flame. Image courtesy of the ABC.
The opening ceremony concluded with the lighting of the Olympic Flame. Former Australian Olympic champion Herb Elliott brought the Olympic Flame into the stadium. Then, celebrating 100 years of women's participation in the Olympic Games, former Australian women Olympic champions: Betty Cuthbert and Raelene Boyle, Dawn Fraser, Shirley Strickland (later Shirley Strickland de la Hunty), Shane Gould and Debbie Flintoff-King brought the torch through the stadium, handing it over to Cathy Freeman.
The longest ever Olympic torch relay brought the Olympic flame from Greece to Sydney. After travelling through the South Pacific, the flame was carried around Australia for 100 days.
Cathy Freeman, an Australian athlete, had the honour of lighting the Olympic torch, lighting the flame in the cauldron within a circle of fire. This emotional moment helped symbolise the desire to reconcile with the Aboriginal populations of Australia. Ten days later, she won the 400m final before an ecstatic crowd.
Sports and Australian medal winners
Australian's medal tally reflected its strengths in swimming, boating (rowing, sailing and kayak), cycling, shooting, horse-riding, archery and tennis. These are sporting traditions well developed as national past-times in Australia over two hundred years. Indigenous athlete Cathy Freeman's win of the women's 400 metres run also reflected the elegance, strength and rhythm inherent in Freeman's talent, determination and dedication as an athlete, showcasing Australia's Indigenous athletic skills.
Swimmer Ian Thorpe
Ian Thorpe wins the men's 400m Freestyle gold. Image courtesy of the ABC.
After competing in just two Olympic Games, Ian Thorpe became the most decorated Australian swimmer in Olympic history. Ian Thorpe entered the 2000 Sydney Games being just 17 years old. Racing in the 400m freestyle on the first day of competition, he won the gold medal and broke his own world record. Thorpe was nicknames 'the Thorpedo' by the media.
Just one hour later, Thorpe beat Gary Hall Jr of the US in a thrilling finish to the 4x100m freestyle relay. However, in a surprise result, he had to settle for silver behind Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands in the 200m freestyle [with half a second difference in the time]. Thorpe finished the Sydney Games with a haul of three gold and two silver medals.
Swimming
Swimming was a highlight for Australia, winning medals in seventeen events. Another Australian gold medal winner was Susie O'Neill, winning the women's 200m freestyle swimming. Grant Hackett won gold in the 1500 metres men's freestyle beating rival Australian swimmer Kieran Perkins, one of the world's best-ever long-distance swimmers, Perkins having won two Olympic gold medals in 1992 and 1996.
Silver medal winners in the swimming included:
Grand Hackett winning the 1500 metres freestyle gold. Image courtesy of the ABC.
Regan Harrison, Geoff Huegill, Michael Klim, Matt Welsh, Ryan Mitchell, Adam Pine, Josh Watson, Ian Thorpe, men's 4x100m medley relay
Leisel Jones, women's 100m breaststroke
Susie O'Neill, women's 200m butterfly
Susie O'Neill, Giann Rooney, Petria Thomas, Kirsten Thomson, Elka Graham, Jacinta Van Lint, women's 4x200m freestyle relay
Keiren Perkins, men's 1500m freestyle
Ian Thorpe, men's 200m freestyle
Matt Welsh, men's 100m backstroke
Bronze medal winners in the swimming showed strong form in the butterfly and backstroke:
Geoff Huegill, men's 100m butterfly
Justin Norris, men's 200m butterfly
Petria Thomas, women's 200m butterfly
Matt Welsh, men's 200m backstroke
The swimming medal tally was complemented by Bronze medals for synchronised diving with Rebecca Gilmore and Loudy Tourky, in the women's, 10m platform and Robert Newberry, with Dean Pullar in the men's 3m springboard event.
Rowing, sailing and kayak
Rowing featured strongly with silver for Darren Balmforth, Simon Burgess, Anthony Edwards and Robert Richards for the men's lightweight coxless four. The rowing men's eight also won silver. Tom King and Mark Turnbull won silver in the men's 470 class in sailing. Daniel Collins and Andrew Trim won silver in the kayak, for the men's K2 500 metres race.
Michael Diamond wins men's trap shooting gold. Image courtesy of the ABC.
Bronze medals in rowing, sailing and kayak for Australia went to:
Matthew Lang, James Tomkins, rowing, men's coxless pair
Michael Blackburn, sailing, laser class
Katrin Borchert, kayak, women's K1 500m.
Cycling - Individual and team efforts
Australia showed its strength in cycling with medals across five classes. Gold was won by Brett Aitken and Scott McGrory, for men's madison. A silver medal was won by Michelle Ferris for cycling in the women's 500m trial.
Bronze medal winners in cycling were:
Sean Eadie, Darryn Hill and Gary Neiwand, team sprint
Shane Kelly, men's 1km time trial
Brad McGee, men's 4000m individual pursuit.
Phillip Dutton on House Doctor winning gold in the 3 day Equestrian event. Image courtesy of the ABC.
Shooting, archery and equestrian
In an exciting and nerve wracking shoot, Michael Diamond won gold for men's trap shooting, with team mate Russell Mark, winning silver for men's double trap. Annemarie Forder won bronze for shooting in women's 10m air pistol. Simon Fairweather won silver in archery for the men's individual.
Phillip Dutton, Andrew Hoy, Stuart Tinney and Matt Ryan won gold in the 3-day equestrian team event and Andrew Hoy won silver in the individual three-day equestrian event, following a strong showing winning medals in the previous Olympics in Atlanta.
Tennis doubles
The Woodies. Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge with their silver medals. Image courtesy of the ABC.
To top it off, another strong doubles pair, amongst the other team medallists, the 'two Woodies' Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, won silver for tennis in men's doubles.
Marathon
The marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896, though the distance did not become standardized until 1921. The distance commemorated the run of the Greek messenger Pheidippides from the Battle of Marathon to Athens as a symbol of the link between the modern and the ancient Olympics. The official distance is 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards).
The tradition of the marathon being the last event of the games was continued in Sydney with the Men's Marathon contested on a course that started in North Sydney, heading across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to finish in the stadium prior to the closing ceremony. In Sydney 2000, the event was won by Ethiopian Genzhnge Abera, with Eric Wananina second and Tesefe Tola, also of Ethiopia third. It was the first time since the 1968 Olympics that an Ethiopian had won the gold medal in this event.
The Festivals – national and international arts
The tradition of cultural festivities and the Olympic Games stems from the philosophy of Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who saw the Games as an expression of the excellence of both mind and body. A cultural program is not an optional extra. It is a requirement. The Charter of the Modern Olympic Games requires the host city and country to present a program of national and international arts.
Sydney chose to present a series of Olympic Arts Festivals over the four years of the Cultural Olympiad (1997-2000), each with a different theme and emphasis.
The Festival of the Dreaming.
1997 – The Festival of the Dreaming
Artistic Director, Rhoda Roberts oversaw the extensive Festival of the Dreaming from 14 September to 6 October 1997 in Sydney, one of the largest indigenous arts festivals yet to be held in the world. The festival had 30 exhibitions, 14 dance and theatre productions, eight performance troupes, 50 films, a literature program, three concerts and a number of special commissions.
The Festival of the Dreaming, the first of its kind in Australia, celebrated the world's indigenous cultures, especially those of the Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. Events in Centennial Park entranced audiences entering the park at night - the trees alive with the sound of birds as the country would have heard them at the time of colonisation - stepping through fire lit paths to encounter hovering Mimi spirits in mid-air, glimpsed as ethereal figures on stilts.
The Festival of the Dreaming promoted a greater awareness and appreciation of Australia's Indigenous heritage to visitors. Most of the content was Australian, with additional representation from indigenous cultures from around the world, including the United States of America, Canada, Greenland, Korea, New Zealand, Western Samoa and Papua New Guinea. The festival explored the experience of indigenous people from its earliest origins to the impact of other cultures.
Many of the projects from The Festival of the Dreaming toured nationally in 1998.
1998 – A Sea Change
A Sea Change was the second Olympic Arts Festival held in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Artistic director, Andrea Stretton selected a wide range of events from all states and territories, communities large and small. Combined, they focused on 'transformations in Australian culture', and celebrated Australia's development into a multicultural society and the impact of immigration.
1999 – Reaching the World
The third festival was also directed by Andrea Stretton. It took examples of Australian visual and performing arts to the rest of the world, expressing the unique spirit of Australia's cultural life.
2000 – Harbour of Life
For the 2000 Sydney Olympic Arts Festival, the director, Leo Scofield brought together six weeks of sounds and spectacles in areas of: symphony, opera, dance, jazz, cabaret, choral music, visual arts exhibitions, film and photography. The performances included many world premieres as well as especially commissioned works from Australian and international artists. It was presented as a global program with global events.
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| Cathy Freeman |
Sometimes called the 'Gurkha blade', what is the more common name given to the curved knife used as part of the regimental weaponry of Gurkha fighters? | Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics - results & video highlights
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New firsts
Triathlon and taekwondo were two new additions to the Olympic programme. Susanthika Jayasinghe became the first Sri Lankan woman to win a medal, claiming bronze in the 200m, whilst Birgit Fischer earned two gold medals in kayaking to become the first woman in any sport to win medals 20 years apart. Women also took part in weightlifting and the modern pentathlon for the very first time.
Comeback kings
There were some wonderful comebacks in Sydney but none more so than the US softball team. After losing three games in a row, they regrouped and won gold in stirring fashion by beating each of the teams they had previously lost to.
Memorable champions
Ryoko Tamura had lost in the judo 48kg final in both Barcelona and Atlanta, but came back to win the gold medal in Sydney. Steven Redgrave gained sporting immortality by becoming the first rower to win gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games. In the 400m freestyle, 17-year old Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe won gold by breaking his own world record in front of a jubilant home crowd.
Australian unity
Cathy Freeman, the Australian athlete, had the honour of lighting the Olympic torch at the Opening Ceremony. This emotional moment helped symbolise the desire to reconcile with the Aboriginal populations of Australia. Ten days later, she won the 400m final before an ecstatic crowd.
NOCs: 199 (+ four individual athletes (IOA))
Athletes: 10,651 (4,069 women, 6,582 men)
Events: 300
Media: 16,033 (5,298 written press, 10,735 broadcasters)
The Rapprochement of the two Koreas
Korea (South Korea) and Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) marched together under the same flag.
Individual Athletes
Four athletes from East Timor took part under the Olympic flag as individual athletes (IOA : individual Olympic athletes).
Weightlifting
The first gold medal for Colombia: Maria Isabel Urrutia, 35, Olympic champion weightlifting in the 69-75kg category.
Taekwondo
The first medal won by Vietnam since it began competing in the Olympic Games in 1952: Hieu Ngan Tran, taekwondo, silver medallist in the women 49-57kg category.
Athletics
The first Sri Lankan woman to win a medal: Susanthika Jayasinghe, bronze medallist in the 200m.
New on the Programme
Triathlon and taekwondo were two new additions to the Olympic programme.
The EPO detection test
For the first time, tests to detect EPO and blood tests were performed.
Modern pentathlon for women
Women took part in the modern pentathlon for the first time in Olympic history.
Weightlifting for women
Women took part in the weightlifting for the first time in Olympic history.
The presence of WADA
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an independent body, was at the Games to monitor all the procedures followed by the International Olympic Committee.
Ceremonies
Sydney, Olympic Stadium, 15 September 2000. Opening Ceremony, general view during the show "Nature ».
Official opening of the Games by:
Sir William Deane, Governor General of Australia
Lighting the Olympic Flame by:
Cathy Freeman (athletics)
Official Oath by:
Peter Kerr (water polo)
The emblem represents the figure of an athlete, using typically Australian shapes and colours. The boomerangs and suggestions of sun and rocks, together with the colours of the harbour, beaches and red interior invoke the unique Australian landscape and its original inhabitants. The flash which transforms the silhouette of Sydney Opera House into a trail of smoke from an Olympic torch recalls the emblem of Sydney’s Olympic candidature.
The customary symbols, including the Victory Goddess holding a winner's crown, are engraved on the obverse face. The Sydney Opera House, the Olympic torch and the Olympic rings are represented on the reverse. The designers are Australian: Woljciech Pietranik and Brian Thompson.
More info
Number of torchbearers: around 900 in Greece, 1 500 in Oceania and 11 000 in Australia
Total distance: 1 693 km and 436 nautical mile in Greece, around 17 000 in Oceania and 27 000 in Australia
Countries crossed: Greece, Guam, Palau, Federal States of Micronesia, Salomon Islands, Papua New Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands,Tonga, New Zealand and Australia
More info
To reflect a diversity of styles and techniques, the Organizing Committee asked several poster designers from a wide range of different creative and cultural backgrounds to create posters. In total, 50 posters were published. The official poster was selected from creations presented in the following four categories: “Schoolchildren’s work”, “Sydney 2000 emblems”, “Mascots” and “Posters”.
The “Official report of the XXVII Olympiad: Sydney 2000 Olympic Games” was published in French and English. Each set consisted of two printed volumes (Preparing the Games; Celebrating the Games) and, for the first time, a bilingual CD-ROM (Results).
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Which Central American country adopted the US Dollar as its official unit of currency in 2001? | A Look at Central America Money and Currency
The official unit of currency in Panama is the Panama balboa. However, the official paper currency of Panama is the US dollar. More »
The Guatemala Quetzal.
One unit of Guatemalan currency is called the quetzal. More »
The Honduras Lempira.
One unit of Honduran currency is called the lempira. More »
The El Salvador Colón (Now replaced by the US Dollar).
One unit of El Salvadoran currency used to be called the colón, divided into 100 centavos. However, in 2001, El Salvador adopted the US dollar as its official unit of currency. More »
The Costa Rica Colón.
| El Salvador |
Which African capital city is the highest above sea-level? | El Salvador learns to love the greenback | The Economist
Dollarisation in Latin America
El Salvador learns to love the greenback
El Salvador is making a success of dollarisation. But that says as much about the country as the policy
Sep 26th 2002
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WITH a population of 6m in an area the size of Massachusetts, El Salvador is a small country. But it is not an insignificant one. In the 1980s, its civil war drew the world's eyes. Having achieved peace and democracy a decade ago, it is now being closely watched by a more select group—aficionados of debates about exchange-rate policy. El Salvador is abolishing its currency, the colon, and adopting the dollar. If this succeeds in delivering higher growth, other Central American countries are likely to follow suit.
Two other countries in Latin America also do without their own currency. Panama has used the dollar since it broke away from Colombia, with American support, a century ago. In 2000 Ecuador adopted the greenback, as a desperate measure to stave off hyperinflation. A third country, Argentina, came close to dollarising when its currency's one-to-one peg to the dollar was assaulted by the markets last year, and may yet do so.
El Salvador's switch to the dollar has been a carefully planned policy, says Miguel Lacayo, the economy minister. The colon was pegged to the dollar back in 1994. Then, in January 2001, the currency began to be phased out. Today, 85% of transactions in the country are in greenbacks, and the dollar is the only unit of account in the financial system. The government expects the colon to disappear completely by the end of 2003.
In this section
El Salvador: Dollars and debts Apr 6th 2000
Dollarisation may well make sense for El Salvador. Its economy, unlike Argentina's, is closely tied to that of the United States, which takes two-thirds of its exports. Some 2m Salvadoreans living in the United States send back almost $2 billion a year in remittances—a sum equal to a seventh of GDP. Most Salvadoreans have been used to handling dollars for years.
El Salvador's economic policies have been geared to the change of currency. Since 1992, successive governments from the conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance party have pursued free-market reforms, privatising much of the economy. El Salvador has combined relatively high growth with low inflation (see chart). Last year, after two devastating earthquakes, growth slowed to 1.8%. But that was still pretty good by most Latin American standards.
Salvadoreans have already started to benefit from dollarisation. The most obvious gain is lower interest rates. Consumer credit is growing. Companies and the government have been helped by cheaper international financing. And dollarisation has reduced transaction costs for firms.
But dollarisation also poses challenges. Although Guatemala has legalised the dollar as a domestic currency in parallel with its own quetzal, many of El Salvador's other neighbours and economic competitors have floating exchange rates. Their currencies have devalued. To remain competitive, El Salvador has to respond with higher productivity and lower costs. Economic reforms have helped. Take telecommunications: after deregulation in the 1990s, there are now four competing telecoms firms, and charges have fallen. El Salvador also has an unusually flexible and energetic workforce. Foreign investors say this makes up for the second-highest labour costs in Central America.
Even so, there are worries. One is the government's budget deficit. Mainly because of the cost of rebuilding after the earthquakes, that rose to 3.7% of GDP last year. Unchecked, this risks driving up the cost of credit. The government has responded by cutting ministerial budgets by an average of 17% this year.
Businesses, too, have to be nimble. Ricardo Sagrera of Hilasal, a towel manufacturer, says that his firm has had to invest in new designs and production techniques to counter competition from Brazilian and Chinese rivals. GMT, which makes electronic parts for American assembly lines, faces a tougher challenge. Since 2000, its sales have slumped, and its workforce has shrunk from 225 workers to 80. The firm hopes to move back into profit by making more complicated parts, something its workforce can do but competitors, its owner Jaime Hill thinks, cannot.
In short, adopting the dollar is no panacea. To work, it requires deep structural reforms. That is a particularly tough test for Ecuador. Compared with El Salvador, not only is Ecuador's economy less closely linked to that of the United States but its inflation rate is higher, its labour market more rigid, and its economy still unreformed. Its government, too, is pretty profligate—and not because of earthquakes. Depending on who wins next month's presidential election, it is not impossible that Ecuador will end up dropping the dollar and launching its own currency again.
Even in El Salvador, not everyone is convinced. The main opposition party, the former guerrillas of the FMLN, has been against dollarisation. But a section of the party has broken away and formed a more market-friendly social-democratic group. In El Salvador, dollarisation looks irreversible. The fact that manufacturers like Mr Hill still support it shows that many Salvadoreans reckon the pain will be worth it in the end. If they are right, other Central American countries may soon be following in El Salvador's footsteps.
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Which former 'Shamelss' actor provided the voice for 'Gnomeo' in the 2011 film 'Gnomeo and Juliet'? | James McAvoy | FilmNav
James McAvoy
Interview:
James Andrew McAvoy (born 21 April 1979(1979-04-21))[1] is a Scottish stage and screen actor. His best-known work includes the films The Last King of Scotland and Atonement, both of which earned him BAFTA Award nominations, the 2008 action film Wanted and the TV series Shameless. McAvoy has won the BAFTA Rising Star Award and a BAFTA Scotland award. He has also been nominated for an ALFS Award, a European Film Award, and a Golden Globe award. He recently played the role of Professor X/Charles Xavier in X-Men: First Class.
Early life
McAvoy was born in Port Glasgow, Scotland, the son of Elizabeth (née Johnstone), a psychiatric nurse, and James McAvoy, a builder.[2] He was brought up as a Roman Catholic.[3] McAvoy’s parents divorced when he was seven, and he subsequently lived with his maternal grandparents, Mary and James Johnstone, in the Drumchapel area of Glasgow.[4] His mother lived with them intermittently, but McAvoy has not been in contact with his father since childhood.[5] McAvoy attended St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary in Jordanhill, Glasgow, a Catholic school, and briefly considered joining the Catholic priesthood.[6] During his education, he worked at a local bakery.[7][8] He was a member of PACE Youth Theatre before he eventually graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 2000. His sister, Joy McAvoy, is a singer and actress.[9]
Career
McAvoy’s first roles were in David Hayman’s The Near Room in 1995 and then as Anthony Balfour in Pat Barker’s Regeneration in 1997. He received his first big break with a role in the Steven Spielberg-produced miniseries Band of Brothers. His first international starring role was as Leto Atreides II in the 2003 Sci Fi Channel miniseries Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune (adapted from Frank Herbert’s novels). The same year he also appeared in several episodes of the BBC sitcom Early Doors and co-starred in Paul Abbott’s acclaimed thriller serial State of Play. In 2004, he starred as Steve McBride in another Abbott-written drama series, Shameless on Channel 4, for which he was nominated for the British Comedy Award for Best TV Newcomer. He also appeared in two other productions: Wimbledon as Paul Bettany’s obnoxious brother, Carl Colt; and he played disabled character Rory O’Shea in the Irish film Inside I’m Dancing. In 2005, he starred in three productions: he played Ben in the Royal Court Theatre’s production Breathing Corpses and an adaptation of Macbeth in the four-part BBC production ShakespeaRe-told; he also portrayed Mr. Tumnus, the Faun, in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Max/Johnny-2008 in Penelope.
In 2006, McAvoy starred alongside Forest Whitaker as Dr. Garrigan in The Last King of Scotland. The film is an adaptation of Giles Foden’s novel of the same name and gives a fictionalized account of the regime of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin during the 1970s, as seen by his (fictional) personal physician and adviser. The character of Garrigan is a composite of several men who were close to Amin, most notably Englishman Bob Astles, who was a top adviser to Amin during his regime and became known in Uganda as “The White Rat”.[10]
McAvoy at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival
That same year, McAvoy took the lead role in Starter for 10. The film, which was adapted from the novel Starter for Ten by David Nicholls, follows the exploits of the nerdy Brian Jackson as he navigates his first year at Bristol University during the mid-1980s. McAvoy won the new Mary Selway/Orange Rising Star Award at the 2006 BAFTA Awards for his role. He also completed filming of Penelope in 2006, but due to distribution problems the film was not put in wide release until 2008.[11]
In 2007 McAvoy appeared in two critically acclaimed films: Becoming Jane, a fictional romance inspired by the life of Jane Austen, alongside Anne Hathaway, and Atonement, an adaptation of Ian McEwan’s award-winning 2001 novel. McAvoy was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in Atonement. During this time he workshopped scenes for the film Three Way Split for directors Neil Hunter and Tom Hunsinger,[12] but will not take part in the actual film.
McAvoy’s film, Wanted, was released on 25 June 2008.[13] Loosely based on the comic book miniseries by the same name, McAvoy plays Wesley Gibson, a 25-year-old everyman who is offered the opportunity to avenge the death of his father, who was an assassin. The character is then trained by his father’s partner, Sloan (Morgan Freeman), and by Sloan’s second-in-command, Fox, played by Angelina Jolie. McAvoy appeared in the 2009 film The Last Station,[14] based on the 1990 novel by Jay Parini, about the final year of Leo Tolstoy’s life; the film co-starred McAvoy’s wife, Anne-Marie Duff. McAvoy also starred in Robert Redford’s The Conspirator, as attourney Frederick Aiken, who fought to defend Mary Surratt from charges of conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln.[15] McAvoy was set to star in the upcoming film 50/50, which will be directed by Nicole Holofcener and produced by Seth Rogen, but dropped out and was replaced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt.[16]
McAvoy has expressed interest in returning as Wesley Gibson in Wanted 2, which is currently in pre-production.[17]
He is also said to be highly considered for the part of Kurt Cobain in the upcoming biopic Heavier than Heaven. McAvoy is a celebrity supporter of the British Red Cross with whom he travelled to Uganda to raise awareness of the projects there.[18]
He played Charles Xavier in X-Men: First Class, directed by Matthew Vaughn, which was released in 2011 and also provided the voice for the character Gnomeo in the animated movie Gnomeo and Juliet in the same year.[19]
Personal life
He enjoys fantasy which he said started from the age of 11 with The Lord of the Rings.[20] He considers himself a spiritual person who no longer practices Catholicism.[21] His big interest outside acting and science fiction is football; he is a huge fan of Celtic Football Club, and has stated that his dream role would be to play Celtic legend Jimmy Johnstone.[22]
The Tempest, Brunton Theatre – Ferdinand
Romeo and Juliet, The Courtyard Hereford (1999) – Romeo
West Side Story, The Courtyard Hereford (1999) – Riff
Beauty and the Beast, Adam Smith Theatre (1999–2000, pantomime) – Bobby
Romeo and Juliet (2000) – Romeo
The Reel of the Hanged Man, Traverse Theatre (2000) – Gerald
Lovers, Royal Lyceum Theatre – Joe
Out In The Open, Hampstead Theatre (2001) – Iggy
Privates On Parade, Donmar Warehouse (2001–2002) – Pt Steven Flowers
Breathing Corpses, Royal Court Theatre (2005) – Ben
Three Days of Rain, Apollo Theatre (2009) – Walker/Ned
| James McAvoy |
Who was the last veteran of the American Civil War to be elected President of the USA? | Sherlock Gnomes comes calling for Emily Blunt, BAZ BAMIGBOYE writes | Daily Mail Online
Emily Blunt and James McAvoy are in negotiations to get all ornamental.
They’re hoping to play garden gnomes in
upcoming
movie Gnomeo & Juliet: Sherlock Gnomes.
The actors provided voices for the 2011 movie Gnomeo & Juliet, about star-crossed ceramic figures who reside in neighbouring porcelain homes at 2B and Not 2B Verona Drive — and now they’re required for the Sherlock sequel.
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Emily Blunt and James McAvoy are in negotiations to get all ornamental. They’re hoping to reprise their roles as garden gnomes in upcoming movie Gnomeo & Juliet: Sherlock Gnomes
The original, executive produced by Elton John and David Furnish at Rocket Pictures, was a success at the box office and on DVD.
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Both stars have been offered parts in the follow-up, but first the deals have to be finalised. In any case, they are very busy at present.
Ms Blunt was just at the Cannes Film Festival promoting her thrilling role as an FBI agent in Denis Villeneuve’s superb thriller Sicario.
The actors provided voices for the 2011 movie Gnomeo & Juliet, about star-crossed ceramic figures who reside in neighbouring homes at 2B and Not 2B Verona Drive — and now they’re required for the sequel
It also features good work from her co-stars Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin and London’s very own Daniel Kaluuya.
Now, she’s in Britain filming The Huntsman with Charlize Theron, Jessica Chastain and Chris Hemsworth. Meanwhile, McAvoy has been shooting the latest Marvel movie X-Men: Apocalypse.
Simon Russell Beale is tremendous as the Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral in Steve Waters new play (one of the year’s best so far) Temple, which Howard Davies has directed at the Donmar Warehouse.
Malcom
Sinclair, Paul Higgins, Shereen Martin, Anna Calder-Marshall and Rebecca Humphries are also on top form. The play is set during the Occupy disturbances in the City of London. The chants heard early on in the play were recorded by Donmar staff!
Meryl Streep is in the third week of portraying Florence Foster Jenkins, who billed herself as a coloratura soprano (though the New York Times once described Jenkins, who died in 1944, as a monument to bad singing who massacred Mozart).
Meryl Streep (pictured left) and Russian opera star Aida Garifullina (right)
Streep, who knows how to hold a note, has been directed by Stephen Frears to sing as badly as she possibly can.
I was amused to be told that Russian opera star Aida Garifullina has been cast, in a cameo, as a woman who knows her stuff about singing.
The movie — which is filming in London — also stars Hugh Grant, Rebecca Ferguson, Nina Arianda and Simon Helberg.
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Which American state shares borders with Mississippi, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas? | Arkansas State Boundaries - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Home / Browse / Arkansas State Boundaries
Arkansas State Boundaries
Arkansas’s boundaries have been the subject of international treaties, treaties with Native American tribes , acts of Congress, and a multitude of decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. Generally, Arkansas is bordered on the north by Missouri; on the east by Tennessee and Mississippi; on the south by Louisiana; and on the west by Texas and Oklahoma, but that is not entirely correct. Arkansas is also bordered on the east by Missouri and the south by Texas, but parts of the state are also north of Missouri, east of Mississippi, north of Oklahoma and west of Texas.
Tennessee-Mississippi Boundary
As early as the Treaty of Paris of 1763 ending the French and Indian War, the middle of the Mississippi River was established as a boundary between European colonial powers. Arkansas’s first boundary was established after U.S. independence from England when the October 27, 1795, Treaty of Friendship Limits and Navigation between the United States and Spain established the boundary separating Spanish Louisiana, including what would become Arkansas, and the United States as the “middle of the channel or bed of the Mississippi River.” Later, when Congress established Arkansas Territory in 1819, it began the description of the territory “on” the Mississippi River.
The Mississippi River has never been static as the eastern boundary of Arkansas. With each flood and earthquake, the boundary changes, sometimes radically. A legal principle known as avulsion holds that when a sudden change takes land from one side of the river and places it on the other, the adjoining state does not gain land. The current map of Arkansas, therefore, reflects dozens of areas of Arkansas that are now east of the Mississippi River and are accessible by land only from Tennessee or Mississippi. Because of changes in the Mississippi River, Congress authorized Arkansas and Tennessee in 1909 to settle the boundary by agreement. But it still changes, and at least nine Supreme Court decisions have settled controversies relating to Arkansas’s eastern boundary. Except for parcels lying in other states, the eastern boundary now is the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi—the boundary established in 1836, when Arkansas was admitted into the Union.
Louisiana Boundary
Arkansas’s second boundary was also established before it became a state, when the Louisiana Purchase was divided in 1804 into the District of Orleans and the District of Louisiana. As a result, Arkansas’s southern boundary was established at latitude thirty-three degrees north. Orleans, south of the line, later became the state of Louisiana, and the southern part of the District of Louisiana (later known as the Louisiana Territory) became Arkansas.
Missouri Boundary
The first step in creating Arkansas’s north boundary occurred in 1813, when, as part of the Missouri Territory (formerly the Louisiana Territory, renamed in 1812), the territorial legislature of Missouri created Arkansas County for all the land between Louisiana and approximately thirty-six degrees north latitude, comprising all but a few northern counties of present-day Arkansas. Four years later, Missouri Territory residents began petitioning Congress for statehood and described the southern boundary of its proposed state as latitude thirty-six degrees, thirty minutes north. “The southern limit [of Missouri] will be an extension of the line that divides Virginia and North Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. …A front of three and a half degrees up on the Mississippi will be left to the South to form the territory of Arkansas, with the River Arkansas traversing its centre,” Missouri’s petitioners said. Their plan was to make room for three states (Arkansas, Missouri and Iowa), each having equal land fronting on the Mississippi River.
But what happened next is shrouded in mystery, confusion, and conflicting stories. The proposal for Missouri statehood would have left in Arkansas the area now known as the Missouri bootheel . John Hardeman Walker, a wealthy landowner whose portrait hangs in the public library in Caruthersville, Missouri, is generally credited as the man responsible for stealing the bootheel from Arkansas. He lived in the area, and when word spread that Missouri was seeking statehood, he and others persuaded the territorial legislature to include not only the bootheel but large parts of the Black and White River valleys in northern Arkansas, which today include all or part of seven Arkansas counties. While Walker is blamed for including the bootheel in Missouri, little written proof is found. Indeed, once the movement for Missouri statehood began, residents began petitioning Congress to form Arkansas Territory, and at least one petition described the north boundary as the thirty-sixth latitude between the Mississippi and St. Francis rivers and the thirty-seventh latitude from the St. Francis west, thus the proposal would give the bootheel to Missouri but extend Arkansas farther north to the outskirts of present-day Springfield, Missouri.
In late 1818, a Kentucky congressman proposed the territorial boundary of Missouri and Arkansas as the thirty-sixth latitude from the Mississippi west. The political maneuvering is not well recorded, but the act of Congress of March 2, 1819, creating Arkansas Territory defines the northern boundary as beginning on the Mississippi River at latitude thirty-six degrees north and running west to the St. Francis River , then up the river to latitude thirty-six degrees, thirty minutes north, and then west, thereby creating the Missouri bootheel. Therefore, the bootheel was established when Congress created Arkansas Territory, for it was two years later that Missouri was admitted to the union.
Oklahoma Boundary
From the time of the Louisiana Purchase, the western boundary of Arkansas was in dispute, and no one knew for sure where it was. Ultimately, the 1819 treaty with Spain established the western boundary for the Purchase, so the boundary for the part that would become Arkansas Territory included all of present-day Oklahoma except the three westernmost counties in Oklahoma’s panhandle.
Settlers barely had time to build homes in Arkansas before the push began east of the Mississippi River to remove Native Americans . Just five years after the Louisiana Purchase, the first of nearly a dozen boundaries was established with the Indians for what would become Arkansas’s western border. A November 10, 1808, treaty established the boundary with the Osage Nation due south of Fort Clark on the Missouri River to the Arkansas River, leaving present-day Washington , Benton , Crawford , and parts of other northwest Arkansas counties out of Arkansas and inside the Osage Nation. Future president Andrew Jackson was the United States’s representative at the October 18, 1820, Treaty of Doak’s Stand in Mississippi, when the Choctaw reluctantly agreed to move to Arkansas. Jackson, however, paid little attention to the map and agreed to transfer to the Choctaw Nation a large part of southwest Arkansas that already had been surveyed and sold by the U.S. government to settlers. The south end of the Choctaw boundary, although not surveyed for years, ended on the Red River at a point that is now the southeast corner of Oklahoma. The line caused an uproar resulting in several other treaties, one of which left Fort Smith (Sebastian County) in Oklahoma.
Congress’s first attempt to set the western boundary for Arkansas Territory was in 1824, when—assuming the Choctaw would agree to change its 1820 treaty—it established the boundary forty-five miles west of Fort Smith. An 1828 treaty with the Cherokee Nation established the present Arkansas border. The western boundary was described as “commencing on the Red River at the point where the eastern Choctaw line strikes said river, and run due north with said line to the River Arkansas thence in a direct line to the southwest corner of Missouri.”
But that was not the final word. When Arkansas applied for admission to the Union, its proposed western border again was described as forty-five miles farther west, thereby causing Choctaw opposition to Arkansas’s admission. The act of Congress granting statehood used the Cherokee treaty description for the western Arkansas border. The dispute with the Choctaw continued. Because Arkansas and the Choctaw Nation seceded during the Civil War, boundaries were again subject to dispute when both reapplied for admission to the Union. The Supreme Court settled the dispute in 1886, fifty years after Arkansas became a state, by requiring the United States to pay the Choctaw for lands taken to establish the present boundary.
Texas Boundary
For many years, Arkansas’s border was the international boundary between the United States and first Spain, then Mexico, then the Republic of Texas. The February 28, 1819, treaty between the United States and Spain established the international border as a line running due north from the Sabine River in Louisiana to the south bank of the Red River and then west along the river. Thus, all of the Red River was in the United States. But it is one thing to establish a boundary on paper and another to locate it on the ground—it was not surveyed for many years. At one time, Arkansas Territory consisted of all or part of thirteen present Texas counties, and the Miller County courthouse was about fifty miles west of Texarkana . The uncertainty of the boundary led to near war with Spain when the Spanish army, claiming part of Arkansas in the Red River valley north of present-day Texarkana, stopped President Thomas Jefferson’s southern exploration of the Louisiana Purchase, led by Thomas Freeman and Peter Custis. Jefferson’s humiliation by Spain over the border dispute in Arkansas caused the government to downplay the Freeman-Custis expedition, leaving all of the glory of the exploration of Louisiana to the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Ultimately, the border was established by a survey completed five years after statehood, pursuant to an 1838 treaty with the Republic of Texas confirming prior treaties with Mexico and Spain. Today, the Texas border begins at the northwest corner of Louisiana and runs north to the south bank of the Red River, then west on the south bank of the river to the Oklahoma line.
For additional information:
Everett, Derek R. “On the Extreme Frontier: Crafting the Western Arkansas Boundary.” Arkansas Historical Quarterly 62 (Spring 2008): 1–26.
Flores, Dan L. The Freeman & Custis Expedition of 1806. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1984.
Shoemaker, Floyd C. Missouri’s Struggle for Statehood 1804–1821. New York: Russell & Russell, 1969.
White, Lonnie J. “Disturbances on the Arkansas-Texas Border, 1827–1931.” Arkansas Historical Quarterly 19 (Summer 1960): 95–110.
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Who was the last veteran of the American War of Independence to be elected President of the USA? | Mississippi River - Encyclopedia of Arkansas
Home / Browse / Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest and most important river in North America. This great river, often referred to as the “Mighty Mississippi,” originates as a small brook flowing out of Lake Itasca in Minnesota and, 2,340 miles later, empties into the Gulf of Mexico. It is truly one of the nation’s most important assets. Covering forty-one percent of the forty-eight contiguous United States, its watershed stretches across the heart of the nation. This vast river system, which includes several large tributaries, drains 1,260,000 square miles, making it the largest drainage basin in terms of area in North America and the third largest in the world.
Significance to Arkansas
The Mississippi River is a dominant physical feature of many states in the middle United States, including Arkansas. It flows along almost the entire eastern border of Arkansas. The river created what is often referred to as the “ Delta ” of eastern Arkansas, which is part of the nation’s largest alluvial plain. This vast and vital habitat supports a wide variety of flora, fauna, and aquatic species. The alluvial plain has remnant wetlands and several large oxbow lakes including Lake Chicot , Arkansas’s largest natural lake.
The river’s impact on human history is evidenced in historic river ports such as Osceola (Mississippi County) and Helena (Phillips County) . The Delta Cultural Center in Helena explores the Mississippi’s natural and historical legacies and its influence on regional culture, especially blues music.
The alluvial plain in Arkansas has some of the richest and most productive agricultural land in the nation. Arkansas is the leading rice producer in the United States and ranks high in the production of cotton and soybeans. Eastern Arkansas is also part of the Mississippi Flyway and provides important waterfowl habitat for a large number of birds , including a wide variety of ducks. Stuttgart (Arkansas County) , for example, located near the confluence of the Arkansas, White , and Mississippi rivers, is known as the “Duck and Rice Capital of the World.”
Physical Characteristics
Of all the processes functioning to alter the surface of the earth, none is more important than the work of streams. This was the case with the Mississippi River Valley more than 8,000 years ago when glacial meltwater carved channels through the glacial debris. These channels served as the flow-path for the Mississippi River and its tributaries. This large watershed has been divided into several smaller basins for convenience of study. The Upper Mississippi Basin, for example, extends from its point of origin at Lake Itasca to the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers at Cairo, Illinois. The Missouri River is the largest tributary in the upper basin and furnishes approximately fifteen percent of the total discharge and constitutes more than forty percent of the Mississippi system drainage area.
The Lower Mississippi Valley extends from the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers at Cairo to the mouth of the Mississippi River in the Gulf of Mexico. The watersheds of the Arkansas, Red , and White rivers are among the most important tributaries of the lower basin. The Arkansas River , at 1,469 miles in length, is one of the most significant tributaries of the entire Mississippi River drainage network and is particularly important to Arkansas. This relatively large river flows east-southeast across the entire state. It enters Arkansas at Fort Smith (Sebastian County) and passes through Little Rock (Pulaski County) , Pine Bluff (Jefferson County) , and other cities before terminating at its confluence with the Mississippi River east of Dumas (Desha County) .
The lower Mississippi River meanders in great loops across a broad alluvial plain (also known as the Mississippi River Delta). It is a classic example of a stream in equilibrium, in which stream erosion and deposition have combined to produce a gradient that allows the stream to carry a sediment load that is in balance with the load that is delivered to the stream by its tributaries. As with all graded streams, the Mississippi River walks a fine line between temporarily picking up sediment load and then depositing it again. Natural levees, built up from sediment carried and deposited in times of flood, border the river for much of its length. Sediment has also been deposited on the riverbed. As a result, the surface of the river is above that of the surrounding plain in some places.
The flow (discharge) of the river is usually greatest in the spring, when heavy rainfall and melting snow fill the watersheds of the tributaries, especially the Missouri and Ohio. This increase in flow frequently causes the river to overflow its banks and levees and inundate the adjacent floodplain. Arkansas has experienced numerous disastrous floods . One of the worst was the Flood of 1927 . It covered much of the eastern third of the state, killed almost 100 people, and left thousands homeless. This disastrous flood prompted the construction of dams on the upper Mississippi and its tributaries to regulate flow. In addition, more than 1,600 miles of levees were built below Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to help contain the swollen river. Floodways were established to divert water at critical points, cutoffs were constructed to eliminate some of the more dangerous winding channels, and improvements were made to the main channel to increase the river’s flood-carrying capacity. Despite these efforts, the river continues to experience problems with flooding. Very serious floods occurred in 1973, during the summer of 1993, and as recently as the spring of 2008. It is important to note that flooding along a large river like the Mississippi cannot be eliminated. At best, one can limit its effects and try to protect the most valued land.
Historical and Economic Significance
Several Native American groups lived along the banks of the Mississippi River, including the Quapaw in what is now eastern Arkansas. They exchanged goods, fished, farmed the fertile floodplains, and gave the river its name. The Ojibway Indians of northern Minnesota called it “Messipi” or “Big River,” and it was also known as the “mee-zee-see-bee” or “Father of Waters” in the Algonquian language. Some of the first Europeans to travel on the river were Spanish explorers such as Hernando de Soto in 1541, and French Jesuit missionaries and explorers Louis Jolliet and Jacques Marquette in 1673. The French were the first Europeans to establish settlements in the valley. They founded New Orleans, Louisiana; St. Louis, Missouri; and several other sites in the early eighteenth century, including Arkansas Post .
Navigation became a very important activity on the river during the early 1800s when steamboats were used to usher in the era of powered shipping. It soon became cheaper to ship cargo by river through New Orleans than to ship goods by land over the Appalachian Mountains. The golden era of steamboats on the Mississippi continued until the 1870s, when railroads began to surpass the river as the major commercial transportation mode for the central United States. After an extended lull in the use of the river, barge traffic began to increase in the early twentieth century. Waterborne commerce on the Mississippi rose substantially with the shipment of such products as grains, coal and coke, petroleum products, sand and gravel, and more. Dredging and other channel improvements made the river navigable as far north as St. Paul and Minneapolis in Minnesota. St. Paul became an important grain-shipping port. St. Louis, located at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, is known as the “Gateway to the West.” It grew as a port linking the Mississippi with the Great Plains. Along the lower reaches of the river, oceangoing vessel navigation is possible as far upstream as Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Consequently, New Orleans and Baton Rouge have become vital ports as well as major cities along the river.
For additional information:
Cech, Thomas V. Principles of Water Resources: History, Development, Management, and Policy. 2nd ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005.
Corbet, John. Physical Geography Manual. 6th ed. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 2006.
Mississippi River and Tributaries Project. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. http://www.mvd.usace.army.mil/About/MississippiRiverCommission(MRC)/MississippiRiverTributariesProject(MRT).aspx (accessed May 10, 2013).
Morris, Christopher. The Big Muddy:An Environmental History of the Mississippi and Its Peoples, from Hernando de Soto to Hurricane Katrina. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012.
“The Natural Environment: The Delta and Its Resources.” National Park Service. http://www.nps.gov/history/delta/volume2/natural.htm (accessed October 20, 2008).
Schneider, Paul. Old Man River: The Mississippi River in North American History. New York: Henry Holt, 2013.
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In which African country would you find the holiday destination of Sousse? | is tunisia a good holiday destination? - Tunisia Message Board - TripAdvisor
is tunisia a good holiday destination?
Which Tunisia hotels are on sale?
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is tunisia a good holiday destination?
14 October 2006, 23:44
i have booked flights for next august as i have never visited. But now am having grave doubts about it. So far all ive read is that the people try to rip you off , most of the hotels are naff, and now im also concerned as we will be taking 2 17 yr old girls with us who were hoping to be able to go off on their own. Can anyone put my mind at rest before i try to change my flights !!
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1. Re: is tunisia a good holiday destination?
16 October 2006, 10:18
One good advice dont go with your girls to Tunis ( dont go anywhere in nord africa with your girls) i have seen enough few years ago. Read the reviews
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2. Re: is tunisia a good holiday destination?
20 October 2006, 09:02
Hi. I read the reply u got on ur question and i would like to relativate a bit what was said. I am Austrian and living in Tunisia since 13 years ... i was working several years as tour guide for european tour operators and since 6 years i am running a travel agency in the south of the country - so i know what i am talking about. here like anywhere else u find good people and bad ones. Concerning security - Tunisia is far more secure than most of the big european cities and real violence happens only very rarely. What is true is that many european women really do "misbehave" when they come here and enjoy - beside sea and sun - also the "experience of tunisian men" ... unfortunately, due to poverty and unemployement problems, tunisia has become one of those "special destinations" for frustrated and often elderly european women - which resulted in a very bad image many tunisians have about european women in general. With respectful behaviour, like wearing decent cloths during excursions and walks in town centers, u can contribute a lot to a positiv contact with the local population. I am even organising special trips for women only and i never had a problem whatsoever ... cause i inform my guests about the do's and dont's and therefor avoid cultural misunderstandings. Plus most of our guest are willing to respect the peoples culture, contrary to many of the tourists coming here today. If u like - have a look at our homepage www.nasira.com and go to Guest comments ... u will see, that it is very possible to have a great holiday in Tunisia. Concerning the "rip off" - thats one of the negativ side effects of mass tourism and can be observed anywhere ... even in the austrian alps for example ... the REAL mentality of north african people is hospitality , respect and a great sense of socialising ... they are simply more conservative in dressing and man-woman contacts ... example: its very hard to be respected if u as a woman take ur sunbath on the beach topless in a string, means naked - thing which happens quite often. And concerning the hotel quality - its simply a question of being logic. Example: People who book an All inclusiv 2 weeks stay in a 5-stars-hotel and pay something like 300 or 400 Euro flight included should not be surprised if the standard is not up to a 5-stars hotel. It simply cant be, cause quality has its price, that's a golden rule. Beside those cheap deals there are very good hotels at a reasonable means correct price - like the Hasdrubal Hotels (in Hammamet , Sousse-Port el Kantaoui and Djerba), the Hotel Odyssee Resort in Zarzis (my personal favourite), also the Miramar Hotels in Tunis, Hammamet, Skanes and Djerba. U can find those Hotels in the internet ... If u have any other questions - dont hesitate to contact me, i will be happy to help ... cause i think its very poor to condem - like the one who replied to u - the quarter of a whole continent cause of ignorance. My email is [email protected]. So, dont worry, just prepare urself with correct information and give the country a chance! :-))
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4. Re: is tunisia a good holiday destination?
21 October 2006, 13:27
Hi Tariq,
check for example the BEST WESTERN HOTEL LA MAISON BLANCHE 4* - its very nice and cosy ... or the YADIS IBN KHALDOUN 3* - less comfortable but clean and correct and also cheaper ... or the BOUTIQUE HOTEL DAR MEDINA 5* - new hotel in "traditional cloths" in the middle of the Medina, very good but needs a higher budget ... HOTEL MAJESTIC 2* - reasonable rates, a bit "dusty" but still very charming. You can find all these hotels on the different internet platformes ... and if you need further information get back just sent a message!
Best regards
5. Re: is tunisia a good holiday destination?
24 October 2006, 16:47
Hi Toumi,
First of all, i would like to say that your offering of advise is great, very much appreciated. What visitors need is indeed views of an insider who knows the place.
Me and my boy friend are planning to go to Tunisia for a purely relaxing week. What we need is a good resort and nice sandy beach as we dont really plan to roam around too much.
Is Yasmine, Hammamet an area you would recommend ? I am currently looking at 2 resorts: Residence Diar Lemdina and Yasmine Beach. Am i on the right track ?
Please do advise before we make any booking :)
Once again, thank you very much.
Gerlyn
7. Re: is tunisia a good holiday destination?
25 October 2006, 20:41
hi my wife and i took our two girls ages sixteen and eighteen when we went last october to sousse we stayed at a nice four star hotel called the marhaba beach hotel ten minutes walk out of sousse we stayed half board the talk about naff hotels is rubbish we have stayed in most of the european holiday destinations and the hotels and beaches are some of the nicest to be found ,we stayed in a complex with two or three other hotels which is agood help as it gives abit more choice and variation the girls were fine through the day as all they needed was sunbathing two of the hotels had discos but the staff wanted me and wife to stay in the diso with the girls as one was under eighteen , we all four also went into sousse to find night life wefound afew dance bars and disco or two but these are not plentyfull as in other holiday destinations , iwould be reluctant to let girls go on there own this is not like spain or greece , also beware august will be realy hot best of luck , dave .
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8. Re: is tunisia a good holiday destination?
29 October 2006, 13:04
Good holiday destination? Yes!!! It is FABULOUS! My friend & I spent 3 weeks there for the end of August, eschewing the well-trodden tourist route for ruins and desert oases. Rented a car for the first 4 days, then we spent the rest of the trip getting around by louage(mostly) and train & bus. People are extremely kind, but once out of the city (Tunis) nobody speaks English. Thank goodness I brushed up on my French before the trip- really came in handy to communicate and learn from the local people about their culture. I agree that the country was safe, but definitely watch out in the Tunis medina- my passport was cleverly stolen from my bag(which was cleverly locked up, I thought!) and I had to go the US embassy to apply for a new one. (My most expensive souvenir!) People will try to rip you off in the Tunis medina and in the Gabes market, and any other place tourist buses stop. Know how much to pay for stuff and bargain like crazy. I will definitely go back again! (Some of the best food, too!)
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Perhaps best known for her role in 'The Devil Wears Prada', which actress provided the voice for 'Juliet' in 'Gnomeo and Juliet'? | Tourism in Tunisia reels 1 year after Sousse - TVCNews: Latest African breaking news, politics, business and sports
Tourism in Tunisia reels 1 year after Sousse
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Tunisia’s tourism sector is still struggling to recover, a year after a terrorist attack on a beach in Sousse killed 38 tourists.
Surveillance cameras and security checks have become the norm in all holiday hotspots and hotels are anxious to show tourists, Tunisia is a safe destination.
Tourism accounts for 7 percent of Tunisia’s gross domestic product and provides thousands of jobs, making it a key source of foreign currency.
But tourist arrivals fell to 5 million last year, the lowest in decades, after mostly British tourists were gunned down in Sousse.
The attack came just months after 21 tourists were killed in a jihadist attack at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis.
As the high season kicks off, authorities and tourism firms are hoping to boost confidence and encourage bookings with increased security checks.
“Ahead of the summer tourist season, we’ve focused on security. Tourist attractions, restaurants, historical sites and hotels are inspected almost daily. We ensure that the new rules imposed by the government are respected,” said Mohammed Bujdaria, regional director in charge of tourism in Yasmine-Hammamet
Authorities are now giving their all to restore the country’s image as a top holiday destination.
European markets has also declined by 65 percent since 2010, the year before a revolution toppled dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
So Tunisia is turning to Eastern Europe to boost its struggling tourism industry.
The government hopes to welcome 300,000 Russian tourists this year, six times the number in 2015.
But authorities are leaving nothing to chance by making moves to deploy additional 1,500 security agents to further boost security in the country.
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In which European country was the Estado Novo Regime overthrown in 1974 after the 'Carnation Revolution'? | Carnation Revolution | Iconic Photos
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Carnation Revolution
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Before 1989, there was 1974. Some thirty years after the Second World War, three of the four big Southern European countries were still living under taciturn, oppressive, fascist dictatorships, that were nominally supported by the West because they more or less shared the antagonism for communism. And in 1974-75, all of those regimes came to an end: in April 1974, a group of Portuguese officers seized power from Marcelo Caetano; three months later, the Greek regime collapsed, isolated and exhausted after a student revolt and a Turkish invasion of Cyprus, and in November 1975, after having held Spain in a gagging hold for almost forty years, Francisco Franco breathed his last.
In Portugal, the repressive government had been slowly withering away since the illness of her strongman, General Antonio Salazar in the late 60s. Salazar died in 1970, leaving the country in the hands of Marcelo Caerano, and the disenchantment only grew. The country was not only succumbing to high rate of inflation (some 30%) and trade deficit, it was also fighting expensive and unwinnable colonial wars in Africa, that had claimed more than 13,000 soldiers, and the army was now unwilling to fight on. On the night of 23rd April, at 12.25 a.m. Radio Renaissance played the forbideen song ‘Grandola’, which was the signal for the rebellion. All over Portugal, the armed forces came into action. By 3 a.m. they had occupied the radio and television stations, the airports and the centre of Lisbon.
For most part, the revolution was peaceful. It only claimed one student’s life, when the trapped fascists tried to kill someone before they got captured. Starting from the 25th of April, all the soldiers had a red carnation their rifles, symbolizing their non-aggression. (The choice was largely incidental. A focal meeting place of the revolutionaries was at the Lisbon flower market, which was then richly stocked with carnations because they were in season). An iconic image came out of this struggle: the above poster of a poorly-dressed child, placing a carnation in a gun barrel held by three hands – those of the army and the workers in agriculture and industry.
It was quite remarkable that Western Europe’s oldest dictatorship was overthrown by junior officers. Dismantling of Salazar’s secret police and freeing of political prisoners ushered in a period of febrile activity, social protests, takeovers of factories and agricultural units, purges of institutions related to the previous regime and constant assembleas to decide everything. The Communists emerged with key positions of power, and swaths of nationalization put the country on the road to socialism.Portugal would toy with forces of authoritarianism for next few years, and would witness political instability until 1985.
Outside Portugal too, the revolution had important consequences; Portugal’s new junta hastened to address the underlying problems behind the disenchantment in the country and rapidly began to withdraw from her colonies abroad. They were more concerned with the withdrawal than with creating stable transitions, leaving behind an immature revolutionary movement, FRELIMO, in power in Mozambique, and an internationalized civil war in Angola, where South Africa and Cuba confronted each other. Most importantly, the rapid collapse of the world’s oldest colonial empire deprived the apartheid South Africa of two vital buffer states and gave liberation movements from Rhodesia to Namibia moral and material boosts. The regional balance of power in Southern Africa was altered overnight.
| Portugal |
Released in 2011, 'The Kings Of Limbs' is the eighth studio album from which British rock band? | A Brief Summary of Portugal's Carnation Revolution of 1974
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A Brief Summary of Portugal's Carnation Revolution of 1974
The Carnation Revolution, which ousted the fascist government of Portugal in 1974, is a remarkable example of the level of political change that even a repressed people can achieve without the use of violence. Unlike many other nonviolent revolutions, the Carnation Revolution was a full-fledged military coup, but the insurgents didn't resort to fighting to bring democracy to the nation.
In the history of civilization, there have only been a few significant political upheavals that took place without any violence or military force. Some of the better known examples of such nonviolent revolutions are the Velvet Revolution that took place in Czechoslovakia and Die Wende, which marked the fall of communism in Germany. Earlier than both of these, however, was the Carnation Revolution, which took place in Portugal in 1974.
The Carnation Revolution
The Carnation Revolution was an important turning point in the political history of the Portuguese nation. For 50 years, Portugal had been ruled by a fascist dictatorship characterized by social oppression and unpopular, bloody foreign policy. Around the time of the revolution, the nation was engaged in a war against the people of its colonies in Africa. The unpopularity of this war was due not only to the large number of Portuguese soldiers engaged in armed conflict but also to the fact that Portugal was, at that time, one of the last European nations to maintain colonies on mainland Africa. Ideologically, colonial empires were out of fashion, which contributed to the events of the Carnation Revolution.
The Occupation
One of the factors that contributed to the success of the Carnation Revolution was the fact that the revolutionary movement was begun by a large section of the Portuguese military. In order to protest changes that the fascist government (called the Estado Novo regime) proposed the way the Portuguese military was run, a group of professional soldiers organized protests. Soon, the protest group, called the Movimento das Forças Armadas, developed a plan to overthrow the government. The plan involved taking over important areas around the country, including military operations centers and television and radio broadcasting stations.
Public Support
The military coup began just after midnight on April 24th, 1974. Within 24 hours, a large portion of the Portuguese population had demonstrated in support of the coup and the fascist government was abolished. The popular support of the movement is one of the more interesting facets of the Carnation Revolution. Military coups, whether violent or not, are often undertaken without popular support or at the behest of the populace. In Portugal, however, neither was the case. There had been no protests or significant displays of public unrest before the military opposition began its coup. Once the coup was underway, however, Portuguese civilians demonstrated in large numbers against the fascist government. The passion of the population is evidenced by the fact that the revolutionaries had implored citizens to stay at home via radio broadcasts.
Symbols of Nonviolence
As unusual as nonviolent revolutions are, nonviolent military coups are even more rare. A well-coordinated military, having the power to use force to achieve its goals, can often overthrow an incumbent government easily. However, the Portuguese insurgents declined to use violence, preferring instead to use strategic occupation to force the fascist regime to capitulate. Again, the importance of Portugal's war-weariness is evident here. The military and the civilians alike were tired of the fascist regime's violence and chose to take a different approach. The carnation, the revolution's symbol, is related to this ideal of nonviolence; some of the soldiers involved in the revolution placed these flowers in the barrels of their guns, and civilians carried carnations in the streets, as well.
The Power of Nonviolence
Four people died in the Carnation Revolution, as a result of the fascist police force's last stand. Considering, however, that the Estado Novo regime was the longest-standing dictatorship in European history, and considering its history of oppression and censorship, the nonviolent nature of this revolution is truly remarkable. As with the small handful of other nonviolent revolutions that have occurred throughout history, the events of April 24th, 1974 indicate that it's possible for people to enact democracy and achieve freedom and just political goals without resorting to bloodshed.
Buzzle Staff
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Released in 2011, 'Collapse Into Now' is the fifteenth studio album from which American rock band? | About: Collapse into Now
About: Collapse into Now
An Entity of Type : album , from Named Graph : http://dbpedia.org , within Data Space : dbpedia.org
Collapse into Now is the fifteenth and final studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released on March 7, 2011, on Warner Bros. Produced by Jacknife Lee, who previously worked with the band on Accelerate (2008), the album was preceded by the singles, "Mine Smell Like Honey", "Überlin" and "Oh My Heart".
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abstract
Collapse into Now es el decimoquinto y último álbum de estudio de la banda norteamericana de rock alternativo R.E.M. El álbum fue lanzado el 7 de marzo en Europa y un día después en Estados Unidos. La lista de canciones del álbum fue previamente revelada por la banda a través del newsletter de su club de fans en Noviembre de 2010. El sencillo "It Happened Today" fue el primero en ser lanzado, a través de iTunes. El primer sencillo en Estados Unidos fue "Mine Smell Like Honey", lanzado el 25 de enero con el correspondiente videoclip. Para Europa fue "ÜBerlin", cuya tuvo lugar el 6 de marzo. Estos tres sencillos, además de "Oh My Heart" y "Discoverer" se pudieron adquirir en edición digital desde el mes de febrero. "Oh My Heart" es, además, editado físicamente como sencillo promocional en Alemania. El lanzamiento de tal número de sencillos es algo inusual previamente a la publicación del álbum, aunque sea mayoritariamente por vía digital. El primer videoclip fue "Mine Smell Like Honey" en enero de 2011, el segundo y el tercero, para "Überlin" e "It Happened Today", respectivamente, se estrenaron en marzo del mismo año.
(es)
Collapse into Now est le quinzième et dernier album studio du groupe de rock américain R.E.M.. Situé entre Out of Time (1991) et Accelerate (2008), Collapse into Now retrouve des sonorités folk et rock alternatif selon les morceaux. On retrouve aussi sur une ou deux compositions, des influences de Life Rich Pageant, album datant de 1986. L'album a été enregistré et produit par Jacknife Lee, déjà crédité sur Accelerate. Ce disque, assez court (41 min), est porté par les guitares électriques ou acoustiques de Peter Buck sur lesquelles se place la voix de Michael Stipe. Depuis le départ en 1998 de Bill Berry du groupe pour raisons médicales, le volume de la batterie a été réduit. Dans cet album, la batterie est bien présente mais légèrement en retrait, un peu comme si les trois membres restant ne souhaitaient pas remplacer musicalement leur ami et batteur Bill Berry[réf. nécessaire]. Plusieurs amis et grands musiciens font une brève apparition sur certains morceaux. C'est le cas de Patti Smith et Lenny Kaye (guitariste de Patti Smith), ou d'Eddie Vedder, chanteur du groupe Pearl Jam.
(fr)
Collapse into Now ist das 15. und gleichzeitig letzte Studioalbum der US-amerikanischen Rockband R.E.M. Es erschien am 7. März 2011 in Europa und ist der Nachfolger des 2008 veröffentlichten Accelerate.
(de)
Collapse into Now è il quindicesimo ed ultimo album del gruppo musicale dei R.E.M., uscito il 7 marzo 2011 in Europa e il giorno successivo in Nord America. L'album è prodotto da Jacknife Lee e dai R.E.M., e vede la partecipazione di importanti ospiti quali Eddie Vedder, cantante e leader dei Pearl Jam, e Patti Smith.
(it)
Collapse into Now é o décimo quinto e último álbum de estúdio da banda de rock alternativo americana R.E.M., lançado no dia 7 de Março de 2011 na Europa e no dia seguinte lançado na América do Norte. O álbum foi produzido pela própria banda e por Jacknife Lee. A banda gravou o álbum em três diferentes cidades (Berlim, Nashville e Nova Orleães), onde também escreveram as canções. O álbum contém ainda participações de Patti Smith, Eddie Vedder (vocalista e guitarrista da banda Pearl Jam), Peaches, Lenny Kaye e Joel Gibb.
(pt)
Collapse into Now – piętnasty studyjny album amerykańskiej grupy rockowej R.E.M., wydany 7 marca 2011 roku przez Warner Bros. Records.
(pl)
Collapse into Now — пятнадцатый и последний студийный альбом американской рок-группы R.E.M., выпущенный 7 марта 2011 года в Европе и на следующий день в Северной Америке. Он был спродюсирован Джекнайфом Ли и участниками коллектива.
(ru)
Collapse into Now is the fifteenth and final studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released on March 7, 2011, on Warner Bros. Produced by Jacknife Lee, who previously worked with the band on Accelerate (2008), the album was preceded by the singles, "Mine Smell Like Honey", "Überlin" and "Oh My Heart". Regarding the album's title, lead singer Michael Stipe noted, "It's the final thing I sing, the last song on the record before the record goes into a coda and reprises the first song. In my head, it's like I'm addressing a nine-year-old and I'm saying, 'I come from a faraway place called the 20th century. And these are the values and these are the mistakes we've made and these are the triumphs. These are the things that we held in the highest esteem. These are the things to learn from." As of September 2011, the album had sold 142,000 copies in the United States. At the time of the band's breakup, bassist Mike Mills noted that the album's lyrical content contained "indications" that the band were planning to split. The band never played any of the songs live, though Michael Stipe did play "Every Day Is Yours to Win" live without R.E.M. for the Tibethouse Annual Benefit Concert.
(en)
R.E.M. Live from Austin, TX
(en)
Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011
(en)
November 2009 – September 2010 at Hansa Tonstudio in Berlin, Blackbird Studios in Nashville, and The Music Shed in New Orleans
(en)
Collapse into Now ist das 15. und gleichzeitig letzte Studioalbum der US-amerikanischen Rockband R.E.M. Es erschien am 7. März 2011 in Europa und ist der Nachfolger des 2008 veröffentlichten Accelerate.
(de)
Collapse into Now è il quindicesimo ed ultimo album del gruppo musicale dei R.E.M., uscito il 7 marzo 2011 in Europa e il giorno successivo in Nord America. L'album è prodotto da Jacknife Lee e dai R.E.M., e vede la partecipazione di importanti ospiti quali Eddie Vedder, cantante e leader dei Pearl Jam, e Patti Smith.
(it)
Collapse into Now é o décimo quinto e último álbum de estúdio da banda de rock alternativo americana R.E.M., lançado no dia 7 de Março de 2011 na Europa e no dia seguinte lançado na América do Norte. O álbum foi produzido pela própria banda e por Jacknife Lee. A banda gravou o álbum em três diferentes cidades (Berlim, Nashville e Nova Orleães), onde também escreveram as canções. O álbum contém ainda participações de Patti Smith, Eddie Vedder (vocalista e guitarrista da banda Pearl Jam), Peaches, Lenny Kaye e Joel Gibb.
(pt)
Collapse into Now – piętnasty studyjny album amerykańskiej grupy rockowej R.E.M., wydany 7 marca 2011 roku przez Warner Bros. Records.
(pl)
Collapse into Now — пятнадцатый и последний студийный альбом американской рок-группы R.E.M., выпущенный 7 марта 2011 года в Европе и на следующий день в Северной Америке. Он был спродюсирован Джекнайфом Ли и участниками коллектива.
(ru)
Collapse into Now es el decimoquinto y último álbum de estudio de la banda norteamericana de rock alternativo R.E.M. El álbum fue lanzado el 7 de marzo en Europa y un día después en Estados Unidos. La lista de canciones del álbum fue previamente revelada por la banda a través del newsletter de su club de fans en Noviembre de 2010.El primer videoclip fue "Mine Smell Like Honey" en enero de 2011, el segundo y el tercero, para "Überlin" e "It Happened Today", respectivamente, se estrenaron en marzo del mismo año.
(es)
Collapse into Now est le quinzième et dernier album studio du groupe de rock américain R.E.M.. Situé entre Out of Time (1991) et Accelerate (2008), Collapse into Now retrouve des sonorités folk et rock alternatif selon les morceaux. On retrouve aussi sur une ou deux compositions, des influences de Life Rich Pageant, album datant de 1986. L'album a été enregistré et produit par Jacknife Lee, déjà crédité sur Accelerate.
(fr)
Collapse into Now is the fifteenth and final studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released on March 7, 2011, on Warner Bros. Produced by Jacknife Lee, who previously worked with the band on Accelerate (2008), the album was preceded by the singles, "Mine Smell Like Honey", "Überlin" and "Oh My Heart".
(en)
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Which 16th century astronomer lost part of his nose in a duel as a student and had a metal replacement made which he wore for the rest of his life? | R.E.M.: Reveal - Music on Google Play
( 25)
Description
Reveal is the twelfth studio album by American alternative rock band R.E.M., released in 2001 on Warner Bros. After having adjusted to former drummer Bill Berry's departure and releasing Up to mixed response in 1998, R.E.M. released the more upbeat Reveal, co-produced with long-time collaborator Patrick McCarthy. The album was released to generally positive reviews from music critics.
In 2002, R.E.M. allowed each track of the album to be remixed by different producers and members of the music industry. The resulting remix album, r.e.m.IX, was available as a free download from R.E.M.'s official website. In 2005, Warner Bros. Records issued an expanded two-disc edition of Reveal which includes a CD and a DVD, as well as the original CD booklet with expanded liner notes.
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The 'Iron Guard' was a fascist movement and political party operating in which European country during the 1930's? | 10 Forgotten Fascist Movements Of The 1930s - Listverse
10 Forgotten Fascist Movements Of The 1930s
Benjamin Welton
August 10, 2015
Nowadays, “fascism” is mostly a misused and little understood word . In particular, it has become a byword for anything in uniform or even remotely right-of-center. But no matter how many times it is howled from megaphones or splashed across banners and signs, fascism is a political ideology that hasn’t had any real power in Europe, its birthplace, since it was summarily defeated during World War II. Sure, neo-fascist political parties still have black-shirted adherents sprinkled throughout major urban centers and on the Internet , but the likelihood of a fascist takeover is slim to nonexistent.
This was not the case in the 1930s. During the decade-long economic depression that affected most of the world, fascism, along with socialism, anarchism, and communism, became popular with two kinds of people—those who saw capitalism and democracy as alien systems forced upon them by the US and Great Britain and those who were disenfranchised with the status quo and sluggish economic recovery. Fascism, no matter what form it took, whether urbane and corporatist or volkisch , combined a hostility to both capitalism and communism with personality cults, grandiose displays of paramilitary (and later military) power and prowess, and a predilection for violence.
While almost all fascist groups were ardent nationalists, fascism as a whole transcended national boundaries. In some places, fascism came to dominate the entire political landscape. Fascism flourished past the 1930s in places like Italy (where Benito Mussolini oversaw the creation of the first true fascist state in history), in Germany (where the model of Italian fascism blended with racialist science, militarism, and populism in order to form an idiosyncratic belief system called national socialism), and in South America (where authoritarian dictatorships became disarmingly common during the Cold War). Elsewhere, fascist movements threatened standing governments and elections but never managed to hold onto power for any real length of time.
10 Francist Movement
Historically speaking, French right-wing groups have always been some of the most active and ideologically driven. Led by intellectuals, former military men, and their own media empires, the French right during the interwar years (1919–39) was particularly powerful and posed a real challenge to French democracy.
On February 6, 1934, the Third Republic was rocked by a violent right-wing demonstration that killed 15 people outside of the Chamber of Deputies in Paris. Spurred on by a financial crisis known as the Stavisky Affair , the riot was widely seen by the French left as an attempted coup d’etat. The major players in the riot were the much older and more cerebral French Action group and the militarist, veteran-heavy Cross of Fire. Alongside these groups was the Francist Movement, an anti-Semitic fascist organization bankrolled by Benito Mussolini, led by a World War I veteran named Marcel Bucard, and defended by a paramilitary organization known as the Blueshirts.
While other right-wing groups in France were somewhat unique in their mannerisms and style of politics, the Francist Movement was a carbon copy of Italian fascism , right down to their use of the Roman salute, the use of the fasces as a symbol of their ideology, and their unequivocal support for Germany, Italy, and a fascist France. By 1936, the Francist Movement and other “anti-parliamentary leagues” were banned by the new left-wing Popular Front government. However, when Nazi Germany invaded France and split it between the German-occupied north and the collaborationist south, followers of the Francist Movement found themselves in power for a short time in Vichy France .
9 Austrofascists
Photo credit: R-41
In spite of speaking the same language, Austria and Germany do not share the same culture, so the fact that they took different approaches to far-right ideology shouldn’t be terribly surprising. While Hitler and his followers preached national socialism, Austria subscribed to Austrofascism—a nationalist and authoritarian ideology which was decidedly anti-Nazi. Upholding Austria’s Roman Catholic identity as well as its former position as the center of the multi-national Habsburg Empire, the Austrofascists, who were led by dictator Engelbert Dollfuss’s Fatherland Front, sought to counteract anti-clerical Germany, and any Austrian Nazis who wanted to join Germany, in order to found a single Germanic state in Central Europe.
Although the two groups had been feuding since the 1920s, the Austrian Nazis and the Austrofascists inched closer to internecine warfare after Dollfuss, a diminutive politician and veteran of the Austro-Hungarian army who liked to wear military uniforms decorated with medals and a distinctive Tyrolean feather cap, was named the Chancellor of Austria in 1932. After merging his own Christian Social Party with other right-wing groups in order to found the Fatherland Front, Dollfuss quickly set about establishing a repressive, anti-liberal government.
First he banned the parliament from meeting, then he helped to draft the “ First of May Constitution ,” which was intended to unite all segments of Austrian society underneath the banner of a single-party state . However, the new constitution sparked a brief civil war between the Austrian right and left (which the right won) and created a burning resentment toward Dollfuss’s government for its decision to ban all opposition parties. In retaliation, over 100 Austrian Nazis disguised themselves as soldiers and police officers and stormed Vienna’s Federal Chancellery in July 1934. During their attempted takeover of the country, the Austrian Nazis shot Dollfuss twice and then refused to let either a doctor or priest see him, thus letting him die a slow, painful death .
8 Rexist Party
Photo credit: Tom Lemmens
Comparable to their like-minded brethren next door in France, the Belgian Rexists were ultraconservative Catholics who envisioned a corporatist state fueled by the dual spirit of nationalism and religious adherence. Unlike most fascist movements at the time, however, the Rexists advocated for the continuation of the Belgian monarchy in the face of widespread liberalism. Led by the charismatic war correspondent Leon Degrelle, the Rexists managed to seat 21 MPs in the face of a resurgent Communist Party during the 1936 election . Then, after entering into a coalition with the VNV (a Flemish nationalist party with fascist overtones) and managing to sway a few voters away from the rival Catholic Party, the Rexists came close to becoming Belgium’s largest and most powerful right-wing party . Until the German occupation of Belgium, this was the closest that the Rexists would get to seizing absolute power.
Although a political movement with many followers, the Rexist Party was in reality a personality cult led by Degrelle. It was Degrelle who decided to push the group more toward Nazi ideology during the late 1930s, even at the cost of the group’s popularity. During the war, Degrelle left the Rexist Party in order to join the Walloon Legion , an all French-speaking Belgian unit in the Waffen-SS. As an officer in the SS, Degrelle fought on the Eastern Front and was awarded numerous decorations for bravery. Degrelle also continued to compose pro-fascist articles for the collaborationist newspaper Le Pays Reel.
After the war, when the Rexist Party was gutted and outlawed like most other far-right parties in Europe. Degrelle fled to Franco’s Spain , where he continued to pen letters and articles defending his actions, the Rexist Party, the Nazis, and the fascist attempt to remake Europe.
7 Russian Fascist Party
Photo via Wikimedia
Also known as the All-Russian Fascist Party, the RFP was a minor fascist movement led by members of the sizable Russian minority in the Chinese city of Harbin. Using the swastika as their symbol , the RFP made their allegiances well-known throughout the 1930s and 1940s. The Russian Fascist Party wasn’t mere Nazi-worship or a veneration of the Russian Orthodox Church. Instead, the RFP, which was led by Konstantin Rodzaevsky, was composed of many former White Russians (pro-czarist fighters who lost to the Bolsheviks during the bloody Russian Civil War), and it was part of a larger anti-communist network in Russia’s far eastern provinces and in parts of China that contained many Russian expats. In this regard, the RFP was quite similar to the movement led by Baron Roman von Ungern-Sternberg, a White Russian general who established a private empire in Outer Mongolia during the 1920s in order to establish a new Russian monarchy that would recreate the ancient Chinese empires.
Another important element to consider in regards to the RFP was the fact that they were based in the Japanese-controlled puppet state of Manchuko, thus giving them a sort of protected status once Germany and Japan entered into a military alliance. In turn, the RFP assisted the Japanese in various ways, even going so far as to provide intelligence and members for all-Russian units in the Kwantung Army , a provincial branch of the Imperial Japanese Army based in occupied China. As the war began, the RFP was rapidly swallowed up by the Japanese war effort. Then, when the Soviet Army invaded Manchuria, the RFP was crushed, and its leaders were either arrested or killed.
6 Brazilian Integralists
Photo via Wikimedia
Integralism promotes the idea that a nation is an organic whole, whereby the good of the nation is given priority over everything else. While Integralism was an attempt to unify labor and capital and other elements of the modern state into a corporatist superstructure, it was also a nationalist and ethnocentric cudgel often wielded in order to establish the boundaries between who could and couldn’t be considered a member of an Integralist nation.
In France, Integralism was just one of many reactionary philosophies, while in Brazil, it proved to be one of the most dynamic, if not avant-garde, ideologies of the interwar years. Founded by Hitler look-alike Plinio Salgado, the Brazilian Integralist Action group got its start 10 years before its official formation in 1932. At the 1922 Modern Art Week in Sao Paulo, Salgado and an odd assortment of Futurists, nationalists, and avant-garde artists argued for the creation of a new Brazilian art movement that would embrace both modernism and Brazilian nationalism. This might sound far-fetched, but by 1922, there was already a precedent for modern art helping to create right-wing mass movements. After all, the Italian Futurists helped to give fascism in Italy a visual language of counterrevolution.
Under the slogan of “Union of all races and all peoples,” the Brazilian Integralists, who wore green shirts and adopted the paramilitary poses of the Italian Blackshirts and German Brownshirts, took to the streets of Brazil waving a royal blue flag decorated with the Greek letter sigma. Revolutionary in nature, Salgado’s Integralists espoused anti-Marxist, anti-liberal, and anti-materialist views, some of which were codified in the group’s declaration to engage in a “ Revolution of the Self ,” the act of subsuming individual wants and desires for the larger social body of the nation. After a tentative peace with Brazil’s President Getulio Vargas, the inevitable crackdown came after a failed 1938 putsch.
5 National Socialist Movement Of Chile
Photo credit: B1bmo
Known as Nacistas, the National Socialist Movement of Chile followed the template created by the German Nazis very closely, including the group’s virulent anti-Semitism. They were led by the triumvirate of General Diaz Valderrama (the founder) and German-Chileans Carlos Keller and Jorge Gonzalez von Marees. The National Socialist Movement of Chile formed its own paramilitary organization, the Tropas Nacistas de Asalto, and began engaging in street fights with rival left-wing parties. The group also argued that Chile was more of a European-style nation and thus superior to its South American neighbors. Declaring themselves as defenders of European values and Christianity, the National Socialist Movement of Chile eventually broke ties with both the Italians and Germans in order to create a more Integralist movement that claimed adherence to democracy.
Throughout the group’s short period of existence (1932–38), Keller provided the Nacistas with an ideological grounding in conservative revolutionary writing. In particular, Keller and others looked to Oswald Spengler , whose favorable opinions of aristocracy and hierarchical societies appealed to Keller’s desire to preserve Chile’s Spanish traditions. But as the National Socialist Movement of Chile began to back away from German Nazism and started forming coalitions with other right-wing groups, some within the party decided to break off and look toward Hitler’s Germany for guidance. The most important of these figures was Miguel Serrano, who combined his unabashed love for Hitler and anti-Semitism with Eastern philosophies and the occult in order establish what he termed “ Esoteric Hitlerism .”
4 Christian Party
Photo via Wikimedia
Sinclair Lewis’s 1935 novel It Can’t Happen Here satirized the American attitude that fascism was so alien to everyday Americans that it had no chance of ever catching on as a legitimate political movement. In truth, several fascist and neo-fascist movements existed in the US between the World Wars. From the German-backed German American Bund to Father Coughlin’s over one-million-strong National Union for Social Justice , the Great Depression served as an incubator that fostered resentment against the traditional values of American republicanism and democracy. The Christian Party, which was run by the professional agitator William Dudley Pelley, was a much smaller organization, but nonetheless, its Silver Legion came close to forming a European-style paramilitary street gang in the heart of America.
The zenith of the Christian Party came in 1936, when Pelley ran for president as an anti-Roosevelt populist and traditionalist Protestant who swore to rid the American economy of Jewish power and influence . Overall, Pelley garnered a paltry 1,598 votes out of 700,000 in Washington State. Before he could run again in 1940, the FBI raided the Christian Party headquarters in Asheville, North Carolina, and seized assets and equipment under the guise of an embezzlement investigation. Afterward, Pelley and the Silver Legion briefly aligned with the America First Movement, which fought to keep the US out of World War II, but disbanded after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
3 Irish Blueshirts
Though they only existed for two years (1932–34), the Irish Blueshirts were at one point a serious threat to the tenuous democracy of the Republic of Ireland. Originally founded as a collection of former Irish soldiers tasked with protecting the outgoing Cumann na nGaedheal government from the IRA and the supporters of Fianna Fail, who hated the Cumann na nGaedheal leaders for signing the Anglo-Irish Treaty of 1921 , the Blueshirts soon began flexing their power as a rabidly nationalist and authoritarian mass movement.
For their part, the Blueshirts believed that they were fighting for Catholic values and the interests of a unified Ireland . In 1933, uniformed supporters of the Blueshirts (who once again took fashion cues from the Italian Blackshirts) took part in the March on Dublin that, like Mussolini’s own March on Rome, was supposed to be a display of size and power. Although the stated aim of the march was to honor war veterans buried at Glasnevin Cemetery, the group’s actions incurred the wrath of President Eamon de Valera, a sworn enemy of the group, who shortly thereafter made the party illegal. Following their disbandment, Blueshirt leader Eoin O’Duffy formed the ill-fated Irish Brigade , which briefly fought on the side of Franco and the Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War.
2 Spanish Falange
The Spanish Falange (meaning “phalanx”) was arguably the most radical right-wing group that fought during Spain’s brutal civil war from 1936–39. Intellectually dissimilar from fellow right-wing groups like the royalist Alfonsists and Carlists and the staunchly Catholic CEDA, the Spanish Falange was founded by the nobleman Jose Antonio Primo de Rivera, who used his skills as an orator to gain big business support for his fledgling group, which was never able to garner many adherents outside of its student base.
What the Falange lacked in manpower they more than made up in zealotry. Like the Italian fascists, the Falange eschewed the traditional tenets of Spanish conservatism (monarchy, church, and family) in favor of aesthetic modernism and a belief in an all-powerful, militaristic state that would expand the size of Spanish imperial possessions. In some ways, the Falange was more akin to its radical leftist opponents during the civil war, who also shared the group’s disdain for clericalism, the Roman Catholic Church, and bourgeoisie morality. Ultimately, this would be the group’s undoing. After first being gutted of their leadership by Spanish Republicans, the group, who committed thousands of men and women to the Nationalist side, were placed into a subordinate position by General Franco after the war.
Franco, who was always more of a traditional conservative, disliked many aspects of the Falangist platform and therefore promoted the Carlists and other groups over the Falange. As a response, many Falangists joined the Blue Division, an all-Spanish volunteer division in Germany’s Waffen-SS. The Blue Division mostly fought on the Eastern Front until 1943, when, under public pressure, Franco ordered all Spanish volunteers to return home. Many Falangists decided to stay in the German Army and signed up for other units, while those Falangists who returned home were suppressed after Falange supporters threw grenades at a Carlist meeting held at the Basilica of Begona in 1942. Demanding retribution, the Carlists and the Spanish Army persuaded Franco to execute Falange leaders before ultimately pressuring El Caudillo into smashing the group altogether.
1 The Iron Guard
Photo credit: Trimnapaschkan
The Iron Guard of Romania was more than just one of the most unique fascist organizations in history. Whereas other fascist movements extolled the virtues of nationalism and militaristic discipline above other major concerns, the Iron Guard openly worshiped death . At head of the Iron Guard was Corneliu Codreanu, a handsome mystic and virulent anti-Semite who imbued the Iron Guard with an occult-tinged philosophy that embraced not only anti-liberalism, but also terrorism. Because of this, the Iron Guard, whose motto was “ Everything for the Country ” became one of the most violent fascist groups of the interwar period.
In 1938, out of fear of the growing power of the Iron Guard and its three death squads, which were tasked with assassinating political opponents and carrying out pogroms against Romania’s Jewish population, King Carol II established a one-party “corporative” with himself as the leader and began outlawing all other political parties. Subsequently, many Iron Guard legionaries were imprisoned or executed. Even Codreanu himself was imprisoned and garrotted to death in November 1938.
Following this purge, the Iron Guard took advantage of World War II and Romania’s troubled neutrality. As Romania began leaning toward the Axis Powers, Guard members allied themselves with General Ion Antonescu, an authoritarian dictator who supported Germany and Italy during their invasion of the Soviet Union with Romanian troops. The alliance between General Antonescu and the Iron Guard was short-lived, however.
For two days in January 1941, the so-called Legionaries’ Rebellion tried to usurp Antonescu’s power. At the same time, the rebellious Iron Guard members carried out a pogrom throughout Romania which killed around 120 Jews and destroyed many homes, businesses, and synagogues. Once the guns stopped, and General Antonescu carried the day, over 200 (some sources say as many as 800) Legionaries were dead and thousands were imprisoned.
Benjamin Welton is a freelance writer based in Boston. His work has appeared in The Atlantic, VICE, Metal Injection, and others. He currently blogs at literarytrebuchet.blogsport.com .
| Romania |
In David Hockney's famous painting 'Mr. and Mrs. Clark and Percy', what type of creature is 'Percy'? | The World at War
Albania
1924 -
Dec. 13 - Ahmed Zogu�s Yugoslav backed guerrilla army invades Albania overthrowing parliamentary regime of Fan Noli in two weeks.
1925 -
Jan. 31 - Zogu elected president for a seven year term. New constitution grants Zogu dictatorial powers including right to appoint and dismiss all ministers, veto legislation and name all administrative personnel and one third of the senate.
May - Treaty grants Italy right to exploit Albanian mineral resources, establish Albanian National Bank under Italian control and awards Italian shipping companies monopolies on freight and passenger transportation
1928 -
New constitution proclaims Albania a "kingdom" and Zogu becomes Zog I "King of the Albanians", abolishes the senate and establishes a unicameral National Assembly. Zog retains the dictatorial powers he enjoyed as president.
1939 -
Mar. 25 - Italy delivers ultimatum demanding right to occupy Albania
Apr. 7 - Italy invades Albania, Zog flees into exile first in Greece and later to London.
Apr. 12 - Albanian national assembly votes to unite the country with Italy. Victor Emmanuel III becomes King of Albania. Italians set up fascist administration under Shefqet Verlaci.
Nazi party registers strong gains in local elections
1933 -
Mar. - Dollfuß dissolves parliament begin to govern under 1917 emergency laws Nazi Party, KPO and Republikanischer Schutzbund outlawed
May - Dollfuß forms Vaterländische Front (Fatherland Front) to replace existing parties
Sept. - announces plans to organize Austria as a constitutionally Catholic German and corporatist state
1934 -
Feb. - SDAP and affiliated trade unions banned following unsuccessful general strike
May - Dollfu�s constitution promulgated Fatherland Front become the only legal party
July 25 - Dollfuß killed in Nazi putsch. Army remains loyal to regime and coup fails. Kurt von Schuschnigg become chancellor.
1936 -
July 11 - Hitler signs agreement pledging German respect for Austrian independce and sovereignty. Von Schuschnigg agrees to bring members of the opposition into government.
1938 -
Feb. 12 - Schuschnigg meets with Hitler at Berchtesgaden. In face of German military threat he accepts demands for legalization of Austrian Nazi party. Schuschnigg returns to Vienna and begins planning plebiscite on the question of maintaining "a free and German, independent and social; a Christian and united Austria; for peace and work and equality of all who declare themselves for nation and fatherland"
Mar. 10 - Nazi sympathizers in the cabinent demand plebiscite be postponed. Schuschnigg agrees to cancellation and resigns.
Mar. 12 - German troops enter Austria
Apr. 10 - Austrian plebiscite approves Anschluss (annexation to Germany) Nazis announce 99.7% favorable result.
Bulgaria
1919 -
BANU receives 28% of vote in parliamentary elections giving it a plurality but not a majority in the Subranie. BANU founder Aleksandur Stamboliiski�s political philosophy favors favors peasant and rural life and a government providing representation by profession rather than party. Stamboliiski fails in attempt to persuade two communist factions to join a coalition. Stamboliiski forms coalition with right wing parties.
Dec. - Beginning of three month long transport strike organized by communists and social democrats
1920 -
Feb. - Transport strike squashed by army and the Orange Guard, a militia formed by Stamboliiski to counter mass demonstrations by leftist parties.
Parliamentary election gives BANU a majority
1921 -
Stamboliiski begins two year campaign of repression against IMRO
1922 -
Leaders of the right wing National Alliance jailed by the Orange Guard.
1923 -
Stamboliiski assassinated by agents of IMRO, a pro-autonomy Macedonian terrorist organization. A coalition of BANU opponents (IMRO, the National Alliance, army factions and social democrats) led by Aleksandur Tsankov takes control of the country.
Sept. - Communist uprising suppressed.
Communist party outlawed, militants led by exiled Georgi Dimitrov become dominant faction in the party.
1925 -
Communists bomb Sveta Nedelia Cathedral while Tsar Boris III is present, 100 killed, government begins reign of terror against the communists and agrarians
1927 -
Communists resurface as the Bulgarian Workers Party
1931 -
Government of Andrei Liapchev defeated in last parliamentary election based on proportional representation. Zveno, a small coalition with ties to most Bulgarian parties and fascist Italy, advocates reform and consolidation existing political institutions so that state power could be used in direct promotion of economic growth.
1932 -
Aleksandur Tsankov establishes the National Socialist Movement, Bulgaria�s first serious fascist party.
1934 -
Colonel Damian Velchev, with military and Zveno support, overthrows government in a rightist coup. Kimon Georgiev named prime minister and begins taking dictatorial powers. Zveno abolishes all political parties, implements press censorship and declares that henceforth the Subranie would represent classes of society and not political parties.
1935 -
Tsar Boris III aided by military and civilian factions removes Zveno from power and declares a royal dictatorship.
1938 -
Boris permits elections for a new Subraine. Only individual candidates allowed to run in carefully supervised election, party candidate lists are prohibited
1940 -
Pro-German Premier Bogdan Filov replaces pro-Western Premier Georgi Kioseivanov
Treaty of Craiova - Romania cedes Dobruja to Bulgaria under German pressure
Bulgaria signs commercial treaty with the Soviet Union
1941 -
Czecheslovakia
1929 -
Vojtech Tuka leader of the Nastupists (radical wing of the Slovak Populist Party) arrested. Tuka had maintained contacts with Austria, Hungary and the Nazis throughout the �20s; organized the Rodobrana (paramilitary units) and published literature subversive to the new Czech state. The Nastupists became the dominant force in the SPP after Tuka�s trial and the party became more totalitarian in its leanings.
1933 -
Sudeten Nazi Party dissolved. German nationals and Sudeten Nazis expelled from local government positions.
Oct. 1 - Konrad Henlein forms the Sudetendeutsche Heimatfront (Sudeten German Home Front) championing autonomy within the Czech state.
1935 -
Sudetendeutsche Heimatfront becomes the Sudeten German Party (SdP) winning 60% of German vote in May election. Henlein is in secret contact with Germany and receives financial backing from German Nazis.
1938 -
Mar. 22 - Gustav Hacker�s German Agrarian Party merged with SdP
Mar. 24 - German Christian Socialist Party suspends its activities
Mar. 28 - Henlein meets with Hitler, offers SdP as agent for German aims in Czechoslovakia. SdP instructed to make unacceptable demands on the Czech government.
Apr. 24 - SdP issues its Carlsbad Decrees demanding complete autonomy for Sudetenland and freedom to profess Nazi ideology
May 20 - Czechoslovakia begins partial mobilization in response to rumors of German troop movements.
May 30 - Hitler signs directive to begin war against Czechoslovakia by Oct. 1
Sept. - Slovak Populist Party presses demands for autonomy
Sept. 2 - British send Walter Runciman to negotiate settlement of Sudeten German demands, President Benes agrees to accept Carlsbad Decrees.
Sept. 13 - SdP breaks off negotiations
Sept. 15 - Henlein flies to Germany and issues a proclamation demanding return of Sudetenland to Germany. Hilter meets with Chamberlain at Berchtesgaden and demands return of Sudetenland claiming that Czech were slaughtering the German inhabitants. British and French governments agree to the demand and issue ultimatum to the Czechs making future French support for Czechoslovakia contingent on its acceptance.
Sept. 21 - Czech government capitulates but Hitler makes additional demands on behalf of Hungary and Poland.
Sept. 23 - new Czech cabinet led by General Jan Syrovy decrees start of general mobilization. Soviet Union announces support for Czechs but President Benes refuses to go to war without support of the western allies.
Sept. 28/29 - Hitler meets with Chamberlain, Daladier and Mussolini at Munich. Czechoslovakia is not invited or consulted. British and French agree to German occupation of the Sudetenland to be completed by October 10th. Hungary receives 11,882 sq, km in Slovakia and Ruthenia. Poland acquires Tesin and two small areas in northern Slovakia.
Sept. 30 - Czechoslovak government capitulates to Munich agreement.
Oct. 5 - Executive committee of the Slovak Populist Party meets in Zilina to form an autonomous government under Monsignor Jozef Tiso.
Oct. 8 - Russo/Ukrainophiles agree to establish autonomous government for Carpatho-Ukraine.
1939 -
Mar. 14 - Slovak Diet declares independence. Carpatho-Ukraine declares independence but is occupied by Hungarian troops along with eastern Slovakia.
Mar. 15 - German troops enter Bohemia and Moravia unopposed.
Mar. 16 - Hitler proclaims Bohemia and Moravia a German Protectorate at Hradcany Castle, Prague.
Dec. 1 - coup attempt by the outlawed Estonian Communist Party squashed
1934 -
Mar. 12 - K. Pats and J. Laidoner take over government in a bloodless coup to forestall implementation of newly approved constitution sponsored by fascist veterans organization led by Arturs Sirk. The so called "Period of Silence" commences. The Riigikogu (parliament) is adjourned and the country is governed under a declaration of defence.
Oct. 2 - The Riigikogu is adjourned for a final time.
1935 -
Mar. 5 - Political party activities prohibited and the Isamaaliit (Patriotic League) is formed to support the regime. Restrictions imposed on the press.
1938 -
Feb. - Elections to parliament under a new constitution giving the president more power over the assembly return parties favoring policies of the old regime to power.
Apr. 28 - K. Pats elected president
1940 -
Germany
1919 -
Feb. - Weimar Constitution adopted - Article 48 "the emergency clause" accords the president dictatorial rights to intervene in the territorial states for the purpose of enforcing constitutional and federal laws and/or to restore public order.
Adolf Hitler joins the Bavarian German Workers Party
1920 -
Bavarian GWP changes it name to National Socialist German Workers Party (National Sozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei - NSDAP)
1921 -
Hitler assumes leadership of the NSDAP.
1923 -
Nov. - NSDAP with support of General Ludendorff attempts to overthrow the government of Bavaria. The "Beer Hall putsch" fails. Hitler is arrested. During his imprisonment he writes Mein Kampf.
1924 -
Dec. - Hitler released from prison.
1928 -
May - NSDAP polls 2.6% of vote in Reichstag elections.
1930 -
NSDAP polls 18.3% of vote in Reichstag elections finishes second to the SDP with 38.2%
1932 -
June - NSDAP with cooperation of the Communist (KDP) brings down the government of Heinrich Brüning.
July - Reichstag elections doubles NSDAP representation making it the strongest German political party. Hitler refuses Chancellor Franz von Papen�s offer to join the cabinent as vice-chancellor.
Nov. - Reichstag election, NSDAP share of the vote declines. KDP increases its representation
Dec. - General Kurt von Schleicher appointed chancellor but is unable to form a governing coalition without cooperation of Hitler.
1933 -
Jan. 30 - von Papen and von Schleicher prevail upon President Hindenburg to appoint Hitler to chancellorship of a coalition government.
Feb. 26 - The Reichstag building set on fire. Nazis blame the fire on Communists
Feb. 28 - Hindenburg envokes Article 48, the emergency clause of the constitution, and issues a decree authorizing the SA to arrest socialist and liberal leaders and large numbers of communists. State governments not controlled by Nazis are dissolved and subordinated to control of the central government.
Mar. - Reichstag passes an act according Hitler�s cabinet dictatorial powers for a period of four years by a vote of 441 to 81. Hitler implements a policy of Gleichschaltung, subordinating all independent institutions to Nazi control. Civil service and judiciary purged of "non Aryans". Remaining members required to swear an oath of personal loyalty to the Führer. Geheime Staatspolizei created and People�s Tribunal established to deal with treason cases. State governments replaced by Reich governors directly responsible to Hitler. Trade unions dissolved
July - Germany declared legally, a one party National Socialist state.
1934 -
Aug. - Hindenburg dies. Hitler combines offices of President and Chancellor in violation of emergency decrees. The combination of offices is subsequently approved in a national plebiscite. The Army swears an oath of allegiance pledging unconditional obedience to Hitler.
1935 -
Nuremburg laws strip Jews of citizenship and restrict relationships between "Aryans" and Jews.
Mar. - Hitler announces introduction of conscription with the intention of expanding the army from 100,000 to 550,000 troops and creation of an air force in violation of the Treaty of Versailles
June - Anglo-German Naval Pact ensures British naval superiority in return for acceptance of German rearmament.
1936 -
Mar. - German troops reoccupy the Rhineland
Aug. - The Olympic Games in Berlin see a high mark in international recognition of Hitler. Athlets from autocratic nations are unusually successful.
Nov. - Germany and Italy form the Rome-Berlin Axis
1938 -
Mar. 13 - Austria annexed to the German Reich
Oct. 1 - Sudetenland annex to the German Reich
Nov. 9 - Kristallnacht - persecution of Jews turns from random acts of violence to systematic elimination.
1939 -
Hungary
1919 -
Mar. 19 - Allied mission in Budapest hands P.M. Mihaly Karolyi a note delineating Hungary�s post war boundaries. Karolyi resigns rather than accept the new boundaries.
Mar. 21 - Social Democrats hand power to a government of "Peoples Commissars". The Communists led by Bela Kun government and announce the establishment of the Hungarian Soviet Republic.
June 25 - Kun�s government declares a dictatorship of the proletariat, nationalizes industrial and commercial businesses, housing, transport, banking, medicine, cultural institutions and all landholdings of more than 40.5 hectares.
Aug. 1 - Romanian troops occupy and loot Budapest ousting Kun�s regime. Kun fled, first to Vienna, and finally to the Soviet Union where he was executed in the 1930s in a Stalinist purge.
1920 -
Jan. - Hungarian parliment restores the monarchy but postpones electing a king pending restoration of civil order. Admiral Miklos Horthy, elected Regent with power to appoint the prime minister, veto legislation, dissolve the parliament and command the armed forces.
July - Horthy appoints Pal Teleki prime minister. Teleki government sets quotas limiting admission of Jew to universities.
1931 -
Aug. - Horthy appoints Gyula Gombos prime minister after Gombos agrees to maintain the existing political system. Gombos publicly renounces the vehement anti-semitism he earlier espoused.
1936 -
Sept. - Gombos tells German officials that he intends to establish a Nazi style government in Hungary with in two years. Gombos dies a month later.
1938 -
Hungary renounces restrictions on size of its armed forces.
Government of Kalman Daranyi passes first of the "Jewish laws" limiting Jews to 20% of positions in certain businesses and professions.
1939 -
Feb. - Prime Minister Bela Imredy, who drafted a second set of harsher anti- Jewish laws, forced to resign when opponents produced documents showing that Imredy�s grandfather was a Jew. Imredy�s successor, Pal Teleki, pushed passage of the second Jewish Law, which broadened the definition of "Jewishness" and cut quotas for Jews permitted in the professions.
June - Arrow Cross, the Hungarian equivalent of the Nazi Party, finishes second in parliamentry elections.
1940 -
Sept. - Hungary allows passage of German troops on their way to Romania.
Nov. 20 - Hungary sign alliance with Germany, Italy and Japan.
1941 -
Italy
1919 -
Versailles conference refuses Italian demands for territory in Dalmatia and the city of Fiume. Rightist legion led by Gabriel D�Annunzio occupies Fiume.
Benito Mussolini founds Fascisti di Combattimento
1920 -
Treaty of Rapallo cedes Dalmatia to Yugoslavia and declares Fiume a "free city"
1921 -
Mussolini is one of 35 Fascisti elected to a seat in parliamentary elections. Fascisti movement transformed into the Partito Nazionale Fascista.
1922 -
Oct. 28 - Mussolini�s Fascists march on Rome. King Victor Emmanuel invites Mussolini to form a government
1923 -
Italy annexes Fiume by agreement with Yugoslavia
1924 -
Parliamentary election gives PNF a majority.
1926 -
Mussolini assumes dictatorial powers, dissolves opposition parties, introduces press censorship and changes to electoral process. Il Duce, "the leader", as Mussolini styles himself forestalls any challengers by assuming control of as many as seven ministries simultaneously including, interior, foreign affairs, colonies and armed forces as well as leadership of the Fascist Party and its militia.
1931 -
Istituto Mobiliare Italiano created to provide credit for industry
1933 -
Istituto per la Riconstruzione Industriale created beginning era of large scale public intervention in private economy.
1935 -
Italy invades Ethiopia
1936 -
Mussolini and Hitler sign agreement creating the Rome-Berlin axis Italy provides aid to Franco forces in Spanish Civil War
1939 -
Pact of Steel increases Italian links to Germany
1940 -
June 10 - Italy enters WW2 declaring war on France
1943 -
July 25 - Mussolini dismissed as premier after American invasion of Sicily. Marshal Pietro Badoglio becomes premier.
Sept. 3 - Badoglio signs armistice with Allies. Italy declares war on Germany
Mussolini is rescued from prison by German troops and forms a puppet government "Repubblica Sociale Italiana" in German occupied portion of northern Italy.
1945 -
Lithuania
1926 -
Dec. 17 - Military and conservative led coup headed by Antanas Smetona take control of the country. Liberals and Leftists expelled from the Seimas (parliament). Smetona elected president with Augustinas Voldemas as premier.
1939 -
Oct - Lithuania signs mutual assistance treaty with the Soviet Union. Years of friction with Germany over city of Memel having raised fears of German invasion.
1940 -
June 17 - Lithuania occupied by Soviet troops
July 15 - Lithuanian assembly elected from single party slate, only the Communist Working People�s Bloc allowed to participate. New assembly requests incorporation of Lithuania into the Soviet Union
Aug. 3 - Soviets accept Lithuanian proposal for incorporation
Poland
1926 -
DATUM - Marshall Pilsudski assumes power after military coup. The Pilsudski regime governed with a mix of democratic and dictatorial elements but after his death in 1935 drifted towards more open authoritarianism.
Portugal
1926 -
May 26 - General Manuel Gomes da Costa announces he will march from Braga to Lisbon and assume power
May 28 - Gomes da Costa makes a symbolic entry to Lisbon unopposed. The dramatic gesture is meant to emulate Mussolini�s 1922 march on Rome.
May 29 - Prime Minister da Silva resigns
May 30 - President Machado turns power over to navy Commander Jose Cabecadas
July 9 - General Carmona named head of the military government
1928 -
Apr. 27 - Carmona names Antonio Salazar minister of finance. Salazar accepts the post after being granted complete control of all expenditures by all government ministries.
1930 -
May 28 - Salazar delivers a speech calling for the implementation of a new constitution to create an authoritarian order he calls the Estado Novo (New State).
1932 -
July 5 - Military government of General de Oliveira resigns. Salazar appointed prime minister.
1933 -
New constitution, dictated by Salazar, establishes the "New State". Salazar continues as prime minister and leader of the sole legal political party, the Uniao Nacional. Legislative and executive power vested in Salazar. The National Assembly is allowed to initiate legislation only if it does not involve expenditure of government funds. Official worker�s syndicates replace free trade unions.
1939 -
Salazar protests German invasion of Poland
1940 -
Salazar expresses confidence in ultimate victory of the Allies. Portugal remains neutral but maintains links to Britain.
1943 -
Romania
1930s -
Corneilu Zelea Codreanu, "Capitanul" of the Iron Guard calls for war against Jews and communists. The Iron Guard becomes the largest fascist party in the Balkans.
1933 -
Premier Ion Duca assassinated by member of the Iron Guard.
1937 -
Dec. - Dec. - King Carol hands the government over to a coalition of far right parties. Jews are barred from the civil service and the army and forbidden to buy property and the practice of certain professions.
1938 -
Apr. - King Carol suspends the Constitution and proclaims a royal dictatorship.
Apr. 19 - Police arrest Codreanu and other high ranking Iron Guards.
Nov. - Codreanu and 13 other Iron Guards gunned down in "escape attempt".
1939 -
Mar. 23 - Romania and Germany sign ten year pact allowing German exploitation of Romanian natural resources.
Sept. 21 - Iron Guards assassinate neutralist premier Armand Calinescu.
1940 -
June 26 - Soviet Union delivers ultimatum demanding Romania return Bessarabia and turnover Bukovina. Romania submits.
Aug. - Bulgaria reclaims Dobruja with German and Soviet backing. German and Italian foreign ministers meet with the Romanians in Vienna and present an ultimatum demanding the return of Transylvania to Hungary. Romania again submits.
Sept. - coalition of Iron Guards and the Military led by the premier, General Ion Antonescu, force King Carol to abdicate. New restrictions imposed on Jews, Greeks and Armenian businessmen.
Oct. 8 - German troops begin entering Romania
Nov. - German and Romanian troops begin roundup and disarmament of most disruptive elements of the Iron Guard.
Nov. 23 - Romania joins the Axis Powers.
1941 -
Russia / Soviet Union
1917 -
Nov. 6 - Provisional government of Alexander Kerensky orders the Bolshevik press closed. Bolsheviks call on supporter to defend the Petrograd Soviet from this counter revolutionary action. Bolsheviks take control of government buildings, cabinet of the provisional government captured in Winter Palace.
Nov. 7 - Lenin proclaims downfall of the provisional government. The Second Congress of Soviets meets and ratifies Bolshevik takeover after moderate members of the Mensheviks and Socialist Revolutionary Party quit the session. Bolsheviks issue a series of decrees ratifying peasant land seizures, worker control of industry, abolishing class privileges, nationalizing banking and establishing revolutionary tribunals to take the place of courts. Cheka, the soviet secret police, created to persecute enemies of the state.
Nov. - Elections for a Constituent Assembly gives Bolsheviks a quarter of the seats
1918 -
Jan. - Soviet government dissolves the Constituent Assembly after a one day session, ending parliamentary democracy.
Mar. 3 - Soviets sign Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany ending Russian participation in WW1. Russia gives up control of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Finland and the Ukraine to Germany and the Transcausus to Turkey
July 17 - Czar Nicholas and royal family executed at Ekaterinburg.
Nov. - Soviets renounce Treaty of Brest-Litovsk after Allied defeat of Germany and attempt to reestablish control of lost territories. Soviet republics established in Belorussia - Jan. 1919, Ukraine - Mar. 1919, Azerbaizhan - Apr. 1920, Armeniav- Nov. 1920 and Georgia - Mar. 1921. Other lost territories remain independent
1921 -
Mar. - Lenin announces the New Economic Policy at Tenth Congress of the Russian Communist Party. Under the NEP state gives up control agriculture, services and small scale industry. Monetary system and market forces reintroduced, peasants permitted to dispose of produce at market and grain requisitioning replaced by taxation.
1922 -
Last foreign interventionist troops withdraw from Siberia ending outside support for White forces ending civil war.
Apr. - Stalin named general secretary of the Communist Party.
May - Lenin temporarily incapacitated by stroke - troika of Stalin, Kamenev and Zinov�ev takes control of the Politburo in opposition to Trotsky
Dec. - Union of Soviet Socialist Republics established with Russia, Belorussia, Ukraine and the Transcaucasian Republics giving political authority to Communist leadership in Moscow
1924 -
Jan. - Lenin dies
1928 -
Stalin scraps the NEP in favor of centralized planning. The State Planning Commission formulates the first of the Five Year Plans. Collectivization of Agriculture is the main focus of the first Five Year Plan. Resistance to collectivization is crushed by deportation of dissidents to Siberia and withholding of food shipments, widespread famine kills millions. The famine is particularly harsh in the Ukraine.
1934 -
Dec. - Stalin begins purge of opponents within the Party. Sergei Kirov, party chief in Leningrad, who advocates a more moderate policy towards the peasantry is assassinated.
1936 -
DATUM - beginning of Moscow "show trials" Zinov�ev, Kamenev and Bukharin confess to crimes against the state and are executed
1939 -
Aug. 23 - Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression Pact signed, agreement declares that in the event one country becomes involved in war the other will remain neutral. Secret protocol of the pact partitions Poland between Germany and the Soviets and assigns the Baltic countries the Soviet sphere of influence
Sept. 17 - Soviets invade Poland from the east
Nov. - Soviet invasion of Finland
1940 -
Mar. - end of winter war with Finland. Finns forced to cede strategic territories to Soviets.
Leon Trotsky assassinated by Soviet agents in Mexico
1941 -
Spain
1923 -
General Miguel Primo de Rivera takes power, dissolves parliament and rules and rules through directorates with backing by the military.
1930 -
de Rivera resigns in the midst of an economic crises and dies in exile a short time later.
1931 -
municipal election produce substanial vote for anti-monarchist parties. King Alfonso XIII leaves the country after failing to secure backing of the army. Republican regime restored.
1936 -
July - Jose Calvo Sotelo, leader of the rightist National Block, assassinated in retaliation for the murder of a policeman by fascists.
Police and militia loyal to the government suppress revolts by army garrisons in Madrid and Barcelona.
General Emilio Mola establishes headquarters at Burgos. Northern Spain and rightist strongholds in Navarre and Aragon rally to the army.
Republicans turn back army drive on Madrid.
General Franco seizes control of Spanish Morrocco. Germany and Italy provide transport to move Franco�s army from Africa to Spain. Franco�s forces occupy most major southern cities.
Oct. - Military junta forms a government at Burgos. Franco named head of state with rank of Generalissimo and title of "El Caudillo". The regime is recognized by Germany and Italy.
1939 -
Yugoslavia
1921 -
Communist attempt assassinate King Aleksandar. A month later they murder the interior minister. The Skupstina (federal assembly) passes laws suppressing the Communist Party.
1929 -
Jan. - King Aleksandar abrogates the constitution, dissolves the Assembly, bans political parties and declares a Royal Dictatorship.
1931 -
Aleksandar ends personal rule. New constitution provides for limited return to democracy. Political parties legalized but all religious, ethnic and regional organizations threatening the integrity and order of the state are banned.
1934 -
Oct. - King Alksandar assassinated in Marseilles by a Bulgarian agent of the Ustase (Croat terrorist organization) with assistance from Italy and Hungary.
1941 -
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On which fictional island was the sit-com 'Father Ted' set? | Craggy Island | Father Ted Wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia
The fictional Craggy Island was the primary setting for the Father Ted .
Description
Craggy Island is ostensibly, a bleak, desolate community with no redeeming features whatsoever and where nothing ever happens, populated by various lunatics, a small Chinese community and one Māori. The weather is often harsh and just about every house and business is shoddily built. As testament to the island's enduring unpopularity, the Irish state have given the British government permission to use the island's coast for dumping nuclear waste. The island isn't mentioned on any map and is frequently used by sailors as a navigational device (because, in the words of Father Ted Crilly, the general consensus is that, if you're heading away from the island, you're heading in the right direction).
Despite there rarely being any news of note, the island has its own broadsheet, called The Craggy Island Examiner . Because they never have anything worth writing about, the staff usually blow up any small event or piece of gossip into a major scandal, such as when a peeping tom's whistle was stolen. The 'story' helped make way for a full-colour pullout on whistles as a way of exploiting the bored locals' excitement (one resident even remarked that Craggy Island was becoming like [Boyz n the Hood]). However, Ted was once seen reading an edition with the alarming headline: "Crazed Murderer Still on the Loose"; it was implied in the episode that this person may be Tom, an insane man who persistently observes the coast wearing his "I Shot J.R." t-shirt, usually while sporting a gun. A bizarre fact about the island is that in poor weather conditions the roads are "taken in" and stored in a warehouse.
The only remotely modern places on the island are an Internet café, a cinema, a lighthouse, an isolation tank, an aviary, a greyhound racing track, and a golf course, although the latter consists only of a small strip of concrete and a windmill. One scene in the Christmas special depicts the downtown as having multi-storey buildings and a developed commercial district with well established businesses such as McDonald's. There are also several significantly unimpressive landmarks (see below), such as "The Field". The island has a long-running feud with its almost identical counterpart, Rugged Island , which is ministered to by Ted's arch nemesis, Dick Byrne .
The island apparently gets a fair amount of snowfall. Father Ted notes in Grant Unto Him Eternal Rest that it is snowing again and the snowfall depicted in the episode is considerable. He also assumes that it's snowing all over the island.
Wildlife
Craggy island posseses many interesting creatures, many are unique variants of their mainland counterparts. Given the harshness of life on craggy island, many are aggressive And troublesome.
Giant crows: Bigger than their mainland counterparts, they also have a unique tendency to make their nests using glasses, and also sometimes hunt humans in large numbers.
Ants: craggy island is apparently overrun with big, red ants. Dougal s desire to point out their return to father ted suggests that they are dangerous.
Rabbits: The rabbits on craggy island are drawn to father Jack Hackett, and appear in huge swarms.
Super intelligent hamsters: Father dougal Maguire had one that could ride a bike.
Other, less notable forms of fauna are sheep, horse's, goats, cats, a spider in a pram, Rottweilers, typical stuff.
Places of note
The Holy Stone of Clonrichert
The Holy Stone of Clonrichert : Formerly at Fermanagh but moved to Craggy Island (as it was not doing very good business) the holy stone is the main attraction of the island following its upgrade to a Class II Relic after someone was lured there (which Dougal and possibly the Church mistook for 'Cured'), coupled with the case of an Englishman growing a beard when he touched it. It was briefly removed following an altercation between Father Jack and a Bishop, where Jack presumebley assaulted the Bishop with the relic and lodged it into the Bishop's anus. The filming location providing a backdrop for the holy stone was the Cliffs of Moher , one of Ireland's most popular tourist destinations. (" Tentacles of Doom ") Ted admits to not knowing why the stone is holy and claims it is just a kind of general holiness that supposedly gave Dougal of moment of serenity which Dougal himself described as "a great buzz".
The Field : While not actually a field, the area has fewer rocks in it than most other places on the island. The field also hosts Fun Land, a yearly carnival sporting unimpressive 'rides' such as Freak Pointing, The Whirly Go Round, The Pool of Terror, The Crane of Death (Apparently called-so because the year before a young man died while he was on it), Goading the Fierce Man, Duck Startling, The Spinning Cat (watching a fake cat which had been attached to a record player spin around) and The Ladder, the last simply being a ladder propped against a wall. It was filmed in Portrane, Co. Dublin.
The Craggy Island Crazy Golf Course : The course consisted of one hole with the easily discarded obstacle of a windmill. (" Entertaining Father Stone ")
The Picnic Spot : Even bleaker than other parts on the island, the picnic spot is home to a few deckchairs, a sign, and a list of rules, which includes no swearing. The spot is watched by Mr. Benson and his whistle. Its only regular visitors are an aggressively territorial couple who drive away anyone else wishing to sit at the lone picnic table. They do, however, abide by the 'no swearing' rule religiously, telling Father Ted to 'fup off' and calling him a 'backstard', 'grasshole' and 'pedrophile'. ( Old Grey Whistle Theft )
Vaughans : A pub located in town that is visited by many of Craggy Island's Chinese residents. ( Are You Right There, Father Ted? )
O'Leary's : Another pub. The threshold of this pub is the site of the mysterious Mud Angel. Legend had it that every Friday night, about closing time, the mysterious figure of a man appeared in the mud outside the pub. It was later revealed to be one of Father Jack's various drunken antics, rolling in the mud in a drunken stupor.
O'Leary's : A small shop, which provides services ranging from groceries to book-makers to record sales. It is run by John and Mary O' Leary who are regularly involved in domestic violence moments before the priests enter the shop, only to portray the picture of marital bliss when in public. The shop went through various forms throughout the series though this may be the result of the O'Leary's redecorating the shop or it may be that they moved to a new premises.
Magic Road : The Magic Road was seen or mentioned only in the episode Hell. When Ted and Dougal were on holidays taking about the places of interest they can go to and according to Ted is where the normal laws of gravity have no meaning, as they mentioned the Magic Road it showed Father Jack Hacket at the bottom of the road rolling up the slope.
The "real" Craggy Island: The real Craggy Island seen from helicopter shots is Inisheer. The actual parochial house used in the series is on the mainland in County Clare, near Carron , in the Burren. Vaughan's pub, where Ted is confronted by a crowd of angry Chinese in " Are You Right There, Father Ted? ", is also located in Kilfenora.
The football match at Ted Fest is used to award the honorary title of Craggy Island to the winning team.
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The show follows the misadventures of three Roman Catholic priests who live in a parish on the fictional Craggy Island, located off the west coast of Ireland. Father Ted Crilly, Father Dougal McGuire and Father Jack Hackett live chaotically together in Craggy Island's parochial house, along with their housekeeper Mrs Doyle, who often wants to serve them tea. The three priests answer to Bishop Len Brennan, who has banished them to Craggy Island as punishment for different incidents in their past: Ted for alleged financial impropriety, Dougal for something only referred to as the "Blackrock Incident", and Jack for his alcoholism and womanising. The show revolves around the priests' lives on Craggy Island, sometimes dealing with matters of the church but more often dealing with Father Ted's schemes to either resolve a situation with the parish or other Craggy Island residents, or to win games of one-upmanship against his arch-nemesis, Father Dick Byrne of the nearby Rugged Island parish
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Publishes posthumously in 1971, who wrote the novel 'Maurice'? | Aspects of E.M. Forster: Maurice
Plot
Maurice, a novel by E. M. Forster, written during 1913/14, but published posthumously in 1971, is the story of a young middle class man searching for an own identity within a society which denies his desire for love to a person of the same sex.
With the plot starting just before the protagonist's 15th birthday the reader follows Maurice's life through public school, Cambridge and his deceased father's stock broking firm, Hill and Hall. Forster omits the childhood of - and by that the influences of society on - Maurice Hall. The reader only learns about his early childhood, that he and his sisters Ada and Kitty were brought up by their widowed mother.
Maurice is depicted as an ordinary man. That makes it easier for him to disguise as 'normal' (i.e. heterosexual) person. Successively he experiences a profound emotional and sexual awakening. His first homosexual relation to Clive Durham at Cambridge breaks up when Clive decides to marry. Later Maurice thinks about overcoming his sexual desires but fails falling in love with Alec Scudder, the gamekeeper on Clive's country estate. The novel ends happily. Forster wrote that although the happy end was not plausible, he had not wanted to let the novel end disastrous.
Maurice is a plea for emotional and sexual honesty, and it criticises the repressive attitudes of British society. Aware that the publication of that novel would cause a furore, Forster prepared it for posthumous publication adding the line 'Publishable - but worth it?' to the cover of the manuscript.
Film Adaption
Maurice (1987) was directed by James Ivory, adaption for film by Kit Hesketh-Harvey et al.. Cast overview: James Wilby - Maurice Hall, Rupert Graves - Alec Scudder, Hugh Grant - Clive Durham; rest of cast listed alphabetically: Kitty Aldridge - Kitty Hall, Maria Britneva - Mrs. Sheepshanks, Simon Callow - Mr. Ducie, Denholm Elliott - Doctor Barry, John Elmes - Hill, Peter Eyre - Rev. Borenius, Alan Foss - Old Man on Train, Barry Foster - Dean Cornwallis, Philip Fox - Dr. Jowitt, Patrick Godfrey (I) - Simcox, Olwen Griffiths - Mrs. Scudder, Chris Hunter (I) - Fred Scudder, Michael Jenn - Archie, Ben Kingsley - Lasker-Jones, Breffni McKenna - Guardsman, Helena Michell - Ada Hall, Phoebe Nicholls - Anne Durham, Judy Parfitt - Mrs. Durham, Mark Payton - Chapman, Catherine Rabett - Pippa Durham, Miles Richardson - Third Undergraduate, Phillada Sewell - Matron, Matthew Sim - Featherstonhaugh, Andrew St. Clair - Second Undergraduate, Mark Tandy - Risley, Harriet Thorpe - Barmaid, Julian Wadham - Hull, Richard Warner (I) - Judge, Orlando Wells - Young Maurice, Billie Whitelaw - Mrs. Hall, Alan Whybrow - Mr. Scudder, ....; runtime: 140 min.; country: UK; language: English; colour: colour (Technicolor); sound: Dolby; certification: Finland:K-16, France:U, Hong Kong:III, Sweden:11, UK:15, USA:R.
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In the novel by EM Forster, in which Italian city was there 'A Room With A View'? | E.M. Forster | Rex and Chris in NZ
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E.M. Forster
Edward Morgan Forster (1879-1970) wrote six novels – Where Angels Fear to Tread (1905), The Longest Journey (1907), A Room with a View (1908), Howards End (1910), A Passage to India (1924). Maurice , written in 1914, was published posthumously in 1971. He also published two volumes of short stories; two collections of essays; a critical work (Aspects of the Novel); The Hill of Devi; two biographies; two books about Alexandria; and the libretto for Britten’s opera Billy Budd. David Leavitt is the author of several novels and story collections, most recently The Body of Jonah Boyd (2004). With Mark Mitchell, he edited the Penguin US edition of E.M. Forster’s Selected Stories, as well as The New Penguin Book of Gay Short Stories. He lives in Gainesville, Florida, where he is Professor of English at the University of Florida.
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Which animal is the subject of Edwin Landseer's famous painting 'Monarch Of The Glen'? | The Monarch of the Glen – the most famous animal portrait ever? | A natural history of Britain
A natural history of Britain
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A red deer stag stands with its powerful neck raised, antlers filling the sky. In the background mists swirl over the Scottish Highlands. The Monarch of the Glen was painted in 1851 by Sir Edwin Landseer, a star in his own time. Animals were his speciality, both in painting and sculpture – the lions at the base of Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar square are his. Emotive portraits of animals went down very well with the Victorian public, crossing the class divide. Queen Victoria had Landseer paint her pets, while the middle classes bought prints of his work to hang at home.
New colour printing technology meant that paintings could enter mass consciousness on a scale never known before, making fashionable artists like Landseer very wealthy in the process. In newly industrialised Britain, their images were also snapped up for advertising.
The Monarch of the Glen never did get to hang in the refreshment rooms of the House of Lords, for which it was originally commissioned, because the House of Commons refused to pay. But although the painting was bought privately, it has rarely been out of the public eye. A century of advertising whiskey has fuelled its fame: the John Dewar and Son distillery aquired it to give whiskey a more upmarket image and today it serves as the logo of the Glenfiddich distillery.
The image continues to crop up in other settings, such as the much debated “Stag Scene” in Stephen Frears’ film, The Queen. Making an overt reference to The Monarch in the Glen, Fears uses the stag to symbolise the pressurised Queen, who is moved to tears by the apparition of the wild animal. Its the only time in the film she lets the strain show. Frear observes
. . . in Scotland, they cull the stags to keep the numbers down. The ones they go for first are the older ones. Now, if you’ve got 14 points, as the stag in the film does, you are older; in other words, a deer with that number of points is an old deer and should have been killed.
Note: in Landseer’s painting the stag is a 12-pointer.
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In which US city do the Baseball team known as the 'Pirates' play their home games? | Monarch of the Glen Posters by Edwin Henry Landseer - AllPosters.co.uk
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In Sir Edwin Henry Landseer’s “Monarch of the Glen,” a magnificent buck regally surveys his territory. An exceptional British animal painter, Landseer (1802 – 1873) often endowed his subjects with human traits. The artist created many detailed stag studies inspired by stags he had seen on his frequent visits to Scotland. The image of the stag has been used by Pear’s soap company, John Dewar and Sons distiller and The Hartford Financial Services Group.
Animals display a range of human deep emotions in Sir Edwin Henry Landseer’s sentimental paintings. The English artist (1802 – 1873) was a gifted child who first exhibited at the Royal Academy when he was only 13. Through careful study of dead animals, he was able to paint horses, dogs and deer with incredible precision. During trips to the Scottish Highlands, he found inspiration for his remarkable stag paintings. Widely admired for his work, the painter was elected to the Royal Academy in 1831 and knighted in 1850.
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SWAPO was the name of the guerrilla army that fought for independence for which African country? | South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) | South African History Online
South African History Online
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South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO)
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Interview with Oliver Tambo by Mayibuye,1 September 1981
SWAPO flag
The South West African People's Organisation (SWAPO) was founded in Windhoek, South West Africa (presently Namibia) on 19 April 1960 by Herman Toivo ja Toivo. The party was originally formed to advocated immediate Namibian independence from South Africa and became the country’s leading party following independence in 1990.
The SWA territory was entrusted by the League of Nations to South Africa under an administrative mandate after the First World War. After the Second World War, South Africa extended its apartheid policies to this territory and became a military occupier. After South Africa refused a United Nations order to withdraw from the trust territory in 1966, SWAPO turned to armed struggle.
SWAPO emerged as the sole liberation movement in the early 1960s because it had the support of the Ovambo, the largest ethnic group in Namibia. More a military organisation than a political one, SWAPO launched military operations against the South African government’s military positions. On 26 August 1966 the first major clash of the conflict took place, when a unit of the South African Police, supported by South African Air Force, exchanged fire with SWAPO forces. This date is generally regarded as the start of what became known in South Africa as the Border War.
Initially SWAPO suffered heavy losses against the South African Army but later SWAPO was backed by the Angolan ruling party, Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola, the Soviet Union, the Norwegian government and the African National Congress. SWAPO used Angola as a base for guerrilla warfare on Namibian soil; operations were carried out by SWAPO’s guerrilla force, the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN). Beginning in 1978 South Africa made periodic retaliatory land and air strikes into Angola. Herman Toivo ja Toivo, the founder of SWAPO, was imprisoned in South Africa for a 20-year term in 1968 but was released in 1984. Nujoma returned to Namibia in September 1989.
In 1978 the UN recognized SWAPO as the sole representative of the people of Namibia. Both SWAPO and South Africa agreed to a UN plan for a cease-fire, withdrawal of South African troops, and free elections to be guaranteed by UN security forces. After years of diplomatic maneuvering, South Africa finally accepted a UN resolution to that effect in December 1988. Sporadic fighting continued. In 1989 Nujoma was elected president and SWAPO won a majority of the delegates selected by the country’s voters to write a constitution for an independent Namibia. The following year a new constitution was adopted and Nujoma took office and in the same year South Africa completely withdrew unconditionally from Namibia.
SWAPO continued to dominate the political scene into the 21st century, transforming itself from a liberation movement into a governing party. SWAPO won the first and second election five years later. During its second term in office, the SWAPO dominated parliament and amended the constitution to allow their long term leader and now president of Namibia, Sam Nujoma, a third term in office. The constitutional amendment raised fears that this compromised Namibia’s democracy. The party won 75.1% of popular votes and 55 out of 78 seats in the parliamentary election held on 15 November 2004.
Controversy within the movement
Various groups have claimed that SWAPO committed serious human rights abuses against suspected spies during the Independence struggle (esp during the period of exile). The most serious of these was the detainee issue, which remains a divisive issue. Another issue was the Breaking the Wall of Silence (BWS), which was founded by those detainees to press the SWAPO-government on the issue of human rights abuses. SWAPO denies serious infractions and claims anything that did happen was in the name of liberation. The stories of the detainees begin with a series of successful South African raids that made the SWAPO leadership believe that they were spies in the movement. Hundreds of SWAPO cadres were imprisoned, tortured and interrogated.
References:
• Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.
• Encyclopedia Britannica Online (2009), ‘South West Africa People’s Organization’, available at: britannica.com [accessed 14 April 2009]
• SWAPO [online], available at: wikipedia.org [accessed 14 April 2009]
| Namibia |
The 1997 film 'A Thousand Acres', directed by Jocelyn Moorhouse, was a reworking of which of Shakespeare's plays? | Articles about South West Africa People S Organization - tribunedigital-chicagotribune
Guerrilla Bombing Kills 5 In Namibia
By United Press International | January 1, 1985
A bomb wrecked a post office packed with pensioners in northern Namibia on Monday, killing 5 people and wounding 14 others, 7 of them seriously, an army spokesman said. He blamed the bombing on guerrillas of the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO). The attack came 11 days after army chiefs warned that the insurgents had begun their annual rainy-season incursion from bases in southern Angola. SWAPO has been fighting South Africa since 1966 for independence for the...
NEWS
Self-rule For Namibia, At Last
November 13, 1989
While East Germany cracked open the Berlin Wall, an expression of freedom just as poignant was unfolding on another side of the globe in the repressed country of Namibia. Thousands of the southwest African country's citizens stood in lines that sometimes stretched more than a mile and in heat that topped 100 degrees. Some waited more than four hours. An elderly one-legged man pulled himself along in the dirt. A disabled woman crawled to the polls on her hands and knees. All this just to...
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S. Africa Puts Troops On Alert Over Namibia
By Tom Masland, Chicago Tribune | November 2, 1989
South Africa said Wednesday it has put its troops on alert in response to an incursion into Namibia by hundreds of guerrillas belonging to the South-West Africa People's Organization. The group denied its forces were entering Namibia and charged South Africa fabricated the issue so it could cancel impending elections to end South African administration of the territory. South African Foreign Minister R.F. "Pik" Botha told a news conference in Pretoria that officials have...
NEWS
S. Africa Puts Troops On Alert Over Namibia
By Tom Masland, Chicago Tribune | November 2, 1989
South Africa said Wednesday it has put its troops on alert in response to an incursion into Namibia by hundreds of guerrillas belonging to the South-West Africa People's Organization. The group denied its forces were entering Namibia and charged South Africa fabricated the issue so it could cancel impending elections to end South African administration of the territory. South African Foreign Minister R.F. "Pik" Botha told a news conference in Pretoria that officials have...
NEWS
South Africans Raid Angola Guerrilla Camp
By United Press International | September 17, 1985
South African troops supported by air cover crossed into southern Angola on Monday in a raid aimed at guerrillas opposed to white rule in Namibia, Gen. Constand Viljoen said. It was the second such incursion in four months. Viljoen, chief of the South African defense forces, issued a statement saying the raid was aimed at guerrillas of the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO), which is opposed to South Africa's control of the territory also known as South-West...
NEWS
Top Namibian Rebel Ends 30-year Exile
By New York Times News Service | September 15, 1989
Sam Nujoma, leader of the South-West Africa People's Organization, came home Thursday to a tumultuous welcome after about 30 years in exile. His chartered Ethiopian jetliner arrived at Windhoek's airport from Luanda, Angola, shortly after midday, and Nujoma knelt to kiss the tarmac, saying, "I am very happy to be home." "We return in the spirit of peace, love and national reconciliation," said Nujoma, whose fighters waged a 23-year war against South African rule of Namibia.
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Top Namibian Rebel Ends 30-year Exile
By New York Times News Service | September 15, 1989
Sam Nujoma, leader of the South-West Africa People's Organization, came home Thursday to a tumultuous welcome after about 30 years in exile. His chartered Ethiopian jetliner arrived at Windhoek's airport from Luanda, Angola, shortly after midday, and Nujoma knelt to kiss the tarmac, saying, "I am very happy to be home." "We return in the spirit of peace, love and national reconciliation," said Nujoma, whose fighters waged a 23-year war against South African rule of Namibia.
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S. Africa Relishes Its Namibia Role
By Tom Masland, Chicago Tribune | April 9, 1989
South Africa has warned that current fighting may scuttle the UN-sponsored independence plan for this territory, but the Pretoria government has too much to gain from the current crisis to want to pull the plug on the agreement right now. For once, the world's favorite whipping boy can portray itself as defending international law against pro-Soviet guerrillas` flagrant violation of agreements sponsored by the UN Security Council. Foreign Minister R.F. Botha is playing the role with relish.
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S. Africans Hit Guerrillas In Angola
By Tom Masland, Chicago Tribune | February 21, 1988
South African warplanes hit three guerrilla bases in Angola Saturday to avenge a bank bombing in northern Namibia on Friday that killed 18 people, the defense chief said. Mirage and Impala fighters hit two bases of the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) near Lubango, about 186 miles inside Angola, and a SWAPO staging area in Ongiva, 26 miles north of the border, Gen. Jannie Geldenhuys said. Defense Minister Magnus Malan tied the strikes to recent warnings he and other...
NEWS
Rough Road To Liberation
By Tom Masland, Chicago Tribune | April 1, 1989
A seven-month political campaign aimed at liberating Africa's last colony begins Saturday with the potential to be the most expensive and dirtiest in the continent's history. The battle for independence was fought by soldiers and guerrillas on the plains of southern Africa and diplomats in closed negotiating rooms around the world. As a result of their efforts, a formal cease-fire takes effect Saturday, ending the 23-year-old conflict between the South-West Africa People's Organization and the...
NEWS
Rough Road To Liberation
By Tom Masland, Chicago Tribune | April 1, 1989
A seven-month political campaign aimed at liberating Africa's last colony begins Saturday with the potential to be the most expensive and dirtiest in the continent's history. The battle for independence was fought by soldiers and guerrillas on the plains of southern Africa and diplomats in closed negotiating rooms around the world. As a result of their efforts, a formal cease-fire takes effect Saturday, ending the 23-year-old conflict between the South-West Africa People's Organization and the...
NEWS
Namibians Hoping For Peace, But They`ve Heard It All Before
By Tom Masland, Chicago Tribune | August 14, 1988
A cease-fire that silenced Angolan, Cuban and South African guns in southern Angola last week has brought only suspicion and uncertainty to this bleak border region. Edgy South African and Namibian troops manned an observation post atop a water tower overlooking a bullet-riddled old Namibian border station called Santa Clara just south of the Angolan border. A convoy of armored troop carriers roared off across a sandy track, patrolling the area for the...
NEWS
Self-rule For Namibia, At Last
November 13, 1989
While East Germany cracked open the Berlin Wall, an expression of freedom just as poignant was unfolding on another side of the globe in the repressed country of Namibia. Thousands of the southwest African country's citizens stood in lines that sometimes stretched more than a mile and in heat that topped 100 degrees. Some waited more than four hours. An elderly one-legged man pulled himself along in the dirt. A disabled woman crawled to the polls on her hands and knees. All this just to...
NEWS
Angola Drops Barrier To Peace Negotiations
By Nathaniel Sheppard Jr., Chicago Tribune | March 22, 1988
Angola and South Africa have moved closer to direct talks that could end the civil war in Angola and remove Cuban and South African troops from the country, according to diplomatic sources. Diplomats from the U.S. and from southern Africa said a new willingness by Angola to link withdrawal of Cuban troops to withdrawal of South African forces had removed a major obstacle to direct talks on ending the conflict. Any pact reached also would clear the way for further negotiations on...
NEWS
Rebel Claims S. Africans Tougher On Namibia
By Nathaniel Sheppard Jr., Chicago Tribune | November 18, 1986
Rebels of the South-West Africa People's Organization claim political repression in Namibia is far worse than in South Africa and has resulted in the deaths of scores of people, including religious leaders, and church and aid organization workers during the past year. "Namibia has been turned into a garrison of the South African military," said Sam Nujoma, president of the banned Namibian organization, which has waged a 20-year-old guerrilla war to free the mineral-rich country...
NEWS
S. Africans Hit Guerrillas In Angola
By Tom Masland, Chicago Tribune | February 21, 1988
South African warplanes hit three guerrilla bases in Angola Saturday to avenge a bank bombing in northern Namibia on Friday that killed 18 people, the defense chief said. Mirage and Impala fighters hit two bases of the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) near Lubango, about 186 miles inside Angola, and a SWAPO staging area in Ongiva, 26 miles north of the border, Gen. Jannie Geldenhuys said. Defense Minister Magnus Malan tied the strikes to recent warnings he and other...
NEWS
S. Africa Relishes Its Namibia Role
By Tom Masland, Chicago Tribune | April 9, 1989
South Africa has warned that current fighting may scuttle the UN-sponsored independence plan for this territory, but the Pretoria government has too much to gain from the current crisis to want to pull the plug on the agreement right now. For once, the world's favorite whipping boy can portray itself as defending international law against pro-Soviet guerrillas` flagrant violation of agreements sponsored by the UN Security Council. Foreign Minister R.F. Botha is playing the role with relish.
NEWS
With Namibia Rain Will Come War
By Erik van Ees, Special to The Tribune | February 12, 1987
The summer rains are long overdue in this arid part of northern Namibia. So is the summer offensive by SWAPO guerrillas. The South-West Africa People's Organization uses the rains and the resultant mud as cover for its annual infiltration from southern Angola. This garrison town 20 miles from the border is willing to wait, and hardly seems worried. Oshakati has wide, sandy streets and homes with sandbagged, bomb-proof areas in case of guerrilla attacks. The South African army is here,...
NEWS
Namibians Hoping For Peace, But They`ve Heard It All Before
By Tom Masland, Chicago Tribune | August 14, 1988
A cease-fire that silenced Angolan, Cuban and South African guns in southern Angola last week has brought only suspicion and uncertainty to this bleak border region. Edgy South African and Namibian troops manned an observation post atop a water tower overlooking a bullet-riddled old Namibian border station called Santa Clara just south of the Angolan border. A convoy of armored troop carriers roared off across a sandy track, patrolling the area for the...
NEWS
Rebel Claims S. Africans Tougher On Namibia
By Nathaniel Sheppard Jr., Chicago Tribune | November 18, 1986
Rebels of the South-West Africa People's Organization claim political repression in Namibia is far worse than in South Africa and has resulted in the deaths of scores of people, including religious leaders, and church and aid organization workers during the past year. "Namibia has been turned into a garrison of the South African military," said Sam Nujoma, president of the banned Namibian organization, which has waged a 20-year-old guerrilla war to free the mineral-rich country...
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Which 1993 film was set on the fictional island of 'Isla Nubar', 120 miles off the coast of Costa Rica? | Costa Rica | Jurassic Park wiki | Fandom powered by Wikia
After the Isla Nublar Incident , Dr. Alan Grant , Ellie Sattler , Donald Gennaro , Tim Murphy , Lex Murphy and likely all other survivors are kept in a hotel here by the authorities until the case has been investigated. Dr. Martin "Marty" Guitierrez visits Grant in the hotel briefly.
In the film, Lewis Dodgson and Dennis Nedry rendezvous in San José. It seems to be incorrectly portrayed as bordering the ocean.
Puntarenas is a large city on the west coast, its harbour is one of the main ports in the country.
A ship ferries between Puntarenas and Isla Nublar to deliver supplies for the Park .
The modern Clínica Santa María hospital is located here. At this hospital Tina Bowman is treated by Dr. Cruz after she's attacked by a Procompsognathus . Named characters: Dr. Cruz
Bahía Anasco is a fictional fisherman's village located west coast. There is a small hospital where Ed Regis brings an injured worker (maybe Jophery ) to this hospital, because San José is too far away. Named staff members: Bobbie Carter , Manuel Aragón and Elena Morales .
Amaloya, also fictional. In the first novel a child of 9 day was bitten in its foot by a Procompsognathus.
Puerta Sotrero (fictional), a baby is bitten by a Compy in its sleep.
Puerto Cortés, fictional
Vásquez (fictional), a baby is bitten by a Compy in its sleep.
Areas
| Jurassic Park |
Which late 19th and early 20th century aesthetic movement would you associate with the architects Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Frank Lloyd-Wright and the artist William Morris? | Scariest Movie Moments and Scenes
#88
This influential science-fiction film was based upon Jack Finney's novel The Body Snatchers.
In the film's most memorable and frightening sequence, the town's doctor Miles Bennell (Kevin McCarthy) and fiancee Becky Driscoll (Dana Wynter) fled from the town's space pods to try to elude the enemy and get help, while struggling to stay awake and remain human. As the last two humans (non pod-people) left, they escaped into a hilly wooded area and found refuge in an old abandoned mine, as scores of townspeople followed after them.
Weary and desperately exhausted, they were again compelled to hide in a constricted place - under floorboards in a pit, located in the dark, deserted cave or tunnel that was perilously close to their pursuers. When the aliens departed, Miles left the faint Becky, who was falling asleep, to discover the source of beautiful singing or music that they heard.
Becky couldn't keep her eyes open any longer. She fell asleep briefly. When he returned to the mine, he found her lying slumped over and prostrate with fatigue. He tried to force her to go on, started to carry her, but fell in a puddle at the mine entrance.
He took her in his arms to kiss her, and then drew away from her unresponsive lips. In a tight closeup shot of her face, he looked into the blank, dark, expressionless and staring eyes of his fiancée, realizing with a look of utter fright that she was now one of "them" - her body had been invaded and snatched. He knew instantly that this was not Becky but a treacherous imposter and victim. She confirmed: "I went to sleep Miles, and it happened...They were right." He was unbelieving: "Oh, Becky...I should never have left you."
His sweetheart of a moment ago now asserted: "Stop acting like a fool, Miles, and accept us." She screamed to the pod-people searchers as he fled:
"He's in here! He's in here! Get him! Get him!"
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
In the despairing, climactic ending of this horror remake by director Philip Kaufman, San Francisco health department field investigator Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland) had seemingly escaped being replaced by a pod likeness. After leaving work near City Hall, he was summoned by the still-human Nancy Bellicec (Veronica Cartwright) - the last to not be absorbed. After she called out his name ("Matthew, Matthew"), he turned to confront her.
He screamed with a piercing, accusatory howl (and the camera descended into the blackness of his open mouth) while pointing his finger at her. She also screamed, realizing that he had become a cloned pod person.
Recognition by Cloned Matthew of Still-Human Nancy!
Other earlier scary scenes included the first examining views of a still-forming pod person, a near-perfect duplicate resembling Jack Bellicec (Jeff Goldblum), when a sheet was pulled back. Matthew noted that the creature had adult characteristics but was still like a fetus without fingerprints - and then slightly later, the creature opened its eyes when Nancy was looking at it by herself. She jumped back and rushed to her husband Jack, trying to rouse him from his sleep. When he was jolted from his sleep and opened his eyes, the eyes of his pod double closed.
Also near the end of the film, Matthew and Elizabeth Driscoll (Brooke Adams) were exposed as human when Elizabeth screamed after seeing a talking, human-faced mutant dog. Matthew and Elizabeth ran from the pursuing pod people, and jumped into the back of an open truck. They were driven to a giant warehouse at the docks where they saw pods being grown before being loaded into cargo ships.
Pod-person Take-over
Mutant Dog
Irreversible (2002, Fr.)
Frenchman Gaspar Noe's hard-hitting, graphic and violent film about rape revenge was told in reverse-order. It was noted for its excruciatingly-long, painful-to-watch, nine-minute anal-rape and real-time beating sequence.
In a Parisian pedestrian underpass lit by a reddish glow, beautiful and erotically sexual Alexandra (or "Alex") (Monica Bellucci) accidentally came upon rapist/pimp Le Tenia/Tapeworm (Jo Prestia) beating up prostitute Concha in the tunnel. She found herself to be his new victim.
When she was assaulted by him, she begged to no avail: "Let me go." He ordered: "Shut your mouth, slut" as he threatened with a knife: "Is this what you want, slut? You gonna shut your mouth now?" He called her a "f--king high-class bitch," causing her terror when he stroked her face with the blade: "Stinking c--t. This turn you on, tell me?...You know, you're hot for a c--t."
He then lifted her skirt, forced her onto her knees to lay down, and then coerced her: "I'm gonna take care of you." He laid on top of her, covered her mouth, pulled on her hair and began to prepare to anally rape her: "Damn! You must have one tight ass." He untied her dress straps, stroked her bare breast, called her a "little whore," and threatened to strangle her if she didn't keep quiet. He commanded her to spread her legs, told her "I'm gonna f--k your ass...I'm gonna blast your s--thole," and then raped her while using one hand to cover up her muffled screams and moans.
As he endlessly thrust into her, he continued to call her foul names ("F--king high-class swine"), and asked: "You bleeding or you wet?" Afterwards, she attempted to crawl away, and he kicked her in the face ("I'm gonna fix your face, I'm gonna fix it good"), beat her with his fist, and smashed her face into the pavement until she went into a coma. He pronounced her "dead meat" when he was finished with her.
It's Alive! (1974)
#43
This classic over-the-top horror film from writer/director Larry Cohen, reminiscent of Rosemary's Baby (1968) and The Exorcist (1973), told about the Davis middle-class family expecting a baby in Los Angeles. There were two sequels - It Lives Again (1978) and It's Alive III: Island of the Alive (1987), and a remake of the original It's Alive (2008).
The scariest scene was the opening jaw-dropping birthing scene - with a ghastly twist. Joyful anticipation turned to torturous damnation when a monstrous mutant with an enlarged vein-studded head, bug-eyes, fangs and claws was born during a difficult procedure. When the infant beast child was born in the Community Hospital maternity ward's operating room, the killing creature attacked the nurses and doctors, creating a bloodbath massacre, and then escaped through a ceiling skylight. It went missing, and continued to attack unsuspecting victims (including a musician and a Carnation milkman). When the milkman was killed, white liquid spilled against his red and white vehicle.
The low-budget film's tagline warned: "There's only ONE thing wrong with the Davis baby... IT'S ALIVE."
PR consultant father Frank Davis (John P. Ryan) became obsessed with destroying the monstrosity that he had helped to father, and joined the hunt. He compared himself to Dr. Frankenstein in Frankenstein (1931) who created the original Universal Studios monster creature (Note: hence the title of the film, with its most famous line of dialogue shrieked by Colin Clive). Frank was suspended from his job by his boss Bob Clayton (Guy Stockwell) and was hounded by reporters.
Eventually, the child - who was mostly hidden and only seen in brief glimpses, quick cuts, and extreme closeups throughout most of the film, to create further tension - returned to the Davis home. There, Frank's protective wife Lenore (Sharon Farrell) and young 11 year-old son Chris (Daniel Holzman) became sympathetic to the scared and frightened creature, offered it food and love, and hid it in the basement.
It was revealed that the baby was possibly the result of untested birth control pills prescribed by a Doctor (Shamus Locke) for Lenore, or environmental pollution (from pesticides, lead spills, smog), or extensive exposure to radioactivity.
The anguished Frank went on a shooting rampage to kill his 'infant' son - his own flesh-and-blood. He wounded him in the basement, just before the marauding infant bit and killed Chris' friend Charley (William Wellman, Jr.) in the neck. Later, when Frank found the infant in the city sewers during a hunt, he too had a change of heart and cradled his son to rescue and protect him before federal authorities closed in. However, during an ensuing confrontation ending with a lethal hail of gunfire, the child attacked the Doctor, forcing the cops to kill both the Doctor and the child.
Jacob's Ladder (1990)
#21
In the prologue of this psychological thriller, Vietnam vet soldier Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) suffered a serious bayonet wound to the stomach, and was helicoptered out of the fighting zone to an army hospital.
The film led one to believe he survived, but in reality, he died in combat on an operating table (revealed in the final scene). Singer's horrifying, hallucinatory visions of horned creatures and demons were the fantasies and dreams of a dying (or dead) man (experiencing death-bed visions) who couldn't accept his death and was unwilling to let go. Jacob's hallucinations upon his return to NYC were not caused by the drug, or battle stress, but because he wasn't freeing his soul.
The troubled and lethally-wounded Vietnam vet Jacob Singer had a frightening vision when he was at an erotic disco dance (to the tune of James Brown's Ma Thang (Sex Machine)) on a crowded dance floor with his temptress Latina girlfriend Jezzie (Elizabeth Pena).
He saw a snake-like devil with a scaly reptilian tail curled around her and then a horn abruptly ripped open her mouth.
Later when Jacob was being wheeled on a table-gurney down to hell/purgatory, he was bluntly told by an Evil Doctor (Davidson Thomson) in the blood-stained underworld hospital that he was dead:
"You've been killed. Don't you remember?"
He was injected in the center of his forehead by a featureless-face.
Jaws (1975)
#1
This masterful, visceral and realistic science-fiction suspense/horror-disaster film by director Steven Spielberg tapped into the most primal of human fears - what unseen creature lurked below the dark surface of the water beyond the beach? The tagline for the tensely-paced film: "Don't go in the water," kept a lot of shark-hysterical ocean-swimmers and 1975 summer beachgoers wary.
The ominous, well-known, 'shark theme' - the two-note (E and F) 'da-dum...da-dum' cello and bass chords of John Williams' moody, driving musical score, played under the opening credits, followed by a subjective camera view of an underwater creature swimming along. The sound signaled an imminent shark attack in the opening scene, shot day-for-night. It was marvelously visual and terrifying.
A carefree blonde Christine "Chrissie" Watkins (Susan Backlinie) was skinny-dipping during a beach party, followed by her brutal, unexpected murder. It was the most remembered, gripping scene in the film, and prominently displayed on the film's poster in distinctly Freudian terms (showing the ventral view of the shark's gigantic, pointed head, positioned vertically in a phallic position, with a dark mouth filled with voracious, jagged teeth). A metal buoy's bell on the surface of the water 'tinged' at various intervals. In what may have been retribution for teen immorality, her nude body was suddenly jerked under, and then dragged helplessly (pulled this way and then that way) on the surface by the unseen shark underneath, as she screamed: "God help me!" For a brief moment, she desperately grabbed the buoy and rang it for help (sounding a death knell), but was then attacked and submerged for the last time in a horrifying sequence. The water surface was again still and deathly quiet.
Another shark attack was on young Alex M. Kintner (Jeffrey Voorhees) swimming off the Amity Island beach. The familiar score was repeated. Gyrating, wiggling leg movements were photographed from underwater. Another underwater view showed Alex's legs vulnerably kicking off the back of his raft. There was a momentary view of a giant fin slicing through the water. A strange shape surfaced beneath Alex's raft, grabbing him and overturning the raft. A vacationer on the beach remarked: "Did you see that?" Blood gushed from Alex's body like from a fire hydrant or fountain. The boy screamed and then was dragged underwater - his yells turned to bubbling gurgles. Around the raft, the water became red - Alex was the great white's second victim.
Honorable Mention: Diving into the murky, claustrophobic water, shark specialist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) found a huge, serrated tooth embedded in a large hole in a sunken boat's hull. Then, in the biggest, single-most shocking moment of the film, when he examined the tooth and came in for a closer look, the severed head of shark victim Ben Gardner's (Craig Kingsbury) corpse appeared in the gaping hole of the hull - he was a local fisherman in Amity. Hooper, scared to death (with the audience), accidentally dropped the tooth as he struggled to the surface of the yellowish water.
Many others noted the first terrifying appearance of the gigantic shark behind Police Chief Brody (Roy Scheider) as he spooned out chum.
In one of the concluding scenes, the shark devoured Quint (Robert Shaw). Screaming, he slid down the slippery deck into the open jaws of the monster Giant Great White - kicking his feet to prevent the inevitable. He was bitten in half - and blood spurted from his mouth. Quint stabbed at its eyes with a splintered piece of the deck as he was swallowed whole and devoured by the killer shark in a horrifying scene.
Jurassic Park (1993)
#95
The spectacular Jurassic Park was located on the secluded island of Isla Nublar 120 miles west off the coast of Costa Rica.
A horrifying chain reaction of events including the scary breakout of the giant ferocious, carnivorous Tyrannosaurus Rex, which attacked the tour cars. There was a scary build-up to the T-Rex's first appearance, with the glasses of water vibrating on the car's dashboard from the dinosaur's ominous footsteps - signaling the coming disaster.
This was followed by the sudden dropping of a bloody goat's leg onto the windshield after teenaged Lex (Ariana Richards) wondered: "Where's the goat"? The first site of the giant monster was it chomping on the animal.
The T-Rex suspensefully stalked around the vehicle with the kids trapped inside, including the monster's giant eyeballing of Lex and then crashing through the vehicle's viewing roof with its giant jaws. The monster also stalked and devoured cowardly lawyer Donald Gennaro (Martin Ferrero) cowering in a thatched-roof toilet.
Toward the conclusion, there was a tense, hide-and-go-seek scene (with mirrors) in the restaurant kitchen. A pair of velociraptors stalked the young children while Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) quipped that they were probably safe ("Unless they figured out how to open doors...) - with a cut to a close-up of the kitchen door handle turning and the velociraptor pushing the door open, allowing them to enter and further stalk the kids.
Greatest Scariest Movie Moments and Scenes
(alphabetical by film title, illustrated)
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Bruce Dickinson, Blaze Bayley and Paul d'Anno have all been the lead singer of which rock group? | Blaze Bayley: 'A Lot Of People Hated Me For Being In Iron Maiden' - Blabbermouth.net
BLAZE BAYLEY: 'A Lot Of People Hated Me For Being In IRON MAIDEN'
November 17, 2014 0 Comments
Former IRON MAIDEN singer Blaze Bayley says that a lot of the band's fans resented him for replacing Bruce Dickinson as MAIDEN's frontman because they unfairly blamed him for Bruce leaving the group in the first place.
The 51-year-old Bayley, who was born in Birmingham, was the original frontman in WOLFSBANE, but left in 1994 to join MAIDEN, with whom he recorded two studio albums — 1995's "The X Factor" 1998's and "Virtual XI" — before Dickinson returned to the group.
Speaking to Canadian rock journalist Mitch Lafon of the "One On One With Mitch Lafon" podcast ( Facebook page ), Bayley said about how he came to join IRON MAIDEN: "What happened was they held auditions, and I auditioned, alongside everybody else, and I learned the same songs everybody else learned. And I was very, very lucky that they chose me. I don't know why; my voice is so different to Bruce. But I think maybe that's why. I was somebody that was different, but perhaps could bring something to the old songs."
He continued: "When we started [writing material for 'The X Factor'], [IRON MAIDEN bassist and leader] Steve Harris said to me, 'Nothing is written for the album. We all write together. The most important thing is that it's good.' Steve Harris said, 'I don't care who writes the songs, who writes the music, but it has to be great.' And that's how we started. So I was free to put forward as many ideas as I wanted, and everybody did. And, I think, six of my ideas, actually, made it to the album, and another couple of ideas were B-sides. So it went really, really well. And I'm so proud of the music that we did together."
Regarding how fans reacted to hearing Bayley's voice over IRON MAIDEN's music, Blaze said: "When I joined [the band], there were a lot of people who just resented me and actually hated me for being in MAIDEN, because they blamed me for Bruce leaving, which is a classic girlfriend problem, where you blame your friend for your girlfriend leaving or whatever. But a lot of people didn't wanna listen to me."
He continued: "It was a very different time for MAIDEN. The music business was changing, MP3s were coming, the hardware was starting to disappear, CD sales were down for everybody worldwide, because bits of plastic weren't selling anymore. And it was a time when a lot of old-school MAIDEN fans did not want Blaze Bayley to be the lead singer. And now twenty years on, there are a few people that saw IRON MAIDEN with me the first time. And then are some other people who never saw IRON MAIDEN with me, but are interested to see what it was about. And now people are much more open to listening to Blaze Bayley and the songs that I've done. And now my 'Silicon Messiah' album, which is the first album that I did after MAIDEN, is doing really well for me."
Blaze added: "It's a real different part of IRON MAIDEN's career, because it's a time when things were going more progressive. And the kind of darkness in my voice was something very different. And some of the songs, like 'Lord Of The Flies' and 'Judgement Of Heaven' and 'Sign Of The Cross' and 'Look For The Truth', those songs really are me in a way — I really feel them — and my voice is just a part of it. And I still enjoy doing those songs now."
Asked if there was panic in the IRON MAIDEN camp when the first barrage of negative reviews started pouring in, Blaze said: "There was no panic at all. It was just, 'We'll just do what we do.' That's the attitude of MAIDEN, and that's why they've, at some points in their career, been unpopular with their own fans, but their own fans have stuck by them. Because that's exactly why you do stick with IRON MAIDEN, because they do exactly what they wanna do, because they follow their instincts. It may not be what you would have chosen, but it's what they choose to do, and it made sense for them at the time. So there was no panic like that; we just kept going. And, to be honest, the worst reviews were in English. So in the UK and USA, that's where the reviews were the worst, and that's where the attendaces were the worst. But everywhere else, things went great. In Scandinavia, with me in the band, and with 'The X Factor' as the album, IRON MAIDEN played bigger shows than they ever did with Bruce. So that was a real turnaround. They were slagging us off in the UK — the UK press were saying, 'Oh, it's all over for IRON MAIDEN' — and we were on our second tour of Spain in six months playing all the… there's the big cities, then they call it the 'B' cities… we played to ten thousand people every night, and people were saying, 'It's over.' Well, we just ignored it, really. France, we had incredible reactions, the support of the French fans. The reviews weren't great — I think it was so different — but in some places, the reviews were absolutely fantastic, and in some places it's people's favorite album, which is 'The X Factor'. So we followed what we wanted to do, we kept going and we didn't bow to any pressure."
Bayley also spoke about his departure from IRON MAIDEN in 1999, calling it "a complete shock." He added: "It was a total shock to me. I had ideas for a third album. I had some melody ideas and lyrics and things like this, and I thought, 'Oh, this is something I'd like to work with Steve on,' and 'There is another idea to work with Dave [Murray] and Janick [Gers] and…' But no, we finished in Brazil in December [1998], and in January [1999] I was fired. There I was working on lyrics and songs for a third album, which I thought… in my own foolish heart, I thought, 'This is really gonna turn things around. Fans are gonna see when they hear the third album. And it's so positive. We have all of these great ideas, and great live songs. The fans are gonna go, 'Now we understand why Blaze is there. This is really good.'' But I didn't get that chance. So all of those ideas that I worked on I kept for myself and I put them on my 'Silicon Messiah' album. And that was it, really."
He continued: "At the time, I was very upset — just at the time. I mean, for me, IRON MAIDEN has to continue, the world is a better place for having IRON MAIDEN in it, the music business is a better place for having somebody like IRON MAIDEN in it, but I thought I would be a part of it. So I wasn't resentful, because those guys have worked their whole adult lives to make this thing happen, and they've sacrificed so much to get there that, well, if that's what they feel they have to do to continue, sometimes difficult choices have to be made. So that was it. I didn't resent them for it, but it was a shock, because I thought I'd be making a third album. So it took a long time to recover from that."
Bayley released a career-spanning double-disc collection, "Soundtracks Of My Life", on October 31, 2013.
The singer's latest studio album, "The King Of Metal", was released in March 2012. The CD was recorded at Fear Studio in Ravenna, Italy.
"I'm completely independent," Bayley told Lafon. "I'm not in many shops. I have some distribution, but I do everything myself, with my wife. My wife is my manager, she does all my bookings. I have a couple of agents that I work with, but I don't have a big record deal. I'm not signed up to a record label, and I won't be signing up to a record label."
He continued: "Every album that I've made since IRON MAIDEN I licensed, and now I own them again; it's that long. So when somebody buys my CD, the money doesn't go to a record company or some anonymous corporation, it goes directly to me. And I use that money to pay my rent, feed myself and my family, and put money away for the next CD or DVD or whatever I'm doing. So people who get on board with me, people who support me, directly support me. And it's not that many people, but they are so loyal."
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Which company produced the 'Playstation' video games console? | 10 Rock Bands That Replaced Their Lead Singer
10 Rock Bands That Replaced Their Lead Singer
By Empress Eve | @ | Friday, September 12th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
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In the history of rock music, band members have come and gone, but nothing is more controversial or dangerous then installing a new lead singer in an established rock outfit. Does it help or hinder to replace your frontman or is it just plain blasphemy to even consider this practice?
This November, prog-rock band Yes will be embarking on a 40th anniversary tour without their lead singer Jon Anderson, who was forced to bow out because of illness. In Anderson’s stead on Yes’s “In the Present” tour will be Benoit David, who sings in a few Yes tribute bands out of Montreal, Canada.
Depending on fan reaction, this former tribute singer is either headed for superstardom or is very doomed.
Here’s a look at 10 rock bands that have replaced their lead singer and the subsequent outcome of their decisions.
10. Judas Priest
When all else fails, hire a tribute singer! He already knows the routine. In 1992, after their successful Painkiller tour, Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford officially left the metal gods singer-less. After an 5-year hiatus, the British band returned with Jugulator with Ohio native Tim “Ripper” Owens, whose only experience was as the singer of a Judas Priest tribute band, on vocals. Even though Ripper had his Halford down pat and fans definitely cheered his Cinderella story, the two poorly received albums he was on proved that no one could replace Halford. Halford returned to the fold in 2003, helping Priest made a successful comeback, while Ripper had a short stint with metal band Iced Earth and inspired the lackluster 2001 Mark Walhberg film Rock Star.
9. Genesis
At the genesis of Genesis in 1967, it was Peter Gabriel behind the mic, not Phil Collins. But after Gabriel split from the then-prog rock band in the mid-1970s, Genesis promoted drummer Phil Collins to lead singer. While the average person probably can’t name a Gabriel-Genesis tune, let alone hum one, Collins’s more pop-oriented era with the band led Genesis to pop stardom. In the 1980s, the band racked up the multi-platinum albums with wimpy hits like “Invisible Touch” (eww), “Tonight, Tonight, Tonight,” and “Taking It All Too Hard,” while simultaneously Gabriel gained commercial success with ultra-pop chart toppers “Sledgehammer,” and “Shock The Money,” as well as the ballad “In Your Eyes.” While Genesis hasn’t made a studio album in over a decade, the Collins-led line-up periodically regroups for well-received reunion tours, and Collins has maintained a lucrative career as a solo artist and a composer. Gabriel has continued his solo career and earlier this year, he contributed several new songs to the soundtrack to Disney’s Wall-E.
8. Alice In Chains
Alice In Chains had gained recognition and frequent MTV rotation in the early 1990s and even toured with metal titans Slayer and Megadeth, but lead singer Layne Staley‘s frequent drug problems kept the band out of the recording studio and the spotlight in the second half of that decade. When Staley died in 2002 of an apparent drug overdose, it seemed the grunge giants would be no more, especially since much of AIC’s style came from Staley’s perfect harmonies with guitarist Jerry Cantrell’s background vocals. AIC laid dormant for over a decade, until the mid-2000s when the surviving members reunited for several benefit concerts featuring guest vocalists, including Comes With The Fall singer William DuVall, who’s also contributed to Cantrell’s solo efforts. DuVall went on to permanently front AIC for their 2007 tour and will head into the studio with the band for a future AIC record. So far the fan reaction to DuVall has been positive.
Alice In Chains “Man In The Box” live with William DuVall on vocals
7. Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden has actually had three singers in their lengthy tenure. After original vocalist Paul DiAnno was fired from the British heavy metal band, he was replaced by Samson’s Bruce Dickinson. Though the two studio albums DiAnno was on — Iron Maiden and Killers — are classics, it wasn’t until Dickinson’s 1982 debut on Number of the Beast that Iron Maiden gained notoriety. Dickinson fronted the band until 1993, when he quit to continue his solo efforts. His departure was a huge letdown for fans and marked the end of the golden era of metal. The following year, Iron Maiden gave Wolfsbane’s Blaze Bayley the opportunity of a lifetime as their new frontman. Bayley’s style differed greatly from Dickinson’s and while fans may have wanted Iron Maiden back, they definitely did not want them back this way. Bayley recorded two major flops with the band — The X Factor and Virtual XI, both of which contained great musical compositions marred by Bayley’s flat vocals. Most likely sensing the fan’s negative reaction, Bayley quit the band in 1999, leaving the door wide open for Dickinson’s imminent return. Bayley, whose attempts at a solo career have not gone well, has returned to singing for the reformed Wolfsbane, while the Dickinson-fronted Iron Maiden made a giant comeback with 2000’s Brave New World and continues to tour the world to sold-out crowds.
6. Deep Purple
The band that has “Smoke On The Water” coming out the amp of every beginner guitar player has had their share revolving band members in their 40-year career. While Ian Gillan has fronted the English rock heavies for the majority of that time, Gillan has exited the band on several occasions (e.g., for his one-album stint with Black Sabbath). Rather than call it quits, Deep Purple has enlisted the vocals of Whitesnake‘s David Coverdale (who sang on the classic tunes “Burn,” “Mistreated,” and “Soldier of Fortune”) and Rainbow‘s Joe Lynn Turner. Coverdale’s handful of DP albums were well-received and helped him subsequently launch a lengthy run with Whitesnake, which charted several times in the 1980s, and a semi-successful collaboration with Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page in the early 1990s. Turner only did one album with Deep Purple — 1990’s little-known Slaves & Masters — but was a rock great before his short time with the band, having fronted Rainbow and Yngwie J. Malmsteen’s band, though he’s far from a household name. Meanwhile, Deep Purple has stood the test of time, continuing to tour today (with guitar virtuoso Steve Morse replacing original master Richie Blackmore since 1994).
5. Styx
Styx was co-founded by singer/keyboardist Dennis DeYoung in 1972 and had five albums and the DeYoung ballad “Lady” before guitarist/singer Tommy Shaw joined the band in 1975. For nearly a decade, Shaw and DeYoung took turns on lead vocals, with DeYoung’s tunes taking on a more theatrical tone in hits like “Come Sail Away,” “Babe,” “The Best of Times,” and 1983’s unforgettable and often-quoted “Mr. Roboto” from Kilroy Was Here. In-fighting led to Shaw’s departure after the Kilroy tour, putting an end to Styx’s hit-making days. In 1995, the original members put their differences behind them for a reunion tour and two subsequent albums, but by 1999, the tensions had risen again due to creative differences. When it was time for the band to hit the road again, DeYoung asked that the tour be delayed because he was ill, but the band went ahead without him hiring Canadian musician Lawrence Gowan to fill in. Nearly a decade later, Gowan is still fronting the band, which continues to tour, though fans have been divided in their loyalties between the two camps. Gowan does fill in beautifully on keyboards and sounds enough like DeYoung to satisfy the casual and diehard fan alike, but the DeYoung devotees have yet to give in to the current line-up. After being unceremoniously ditched from the band he created, DeYoung composed a musical for The Hunchback of Notre Dame and still performs live; he’s also appeared on TV’s Celebrity Duets.
4. Journey
Journey‘s situation is quite similar to that of Styx. For much of the 1970s, Journey’s lead vocals were shared by singer Steve Perry and keyboardist Gregg Rolie. After Rolie’s departure came 1981’sEscape which had three Perry-sung chart toppers, “Who’s Crying Now?,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and “Open Arms. This cemented Perry as the “voice” of the band, but by 1987, success had gone to Perry’s head and he left Journey for a solo career. The band did eventually reunite, but as they were to go on tour in 1997, Perry injured his hip hiking and needed hip replacement, which he refused to get right away. Eventually, Journey went on tour without him, getting Steve Augeri to front the band. Not only did Augeri sound just like Perry, but he resembled him as well. Once again like Styx, fans were divided into two camps. Augeri continued on with Journey until 2006 when chronic throat infections impeded his performance, forcing him to quit the band. Since then, Jeff Scott Soto (another Yngwie Malmsteen alumnus) filled in for a time, but when that didn’t work out, Journey went the Tribute Band singer route with Filipino singer Arnel Pineda, who was on this year’s Revelation and the subsequent support tour. Perry did get the necessary surgery and has since been working on solo material.
3. Mötley Crüe
Undoubtedly the biggest hair band to come from the 1980s hair metal movement and one of the most recognized names in rock, Mötley Crüe ruled the decade with fist-pumping anthems “Shout At The Devil” and “Wild Side,” as well as hits “Home Sweet Home” and their cover of “Smokin’ In The Boys Room.” But with the 1990s came the rise of grunge and a rapid decline for hair metal; this pressure combined with singer Vince Neil‘s constant headbutting with drummer Tommy Lee lead to Neil’s 1992 exit from the band. Determined to keep the band going, the Crüe enlisted John Corabi for their next effort, their 1994 self-titled album. Unfortunately, though Corabi had talent and could play guitar for the band too, he neither sounded like the high-pitched Neil nor looked like the band’s platinum-blond former singer. The album with Corabi, though musically not a bad album, bombed so badly that its support tour was canceled (I should know, I had tickets). At the same time, Neil recorded two solo records that were actually better received than Mötley Crüe, but he also tragically lost his young daughter to cancer. By 2004, the four original Crüe members put aside their differences to make a successful comeback and though their albums have never charted again like they did in the 1980s, the band is still touring and its members are still in the spotlight. After his failed attempt with the Crüe, Corabi started the band Union with former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick; played in Brides of Destruction with Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx, and has toured as part of the band Ratt.
Mötley Crüe with John Corabi “Hooligan’s Holiday” video
2. Black Sabbath
For most fans of Black Sabbath, the original 1970 line-up of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward is the true Black Sabbath. With classics like “Iron Man,” “War Pigs,” and “Paranoid,” the band became known as the godfathers of heavy metal and their singer Ozzy became an iconic figure in rock. When Ozzy left Sabbath for a solo career in 1979 (which eventually became more successful than Sabbath), there seemed no way the band could replace him — but they did, with Rainbow’s diminutive vocal powerhouse Ronnie James Dio. Though sounding nothing like Ozzy, Dio was legend in his own right and while fans were divided (and still are), the two initial studio albums with Dio — Heaven and Hell and Mob Rules — were well-received and are considered classics. Dio left the band in 1982, launching a solo career that’s seen its ups and downs since, but has reunited with Sabbath several times (the Dio-fronted Sabbath toured this summer as Heaven and Hell). While most people know of Ozzy and Dio, few probably realize that Sabbath has a whole other life post-Dio. First, Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan handled vocal duties on 1983’s Born Again. When Gillan went back to Purple, the revolving door of Sabbath singers was in full swing. Led by Tony Iommi — and dubbed “Black Sabbath featuring Tony Iommi” — the band saw numerous line-up changes and various frontmen: Tony Martin, DP bassist Glenn Hughes, and Badlands singer Ray Gillan, none of which propelled Sabbath back into the limelight. Sabbath’s final studio release was in 1995; at various times, they’ve regrouped for tours with either Ozzy or Dio at the helm.
1. Van Halen
Has their ever been a bigger debate in rock than the one about Van Halen/Van Hager? After their hugely successful 1984, singer David Lee Roth quit Van Halen, leaving the remaining three members in a lurch. Not only were Roth’s vocals and ad-libs unique for the band in tunes like “Jump,” “Hot For Teacher,” and “Panama,” but so was his live showmanship. Guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen could carry the band very far, but to complete their act, they needed a new frontman with Roth’s charisma to match. Strangely enough they went with solo artist Sammy Hagar, who not only sang, but could play guitar for live shows and did know how to work the crowd. The problem is that Hagar sang differently than Roth and definitely looked nothing like Roth, but more importantly, co-wrote songs for the band that sound nothing like the ones from Roth’s six-year reign. Fans of VH’s early hard rock records were now met with mushy love songs like, “Love Walks In,” Why Can’t This Be Love,” and “When It’s Love” (see a pattern?). But while VH lost much of its old following, they gained a whole new following in the fans of pop rock (aka, the mainstream) and hair metal. And as with their Roth albums, the Hagar years saw all multi-platinum albums. While Hagar fronted VH, Roth initially hit it big with two solo albums in the late 1980s, but after that, his career went downhill. In 1996, after Hagar came to verbal blows with Eddie Van Halen, the band hired Extreme singer Gary Cherone to work on Van Halen III, while Hagar went back to his solo career. VH III was basically ignored and the band went on hiatus until 2003 when they reunited with Hagar, after which Hagar went back to his solo career. After years of rumors, in 2007, Van Halen officially reunited with Roth for a world tour that’s still raging.
Did we miss anyone? Make your additions here in the Comments section!
Seafroggys
You totally forgot Deep Purple’s original singer, Rod Evans. He had a decent run of 3 albums before Ian Gillan’s turn.
Obi-Dan
A, ahem, rockin’ article Eve!
AC/DC, Skid Row, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Faith No More have all changed their lead singers for different reasons.
The Doors and Thin Lizzy went the Genesis route and hired from within.
I won’t mention INXS’s shameful singer recruitment.
Pink Floyd has had a run of lead singers. All from within the band, but a variety of them nonetheless.
maubo
I highly recommend you finding the vocal-only track of Running with the Devil, go download it, it’s hilarious.
Smed
Eve,
Don’t forget that Genesis made one album after Phil Collins left with some singer that I don’t remember and no one else did because the album stunk and no one bought it.
One could say the Lemonheads changed lead singers, but in reality it was split between Ben Deily and Evan Dando, and then when Deily left Dando was the man.
The Darkness found a new singer after Justin Hawkins left, but they actually renamed themselves Stone Gods instead of continuing as the Darkness.
Blind Melon changed singers, but that was 10 or so years after the fact.
Yes actually had a different singer for their Drama album – Trevor Horn. Anderson left after Tormato, so the band drafted the Buggles (no kidding) to fill in for an album and a tour.
Then there’s black flag – starting with Keith Morris, then Rob Reyes, then Dez Cadenza, then Rollins. The compilation “Everything Went Black” has cuts from the first three, and “Police Story” (and I think “Depression” and “Gimme Gimme Gimme”) has been cut by all FOUR singers.
Rainbow went from Dio to Graham Bonnet to Joe Lynn Turner.
Did the Michael Schencker Group change lead singers a few times?
| i don't know |
The teachings of which philosopher are known as 'The Analects'? | Confucius (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Confucius
First published Wed Jul 3, 2002; substantive revision Sat Mar 23, 2013
Confucius (551?-479? BCE), according to Chinese tradition, was a thinker, political figure, educator, and founder of the Ru School of Chinese thought.[ 1 ] His teachings, preserved in the Lunyu or Analects, form the foundation of much of subsequent Chinese speculation on the education and comportment of the ideal man, how such an individual should live his life and interact with others, and the forms of society and government in which he should participate. Fung Yu-lan, one of the great 20thcentury authorities on the history of Chinese thought, compares Confucius' influence in Chinese history with that of Socrates in the West.
1. Confucius' Life
The sources for Confucius' life were compiled well after his death and taken together paint contradictory pictures of his personality and of the events in his life. The early works agreed by textual authorities to be relatively reliable sources of biographical material are: the Analects, compiled by Confucius' disciples and later followers during the centuries following his death; the Zuozhuan, a narrative history composed from earlier sources sometime in the fourth century; and the Mengzi or Mencius, a compilation of the teachings of the well-known eponymous fourth century follower of Confucius' thought put together by his disciples and adherents.[ 2 ] The Confucius of the Analects appears most concerned with behaving morally even when this means enduring hardship and poverty. Mencius' Confucius is a politically motivated figure, seeking high office and departing from patrons who do not properly reward him.[ 3 ] A third Confucius is found in the pages of the Zuozhuan. This one is a heroic figure courageously facing down dangers that threaten the lord of Confucius' native state of Lu.
Many of the stories found in these three sources as well as the legends surrounding Confucius at the end of the 2ndcentury were included in a biography of Confucius by the Han dynasty court historian, Sima Qian (145-c.85), in his well-known and often-quoted Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji).[ 4 ] This collection of tales opens by identifying Confucius' ancestors as members of the Royal State of Song, a genealogy Sima Qian borrows from the Zuozhuan.[ 5 ] This same account notes as well that his great grandfather, fleeing the turmoil in his native Song, had moved to Lu, somewhere near the present town of Qufu in south-eastern Shandong, where the family became impoverished. Confucius' father is usually identified as Shu He of Zhou who, according to the Zuozhuan, led Lu armies in 563 and again in 556, acting with great valor and extraordinary strength (qualities for which his son would later be known according to the same historical source). Nothing of certainty is known of his mother; she may have been a daughter of the Yan family. Confucius was born in the walled town of Zhou in the state of Lu in 552 or in 551 according to the earliest sources that preserve such information about him. If the year of his birth was 551—the date most scholars favor—then, since that year was a gengxu year according to the traditional system of cyclical designations for years, Confucius was born under the sign of the dog. This may account for why, according to Sima Qian's biography, Confucius accepted as true the observation that in his sad and forlorn appearance he resembled a “stray dog.”[ 6 ]
Confucius is described, by Sima Qian and other sources, as having endured a poverty-stricken and humiliating youth and been forced, upon reaching manhood, to undertake such petty jobs as accounting and caring for livestock.[ 7 ] Sima Qian's account includes the tale of how Confucius was born in answer to his parents' prayers at a sacred hill (qiu) called Ni. Confucius' surname Kong (which means literally an utterance of thankfulness when prayers have been answered), his tabooed given name Qiu, and his social name Zhongni, all appear connected to the miraculous circumstances of his birth. This casts doubt, then, on Confucius' royal genealogy as found in the Zuozhuan and Shiji. Similarly, Confucius' recorded age at death, ‘seventy-two,’ is a ‘magic number’ with far-reaching significance in early Chinese literature. It is not surprising that we can say little about Confucius's childhood beyond noting that he probably spent it in the Lu town where he is reported to have been born. There are many important figures in early Chinese history about whose youth we know even less. Almost as if to provide something to fill this lacuna in his account of Confucius, Sima Qian says that, “As a child [of five, according to some highly imaginative hagiographers], Confucius entertained himself by habitually arranging rituals vessels and staging ceremonies,” thus prefiguring the philosopher's famous interest in rites.
We do not know how Confucius himself was educated, but tradition has it that he studied ritual with the fictional Daoist Master Lao Dan, music with Chang Hong, and the lute with Music-master Xiang. In his middle age Confucius is supposed to have gathered about him a group of disciples whom he taught and also to have devoted himself to political matters in Lu. The number of Confucius' disciples has been greatly exaggerated, with Sima Qian and other sources claiming that there were as many as three thousand of them. Sima Qian goes on to say that, “Those who, in their own person, became conversant with the Six Disciplines [taught by Confucius], numbered seventy-two.” The Mencius and some other early works give their number as seventy. Perhaps seventy or seventy-two were a maximum, though both of these numbers are suspicious given Confucius' supposed age at death.
In 525, when Confucius was twenty-seven or twenty-eight, he is supposed by the authors of the Zuozhuan to have visited the ruler of the small state of Tan in order to learn bureaucratic history from him and then to marvel, with reflexive condescension, at how such knowledge was lost to the Son of Heaven but “may still be studied among the distant border peoples of the four quarters.” The theme of the extreme inquisitiveness of the young Confucius is also reflected in the Analects: “When the Master entered the Grand Temple he asked questions about everything. Someone said, ‘Who said that this son of a man from Zhou knows about ritual? When he entered the Grand Temple he asked about everything.’ When the Master learned of this he observed, ‘Doing so is prescribed by ritual’” (Lunyu 3.15).[ 8 ]
Two Zuozhuan passages—that relate to events that took place in 522 when Confucius would have been thirty or thirty-one—lay claim to what appear to be among the first times when Confucius uttered judgment on the behavior or reputation of others. The first of these has to do with Duke Jing of Qi (r. 547–490) whom Confucius criticized for becoming angry with an underling determined to fulfil his official responsibilities even when that meant disobeying a direct order from his ruler. The other is his “tearful” comment when he learned of the death of the Zheng statesman Zi Chan: “The love for others seen among the ancients survived in him.”[ 9 ]
In another Zuozhuan passage that occurs not long after these two, the Lu nobleman Ming Xizi, immediately before his death in 518, praised Confucius as “the descendant of a sage” and instructed the grand officers who attended him that, upon his death, they should entrust his two sons to Confucius. These are strong signals that in the eyes of the authors of the Zuozhuan, Confucius was by this time in his life established as a person of significance in Lu. Meng Xizi went on, however, and declared that what another Lu nobleman named Zang Sunhe had once said was true in the case of Confucius: “If a sage possessed of bright virtue does not fit the age in which he lives then surely among his descendants there will be one who is successful.” Meng Xizi's Zuozhuan speech should be read not only as indicative of a turning point in Confucius' early career—his emergence from obscurity—but also as the first of many ancient declarations that Confucius was worthy of a crown that he would not receive in his lifetime.
Politics in Confucius' native Lu were extremely unstable because of the challenge to the ruler posed by the “three Huan families” which had the hereditary right to occupy the most powerful ministerial offices in the Lu government. In 517 Duke Zhao of Lu moved against the head of the most powerful—and the wealthiest— of the families: the Ji clan. But the attack failed and the duke was forced to flee from Lu and spend the remaining years of his reign in exile, first in Lu's large neighbor Qi and then in a town in the state of Jin where he died in 510. According to Sima Qian, when Duke Zhao was first forced into exile, Confucius also went to Qi to serve as a retainer in the household of the nobleman Gao Zhaozi. The Analects mentions how, during this period in Qi, Confucius heard for the first time a performance of the sacred Shao music and was overwhelmed by the experience and then had an audience with Duke Jing of Qi in which Confucius observed that what Qi required was that “The ruler should be a ruler, his subjects subjects, the father should be a father, and his son a son” (Lunyu 12.11). He was no doubt commenting on politics in Qi where—as was also the case in Lu—power rested not in the hands of the ruler but instead in the hands of the powerful ministerial families who were supposed to serve him. Some unidentified adversity probably precipitated Confucius' departure from Qi. And it seems that back home in Lu he was fairing poorly in locating employment. So noteworthy was this failure that a passage in the Analects comments on it: “Someone asked Confucius, ‘Why is it that you are not in government?’ Confucius replied, ‘The Documents say, ”Be filial, oh, only be filial! Be friendly toward your brothers and extend this to governing.“ Practicing this is also to govern. Why must one be in office to govern?’” (Lunyu 2.21). As noted earlier, what mattered to the Confucius of the Analects was not winning an official position but remaining faithful to the moral behavior he valued.[ 10 ]
Whether or not Confucius held any important office in Lu is a much-debated point, but from the Mengzi onward, there is consistent ancient testimony that he was director of crime (si kou). The Zuozhuan confirms that he held the post starting sometime around 509.[ 11 ] We know very little of what Confucius accomplished in the job and nothing about his understanding of his responsibilities. Given what one might expect a director of crime to do—to enforce the law and impose corporal punishments on those found guilty of crime—it is odd to think that Confucius served in the role given his famous opposition to the use of fines and punishments, dismissing them as ineffective and counterproductive in governing people: “If they are led by virtue, and uniformity sought among them through the practice of ritual propriety, the people will possess a sense of shame and come to you of their own accord” (Lunyu 2.3). The contradiction among our sources is paradigmatic of the problems we face in figuring out the events in Confucius' life. Perhaps the claims that Confucius served as director of crime are fictional. Perhaps he did serve in the role and learned from the experience the ineffectiveness of punishment in maintaining order in society. Or perhaps the Analects passage is an interpolation—something Confucius himself never said—added by a branch of his school that wanted to represent their master as strongly opposed to legalistic measures in spite of his having served as a law enforcement officer in Lu.
As it is presented in the Zuozhuan, the single most important event in Confucius' official career in Lu, and perhaps even in his lifetime, was the 500 BCE meeting at Jiagu in the state of Qi when he was called upon to protect the life of Duke Ding of Lu (r. 509–495) and defend the honor of his native state. To formalize a peace agreement between Lu and Qi, the rulers of the two states met at Jiagu and signed an oath promising to abide by certain terms and conditions lest they be harshly dealt with by the gods and spirits. Confucius' role in the event is described in the text as that of “overseer” of the protocols of the meeting. The Qi ruler and his lieutenants had plotted to use the occasion to humiliate Lu and perhaps even to seize Lu's ruler. The Confucius of the Zuozhuan is shown as adroit and skilful in dealing with these dangerous circumstances. He succeeds not only in getting Qi to withdraw its armed men from the meeting but also to return to Lu lands that Qi had previously appropriated in return for Lu's future participation in Qi's military adventures.[ 12 ]
If Confucius in fact experienced some sort of triumph at Jiagu, tales about the period following his return to Lu speak of intense conflict among the three Huan families and between them and Duke Ding. The duke attempted to have the families tear down the walls of the fortresses that secured their fiefs—the duke's argument was that the fortresses might be seized by lower-ranking stewards and thus were more of a threat than a benefit to the families—but the population of the Ji family fortress at Bi rebelled and attacked the Lu capital threatening the life of the duke. Again, Confucius came to the duke's rescue and the rebellion by the Bi masses was eventually put down by the army of Lu. However, the Meng family simply refused to tear down the walls that protected their family fortress at Cheng. Duke Ding led an army to lay siege to Cheng and level its walls but he failed to do so and his weakness and ineptitude were made all the more obvious by this failure.
What role Confucius played in the duke's plans is difficult to determine. It seems rather that, at least according to the Zuozhuan, his disciple Zi Lu, in the employ of the Ji family, played a more significant part. Whatever the case may be, in the stories that follow this dramatic tale, Confucius, along with Zi Lu and other disciples, departed Lu late in 498 and went into exile.[ 13 ] As in other ancient cultures, exile and suffering are common themes in the lives of the heroes of the early Chinese tradition. In the company of his disciples, Confucius travelled in the states of Wei, Song, Chen, Cai, and Chu, purportedly looking for a ruler who might employ him but meeting instead with indifference and, occasionally, severe hardship and danger. Several of these episodes, as preserved in Sima Qian's account, appear to be little more than prose retellings of songs found in the ancient Chinese Book of Songs. Confucius' life is thus rendered a re-enactment of the suffering and alienation of the personas of the poems. Analects 6.28 claims that while he was in Wei, Confucius visited its ruler's wicked consort Nanzi. Confronted by Zi Lu's displeasure, Confucius swore he did not do anything wrong with the woman. While it is possible to suspect that the story is a later addition to the Analects, that does not mean that it is less believable than anything else the text says about events in Confucius' life. Later on, in the state of Song, Confucius just barely escaped with his life from an attack by Marshal Huan, a formidable Song nobleman, who for unknown reasons was intent on killing him.[ 14 ] During these difficulties Confucius got separated from his favorite disciple Yan Hui. When they were subsequently reunited, Confucius said, “I assumed you were deadl” Yan Hui responded, “While the Master is alive, how would I, Hui, dare to die?” (Lunyu 11.21). Still later in his exile, while in the tiny state of Cai, Confucius is supposed to have encountered the disreputable Shen Zhuliang, better known by his title “duke of She,” who along with other noblemen from the great southern state of Chu were occupying Cai and herding about its population. According to passages in the Analects, the duke of She asked Confucius about the art of governing and also asked Zi Lu about Confucius' character. Both passages are meant to suggest that Confucius found the duke lacking in virtue and learning.[ 15 ]
Their time in the small state of Chen was especially precarious for Confucius and his followers: “While in Chen, food supplies for the journey were cut off. Followers fell ill and none was able to rise to his feet. Zi Lu, indignant, saw Kongzi and asked, ‘Is it right that even the superior man should be reduced to poverty?’ The Master replied, ‘A superior man remains steadfast in the face of poverty; the small man, when impoverished, loses all restraint’” (Lunyu 15.2). Confucius' reply to Zi Lu is not merely a lesson on the distinction between the superior man's endurance of hardship and the tendency of his opposite, the petty individual, to resort to crime. Confucius is drawing the distinction when all were in straitened circumstances and as such his words should be read as a pointed reminder to Zi Lu and the other disciples traveling with him at the time that, in spite of the difficulties they were facing, they should adhere to the highest standards of ethical behavior. Perhaps it was Zi Lu's indignation that triggered in Confucius a worry that his followers might take extreme and even immoral measures to find food. Either inspired by this story or informed by tales and traditions that are lost to us, a passage in the Mozi—a text that preserves a political and social philosophy greatly at odds with the teachings of Confucius and the Ru school—claims that Confucius, who had a reputation for being scrupulous about his meals, ate pork given him by Zi Lu even though he had reason to believe that Zi Lu had stolen it.[ 16 ] Other passages in the Analects hint that Confucius was disturbed by the behavior of some of his followers while they were abroad with him and by their failure to make more progress in the cultivation of the moral values he prized.[ 17 ]
In any case, by most traditional accounts, after a brief second visit to Wei, Confucius returned to Lu in 484. The Ji family was still the most powerful in Lu as they had been when Confucius had departed in the aftermath of Duke Ding's aborted efforts to dismantle the fortresses of the three Huan families. While he had some interaction with the head of the Ji family as well as with the reigning Lu ruler, Duke Ai, Confucius appears to have spent the remainder of his life teaching, putting in order the Book of Songs, the Book of Documents, and other ancient classics, as well as editing the Spring and Autumn Annals, the court chronicle of Lu. Sima Qian's account also provides background on Confucius' connection to the early canonical texts on ritual and on music (the latter of which was lost at an early date). Sima Qian claims, moreover, that, “In his later years, Confucius delighted in the Yi”—the famous divination manual popular to this day in China and in the West. The Analects passage which appears to corroborate Sima Qian's claim seems corrupt and hence unreliable on this point. Confucius' traditional association with these works led them and related texts to be revered as the “Confucian Classics” and made Confucius himself the spiritual ancestor of later teachers, historians, moral philosophers, literary scholars, and countless others whose lives and works figure prominently in Chinese intellectual history.
Our best source for understanding Confucius and his thought is the Analects. But the Analects is a problematic and controversial work, having been compiled in variant versions long after Confucius' death by disciples or the disciples of disciples. Some have argued that, because of the text's inconsistencies and incompatibilities of thought, there is much in the Analects that is non-Confucian and should be discarded as a basis for understanding the thought of Confucius.[ 18 ] Benjamin Schwartz cautions us against such radical measures: “While textual criticism based on rigorous philological and historic analysis is crucial, and while the later sections [of the Analects] do contain late materials, the type of textual criticism that is based on considerations of alleged logical inconsistencies and incompatibilities of thought must be viewed with great suspicion… . While none of us comes to such an enterprise without deep-laid assumptions about necessary logical relations and compatibilities, we should at least hold before ourselves the constant injunction to mistrust all our unexamined preconceptions on these matters when dealing with comparative thought.”[ 19 ] The difficulties in reading and interpreting the text of the Analects have given rise to numerous extensive commentaries that struggle to untangle the complexities of its language and thought.[ 20 ]
Book X of the Analects consists of personal observations of how Confucius comported himself as a thinker, teacher, and official. Some have argued that these passages were originally more general prescriptions on how a gentleman should dress and behave that were relabelled as descriptions of Confucius. Traditionally, Book X has been regarded as providing an intimate portrait of Confucius and has been read as a biographical sketch. The following passages provide a few examples of why, more generally, it is difficult to glean from the Analects a genuinely biographical, let alone intimate, portrait of the Master.
Confucius, at home in his native village, was simple and unassuming in manner, as though he did not trust himself to speak. But when in the ancestral temple or at Court he speaks readily, though always choosing his words with due caution. (Lunyu 10.1)
When at court conversing with the officers of a lower grade, he is friendly, though straightforward; when conversing with officers of a higher grade, he is restrained but precise. When the ruler is present he is wary, but not cramped. (Lunyu 10.2)
On entering the Palace Gate he seems to contract his body, as though there were not sufficient room to admit him. If he halts, it must never be in the middle of the gate, nor in going through does he ever tread on the threshold. (Lunyu 10.4)
When fasting in preparation for sacrifice he must wear the Bright Robe, and it must be of linen. He must change his food and also the place where he commonly sits. He does not object to his rice being thoroughly cleaned, nor to his meat being finely minced. (Lunyu 10.7, 10.8)
When sending a messenger to enquire after someone in another country, he bows himself twice while seeing the messenger off. (Lunyu 10.15)
In bed he avoided lying in the posture of a corpse … On meeting anyone in deep mourning he must bow across the bar of his chariot. (Lunyu 10.24, 10.25)
Analects passages such as these may not satisfy a modern reader looking for some entry into understanding the connection between Confucius the man and Confucius the thinker, but they did succeed in rendering Confucius the model of courtliness and personal decorum for countless generations of Chinese officials.
By the fourth century, Confucius was recognized as a unique figure, a sage who was ignored but should have been recognized and become a king. At the end of the fourth century BCE, Mencius says of Confucius: “Ever since man came into this world, there has never been one greater than Confucius.” And in two passages Mencius implies that Confucius was one of the great sage kings who, according to his reckoning, arises every five hundred years. Confucius also figures prominently as the subject of anecdotes and the teacher of wisdom in the writings of Xunzi, a third century follower of Confucius' teachings. Indeed chapters twenty-eight to thirty of the Xunzi, which some have argued were not the work of Xunzi but compilations by his disciples, look like an alternative, and considerably briefer, version of the Analects.
Confucius and his followers also inspired considerable criticism from other thinkers. The anecdote quoted earlier from the Mozi is an example. The authors of the Zhuangzi took particular delight in parodying Confucius and the teachings conventionally associated with him. But Confucius' reputation was so great that even the Zhuangzi appropriates him to give voice to Daoist teachings.
2. Confucius' Ethics
Confucius' teachings and his conversations and exchanges with his disciples are recorded in the Lunyu or Analects, a collection that probably achieved something like its present form around the second century BCE. While Confucius believes that people live their lives within parameters firmly established by Heaven—which, often, for him means both a purposeful Supreme Being as well as ‘nature’ and its fixed cycles and patterns—he argues that men are responsible for their actions and especially for their treatment of others. We can do little or nothing to alter our fated span of existence but we determine what we accomplish and what we are remembered for.
Confucius represented his teachings as lessons transmitted from antiquity. He claimed that he was “a transmitter and not a maker” and that all he did reflected his “reliance on and love for the ancients” (Lunyu 7.1). Confucius pointed especially to the precedents established during the height of the royal Zhou (roughly the first half of the first millennium BCE). Such justifications for one's ideas may have already been conventional in Confucius' day. Certainly his claim that there were antique precedents for his ideology had a tremendous influence on subsequent thinkers many of whom imitated these gestures. But we should not regard the contents of the Analects as consisting of old ideas. Much of what Confucius taught appears to have been original to him and to have represented a radical departure from the ideas and practices of his day.
Confucius also claimed that he enjoyed a special and privileged relationship with Heaven and that, by the age of fifty, he had come to understand what Heaven had mandated for him and for mankind. (Lunyu 2.4). Confucius was also careful to instruct his followers that they should never neglect the offerings due Heaven. (Lunyu 3.13) Some scholars have seen a contradiction between Confucius' reverence for Heaven and what they believe to be his skepticism with regard to the existence of ‘the spirits.’ But the Analects passages that reveal Confucius' attitudes toward spiritual forces (Lunyu 3.12, 6.20, and 11.11) do not suggest that he was skeptical. Rather they show that Confucius revered and respected the spirits, thought that they should be worshipped with utmost sincerity, and taught that serving the spirits was a far more difficult and complicated matter than serving mere mortals.
Confucius' social philosophy largely revolves around the concept of ren, “compassion” or “loving others.” Cultivating or practicing such concern for others involved deprecating oneself. This meant being sure to avoid artful speech or an ingratiating manner that would create a false impression and lead to self-aggrandizement. (Lunyu 1.3) Those who have cultivated ren are, on the contrary, “simple in manner and slow of speech” (Lunyu 13.27). For Confucius, such concern for others is demonstrated through the practice of forms of the Golden Rule: “What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others;” “Since you yourself desire standing then help others achieve it, since you yourself desire success then help others attain it” (Lunyu 12.2, 6.30). He regards devotion to parents and older siblings as the most basic form of promoting the interests of others before one's own. Central to all ethical teachings found in the Analects of Confucius is the notion that the social arena in which the tools for creating and maintaining harmonious relations are fashioned and employed is the extended family. Among the various ways in which social divisions could have been drawn, the most important were the vertical lines that bound multigenerational lineages. And the most fundamental lessons to be learned by individuals within a lineage were what role their generational position had imposed on them and what obligations toward those senior or junior to them were associated with those roles. In the world of the Analects, the dynamics of social exchange and obligation primarily involved movement up and down along familial roles that were defined in terms of how they related to others within the same lineage. It was also necessary that one play roles within other social constructs—neighborhood, community, political bureaucracy, guild, school of thought—that brought one into contact with a larger network of acquaintances and created ethical issues that went beyond those that impacted one's family. But the extended family was at the center of these other hierarchies and could be regarded as a microcosm of their workings. One who behaved morally in all possible parallel structures extending outward from the family probably approximated Confucius's conception of ren.
It is useful to contrast this conception of ren and the social arena in which it worked with the idea of jian ai or “impartial love” advocated by the Mohists who as early as the fifth century BCE posed the greatest intellectual challenge to Confucius' thought. The Mohists shared with Confucius and his followers the goal of bringing about effective governance and a stable society, but they constructed their ethical system, not on the basis of social roles, but rather on the self or, to be more precise, the physical self that has cravings, needs, and ambitions. For the Mohists, the individual's love for his physical self is the basis on which all moral systems had to be built. The Confucian emphasis on social role rather than on the self seems to involve, in comparison to the Mohist position, an exaggerated emphasis on social status and position and an excessive form of self-centeredness. While the Mohist love of self is also of course a form of self-interest, what distinguishes it from the Confucian position is that the Mohists regard self-love as a necessary means to an end, not the end in itself, which the Confucian pride of position and place appears to be. The Mohist program called for a process by which self-love was replaced by, or transformed into, impartial love—the unselfish and altruistic concern for others that would, in their reckoning, lead to an improved world untroubled by wars between states, conflict in communities, and strife within families. To adopt impartial love would be to ignore the barriers that privilege the self, one's family, and one's state and that separate them from other individuals, families, and states. In this argument, self-love is a fact that informs the cultivation of concern for those within one's own silo; it is also the basis for interacting laterally with those to whom one is not related, a large cohort that is not adequately taken into account in the Confucian scheme of ethical obligation.
Confucius taught that the practice of altruism he thought necessary for social cohesion could be mastered only by those who have learned self-discipline. Learning self-restraint involves studying and mastering li, the ritual forms and rules of propriety through which one expresses respect for superiors and enacts his role in society in such a way that he himself is worthy of respect and admiration. A concern for propriety should inform everything that one says and does:
Look at nothing in defiance of ritual, listen to nothing in defiance of ritual, speak of nothing in defiance or ritual, never stir hand or foot in defiance of ritual. (Lunyu 12.1)
Subjecting oneself to ritual does not, however, mean suppressing one's desires but instead learning how to reconcile one's own desires with the needs of one's family and community. Confucius and many of his followers teach that it is by experiencing desires that we learn the value of social strictures that make an ordered society possible (See Lunyu 2.4.). And at least for Confucius' follower Zi Xia, renowned in the later tradition for his knowledge of the Book of Songs, one's natural desires for sex and other physical pleasures were a foundation for cultivating a passion for worthiness and other lofty ideals (Lunyu 1.7).[ 21 ]
Confucius' emphasis on ritual does not mean that he was a punctilious ceremonialist who thought that the rites of worship and of social exchange had to be practiced correctly at all costs. Confucius taught, on the contrary, that if one did not possess a keen sense of the well-being and interests of others his ceremonial manners signified nothing. (Lunyu 3.3) Equally important was Confucius' insistence that the rites not be regarded as mere forms, but that they be practiced with complete devotion and sincerity. “He [i.e., Confucius] sacrificed to the dead as if they were present. He sacrificed to the spirits as if the spirits were present. The Master said, ‘I consider my not being present at the sacrifice as though there were no sacrifice’” (Lunyu 3.12).
3. Confucius' Political Philosophy
Confucius' political philosophy is also rooted in his belief that a ruler should learn self-discipline, should govern his subjects by his own example, and should treat them with love and concern. “If the people be led by laws, and uniformity among them be sought by punishments, they will try to escape punishment and have no sense of shame. If they are led by virtue, and uniformity sought among them through the practice of ritual propriety, they will possess a sense of shame and come to you of their own accord” (Lunyu 2.3; see also 13.6.). It seems apparent that in his own day, however, advocates of more legalistic methods were winning a large following among the ruling elite. Thus Confucius' warning about the ill consequences of promulgating law codes should not be interpreted as an attempt to prevent their adoption but instead as his lament that his ideas about the moral suasion of the ruler were not proving popular.
Most troubling to Confucius was his perception that the political institutions of his day had completely broken down. He attributed this collapse to the fact that those who wielded power as well as those who occupied subordinate positions did so by making claim to titles for which they were not worthy. When asked by a ruler of the large state of Qi, Lu's neighbor on the Shandong peninsula, about the principles of good government, Confucius is reported to have replied: “Good government consists in the ruler being a ruler, the minister being a minister, the father being a father, and the son being a son” (Lunyu 12.11). I should claim for myself only a title that is legitimately mine and when I possess such a title and participate in the various hierarchical relationships signified by that title, then I should live up to the meaning of the title that I claim for myself. Confucius' analysis of the lack of connection between actualities and their names and the need to correct such circumstances is often referred to as Confucius' theory of zhengming. Elsewhere in the Analects, Confucius says to his disciple Zilu that the first thing he would do in undertaking the administration of a state is zhengming. (Lunyu 13.3). In that passage Confucius is taking aim at the illegitimate ruler of Wei who was, in Confucius' view, improperly using the title “successor,” a title that belonged to his father the rightful ruler of Wei who had been forced into exile.[ 22 ] Xunzi composed an entire essay entitled Zhengming. But for Xunzi the term referred to the proper use of language and how one should go about inventing new terms that were suitable to the age. For Confucius, zhengming does not seem to refer to the ‘rectification of names’ (this is the way the term is most often translated by scholars of the Analects), but instead to rectifying the behavior of people and the social reality so that they correspond to the language with which people identify themselves and describe their roles in society. Confucius believed that this sort of rectification had to begin at the very top of the government, because it was at the top that the discrepancy between names and actualities had originated. If the ruler's behavior is rectified then the people beneath him will follow suit. In a conversation with Ji Kangzi (who had usurped power in Lu), Confucius advised: “If your desire is for good, the people will be good. The moral character of the ruler is the wind; the moral character of those beneath him is the grass. When the wind blows, the grass bends” (Lunyu 12.19).
For Confucius, what characterized superior rulership was the possession of de or ‘virtue.’ Conceived of as a kind of moral power that allows one to win a following without recourse to physical force, such ‘virtue’ also enabled the ruler to maintain good order in his state without troubling himself and by relying on loyal and effective deputies. Confucius claimed that, “He who governs by means of his virtue is, to use an analogy, like the pole-star: it remains in its place while all the lesser stars do homage to it” (Lunyu 2.1). The way to maintain and cultivate such royal ‘virtue’ was through the practice and enactment of li or ‘rituals’—the ceremonies that defined and punctuated the lives of the ancient Chinese aristocracy. These ceremonies encompassed: the sacrificial rites performed at ancestral temples to express humility and thankfulness; the ceremonies of enfeoffment, toasting, and gift exchange that bound together the aristocracy into a complex web of obligation and indebtedness; and the acts of politeness and decorum—such things as bowing and yielding—that identified their performers as gentlemen. In an influential study, Herbert Fingarette argues that the performance of these various ceremonies, when done correctly and sincerely, involves a ‘magical’ quality that underlies the efficacy of royal ‘virtue’ in accomplishing the aims of the ruler.
4. Confucius and Education
A hallmark of Confucius' thought is his emphasis on education and study. He disparages those who have faith in natural understanding or intuition and argues that the only real understanding of a subject comes from long and careful study. Study, for Confucius, means finding a good teacher and imitating his words and deeds. A good teacher is someone older who is familiar with the ways of the past and the practices of the ancients. (See Lunyu 7.22) While he sometimes warns against excessive reflection and meditation, Confucius' position appears to be a middle course between learning and reflecting on what one has learned. “He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger” (Lunyu 2.15).[ 23 ] He taught his students morality, proper speech, government, and the refined arts. While he also emphasizes the “Six Arts” — ritual, music, archery, chariot-riding, calligraphy, and computation — it is clear that he regards morality as the most important subject. Confucius' pedagogical methods are striking. He never discourses at length on a subject. Instead he poses questions, cites passages from the classics, or uses apt analogies, and waits for his students to arrive at the right answers. “Only for one deeply frustrated over what he does not know will I provide a start; only for one struggling to form his thoughts into words will I provide a beginning. But if I hold up one corner and he cannot respond with the other three I will not repeat myself” (Lunyu 7.8).
Confucius' goal is to create gentlemen who carry themselves with grace, speak correctly, and demonstrate integrity in all things. His strong dislike of the sycophantic “petty men,” whose clever talk and pretentious manner win them an audience, is reflected in numerous Lunyu passages. Confucius finds himself in an age in which values are out of joint. Actions and behavior no longer correspond to the labels originally attached to them. “Rulers do not rule and subjects do not serve,” he observes. (Lunyu 12.11; cf. also 13.3) This means that words and titles no longer mean what they once did. Moral education is important to Confucius because it is the means by which one can rectify this situation and restore meaning to language and values to society. He believes that the most important lessons for obtaining such a moral education are to be found in the canonical Book of Songs, because many of its poems are both beautiful and good. Thus Confucius places the text first in his curriculum and frequently quotes and explains its lines of verse. For this reason, the Lunyu is also an important source for Confucius' understanding of the role poetry and art more generally play in the moral education of gentlemen as well as in the reformation of society. Recent archaeological discoveries in China of previously lost ancient manuscripts reveal other aspects of Confucius's reverence for the Book of Songs and its importance in moral education. These manuscripts show that Confucius had found in the canonical text valuable lessons on how to cultivate moral qualities in oneself as well as how to comport oneself humanely and responsibly in public.
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| Confucius |
Which Brazilian footballer won the World Cup as a player in 1958 and 1962 and as a manager in 1970? | Confucius and Laozi, The Great Philosophers of the East
Confucius and Laozi, The Great Philosophers of the East
PART 11 IN SERIES: Reconciling the Religions
The exact details of the lives, teachings and histories of two of the great philosophers of the East – Confucius and Laozi – have been lost in the intervening millennia, but both of these influential figures are revered in China even today. Scholars of comparative religion have long struggled with a central question concerning both men – were they philosophers or prophets?
As far as we know, Confucius and Laozi both lived approximately five hundred years before the advent of Christ. The philosophy of Confucius centered around the ideas of justice, morality and sincerity, and emphasized the correctness of social relationships among people, which included ancestor worship and respect for elders. Confucius became known as a great moral reformer, and his teachings helped to build Chinese civilization and social order. But he made no claim to divine knowledge, and his learning, while vast, was acquired.
A page from Confucius’ Analects
Confucius reportedly wrote a large number of the classic Chinese texts, including all of the Five Classics, but his most popular and well-known book is still The Analects, a compilation of his sayings and aphorisms assembled long after his death. When you hear the phrase “Confucius says” followed by an aphorism, it probably comes from the Analects.
Laozi (also known as Lao-tzu or Lao-tse) lived at about the same time as Confucius, and his philosophy, expressed in the Tao Te Ching, founded Taoism and found its way into many traditional Chinese religions, as well. Although some ancient Chinese belief systems like Taoism venerate Laozi as a deity, most scholars and religious historians consider him a prominent philosopher who had a great influence on ancient Chinese thought.
Laozi Yin and Yang
Laozi’s chief concern involved describing a way (Tao) of life that could be true to the natural order of God’s laws. A tremendous inspirational force, Laozi’s philosophical brilliance made him one amongst many of the great Chinese poet/philosophers who helped guide the Middle Kingdom along the ancient Middle Way.
Determining whether these two great leaders of thought were prophets or philosophers doesn’t promote or demote them, according to the Baha’i teachings. Baha’u’llah himself has praised the work of the great philosophers of the past: Empedocles, Pythagoras, Hippocrates, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, and Pliny. He even calls Plato, the “divine Plato”, but does not consider him a Manifestation of God. In a similar way, Abdu’l-Baha cites the name of Confucius as a great leader and teacher:
Confucius became the cause of civilization, advancement and prosperity for the people of China. – Tablets of Abdu’l-Baha v2, p. 469.
Blessed souls — whether Moses, Jesus, Zoroaster, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius or Muhammad — were the cause of the illumination of the world of humanity. How can we deny such irrefutable proof? How can we be blind to such light? – The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 346.
Through the efforts of great thinkers and philosophers like Confucius and Laozi, millions of people have come to know of the one truth that envelops all. When religions decline or deteriorate, it falls to philosophers and poets to discern the one reality that animates all and to sing its melody.
For Baha’is, truth is truth and light is light wherever it appears. The light of a philosopher, if it is true, does not conflict with that of a Prophet of God it validates and augments it. The lasting works of Confucius and Laozi and other great philosophers reflect divinity, even though they may not fit into the category of a founder of a great world Faith. This is not a condemnation of the philosopher – instead, it is a testimony to the loftiness of their efforts and the greatness of their achievements.
The opinions and views expressed in this article are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of BahaiTeachings.org or any institution of the Baha’i Faith.
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Tom Tai-Seale is an associate professor of public health at Texas A&M University and a lifelong student of religion. He is the author of numerous public health articles and texts and also a Biblical introduction to the Bahai Faith: Thy... Read more
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Which pop group, that had hits in the 1990's with 'Glory Box' and 'All Mine', are named after a small town in Somerset? | Where are they Now? - A-Z of Bristol bands - Songwriters -… | Flickr
Paul Townsend By: Paul Townsend
Where are they Now? - A-Z of Bristol bands - Songwriters - Musicians
image above: Black Roots were a roots reggae band from the St. Paul's area of Bristol, England formed in 1979. They released several albums before splitting up in 1990.
A
The Agents: Post Punk band (1980–1983). In 1981 they released in Germany the single and album called ‘Everybody’s Gonna Be Happy’. They split up in 1983, with members Richard Snow, Dave and Steve Libby going on to form Force Majeure.
Rodney Allen: Guitarist and songwriter. Released the Happysad LP on The Subway Organization in 1987, and after a brief spell in The Chesterfields joined The Blue Aeroplanes.
Allflaws: Electronic, Industrial and Trip Hop group (2004–present). Created by producer, vocalist and songwriter Gabriel Curran.
Apartment: Post Punk band (1979–1980) formed by Alan Griffiths released double A-sided single 'The Car'/'Winter' in 1980 on Heartbeat Records also featured on the 1979 Bristol compilation album 'Avon Calling'
Art Objects: New Wave “Art band” (1978–1981). Fronted by Bristol Beat Poet Gerard Langley, brother John Langley on drums, dancer Wojtek Dmochowski (all later of The Blue Aeroplanes), plus bassist Bill Stair and guitarists/brothers Jonjo and Robin Key (both simultaneously in the band Various Artists) They released 2 singles, and the album ‘Bagpipe Music’ on local label Heartbeat Records.
Aspects: Hip Hop group (1996–present). The outfit's core members are emcees El Eye and Mantis, producer Specify and beatbox Monkey Moo.
B
Geoff Barrow: Producer, songwriter and instrumentalist (b.1971). Founder member of Portishead. In 1991, he assisted on the recording of Massive Attack's breakthrough album Blue Lines.
Acker Bilk: Clarinetist and songwriter (b.1929). Best known for his 1961 UK hit single, "Stranger on the Shore", which also became the first British recording to reach #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1962.
Black Roots - See photo above: A roots reggae band from the St. Paul's area of Bristol, formed in 1979. Their first (self-titled) album was released on their own Nubian label, and the band was commissioned by the BBC to write and record the theme song to the sitcom The Front Line. They released several other albums before they stopped touring in 1990 and officially disbanded in 1995.
The Blue Aeroplanes: Art rock guitar band (1983–present). Formed out of the ashes of Art Objects, over it’s lifetime the band has had a fluid membership, with the 2 constants being Gerard Langley as “singer” and Wojtek Dmochowski (dancer). The group have produced numerous albums/singles (some re-released with different/additional tracks), including a version of The Boy in the Bubble by Paul Simon.
The Blue Side of Midnight: Rock band formed 1982.
Beki Bondage: Rebecca Louise Bond, singer and musician (b.1963). Came to prominence as a member of Bristol Punk Band Vice Squad. In a St George's Day (23 April 2006) speech, for the Campaign to Celebrate our English Heritage, controversial journalist Garry Bushell cited Bondage as "a jewel in the crown of England's glory."
Chris Bostock: Bassist, songwriter and producer (b.1962). Member of The Stingrays, The X-Certs, Subway Sect, JoBoxers and played with Dave Stewart and The Spiritual Cowboys.
The Bohana Mouse Band: Jazz Funk band with Paul Owen (Vocals), Martin Tutton (Guitar), Paul Onslow-Carey (Drums), and Jon Fifield (Percussion). They were the first release on Circus Records with their 12" single 'F', in 1981.
Pete Brandt’s Method: Large jazz-funk band led by Pete Brandt. Their only single, ‘What You Are/ Positive Thinking’ was released on Fried Egg Records in 1980. Pete Brandt is now producing melodic acoustic folk.
Breakbeat Era: Short-lived British project, that combined the breakbeat talent of drum and bass producers, Roni Size and DJ Die, with the vocals of singer Leonie Laws.
The Brilliant Corners: Indie band that encompassed a variety of musical styles over its lifetime (1983–1993). They released a series of albums and singles, including one for the charity Mencap, called Brian Rix. Subsequently Davey Woodward and Chris Galvin formed the Experimental Pop Band in 1995.
Bronnt Industries Kapital: Musical project based around producer and multi-instrumentalist Guy Bartell. They have released three studio albums, ‘Virtute et Industria’, ‘Häxan’ and ‘Hard for Justice’. Their first releases were limited edition CDs and vinyl on Bristol labels Silent Age, Clean Cut and Float records.
Thomas Brooman: Thos Brooman was a drummer, and along with Bob Hooton a record label owner (Wavelength Records), magazine editor (The Bristol Recorder) and founder of WOMAD. Originally in The Media with Johnny Britton, then The Spics and finally with Joe Public. He co-founded Real World Records with Peter Gabriel in 1987, and was appointed a CBE in 2008; he was named in the Queen's Birthday Honours for his services to music and to charity.
Angelo Bruschini: Rock guitarist who has been a member of The Numbers, The Rimshots, The Blue Aeroplanes, and now Massive Attack. He produced Strangelove's eponymous album in 1997. He also played guitar on Jane Taylors’ award-winning single "Blowing This Candle Out" in 2003.
Danny Byrd: Drum and Bass DJ, producer and musician from Bath. His first record release was in 1998, a 12” single entitled 'Manhattan'.
Pete Byrne: Songwriter and singer (b.1954, Bath, Somerset). Originally part of the short-lived group Neon with Rob Fisher, and Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith (later of Tears for Fears). Byrne and Fisher went on to form the pop duo Naked Eyes, and had a hit record with their cover version of "Always Something There to Remind Me".
C
Candado Palado:Pop punk semi novelty band (1977-9) which supported many of the better known bands of the time including Cortinas, Shoes for Industry, Joe Public and The Spics. Band members currently (2010) scattered across three continents making their names in law, commerce, media and academia.
Chaos UK: Hardcore punk band (1979–present). Originally signed to Riot City Records, they have toured the world and released numerous albums and singles.
Chaotic Dischord: Punk band (1981–1988). Initially formed as a joke, by members of Vice Squad and their road crew, to prove a point to Simon Edwards of Riot City Records. They subsequently went on to be one of the label's best-selling acts.
The Chesterfields: Indie pop band from Yeovil, Somerset (1984–1989). They garnered Indie Chart Hits for their singles and albums on Bristols' The Subway Organization label, as well as their own Household label. Fans tended to refer to them as 'The Chesterf!elds', with an exclamation mark replacing the 'i', following the example of the band's logo.
Chikinki: Funk band that evolved into electro-pop (1996–present). Originally signed to Bristol label Sink and Stove Records who released their debut album Experiment with Mother, they then joined Island Records, but were later dropped.
Gary Clail: Rap singer and producer. Part of On-U Sound Records and led Gary Clail's Tackhead Sound System. His 1991 single ‘Human Nature’ released as Gary Clail On-U Sound System reached #10 in the UK chart.
Claytown Troupe: An alternative rock band from Bristol, Bath, and Weston-super-Mare, England. (1984–1993, 2004–present). Formed by lead singer Christian Riou, who claimed in an NME interview that a local clairvoyant advised him to form a band called the Clayton Troop. The have produced albums for Island Records and EMI.
Climie Fisher: Pop duo (1987–1990), formed by former Naked Eyes keyboardist Rob Fisher and vocalist Simon Climie. They are best known for the 1987/88 hit singles "Love Changes (Everything)" and the hip hop-styled remix of "Rise to the Occasion".
Russ Conway: Pianist and composer (1925–2000). He had a cumulative total of 83 weeks on the UK Singles Chart in 1959, including two number one records: ‘Side Saddle’ and ‘Roulette’. He appeared as himself in French and Saunders' 1994 Christmas special, playing ‘Side Saddle’ in their spoof of The Piano.
Roger Cook: Singer and Songwriter (b.1940, Fishponds, Bristol). Has written many hits, usually with his writing partner Roger Greenaway, for themselves and other recording artists. Was a member of The Kestrels, David and Jonathan and Blue Mink.
The Cortinas: Originally started as a R&B Band, but is more famous for its Punk and New Wave incarnations (1976–1978). Featured bassist Dexter Dalwood, guitarists Mike Fewings, drummer Daniel Swan (Sneetches) and future Clash member Nick Sheppard. They split up in the same year they released, on CBS, their debut album, ‘True Romances’.
The Cougars: Rock instrumental group (1961–1964). They had a modest UK hit in 1963 with the single, "Saturday Nite at the Duck-Pond", which was based on a small section of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, and was consequently banned by the BBC.
Crescent: Alternative band whose music is described as slow, minimalistic and melancholy (Early 1990s onwards). Shares members in common with Movietone.
Adge Cutler: Alan John Cutler Scrumpy and Western singer and songwriter (1930–1974). Originator of the description Scrumpy and Western music, and founder of The Wurzels in 1966. Best known for his minor UK hit single in 1967 (and unofficial West Country Anthem), 'Drink Up Thy Zider'.
D
Daddy G: Grantley Evan Marshall (Daddy G) DJ and singer (b.1959). Former member of The Wild Bunch and founding member of the band Massive Attack in 1988.
David and Jonathan: Name used by Bristolian pop duo Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook after The Kestrels. They wrote the songs "This Golden Ring" and "You've Got Your Troubles" for the group The Fortunes. In 1966 they teamed up with George Martin and did a cover of The Beatles' "Michelle", which was a hit single in both the UK (#11 UK Singles Chart) and the U.S. (#18 U.S. Billboard Hot 100).
Robert Del Naja: Also known as 3D or "D". Artist, vocalist and musician (b.1965). Originally a graffiti artist and a member of The Wild Bunch, Del Naja went on to become a founding member of the band Massive Attack.
DJ Die: Daniel Kausman (born 1972), moved from Devon to Bristol as a teenager. An early interest in house music resulted in a partnership with friend Jody Wisternoff (who later formed Way Out West with Nick Warren). He was a core member of Reprazent and later in 1998 became one third of Breakbeat Era (a project spawned by the Music Box track of the same name), He has his own label called "Clear Skyz".
Disorder: Hardcore Punk band (1980–present). Bass guitarist Phil Lovering (of The X-Certs) joined the ever changing line up in 1982 and has remained the only constant member since then. Their own label Disorder Records was an offshoot of Heartbeat Records.
Dragons: Indie rock band (2005–present). Formed by singer Anthony Tombling Jr and drummer David Francolini, the band also includes Adam Coombs (synthesizer), Calvin Talbot (guitar), Will Crewdson (guitar) and Jim Fage (bass). Their debut album ‘Here are the Roses’ was released in 2007.
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The Eagles:Instrumental rock band (1958–1964) formed at the Eagles House Club in Bristol. In 1962 Ron Grainer (composer of the Doctor Who theme) had them contribute to the soundtrack of his film ‘Some People’, about a fictional Bristol band not unlike themselves. The 1998 double CD ‘Smash Hits from the Eagles and The Kestrels’ featured every track ever recorded by The Eagles, plus tracks from their fellow Bristol band, The Kestrels.
Earthling Trip Hop band: (1990s). They produced several singles, 12”s and two albums (the first album, 1995’s ‘Radar’ had scratching and guitar by Geoff Barrow of Portishead, and the second ‘Humandust’ was (released in 2004 after they had split).
Electric Guitars: Esoteric pop/funk band (1979–1983). After initially recording singles for local labels (Fried Egg Records and Recreational Records) and contributing live tracks to the first edition of The Bristol Recorder, the band was signed to Stiff Records. They released in total 5 singles and 2 post break-up albums (one download only).
Manny Elias: Drummer and songwriter (born 1953 in Calcutta, India). Originally a member of the pop/rock band Interview from Bath, in 1982 he began working with Tears for Fears on the albums The Hurting and Songs From The Big Chair, and has co-writing credits on "The Way You Are" and "The Working Hour". He left Tears for Fears in 1986, and has provided percussion on albums for such artists as Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammill and Julian Lennon.
Matt Elliott: Guitarist and singer playing dark folk music, also producer and remixer. Until 2001 he produced and recorded under the name The Third Eye Foundation.
Rob Ellis: Robert Damian Ellis (b.1962) is a rock drummer, producer, and arranger. He is best-known for his work with PJ Harvey, with whom he has been most closely associated as producer, arranger and musician since 1990.
The Escape: Post Punk-Goth band (1981–1984) formed by Alan Griffiths & Emil from Apartment with bassist Stuart Morgan. Released one single on their own Volatile Records label. In 1983 signed to Phonogram Records / Mercury Records & released 2 singles. Alan Griffiths went on to tour with Tears For Fears in 1985 & later produced & co-wrote several albums with Tears For Fears throughout the nineties.
Europeans: New Wave Band (1977–1979). Their self titled single ‘Europeans’ was the second release on Heartbeat Records. Jon Klein, guitarist, went on to form Specimen and later played with Siouxie & the Banshees.
Evita: Melodic metalcore band (2006–2009). They released their debut EP in 2007 on Bristol-based label Glasstone Records, and an album in 2009 on Basick Records.
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The Fans: Guitar band (1978–1980). Consisting of George Smith, Barry Cook, Tony Bird and Rob Williams, their first release was an EP on Fried Egg Records with ‘Giving Me That Look In Your Eyes/Stay The Night’ and a version of Jim Reeves’ song ‘He'll Have To Go’. A second single in 1980 had ‘You Don't Live Here Anymore/Following you’. Japanese metal/punk band Brahman recorded a version of ‘You Don't Live Here Anymore’ in 2008 and on the back of this The Fans have reformed to tour Japan in 2010.
Rob Fisher: Rob Fisher (1956–1999) was a British keyboardist and songwriter from Cheltenham. His early bands included The Xtians and Whitewing, and in 1979 he joined up with Pete Byrne in Bath to form Neon. He achieved chart success in the UK, Europe and North America as a member of Naked Eyes (again with Pete Byrne), and later Climie Fisher (with Simon Climie). At one time Neon also included Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal, prior to their emergence as Tears for Fears.
Five Knuckle: A punk and hardcore band, popular within the UK punk scene and active between 1998 and 2005.
The Flatmates: Indie pop band (1985–1989). The band's core members were Martin Whitehead (Guitar) and Debbie Haynes (Vocals). Initially, the band also included Kath Beach (Bass guitar) and Rocker (Drums). They released 5 singles, all of which featured in the UK Indie Chart Top 20.
Flying Saucer Attack: Experimental space rock band (1992–2000). David Pearce was the core member of the group, and Rachel Brook (of Movietone) was a member for most of the band's lifetime. Other allied bands, often sharing musicians, were Crescent, The Third Eye Foundation,
Light and Amp. Their own label FSA Records was an offshoot of Heartbeat Records.
Force Majeure: Electronic dance band (1983–1986). Included ex-members of The Agents and featured as part of the Farian Corporation on a German top ten charity recording of ‘Mother and Child Reunion'.
Fuck Buttons: Two-piece experimental electro-noise duo (2004-present). Consisting of Andrew Hung and John Power, their debut album ‘Street Horrrsing’ was released in 2008.
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Beth Gibbons: Singer and songwriter (b.1965, Exeter, England). She moved to Bristol at the age of 22 and is best known as the vocalist of Portishead.
Glaxo Babies: Post-punk group (1977–1980 & 1985–1990). They released four singles and four albums, and recorded two sessions for the BBC’s John Peel. Vocalist/lyricist Rob Chapman quit the band the day they were due to record their first album and later went on to briefly join The Transmitters. Saxophonist Tony Wrafter formed the band Maximum Joy with Janine Rainforth and subsequently included fellow Glaxos, Dan Catis and Charlie Llewellin.
Graduate: New Wave/Mod revival band from Bath (1979–1981). Most notable for having future Tears for Fears duo Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal as members. In 1980, they released an album, "Acting My Age", and a single "Elvis Should Play Ska" (referring to Elvis Costello, not Presley).
Gravenhurst: Gravenhurst (1999–present) is a vehicle for the music of singer-songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Nick Talbot and is signed to Warp Records. They have been described as dark and highly atmospheric, veering between the noisy shoegazing sound of guitar bands such as My Bloody Valentine, the harmony-laden singer-songwriter territory of Simon and Garfunkel, and the highly intricate fingerpicking guitar styles of Bert Jansch and Nick Drake.
Roger Greenaway: Singer and songwriter (b.1938, Fishponds, Bristol). Has written many hits, usually with his writing partner Roger Cook. Was also a member of The Kestrels and David and Jonathan.
Will Gregory: Songwriter and keyboardist (b.1959). Best known as part of electronic music group Goldfrapp. In the 1980s and 1990s he performed with artists including Tears for Fears, Peter Gabriel, The Cure and Portishead. Gregory also played the oboe for Tori Amos and has recorded with Paula Rae Gibson.
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Head: Rock/proto-trip hop band (1987–1989). Included Nick Sheppard from The Cortinas (and briefly The Clash), and Gareth Sager. They released 3 albums in total.
The Heads: Stoner rock band (1990–present). Released their first 7" on their own Rooster Rock label in May 1994, it was limited to 500 copies and came with Heads rizla cigarette papers. They have released seven albums, numerous EPs and singles. Between 1995 and 1999 they recorded 3 John Peel Sessions.Stoner rock band formed in Bristol (1990–present). Released their first 7" on their own Rooster Rock label in May 1994, it was limited to 500 copies and came with Heads rizla cigarette papers. They have released seven albums, numerous EPs and singles. Between 1995 and 1999 they recorded 3 John Peel Sessions.
Nellee Hooper: DJ, producer, remixer and composer (b.1963). Member of The Wild Bunch and known for his work with Björk, No Doubt, Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Garbage, U2, Sneaker Pimps, Soul II Soul and Massive Attack.
Wayne Hussey: Singer, songwriter and guitarist (b.1958). Best known as the lead singer of The Mission and guitarist with The Sisters of Mercy.
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If?: Indie-dance band from the late 1980s and early 1990s. Comprising former JoBoxers members Sean McLusky and Robert Marche, along with Paul Wells. They recorded singles ‘Everything And More’ and ‘Saturday's Angels’ on MCA Records.
Iyla: Trip-Hop/Downtempo duo (2004–present). Consisting of Joanna Swan and Nick Pullen, their track ‘Bellissimo’ used a short film starring Martin Freeman as the accompanying music video.
Indigo Listen: Electronic band (1983–1986). Originally formed by Ally Patterson-Fox and Neil Bailey as a duo called Listen. They added Steve Thomas and John Furlong, and in late 1985 changed their name to Indigo Listen.
The Insects: Instrumental rock/soundtrack duo (1996–present). Tim Norfolk and Bob Locke were former members of Startled Insects and apart from co-writing songs for Massive Attack they have written the soundtrack to the film Love and Death on Long Island, and received an Emmy for the documentary Life at the Edge.
Interview: Five piece pop/rock band (1977–1981). Formed by Pete Allerhand, Alan Brain and Jeff Starrs in Bath, they added Manny Elias and Phil Crowther to complete their first line-up. Crowther was subsequently replaced with Alfie Aguis and then Steve Street. They were signed to Virgin Records, and between 1978 and 1981 released two albums and four singles.
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Jaguar: Heavy metal band, part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement (1979–1985 & 1999–present). Guitarist Garry Pepperd has been the only constant member throughout the bands numerous line-ups. Their debut album ‘Power Games’ was released in 1983.
JoBoxers: Pop/soul band (1981–1985). Formed when ex-Subway Sect members: guitarist Rob Marche, keyboardist Dave Collard, bassist Chris Bostock and drummer Sean McLusky, teamed up with American singer Dig Wayne. The band's debut single, ‘Boxerbeat’, peaked at #3 in the UK Singles Chart. Their next hit ‘Just Got Lucky’ made the UK Top 10 and U.S. Top 40.
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Nik Kershaw: Singer-songwriter (b.1958). Born in Bristol, he grew up in Ipswich, Suffolk. He had a number of hits during the mid-1980s, including a total of 50 weeks on the UK singles chart in 1984. He also wrote the 1991 UK #1 hit "The One and Only" for Chesney Hawkes.
The Kestrels: Vocal harmony quartet (1955–1965). Initially a trio of Tony Burrows, Roger Greenaway, and Roger Maggs, they later expanded to a quartet with the addition to Jeff Williams. The group were in great demand as backup singers for other popular acts of the time, but never had a hit record themselves. In 1964 Roger Cook joined as a replacement for Pete Gullane, and this was the start of a very successful partnership he had with Roger Greenaway.
Kosheen: Trip-Hop, drum and bass, rock group (1999–present). The trio consists of producers Markee Substance (Mark Morrison) and Darren Decoder (Darren Beale), with singer and song writer Sian Evans. Their first album, ‘Resist’ was released in 2001 and reached #8 in the UK album chart. The name of the band is a combination of the Japanese words for "old" ('ko') and "new" ('shin').
The Korgis: Pop band (1978–1982, 1985–1986, 1990–1993, 2005–present). Originally composed of singer/bassist James Warren (b. 1951) and singer/drummer Andy Davis (Andrew Cresswell-Davis b.1949), both former members of 1970s band Stackridge. Their 1980 single, ‘Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime’ was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, hitting #5 in the UK and #18 in the U.S.
Krust: Keith Thompson or DJ Krust, is a drum and bass producer and DJ (b. 1968). Part of the Reprazent collective, as well as releasing his own solo material.
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Gerard Langley: Bristol Beat Poet, frontman and lyricist for Art Objects (band) and The Blue Aeroplanes. His “singing” style is similar to that of Bob Dylan. He also wrote the insert notes for the CD reissue of Avon Calling - “These CDs will give you actual punks (X-Certs), reclaimed pub rockers with skinny trousers and ties (Private Dicks), up-tempo attempted popmeisters (Various Artists), arty kids in a strop (Glaxo Babies), New York bohemian wannabes (Apartment), rock-poetic wannabes (Art Objects), teenage dubheads (Double Vision), closet Doors fans with a grudge (Essential Bop), and many more.”
Alex Lee: Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (b.1970). Played guitar and keyboards for The Jade, The Coltraines, The Blue Aeroplanes, Strangelove, Suede, Placebo and Goldfrapp amongst others.
Lupine Howl Rock band: (1999–2003). Formed by Sean Cook (vocalist, bassist), Mike Mooney (guitarist) and drummer Damon Reece, when they were sacked from Spiritualized by Jason Pierce. Two albums were released before they broke up.
Rita Lynch: Musician & singer-songwriter, also a member of the Blue Aeroplanes contributing guitar & backing vocals.
Last Rights: Pop Punk. Have supported the likes of The Blackout, Elliza Doolittle and are featured on Radio One.
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Massive Attack: Trip-Hop/Electronica Band (1988–present). Originally consisted of DJ's Grantley Marshall (Daddy G or "G"), Andrew Vowles (Mushroom or "Mush") and painter-turned-MC Robert Del Naja (3D or "D"), who met as members of The Wild Bunch. One of the most commercially successful proponents of the 'Bristol Sound', their debut album ‘Blue Lines’ (1991) is generally considered the first Trip-Hop album, although the term was not coined until years later.
The album reached #13 in the UK albums chart and the track ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ was nominated for a BRIT Award as best single of 1991. Andrew Vowles left the band in 1999.
Maximum Joy: Post punk jazz/funk group (1979–1983). Formed from 3 members of the Glaxo Babies (Tony Wrafter, Dan Catis and Charlie Llewellin), with singer Janine Rainforth and John Waddington from The Pop Group. Their debut album ‘Station MXJY’ arrived in 1982 and they split around the time of the release of the Dennis Bovell produced single of Timmy Thomas' "Why Can't We Live Together".
Metropoli:1981 - 1982. Synthpop/new wave group. Russell Thomas - guitar/vocals, Steve Libby - Kybds, Geoff Fulton - bass, Simon Phillips - drums.
Monk & Canatella: Trip-Hop/breakbeat duo (1994–present). Their second album ‘Do Community Service’ included artwork from local graffiti artist Banksy. Portishead included a track titled "A Tribute to Monk and Canatella" on their 1995 CD single "Sour Times (Nobody Loves Me)".
Movietone: Post-rock band (1994–present). Core members are Kate Wright and Rachel Brook (now Rachel Coe). Brook was also a member of Flying Saucer Attack, and Wright is currently the bass player for Crescent. Their 2003 album ‘The Sand and The Stars’ was recorded almost entirely live on a beach.
Last Rights: Pop Punk. Have supported the likes of The Blackout, Elliza Doolittle and are featured on Radio One.
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Naked Eyes:Synth based pop band (1982–1985 & 2006–present). Consisted of childhood friends Pete Byrne on vocals and Rob Fisher (1959–1999) on keyboards. They had formerly played in a band called Neon with future members of Tears for Fears. The duo are particularly known for their cover of the Burt Bacharach/Hal David standard "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" (Bacharach is believed to have cited this version as a personal favourite).
National Smile Band : May 21, 1978 Bristol pop group "Jack" beat 2000 other bands to win a national talent competition . They signed to Superfly promotions , a London management agency. National newspapers/Radio /TV reported the event, the band became known as the "National smile band". Members included Gary Gaynor, Phil Stones, Fred White, Terry Hudson and Gary Pearce who was sacked from the band for bleaching his hair blond, amongst other allegations.
Neon: Keyboard/Guitar band from Bath (1979–1981). Rob Fisher joined up with singer Pete Byrne to form the band, and their first single "Making Waves/Me I See You" was released on their own 3D Music label. The band later went on to recruit Neil Taylor, Manny Elias, Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal, before they finally broke up in December 1981. In 1982 Rob Fisher and Pete Byrne went on to form synthpop duo Naked Eyes.
New Rhodes: (2001–present) Formed in 2001, New Rhodes are an indie band consisting of James Williams, Joe Gascoigne, Jack Ashdown and Tim Desmond. Having supported the likes of Razorlight, Bloc Party, The Futureheads and The Killers, in 2006 they released their first album "Songs From The Lodge", which contained the Top 40 single, "You've Given Me Something That I Can't Give Back". 2009 saw they release of their second LP, "Everybody Loves A Scene".
The Numbers: Bowie influnced new wave band, consisting of Nick McAuley, Angelo Bruschini, Wayne Kingston and Lee Gardener. The band recorded for Heartbeat Records with the tracks “Cross-Slide” on the Avon Calling LP and “Alternative Suicide” on the 4 Alternatives EP (Pulse 4). Angelo Bruschini later joined the Rimshots, The Blue Aeroplanes and currently plays guitar with Massive Attack.
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Onslaught:Thrash metal band initially active from 1983 to 1991, and then reforming in 2004. The band initially drew influence from second wave punk rock bands such as Discharge and The Exploited, and then adopted a straight forward thrash metal sound.
Roland Orzaba: Roland Jaime Orzabal de la Quintana is a musician, songwriter and record producer (b.1961). He is known mainly as a co-founding member, with Curt Smith, of Tears for Fears where he is the main songwriter and vocalist. Orzabal and Smith met as teenagers and formed their first band at school, then went on to form the ska influenced Graduate. They were also session musicians for the band Neon. When Smith split from Tears for Fears in 1991, Orzabal continued with the assistance of Alan Griffiths, formerly of Apartment and The Escape.
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Panic Office:A four piece progressive outfit formed in 2004 with members from Bristol and the surrounding area.
Pigbag: Post punk/funk band from Cheltenham (1980–1983). They included ex-The Pop Group bassist, Simon Underwood. Scored an UK #3 hit with their 1982 single ‘Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag’.
Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra: Folk/Scrumpy and Western band (1968–1979, 1988–1992). An eccentric band formed in early 1968 to play a fusion of comedy, jazz, and folk music, they also featured an eclectic mix of instruments, some of them home-made, such as the egg-cupaphone and the ballcockaphone.
They also provided backing for Fred Wedlock on his album, The Folker. They disbanded in 1979, but in 1988 reformed with singer Hannah Wedlock (Fred's daughter). Barry Back, who had been the driving force behind the "Piggies" reunion, died in 1992 and they disbanded for good, shortly after.
The bands unusual name is derived from a location in Bristol, the section of Gloucester Road between the old Bristol North swimming baths and Horfield Prison.
The Pop Group: Post punk band with jazz influences (1978–1981). Featuring singer Mark Stewart, Gareth Sager and Dan Catis (who replaced Simon Underwood). The band split in 1981, after legal wranglings and internal disagreements. Members of the group went on to form bands including Pigbag, Maximum Joy, Head and Rip Rig & Panic.
Portishead: Trip-Hop band and purveyors of the Bristol Sound (1991–present). Consists of Geoff Barrow, Beth Gibbons and Adrian Utley. Their 1994 debut album Dummy reached #2 on the UK Album Chart and won the 1995 Mercury Prize.
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Quinton:Indie band, made up of ex-members of Brilliant Corners and Hugo Morgan who later went on to join The Heads. They released the album Propeller on local label PopGod Records, in 1990.
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Reprazent:Drum and bass collective founded by Roni Size. Apart from Roni Size, original members included DJ Die, DJ Suv, Krust, Onallee, Dynamite MC Si John and Rob Merrill. They won the Mercury Prize for their album “New Forms” in 1997.
Rip Rig & Panic:Post punk band (1981–1983). Fronted by Andrea Oliver, its members included singer Neneh Cherry, Sean Oliver, Mark Springer, and Gareth Sager and Bruce Smith (both from The Pop Group). The band notably made a guest appearance in an episode of the British sitcom The Young Ones performing their 1982 single ‘You're My Kind of Climate’.
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Santa Cruz:Pioneering Bristol indie band formally known as Rorschach. Released critically acclaimed LP Way Out in 1997.
Andy Sheppard: Jazz saxophonist and composer (b.1957). In the mid–1980’s he was often to be heard playing on the Bristol-based Old Profanity Showboat of Ki Longfellow-Stanshall and Vivian Stanshall.
Nick Sheppard: Guitarist and songwriter (b.1960). Came to prominence at the age of 16 with punk band The Cortinas, with recordings on Step Forward Records and CBS. After they disbanded he was a member of The Viceroys and The Spics. After The Clash sacked Mick Jones in 1983, Sheppard toured America and Europe with them and played on their final album ‘Cut the Crap’. He then joined up with Gareth Sager to form Head. In 1993 he emigrated to Perth, Australia, where he has played with a number of bands.
Shoes for Industry: Crystal Theatres’ anarchic “house band”. Fried Egg Records was formed to release their 2 singles, and an album called ‘Talk Like A Whelk’. Their singer P. B. Davies provided the ‘Ideas Are Animals’ quintet of tracks on Bristol Recorder 3, he also performs at the Edinburgh Fringe and writes for radio.
Roni Size: Ryan Williams (Roni Size) is a music producer and DJ (b.1969). He came to prominence in 1997 as the founder and leader of Reprazent, a drum and bass collective. They won the Mercury Prize for their album “New Forms” in 1997.
Curt Smith: Musician and songwriter (b.1961, Bath). Best known for his work with Roland Orzabal as Tears for Fears. Smith and Orzabal met as teenagers and formed their first band at school, then went on to form the ska influenced Graduate. They were also session musicians for the band Neon. Smith has released 3 albums as a solo artist, the last 2 in association with guitarist-producer Charlton Pettus.
Smith & Mighty: Drum & Bass/Trip-Hop duo (1987–present), consisting of Rob Smith and Ray Mighty, with Peter D Rose. Their early work included breakbeat versions of "Walk on By" and "Anyone Who Had a Heart", by Burt Bacharach/Hal David.
Sneaky Bat Machine: Cybergoth band (1997–2000). The band consisted of Sneakybat (aka Ross Tregenza), Evil C (aka Crash 303, aka Clive Lewis), and Maxislag (aka Max Niblock). In 2000 the band changed its name (to Goteki), and it’s musical direction to 'lo-fi phuturists'. They released a number of albums before disbanding in 2006.
Specimen: A Glam Goth band (1980-1985 & 2006–present). Guitarist/vocalist Jon Klein was formerly in the band Europeans, and later went on to work with Siouxie & the Banshees. Although their record output was not prolific, they are credited as one of the pioneers of the Gothic movement.
The Spics: Short lived Big-Band, notable members included Nick Sheppard on guitar, Thomas Brooman on drums and Wendy and Sarah Partridge on backing vocals. John Shennan later joined Joe Public and John Carley formed The Radicals, both bands released tracks on The Bristol Recorder. Leader Mike Crawford went onto record solo material and an Apache Dropout LP. The Spics released their only single ‘You and Me/Bus Stop’ on Wavelength Records in 1981.
Stackridge: The band mix folk, pop and progressive rock with quirky humour (1969–1976, 1999–2000, 2007–present). Formed by Andy Davis and James "Crun" Walter, their debut single was Dora the Female Explorer. They played the first and last notes at the first ever Glastonbury Festival in 1970. James Warren and Andy Davis went on to form The Korgis.
Stanton Warriors: Breakbeat duo Dominic Butler and Mark Yardley (1997–present). They are a DJ and producer team of Breakbeat electronic dance music. Their name was originally conceived from one of the warriors tripping over a "Stanton Warrior" draincover on Tower Bridge, London.
Startled Insects: Synthpop/Rock band (1983–1996). Originally a collective of three producers/multi-instrumentalists (Tim Norfolk, Bob Locke and Richard Grassby-Lewis), they were commissioned by the BBC to produce music for 2 of their wildlife documentaries. In 1996 Richard Grassby-Lewis officially left the band and the remaining two members renamed themselves The Insects.
Stereo Models: New wave band (1971–1981). The Stereo Models song 'Move Fast-Stay Ahead, released on the Bristol compilation album Avon Calling in 1979.
Mark Stewart: Vocalist, songwriter, and pioneer of industrial hip-hop (b.1960). Founding member of The Pop Group, after their split in 1981 he recorded as a solo artist, and with The Maffia. He has been a major influence on Bristol’s eclectic music scene where he blended diverse genres of dub, funk, punk, techno, and electro noise along with political lyrics.
The Stingrays: New Wave/Rockabilly band ((1977-current). The dynamic line-up included, amongst others: Russ Mainwaring , Chris Bostock, Sean McLuskey (Subway Sect, JoBoxers, If?), and Bill Stair (Art Objects, Various Artists, The Blue Aeroplanes). Current Line up is Russ Mainwaring (guitar/vocals), Paul Matthews (bass) and Richard H. Meredith (drums).
Strangelove: Alternative Rock Band (1991–1998). The initial line up was: Patrick Duff (vocals, guitar), Alex Lee (guitar, keyboards), Julian Pransky-Poole (guitar), Joe Allen (bass) and David Francolini (drums). Francolini played two gigs with the band, before being replaced by John Langley, then Nick Powell (keyboards) joined in late 1995. Their 1996 single ‘Beautiful Alone’ reached #34 in the UK Chart.
Steve Street: Bassist with Europeans, and later joined Apartment, then briefly Interview. He recorded demos at his studio (GBH) for The Pop Group and the Glaxo Babies, and subsequently went on to engineer and produce a number of other Bristol based bands including Electric Guitars, The X-Certs, Vice Squad and The Blue Aeroplanes. He was also worked with other bands like Tears for Fears. He currently works for Sugar Shack Records and Bristol Archive Records.
The Struts: Punk band (1977). Adrian Hulbert (vocals) Nick Rippington (guitar/vocals) Geoff Fulton (bass) Kevin Norton (drums).Possibly the first punk band from Yate and Winterbourne.
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Talisman: Multi-racial Reggae Band who provided Recreational Records with their very first single and UK Indie Chart hit (#17). Dole Age also became Single of the Week and the Record Sleeve of the Year in the NME. In 1982 as well as playing the Glastonbury Festival, they were the opening act for The Rolling Stones concert at Ashton Gate, Bristol.
Jane Taylor: Bristol-based guitarist, pianist, songwriter and vocalist. Jane won the UK and International Songwriting Competition in 2003 with her song "Blowing This Candle Out". She releases recordings on her own Bicycle Records.
Tears for Fears: Pop rock duo from Bath (1981–present). Formed by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith after the break up of New Wave/Mod revival band Graduate. They were initially called History of Headaches, but the change in name was inspired by the Primal Therapy theory, developed by the American psychologist Arthur Janov; in ‘Prisoners of Pain’ (1980) Janov suggested “tears as a replacement from fears”.
The Third Eye Foundation: Electronic music band (1996–2001). Matt Elliott produced and recorded under the name The Third Eye Foundation until 2001. He worked with bands including Hood, Yann Tiersen, Mogwai, Ulver, Tarwater, The Pastels, Navigator, Urchin, Suncoil Sect, Remote Viewer, Thurston Moore, primarily as a remixer. In 2001 a compilation of his remixes was released called ‘I Poo Poo on Your JuJu’, which included a collaboration with Bristolian satirist Chris Morris.
Tricky: Adrian Nicholas M. Thaws is a Trip-Hop rapper, lyricist, musician, producer and actor (b. 1968). Originally involved with The Wild Bunch and Massive Attack, his 1995 debut album Maxinquaye was nominated for the Mercury Prize (but lost out to fellow Bristolian band Portishead), however it was voted Album of the Year by NME Magazine.
Two in a boat: Acoustic duo from Knowle. Recent winners of Live and Unsigned 2010, they will be performing at Glastonbury festival later this year.
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The Untouchables: R’n’B band in the Dr. Feelgood model, so much so that Wilko Johnson produced their single ‘Keep On Walking/Keep Your Distance’ for Fried Egg. Most of the members were barely in their teens when they formed the band. Post break-up the vocalist Jerry Tremaine was filmed by Julien Temple singing with the original Feelgood line-up at Southend on 9 May 2008, as part of the annual Lee Brilleaux memorial.
Up, Bustle and Out: Musicians and recording artists (1994–present), consisting of DJ D. "Ein" Fell (also known as Clandestine Ein) and producer-performer Rupert Mould (also known as Sêenor Roody). Their music combines jazz, hip-hop and funk, but with distinctly South American and Cuban influences. They have released a number of albums and singles on the Ninja Tune independent record label.
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Various Artists: Pop band fronted by Jonjo Key, brother Robin Key, bassist Christian Clarke and drummer John Langley. Released a track on Avon Calling, a Fried Egg Records single and the ‘Solo Album’ LP on their own label. Jonjo and Robin later became Either/Or and released a single in Holland before signing to Virgin Records as Lovetrain and releasing a LP and 3 singles. Jonjo, Robin and John were also, at one time or another, members of Art Objects.
Vice Squad: Punk band (1978-1985 & 1997–present). The original group formed from two other local punk bands: The Contingent and TV Brakes, and included songwriter, vocalist and Punk Pin-Up Beki Bondage. They set up Riot City Records with Simon Edwards, and it became one of the major punk labels of the era. Their 1981 debut single "Last Rockers" sold over 20,000 copies.
The Viceroys: Rock band including Nick Sheppard and Mike Crawford, their only release was ‘Angels in the Rain’ on the Fried Egg World Tour EP, which was sold exclusively at gigs. The Spics went on to play ‘Angels in the Rain’ at their very last appearance, on the BBC West TV arts show RPM.
Andrew Vowles: DJ and songwriter (b.1967). Originally in The Wild Bunch and founding member of Massive Attack. He left Massive Attack shortly after the release of their 1998 album, ‘Mezzanine’, due to profound differences of opinion in the direction the band should go. His nickname "Mushroom" comes from the arcade game, Centipede. The game was installed at Special K's Cafe, a popular hang-out spot in the mid 1980s for The Wild Bunch.
W
Nick Warren:is an English house DJ and producer. He is well-known for his eight albums released in the Global Underground series and as a member of the duo Way Out West. He is head of A&R for the progressive house and breaks record label Hope Recordings.
Way Out West: House, trance and progressive breaks duo (1994–present). They are producers and DJs Jody Wisternoff and Nick Warren. Their song ‘Don't Forget Me’ has been featured in season two of Grey's Anatomy, ‘Melt’ was used in The O.C., and a loop of their song ‘The Gift’ is used for the title theme on the MTV show True Life.
Fred Wedlock: Folk and Scrumpy and Western singer (1942–2010). Former teacher who took up music full time in the 1970s, and best known for his 1981 UK hit single, "The Oldest Swinger In Town".
Ben Westbeech: DJ, singer and producer originating from Bristol. He trained as a cellist and vocalist, and his influences include House, Rock n Roll, punk, jazz and hip hop. He has appeared on Later... with Jools Holland alongside Paul McCartney and Björk.
Wild Beasts: R’n’B band, only released the one single, ‘Minimum Maximum/Another Man’ on Fried Egg Records in 1979. Bassist and vocalist Andy Franks became a Tour Manager for Depeche Mode and drummer Ken Wheeler became a producer and ran Sound Conception recording studios.
The Wild Bunch: Proto-Bristol Sound (Trip-Hop) sound system based in the St Pauls district of Bristol (1983–1986). Notable members included at one time or another were: Nellee Hooper, Tricky, and the trio Robert Del Naja (3D), Grant Marshall (Daddy G) and Andrew Vowles (Mushroom) who went on to form Massive Attack.
Jody Wisternoff: is best known as one half of the Bristol progressive house duo Way Out West and as a producer of dance music spanning early 90s hardcore to electro house.
The Wurzels: Scrumpy and Western band (1966–present). Formed as a backing group for, and by, singer/songwriter Adge Cutler. They continued after Cutlers’ death in 1974 and are probably best known for their 1976 UK #1 hit ‘The Combine Harvester’.
Robert Wyatt: Percussionist, singer, and composer (b.1945). Founding member of the influential Canterbury scene band Soft Machine. As well as his band and solo work, he has also been a prolific collaborator with other musicians. The Tears for Fears song "I Believe" from ‘Songs from the Big Chair’ (1985) is dedicated to Wyatt.
X
The X-Certs: Punk band that later diverged into reggae (1978–1981). Included guitarist Chris Bostock and bassist Phil Lovering (later of Disorder). They had a track on Heartbeat Records 1979’s 4 Alternatives EP (Pulse 4), the 1980 Avon Calling LP, two tracks on the Bristol Recorder 2 and the 1981 single ‘Together/Untogether’ on Recreational Records.
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| Portishead |
What is the name of NASA's robotic rover that landed on Mars this month? | The Guardian profile: Geoff Barrow of Portishead | Music | The Guardian
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As a natural outsider who learned early on to trust little beyond his instincts, Geoff Barrow of Portishead is a classic example of a musical pioneer who has gone against the grain - only to find the rest of the world coming with him.
He was born in Walton-in-Gordano, Somerset, but grew up in relative hardship in the small coastal town of Portishead , after which he named his band.
Portishead's 1994 debut, Dummy, remains one of the landmark albums of the 1990s, selling 2m copies in Europe alone. Released against prevailing trends at the height of Britpop, the album popularised what has been dubbed "trip-hop" or "the Bristol sound". A blend of slowed hip-hop grooves, Barrow's old skool scratching, soundtrack samples and (singer Beth Gibbons's) mournful, heartbreaking lyrics, Dummy has been widely copied but never equalled.
It was awarded the Mercury music prize in 1995 and Barrow received the respect of local peers Massive Attack and Tricky (whose classic 1995 debut, Maxinquaye, Barrow helped produce) and the city's original Bristol sound pioneer, Mark Stewart of the Pop Group, who sees Barrow as musically "flying the skull and crossbones of the pirate tradition" in a city that Portishead helped establish as a "haven of the avant garde". However, neither success nor acclaim has soothed Barrow's restless creative urges. He has said his only concern is making "interesting" music and he hates categorisation. "The whole trip-hop tag was nonsense," he once said, disowning the movement with which he is best known. "It was developed by people in London, and the people in Bristol just had to put up with it."
Barrow has always been a man apart. Growing up in the tough Portishead estates, he was never interested in the joyriding antics of his 14-year-old peers, preferring to obsessively programme music into his computer while existing on a diet of microwaved burgers.
In the 1980s he became absorbed with hip-hop, and then explored the music's roots in funk, soul and jazz, identifying with the hard edges and struggle inherent in black American music.
His first job in music was as tea-boy-turned-tape-op in Coach House Studios, where he assisted the fledgling Massive Attack and co-wrote a track for Neneh Cherry, Somedays, which hinted at the oncoming Portishead sound. Meeting (then pub singer) Gibbons on a training course, and later adding jazz guitarist Adrian Utley, Barrow was sharp enough to register Portishead as a company to avoid the attentions of the dole office.
Ferdy Unger-Hamilton, now Virgin Records MD but formerly the A&R man who signed Portishead to Go! Discs, remembers Barrow as a driven character who, months after sending him some demos, turned up at the record company office unannounced. "It was like he was checking us out," he says.
Soon afterwards, Unger-Hamilton regularly travelled to Bristol to hear a succession of tracks he realised were "amazing and revolutionary. [1994 smash] Glory Box was mind-blowing. I played it to the sales team and they were like, 'It sounds like a dog barking!' Some people thought it was mad and others just got it. I don't know if I've ever felt like that since." Unger-Hamilton was particularly struck by the bleakness and rage in the music, which he suspects lingers from Barrow's background. "He's almost angry about music. He takes it very seriously and thinks the world's going to end at any minute. In a musical sense he's very dark, but he's one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He's just a man on a mission."
A mission that Barrow has to feel is right, or else he isn't bothered. After a tortuous time recording a second album, 1997's Portishead, which just missed the top 20 in America, Barrow was left burned by touring and divorce. Portishead's once avant garde sound had also become fashionable, diluted by imitation. Thus Barrow took a back seat, setting up the experimental Invada label and producing Merseyside band the Coral. However, the new Portishead album, Third, sees him once again flying in the face of current music, and the band is touring this week for the first time in a decade.
"I think it's probably taken him this time to come up with something he felt was interesting," ponders Unger-Hamilton. "I've never met anyone as hard on himself over what he wants to do. They have musical rules which I don't understand - they're theirs, which makes it hard to make a record. The thing about Geoff - in fact all three of them - is the pain they put themselves through to make the music. That's where it comes from: from obsession."
NME editor Conor McNicholas sees Barrow as a "wilfully difficult musician. He's uncompromising and pure and we should feel privileged that he's still playing the releasing game to some extent. [Third] feels like a breath of fresh air compared to some of the manufactured crap slopping about at the moment. Many of us want true artistic passion and there's more than most could ever handle with Portishead."
The CV
Born December 1971, Walton-in-Gordano, Somerset
Work Musical artist and producer. Founder member of Portishead (1991-), who have sold more than 8m albums. Previously worked with Massive Attack and Tricky
Albums Dummy (1994), Portishead (1997), PNYC (live album, 1998), Third (to be released, 2008)
Singles Numb (1994), Sour Times (1994), Glory Box (1995), Cowboys (1997), All Mine (1997), Only You (1998), Over (1998)
Films To Kill A Dead Man (short film, 1994)
Awards Mercury music prize 1995, for Dummy
| i don't know |
'Princess Odette' is the central character in which of Tchaikovsky's ballet's? | Learn and talk about Princess Odette (Swan Lake), 1876 compositions, 1877 ballet premieres, Ballets by Lev Ivanov, Ballets by Marius Petipa
Swan Lake#Odette
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| Swan Lake |
Which Rogers & Hammerstein musical is based on two short stories by the American author James Michener? | Ballet
Ballet
Classic Ballets
Because many ballets take their stories from folklore, they can feel like fairy tales told through dance. Here are some favorites. The date the ballet was first performed is in parentheses.
Coppélia (1870)
A doll is so exquisitely beautiful and lifelike that she wins the heart of a village boy. Saint-Léon choreographed Coppélia and Léo Delibes wrote the music.
Giselle (1841)
A young girl spends her days dancing and gathering flowers until love brings tragedy. Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot choreographed Giselle and Adolphe Adam wrote the music.
The Nutcracker (1892)
A nutcracker doll Clara receives for Christmas leads the way into an enchanted world. Lev Ivanov choreographed The Nutcracker and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote the music.
Ondine (1958)
A curious young water nymph pays an unforgettable visit to the land of mortals. Frederick Ashton choreographed Ondine and Hans W. Henze composed the music.
The Sleeping Beauty (1890)
One fairy's curse and another fairy's gift mark the destiny of a young princess. Marius Petipa choreographed The Sleeping Beauty and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote the music.
Swan Lake (1877)
Under a magic spell, the swan Odette becomes a human each night-and falls in love. Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa choreographed Swan Lake and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky wrote the music.
Female Characters In Famous Ballets
Because many ballets take their stories from folklore, they can feel like fairy tales told through dance. Here are the heroines of some magical favorites.
Clara in The Nutcracker
A nutcracker doll Clara receives for Christmas leads the way into an enchanted world.
Coppelia in Coppelia
A doll is so exquisitely beautiful and lifelike that she wins the heart of a village boy.
Giselle in Giselle
A young girl spends her days dancing and gathering flowers until love brings tragedy.
Odette in Swan Lake
Under a magic spell, the swan Odette becomes a human each night-and falls in love.
Ondine in Ondine
| i don't know |
Which fish is traditionally used in the Anglo-Indian dish known as Kedgeree? | Kedgeree - All recipes UK
Kedgeree
Kedgeree
Find heaps of deliciously easy kedgeree recipes for a quick lunch or supper. We have tasty recipes for haddock kedgeree, mackerel kedgeree and loads more.
15 recipes
40min
As a new cook at the age of 72 my first attempt at kedgeree would have been better described as "Smoked Haddock Biriani". After much experimentation I evolved my own special version of which my numerous descendants approve.
50min
Kedgeree, a traditional Anglo-Indian dish of rice and smoked fish, is perfect for brunch, lunch or a light supper. It is also tasty cool as a salad. Serve with seeded wholegrain bread or warm naan bread.
Recipe by: Norma MacMillan
35min
This lightly spiced Anglo-Indian rice dish is an absolute classic and makes a great one-pot lunch or supper.
Recipe by: Maggie Pannell
1hr10min
Traditionally served for breakfast, kedgeree – a dish dating back to the Raj – is ideal for brunch or a light supper. This recipe uses brown rice and yoghurt, for extra health benefits.
Recipe by: Chrissie Lloyd
35min
An exceptionally easy kedgeree recipe that is great for midweek. Even easier and quicker if you use leftover rice. Use mackerel as suggested, or smoked haddock works too!
Recipe by: ButtercupBento
40min
A delicious traditional breakfast dish using smoked white fish, rice and eggs. It is based on the Indian dish Khichri. My family also loves this with tomato ketchup!!
Recipe by: Helen
30min
This is a recipe I've made up to fit in with the Slimming World eating plan and a real family favourite. It comes within a £5 budget to feed a family of 4. Works out to 1 syn per portion on Slimming World.
1hr
Smoked trout takes the place of the more traditional smoked haddock in this fragrant rice dish from the Raj, which was originally served for breakfast. This version makes the perfect quick supper, with poppadoms and mango chutney on the side, plus a tomato and cucumber salad.
Recipe by: Norma MacMillan
| Haddock |
Which famous composer was the father-in-law of Richard Wagner? | Kedgeree: Curried Rice, Smoked Fish, & Boiled Eggs – WILD GREENS & SARDINES
March 31, 2015
A year ago at this time I was preparing to set off on a journey. Three months in Ireland. One of the best three months of my life.
Can’t believe an entire year has gone flown by. Once again, I’m getting that urge. My inner travel bug is nipping at me. Long to escape, to feel free, to set afoot in the world. One of the few times in my life that I can quiet my thoughts, forget about all my worries and anxieties, and feel at peace is when I’m travelling. All that I need are the belongings on my back (and my beloved camera of course).
Thoughts of travel have conjured up memories and prompted today’s dish. This dish is called kedgeree. Was first introduced to kedgeree while in Ireland. Kedgeree is a curried breakfast (yep, breakfast) rice dish with flaked fish (traditionally, smoked haddock), parsley, eggs, curry powder, and butter. It’s origin is Anglo-Indian. English colonials from India brought back to the United Kingdom.
Kedgeree is traditionally made with smoked [Finnan haddie] haddock. While smoked haddock was readily accessible all over Ireland, it’s not so easy to find here at home.
Don’t be a slave to a recipe. Adapt it, alter it to your taste and what you readily have accessible.
I substituted smoked trout for haddock, though other types of smoked fish would suffice (smoked salmon, mackerel, bluefish, other whitefish, etc.).
As for the eggs, you can hard-boil them (the more traditional preparation), though soft-boiled or medium-boiled are also acceptable. I happen to like a more runny egg (and that’s how I had kedgeree in Ireland), but it’s all personal preference.
Kedgeree with runny, soft-boiled eggs….
With hard-boiled eggs…good too.
This past Friday, I took a trip to the The Acme Smokehouse Retail Outlet (Greenpoint, Brooklyn). The retail shop is only open to the public on Fridays (get there early, the lines get long). Procured some cold-smoked pastrami salmon (delish), smoked mackerel, and some whole smoked trout; used the trout for the kedgeree.
Kedgeree
| i don't know |
For which English county Cricket team was Brian Lara playing when he scored his world record 501 not out? | 501 not out | Cricket | ESPN Cricinfo
ESPN Cricinfo
June 6 down the years
501 not out
Brian Lara surpassed Hanif Mohammad's 499 Graham Chadwick / © PA Photos
1994
On the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings, Brian Lara achieved immortality with the highest score in first-class cricket history: 501 not out. As if his Test-record 375 wasn't enough, Lara took the first-class record within two months when he surpassed Hanif Mohammad's 499, while playing for Warwickshire against Durham at Edgbaston . He had a few near-misses - Lara was bowled off a no-ball on 12 and then was dropped by wicketkeeper Chris Scott on 18 (Scott apparently said: "Oh dear, he'll probably go on and get a hundred"). Technically there was only one ball left when he creamed John Morris through the covers for four to bring up the magic 500. In all Lara faced only 427 deliveries, and hammered 62 fours and ten sixes. On the final day he whacked 174 runs before lunch. For good measure, he also became the first man to make seven hundreds in eight first-class innings, the first of which was the 375. He lost his Test record briefly to Matthew Hayden in 2003, but took it back in April 2004 with 400 against England in Antigua .
1957
The career of Mike Gatting , who was born today, split into three distinct segments. He struggled at first, taking seven years and 54 innings to make his first Test century. But after breaking that duck with 136 in Mumbai in 1984-85 , Gatting went on a storming two-year run in which he made nine centuries in 28 Tests and averaged 63. Then came Shakoor Rana, and an alleged liaison with a barmaid that cost him the England captaincy in 1988. Gatting was never the same - he captained the rebel tour to South Africa in 1989, and in 51 Tests either side of his outstanding two-year run of form, he only made one century, a tortuous 117 in Adelaide in 1994-95 as the curtain came gently down on his career.
1943
One of Pakistan's finest batsmen is born... in Hyderabad, India. Asif Iqbal came a long way from the 21-year-old who opened the bowling - with his fellow debutant and future batting star Majid Khan - and batted No. 10, against Australia in Karachi in 1964-65. In full flow Asif was a sumptuous sight. He made his first Test century from No. 9, 146 against England at The Oval in 1967, but he eventually graduated into the middle order, where his dashing, fleet-footed strokeplay charmed everyone, not least during a successful stint in county cricket with Kent.
1988
Birth of India batsman Ajinkya Rahane . A prolific scorer for Mumbai - he made over 1000 runs in only his second Ranji season - Rahane was on the fringes of the Indian Test team for years before he finally got his chance in the 2013 Delhi Test against Australia. He made up for a forgettable debut by establishing himself as one of India's most valuable overseas batsmen, with centuries in New Zealand, England and Australia in less than two years, filling the middle-order vacancy left by VVS Laxman's retirement. Rahane has the ability to adapt to different formats as well, with strong showings in the IPL at the top of the order.
1991
After all the fuss, 25-year-old Graeme Hick finally made his England Test debut against West Indies at Headingley . Most pundits had already booked him in for 100 Tests, 8000 runs and an average of 50, but it didn't quite work out like that. In fairness, it was an unforgiving baptism - Curtly Ambrose tortured him all summer, dismissing him six times in a row, but it was Courtney Walsh who ended his first innings when Hick fenced to Jeffrey Dujon, having made just 6.
1930
A typhoon is born. In terms of raw, unbridled pace, few bowlers in history can match England's Frank Tyson . Richie Benaud rated him the quickest he ever saw. In 17 Tests, Tyson took 76 wickets at an average of 18. This was no brainless quickie, however - Tyson was a Durham University graduate, and had a penchant for quoting Shakespeare or Wordsworth to batsmen, something you can't quite imagine Glenn McGrath ever doing. Most famously, Tyson blew away Australia as England retained the Ashes in 1954-55. After starting off with 1 for 160 in defeat in Brisbane, he shortened his run and took ten wickets in Sydney and nine more in Melbourne , when he collected 7 for 27 in the second innings and frightened the life out of the Aussies. Injury plagued his career, though, and he emigrated to Australia, where he became a headmaster for a time, before coaching Victoria.
1982
Birth of Pakistan left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Irfan , who at 7ft 1in is one of the tallest cricketers to have played the game. When a club cricketer, he was spotted by Aaqib Javed and that chance meeting allowed Irfan to give up his job in a plastic pipe factory and dream of playing for Pakistan. He debuted at 28 on the one-day leg of the 2010 England tour, and while injuries interrupted his career at the start, he went on to make a regular place for himself in the limited-overs sides, troubling batsmen with his bounce and speeds of over 140kph.
1994
Brian Lara's 501 overshadowed a routine England victory over New Zealand at Trent Bridge , in a match that ended on the same day. England won by an innings for the first time at home in nine years, thanks mainly to Graham Gooch (210, his last Test hundred), and Phil DeFreitas , who in addition to taking 9 for 165 in the match, made a quick-fire 51 and became the 100th person to take 100 Test wickets.
1940
Birth of the South African allrounder Herbert "Tiger" Lance , who played 13 Tests. He was a handy strokeplayer in the lower middle order, and a useful third- or fourth-change seamer. He took 3 for 30 in his first Test innings, against New Zealand in Johannesburg in 1961-62. His finest hour with the bat also came in Johannesburg, when he made 44 and 70 against Australia in 1966-67 , a match that South Africa won at a canter despite trailing on first innings.
1969
Birth of the Indian left-arm spinner Sunil Joshi , whose Test career had one distinct highlight. In Bangladesh's inaugural Test , in Dhaka, Joshi pooped the party with 92, his only Test fifty, and eight wickets, including his only five-for. It set up India's second overseas victory in 14 years. He had one notable one-day performance as well, grabbing 5 for 6 against South Africa in Nairobi in 1999-2000.
1959
Tahir Naqqash , born today, took 34 wickets each in his 15 Tests and 40 ODIs, bowling right-arm fast-medium and offbreaks. But he never bettered his performance in his first Test, in Karachi , where he made his only half-century and took five wickets. Despite a Test career that lasted just three years, Naqqash managed to make tours to Australia, India, England and New Zealand.
Other birthdays
| Warwickshire |
Which organisation introduced the first commercial credit card in 1950? | Brian Lara | Trinidadian cricketer | Britannica.com
Trinidadian cricketer
Alternative Title: Brian Charles Lara
Brian Lara
Don Bradman
Brian Lara, in full Brian Charles Lara (born May 2, 1969, Cantaro, Trinidad), West Indian cricketer, one of the sport’s most renowned contemporary players. The compact left-handed batsman is the record holder for most runs scored in an innings in both Test (international) and first-class cricket .
One of a family of 11, a natural athlete, and a member of the national under-(age)14 football (soccer) team, Lara was expected from an early age to be the next great West Indian cricketer. He was first selected for the West Indies national team in 1990 at age 21, but he did not make his mark until 1994, when he broke the two most coveted batting records in cricket, scoring 375 runs against England (besting Sir Garfield Sobers’s 36-year-old record) and 501 runs (not out) for Warwickshire, his English county team. In 2004 Lara then became the first player to retake the Test batting record when his 400 runs (not out) against England surpassed the 380 runs posted by Australian Matthew Hayden in 2003.
Between these Herculean feats, Lara sometimes struggled to perform at the level expected of him, and some questioned his dedication to the sport. Likewise, under his captaincy the record of the West Indies national team was undistinguished. However, there is no doubt that he ranks with the likes of Sobers, Sir Don Bradman , Clive Lloyd , and Sir Viv Richards as among cricket’s greatest batsmen.
Learn More in these related articles:
| i don't know |
During which war was Shakespeare's play 'Troilus And Cressida' set? | Troilus and Cressida by William Shakespeare · OverDrive: eBooks, audiobooks and videos for libraries
Drama Fiction
For Troilus and Cressida, set during the Trojan War, Shakespeare turned to the Greek poet Homer, whose epic poems the Iliad and the Odyssey treat the war and its aftermath, and to Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales and the great romance of the war, Troilus and Criseyde.
The authoritative edition of Troilus and Cressida from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes:
-The exact text of the printed book for easy cross-reference
-Hundreds of hypertext links for instant navigation
-Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
-Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play
-Scene-by-scene plot summaries
-A key to the play's famous lines and phrases
-An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language
-An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play
-Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books
-An annotated guide to further reading
Essay by Jonathan Gil Harris
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.
| Trojan War |
"In the poem by William Blake which animal was ""Burning bright in the forests of the night""?" | Troilus and Cressida | Blunt Objects Theatre
Blunt Objects Theatre
Posted by Bohrs Hoff on February 15, 2012 · 3 Comments
William Shakespeare wrote a play about the Trojan War. Well, that’s just awesome. So why is it never performed that often?
Because it's weird, that's why.
You know, the ancient pseudo-mythical decade-long conflict that even rivals World War II in pop culture. Even if you never read Homer’s Iliad or Virgil’s Aeneid , you know the general story. But the details of that conflict have been re-imagined and repeatedly analyzed for centuries, and the literary giant William Shakespeare is among the writers who have expanded on the myth. It’s different from Pericles , which just has an unusual structure that abandons the traditional focus on plot over character. And it’s different from Henry VIII , which is just bad. Troilus and Cressida suffers from a similar problem as Two Noble Kinsmen , where it can’t decide if it is a tragedy or a comedy – even though this play excels at both. The heartbreak and the laughter are of equal power, and it is worth reading simply for the beauty of the language. The difficulty seems to be that, despite the well-known and powerful setting, Shakespeare is truly focusing on the young Trojan lovers Troilus and Cressida instead of what a normal audience is really interested in: the War .
Crazy, absurdly pointless war.
If Shakespeare kept the war in the background, that would be one thing; like how The Good the Bad and the Ugly is set during the American Civil war even though the military conflict is purely tangential to the plot. But instead, Shakespeare makes some really daring choices about how these characters appear. Chief among them is the death of Trojan Prince Hector, whom Achilles famously slays in revenge for the death of his “masculine whore”, fellow soldier Patroclus. Well, that’s a major choice already: Achilles and Patroclus are absolutely lovers in Shakespeare’s text, whereas every other classic text in the world is intriguingly ambiguous about it. But what is downright shocking is the brutal manner of Hector’s death, which does not involve noble combat at all but instead has Achilles watch as the Myrmidons beat the Prince to a pulp onstage. Furthermore, the Myrmidons are traditionally considered to be warrior elite alongside Achilles, yet here they are described as “his mangled Myrmidons, That noseless, handless, hack’d and chipp’d” monstrous unit of brutal things, and these are the ones that descend upon the one great hope of Troy.
Take THAT, how-I-thought-the-story-was-supposed-to-end!
Then we have the other eternal question of the war: was Helen raped or did she go willingly to Troy with Paris? Again, Shakespeare’s choice is fascinating. She only appears in one scene – though she is often the topic of conversation – and there she seems awkward while Paris and Pandarus are really creepy, repeating weird shit like “Sweet queen, sweet queen! that’s a sweet queen, i’ faith.” And then of course there’s the time Paris admits at the dinner table “Sir, I propose not merely to myself The pleasures such a beauty brings with it; But I would have the soil of her fair rape Wiped off, in honourable keeping her.” Yup. Among the many disturbingly casual behaviors that the Trojans and Greeks have towards this war, there is a discussion at the Trojan royal family’s dinner table where they debate the merits of returning Helen to her rightful husband, Menelaus, or not. At this dinner table, it is decided that glory and honor in combat is better than admitting that Paris did the wrong thing. Yup.
Kinda like Ben Roethlisberger
Yet, despite the fact that this “seven years’ siege” continues with a stalemate, daily combat becoming almost like a friendly sport with an audience, the Greeks do not have much respect for Helen or her Greek husband. Diomedes, the man who winds up as Cressida’s lover, compares Helen’s two suitors this way: “He, like a puling cuckold, would drink up The lees and dregs of a flat tamed piece; You, like a lecher, out of whorish loins Are pleased to breed out your inheritors: Both merits poised, each weighs nor less nor more; But he as he, the heavier for a whore.” Not only is Shakespeare attacking the idea of heroism in this play, but he is also attacking the idea of love. The love story that actually frames these episodes of the Trojan war ends in betrayal, but not any sort of cathartic death. He is presenting the audience with a social disconnect between the absurdity of war and why it is allegedly fought.
Oh, and I should also mention that the gods are entirely spliced out of the story as well.
On top of all these cynical dramatic moments is one of my favorite characters in all of Shakespeare: Thersites, a crazy Greek bastard who’s like Falstaff and Apemantus rolled into one. Actually, yes, I’m going to share some of my favorite lines in the play from this clown: “I am a bastard too; I love bastards,” spoken to a rival on the battlefield, “Ajax, who wears his wit in his belly and his guts in his head,” describing his former master, and my personal favorite insult: “you whoreson indistinguishable cur.” He pretty much just runs around the place throwing insults and laughing maniacally while Ajax beats the crap out of him.
And thereby secretly making him a role model...
But, as I said, the story at the center of this play is a shattered love story. And since it’s Valentine’s Day, and “Lechery, lechery; still, wars and lechery; nothing else holds fashion,” let’s talk about that love story for a hot minute. Troilus is a Prince, the youngest son of King Priam, but he falls in love with Cressida, whose father has defected to the Greeks. Randomly, the politicians organize a prisoner swap and she is brought to the Greeks to be with her father. Troilus, who was chief among the warhawks in Troy, is pretty sucky at combat, and is unable to defeat the Greek Diomedes who now holds the girl’s attention. The same day, Hector is killed, and Troilus exhorts: “No space of earth shall sunder our two hates: I’ll haunt thee like a wicked conscience still, That mouldeth goblins swift as frenzy’s thoughts. Strike a free march to Troy! with comfort go: Hope of revenge shall hide our inward woe.” Cressida’s creepy uncle, who arranged for the kids to be together, laments his poor match in the final speech of the play. Again, the weight of the play is off, and the heartbreak of Troilus is not as momentous as the heartbreak of the city over Hector. The end feels sudden and incomplete… but then again that is exactly how Troilus must feel.
Not that things traditionally turn out well for his character anyways
So I rephrase my original question: SHOULD this play be performed more often? In my opinion, it should only be done if the artists are willing to play against audience expectation and really give it the focus that Shakespeare intended: the young lovers. Granted, that is hard to do (even I didn’t focus on them during this entry), but that is the only way to go if it is going to be a self-sufficient production. They are an interesting pair, with Troilus as “skilless as unpractised infancy” in all things, including both love and war, and then Cressida is only just discovering the power that she can have over men. There are plenty of plays set during the Trojan War, this is the one that you can only do if you are willing to focus on these lovers set against a momentously well known tragedy.
Like the Titanic, for example.
So those are some of my thoughts for this week. There is so much more that could be discussed, and feel free to throw stuff into the comments section if you want, but it seemed like a good anti-Valentine’s Day play to write on. Only two more plays from Shakespeare and then I start my further exploration of his contemporaries. Until then, here’s a great quote on the topic of painful love: “when my heart, As wedged with a sigh, would rive in twain, Lest Hector or my father should perceive me, I have, as when the sun doth light a storm, Buried this sigh in wrinkle of a smile.”
Also, I realized that I referenced a disproportionate number of Brad Pitt movies for some reason... huh.
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Which country's Rugby Union team is nicknamed 'The Panthers'? | Rugby Union National Team Names
Home > Sports > List > Rugby Union > Team Nicknames
Rugby Union National Team Names
Many rugby teams from around the world have another name by which they are more well known. These are not always official names, and some national teams have more than one nickname.
I have tried to find the most commonly used nickname, and included others if known. As you can see, these nicknames are commonly derived from the color of their playing strip or country flag, or an animal associated with the country. If you have any corrections or additions, please let me know .
List of National Team Nicknames (men)
Team
Argentina
Los Pumas (Pumas)
The Argentina team is called Los Pumas because of the animal depicted as the team's emblem. However, that animal is actually a jaguar (ayaguareté) and not a puma!
Australia
A wallaby is a small kangaroo
Austria
a Ibex or alpine mountain goat
Barbados
meaning Black Devils in Dutch. Also Diables Noirs (black devils in French)
Botswana
Tupis are the main ethnic group of Brazilian indigenous people.
Brunei
Canucks is a slang term for Canadians
Catalonia
El XV de la ginesta
Cayman Islands
England
Red and Whites
The Red and Whites is not a commonly used name. It comes from the red and white playing strip. Also the Roses? A Fenchman notified me that in France the English team is called "Le 15 de la Rose" - literally: "The 15 of the Rose".
Ecuador
Bati (The Warriors) / Flying Fijians
France
Le XV de France
"Le XV de France" literally translates as "The 15 of France". France's team is also called les bleus (the blues) because of the color of their uniform, though "Les Bleus" is more of a generic name for all French national teams. Before their curent strip which is mostly blue, the French team played in blue shirts, white shorts, and red socks, the colors of the national flag, and were nicknamed "Les Tricolores". Also sometimes Le Coqs (the cockerels).
Georgia
The Lelos
The name comes from lelo, an indigenous Georgian sport with strong similarities to rugby. Lelo has been adopted as the Georgian word for "try". One standard cheer of Georgian rugby union fans is Lelo, Lelo, Sakartvelo (Try, Try, Georgia). Another nickname that is sometimes used is "Men of Borjgali"
Greece
which means "The National (team)"
Guatemala
| Argentina |
In which city did Steve Redgrave win his first Olympic Gold Medal? | Football Team Nicknames
Home > Sports > List > Football > Teams > Nicknames > men
Football Team Nicknames
Many football teams from around the world have another name by which they are more well known. These are not all official names, and some national teams have more than one nickname.
I have tried to find the most commonly used nickname, and included others if known. As you can see, these nicknames are commonly derived from the color of their playing strip or country flag, or an animal associated with the country. If you have any corrections or additions, please let me know .
See also our list of female natinal football team names .
List of National Teams
meaning “the National Team” (in Persian)
Albania
“the Red and Blacks” (in Albanian)
Algeria
The Desert Foxes (in French)
American Samoa
“the National Team” (in Samoan)
Andorra
“the Tricolor Selection” (in Catalan)
Angola
The Black Antelopes (in Portuguese)
Anguilla
"the Rainbow Warriors" or "the Soccer Dolphins"
Antigua and Barbuda
Wadadi is a local dance
Argentina
“the White and Sky Blues” (in Spanish)
Armenia
“the National Team” in Armenia
Aruba
a hybrid word from Soccer and Kangaroo (a native animal to Australia)
Austria
Wunderteam
meaning the Wonder Team (also das Team, die Rot-Weiss-Roten - “the Red, White and Reds” in German)
Azerbaijan
“the Team from the Land of Fire” in Azeri
Bahamas
the Rake and Scrape Boys
named after a local dance
Bahrain
meaning “the Red Wolves” in Arabic
Bangladesh
“the National Team” in Bengali
Barbados
Bajan is a popular team for citizens of Barbados
Belarus
meaning “the National Team” in Belorussian
Belgium
les Diables Rouges / Rode Duivels
meaning 'the Red Devils' (in French and Dutch)
Belize
also Druk XI (“the Dragons XI” in Dzongkha)
Bolivia
La Verde
La Verde means 'The Green' or to some 'The Green Pasture' because of one of the colors of the national flag.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Zmajevi
("The Dragons")
"Zmajevi" means "The Dragons". It is a popular nickname of all Bosnian sport players. In foreign media, the team is sometimes referred to as the Golden Lilies. Other names that have been used include: BH Representacija - “the National Team” (in Bosnian), and Zuto-Plavi (“the Blue and Yellows” in Bosnian).
Botswana
meaning "The Zebras" in the Tswana lanuage
Brazil
Canarinho, or Seleção
Canarinho means 'little canary', and Seleção means The Selection/Team (in Portuguese). Other names that are sometimes used are Verde-Amarela (Green and Yellow)
Pentacampeões (Five Time Champions), and Os Tupis - The "tupis" (a brazilian indigenous group)
British Virgin Islands
meaning "The Wasps" or “the Hornets” in Malay.
Bulgaria
les Hirondelles – Intamba Mu Rugamba
“the Swallows” in French and Kirundi
Cambodia
“the National Team” in Khmer
Cameroon
meaning Indomitable Lions (in French)
Canada
Canucks is a slang term for Canadians. Also Les Rouges, meaning 'The Reds'
Cape Verde
“the Blue Sharks” (in Portuguese). Also Crioulos (“the Creoles” in Portuguese)
Cayman Islands
“the Fwans of Ubangui”, a tributary of the Congo river, in French
Chad
after the Sao civilization that once inhabited part of Chad
Chile
Team China – Zhong Guo Dui,
also Team Dragon – Long Zhi Dui
Chinese Taipei
meaning The Coffee Growers in Spanish. Also “the Tricolors”
Comoros
les Coelecantes
“the Coelecanths” in French, a prehistoric fish once believed to be extinct but which has reappeared off the coast of Comoros
Congo
“the Red Devils” in French
Congo DR
Les Léopards / The Leopards
Between 1960 and 1965, they were called the Lions. From 1965 till 1997 they were the Leoopards, before reverting back to the Simbas (“the Lions” in Swahili) from 1997 till 2006. However this Swahili name was unpopular to non-Swahili speakers, so they again became the Leopards.
Cook Islands
“the National Team” in Maori, the Green and Whites
Costa Rica
Los Ticos
Spanish slang for natives of Costa Rica. Also la Tricolor (“the Tricolors” in Spanish), la Roja (“the Reds”), la Sele (“the Selection”
Cote d’Ivoire
The Elephants (in French), due to their part in the 19th century Ivory trade
Croatia
meaning Fiery boys. Also sometimes Kockasti (The Chequereds)
Cuba
meaning “the Tricolors” (in Spanish). Also los Leones del Caribe (“the Lions of the Caribbean”)
Curaçao
meaning “the Crisaders” in Georgian. Also Erovnuli Nakrevi (“the National Team” in Georgian)
Germany
Die Nationalmannschaft, or Die Nationalelf
meaning 'The National Team', 'The National Eleven' (in German). Outside of Germany, simply 'Die Mannschaft' (The Team) is commonly used.
Ghana
a reference to the sole black star on Ghana's flag
Greece
I Galanolefki
translates as “the Sky Blue and White team” in Greek. They are also sometimes referred to as Ethniki Ellados (“the Greek Team” in Greek) and ''To Peiratikó'' (“Pirates” in Greek) though the pirates is not an official nickname, it just came about after they won Euro 2004.
Grenada
Guam
Matao
"Matao" refers to the people in the upper class of the ancient Guam society. Previously the team was known as "the Men in Blue and White".
Guatemala
el Equipo Chapin
“Chapin” is Spanish slang for a citizen of Guatemala. also la Azul y Blanco (“the Blue and Whites” in Spanish) and la Bicolor (“the Bicolors”)
Guinea
the National Elephants. Syli is a word in Sousou, a Guinean language, which means Elephant.
Guinea-Bissau
Creole for a species of fox
Guyana
The Golden Jaguars, the Guy Stars
Haiti
les Bicolores
les Bicolores means “the Bicolors” in French. There are also several other names that they are known by, including:
Les Grenadiers
India
Blue Tigers
The Indian National team are also sometimes referred to as the "Bhangra Boys" (Bhangra is a dance originating from the Punjab region)
Indonesia
Merah Putih
meaning “the Red and Whites”. Another nickname for the Indonesian Football Team is "Garuda" (see comments below)
Iran
Team Melli
meaning the National Team (in Persian). Also Shirants Perse / Shiran-e Pars (“the Persian Lions” in Persian).
Iraq
“the Lions of the Two Rivers” in Arabic, also the Babylon Lions
Israel
“the Sky Blue Team” in Hebrew
Italy
Azzurri
Azzurri is the plural of Azurro (Blue), terefore Azurri means "The Blues". The team is also sometimes referred to as la Nazionale (“the National Team”).
Jamaica
“the Snow Leopards” in Russian
Kenya
“Harambee” means “We will work together” in Swahili and is also the country’s motto.
Northern Mariana Islands
Blue Ayuyus
In the local Chamorro dialect, the "y" is pronounced like a "z." So it is pronounced ah-zu-zus. An ayuyu is a large land crab that is prized as a delicacy. Both the men and women's teams use this nickname.
North Korea (Korea DPR
Chollima
A Korean mythical horse, translates as "thousand-mile horse" and is portrayed as a mythical winged horse.
South Korea (Korea Republic
Asian Tigers or Taeguk Warriors
also the Red Devils. The Taeguk symbol of two hands clasping is in the middle of the Korean flag.
Kuwait
the Green and White Team
Palestine
“the National Team” in Arabic
Panama
“the Red Tide”. Also known as el Equipo Canalero (“the Canal Team”)
Papua New Guinea
“the National Team” in Tok Pisin
Paraguay
also La Albirroja (White and red in Spanish)
Peru
“the White and Reds” in Spanish
Philippines
Azkals
Derived from the word askal, meaning “the Stray Dogs” in Philipino. They are also known as the "Tri-Stars" (From the three stars on their flag).
Poland
White-Reds ( in Polish). Also Polskie Orly (“ the Polish Eagles” in Polish)
Portugal
Selecção das Quinas
in Portuguese the word "QUINAS" is a 5 sided Polyhedron, representing the "Forts" (Castles) Conquered from the Moors, in the "Foundation" of Portugal in 1143.
Puerto Rico
Spanish for "The Blue Hurricane"
Qatar
Tahiti
Toa Aito
in Tahitian means "The Iron Warriors". In French, it is Les guerriers de fer. It was previously believed to be "L'Equipe du Fenua", the Island team - “fenua” means “island” in Tahitian.
Tajikistan
“the National Team” in Tajik
Tanzania
“Taifa” is Swahili for country. Also known as the Kilimanjaro Stars
Thailand
also known as Team Chart Tai, “the National Team” in Thai
Timor-Leste
O Sol Nascente
Meaning 'The Rising Sun' in Portugeuese. Also known as The Little Samba Nation and El Lafaek.
Togo
the hawks or Sparrowhawks (in French)
Tonga
“the National Team” in Tongan
Trinidad & Tobago
named after a local musical genre
Tunisia
The Eagles of Carthage (in French)
Turkey
Ay Yıldızlılar (or Ay Yildiz
meaning Crescent Stars
also La Celeste Olímpica (The Olympic Sky Blue)
US Virgin Islands
The Dashing Eagle
The Dashing Eagle is the American symbol of power and grace, transformed to embody the unique optimism, flair, and self-determination of the islands.
USA
The Stars and Stripes
Other names that are used are Team USA and The Yanks. There does not appear to be an official name.
Uzbekistan
White Wolves (Oq boสปrilar/Oา ะฑั pะธะปap)
also sometimes known as Terma Jamoasi, meaning “the National Team” in Uzbek.
Vanuatu
the Men in Black and Gold
Venezuela
la Vinotinto
meaning “the Burgundies” in Spanish - because of the burgundy color of their shirts. They are also know by the names Los Llaneros (The Plainsmen) and La Remolacha Mecanica (The Clockwork Beet).
Vietnam
Doituyen Qocdia
“the National Team” in Vietnamese. Other names used are: Những chiến binh đỏ (The Red Warriors) and Ngôi sao vàng (The Golden Star).
Wales
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What is the capital of the Pitcairn Islands? | Pitcairn Islands
PITCAIRN ISLANDS
OCTA
Welcome to the official web site of the Government of the Pitcairn Islands.
The Pitcairn Islands group is a British Overseas Territory. It comprises the islands of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno. Pitcairn, the only inhabited island, is a small volcanic outcrop situated in the South Pacific at latitude 25.04 south and longitude 130.06 west. It is roughly 2170km (1350 miles) east south-east of Tahiti and just over 6600km (4100 miles) from Panama. The Islands' administrative headquarters are situated in Auckland New Zealand, 5310km (3300 miles) away.
With a population of only around fifty, the people of Pitcairn are descended from the mutineers of HMAV Bounty and their Tahitian companions. Pitcairn Island is approximately 3.2km (2 miles) long and 1.6km (1 mile) wide with the capital Adamstown located above Bounty Bay and accessed by the aptly named road, "The Hill of Difficulty".
The Pitcairn Miscellany
| Adamstown |
The practicing Mormon, Brandon Flowers, is the lead singer of which American rock group? | Pitcairn Island: Maps, History, Geography, Government, Culture, Facts, Guide & Travel/Holidays/Cities
Island Mayor: Shawn Christian (2013)
Total area: 18.15 sq mi (47 sq km)
Population (2011): 48; density per sq mi: 3.31
Capital: Adamstown
Major sources and definitions
Pitcairn Island, in the South Pacific about midway between Australia and South America, consists of the island of Pitcairn and the three uninhabited islands of Henderson, Duicie, and Oeno. Pitcairn was settled in 1790 by British mutineers from the ship Bounty, commanded by Capt. William Bligh. One of the most remote islands in the world, it was annexed as a British colony in 1838. Overpopulation forced removal of the settlement to Norfolk Island in 1856, but about 40 persons soon returned.
The descendants of First Mate Fletcher Christian, the eight other mutineers, and the dozen or so Tahitians who accompanied them still inhabit the island. In addition to English, the residents of Pitcairn speak a dialect that is a mixture of Tahitian and 18th-century English.
In 2004, a sex-abuse scandal brought the obscure island worldwide media attention. Four men were convicted of multiple sex offenses against women and young girls and received jail sentences ranging from two to six years; two others were sentenced to community service. Jay Warren, the island's magistrate, was found innocent.
In March 2010, a new constitution was introduced. The constitution covered all basic human rights and, for the first time, gave the island an attorney general.
In November 2013, Shawn Christian was elected mayor. He succeeded Mike Warren who had been mayor since 2007.
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The name of which micro-organism is derived from the Greek for 'first animal'? | Greek/Latin Roots
Acoelomate [Greek a-, without; + Greek coel, cavity] animals
�Angiosperms� [Greek angos, vessel; + Greek sperma, seed]
Autotrophic [Greek autos, self; + Greek trophe, from trephein, to nourish]
Coelomate (sometimes Eucoelomate) [Greek eu-, good, (= true); + Greek coel, cavity]
Deuterostomes [Greek deuteros, second; + Greek stoma, mouth]
Eukaryotic [Greek eu, good, well (= true); + Greek karyo, nut]
�Gymnosperms� [Greek gymnos, naked; + Greek sperma, seed]
Heterotrophic [Greek heteros, other; + Greek trophe, from trephein, to nourish]
Photosynthetic [Greek photo-, from phos, light; + Greek synthesis, to put together]
Prokaryotic [Greek pro-, before; + Greek karyo, nut]
Protostomes [Greek protos, first; + Greek stoma, mouth]
Pseudocoelomate [Greek pseudo-, false; + Greek coel, cavity] animals
Classification of organisms
Consistent with Mader, 6th edition, Biology Laboratory Manual.
Kingdom Monera [Greek moneres, solitary, from monos, single, alone]
Subkingdom Archaebacteria [Greek archae-, ancient; + Greek bakterion, diminutive of baktron, rod]
Subkingdom Eubacteria [Greek eu-, good, well(= true); + Greek bakterion, diminutive of baktron, rod]
Phylum Cyanobacteria [Greek kyanos, dark blue]
Heterotrophic [Greek heteros, other; + Greek trophe, from trephein, to nourish] bacteria
bacillus [diminutive of Latin baculum, rod]
spirillum [diminutive of Latin spira, coil]
coccus [from Greek kokkos, grain, seed]
The other four Kingdoms are Eukaryotic [Greek eu-, good, well (= true); + Greek karyon, nut]
Kingdom Protista [Greek protista, neuter pl. of protistos, the very first, superlative of protos, first]
Protists resembling animals = �Protozoa� [Greek proto-, first; + Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal]
Phylum Sarcodina [Greek sarkodes, fleshy, from sarx, sark-, flesh]
Phylum Ciliophora [Latin cilium, lower eyelid (= eyelash); + Greek -phoros, bearing, from pherein, to carry]
Phylum Zoomastigophora [Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal; + Greek mastig-, whip; + Greek -phoros, bearing, from pherein, to carry]
Phylum Sporozoa [Greek spora, seed; + Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal]
Protists resembling plants = �Algae� [Latin alga, seaweed]
Phylum Chlorophyta [Greek khloros, green; + Greek phyton, plant]
Phylum Phaeophyta [Greek phaeo-, dusky; + Greek phyton, plant]
Phylum Chrysophyta [Greek khrysos, gold, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew harus; + Greek phyton, plant]
Phylum Dinoflagella [Greek dino-, terrible or whirling; + Latin flagellum, whip]
Phylum Euglenophyta [Greek eu-, good, (= true); + Greek glene, eyeball; + Greek phyton, plant]
Phylum Rhodophyta [Greek rhodon, rose (= red); + Greek phyton, plant]
Protists resembling fungi = �Slime Molds�
Phylum Gymnomycota [Greek gymno-, naked; + New Latin -mycetes, from Greek mukes, muket-, fungus]
Kingdom Animalia [Latin animale, neuter of animalis, living, from anima, soul]
Phylum Porifera [Latin porus, passage, pore; + Latin -fera, bearing, from ferre, to carry]
Phylum Cnidaria [Latin cnide, nettle; + Latin -arius, of or related to]
Class Hydrozoa [Greek Hydra, a many-headed water serpent; + Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal]
Class Scyphozoa [Greek skyphos, cup; + Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal]
Class Anthozoa [Greek anthos, flower; + Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal]
Phylum Ctenophora [Greek cten-, comb; + Greek -phoros, bearing, from pherein, to carry]
Phylum Platyhelminthes [Greek platy-, flat; + Greek helminth, worm]
Class Turbellaria [Latin turbella, bustle, turmoil (from the motion of their cilia in the water)]
Class Trematoda [Greek trema-, hole, perforation; + Greek oda, Like, a resemblance]
Class Cestoda [Latin cestus, belt; + Greek oda, Like, a resemblance]
Phylum Nematoda [Greek nema, thread; + Greek oda, Like, a resemblance]
Phylum Rotifera [Latin rota, wheel; + Latin -fera, bearing, from ferre, to carry]
Protostomes [Greek protos, first; + Greek stoma, mouth]
Phylum Mollusca [Latin molluscus, thin-shelled, from mollis, soft]
Class Bivalvia [Latin bis, bi-, twice (=two); + Latin valva, folding door, valve]
Class Gastropoda [Greek gaster, stomach; + Greek pous, pod-, foot]
Class Polyplacophora [Greek poly-, many; + Greek plax, plate; + Greek -phoros, bearing, from pherein, to carry]
Class Cephalopoda [Greek kephale, head; + Greek pous, pod-, foot]
Phylum Annelida [Latin anellus, diminutive of anus, ring; + Latin -id, body]
Class Oligochaeta [Greek oligos, few; + Greek khaite, long hair (= bristle)]
Class Polychaeta [Greek poly-, many; + Greek khaite, long hair (= bristle)]
Class Hirudinea [Latin hirudo, leech]
Phylum Arthropoda [Greek arthron, joint; + Greek pod, foot]
Subphylum Chelicerata [Greek khele, claw; + Greek cerat, horn]
Class Arachnida [Greek arakhne, spider]
Class Merostomata [Greek meros, thigh; + Greek stoma, mouth]
Subphylum Crustacea [Latin crusta, shell]
Class Crustacea
Subphylum Uniramia [Latin unus, one; + Latin ramus, branch]
Class Diplopoda [Greek diploos, double; + Greek pod, foot]
Class Chilopoda [Greek kheilos, lip (the foremost pair of legs are jawlike appendages); + Greek pod, foot]
Class Insecta [Latin insecare, cut up (= segmented)]
Deuterostomes [Greek deutero, second; + Greek stoma, mouth]
Phylum Echinodermata [Greek ekhinos, spine (figuratively), from sea urchin, or hedgehog (ultimately from ekhis, adder, viper); + Greek derma, skin]
Class Asteroidea [Greek asteroeides, starlike]
Class Crinoidea [Greek krinon, lily]
Class Holothuroidea [Greek, holothurum, a sedentary marine animal, possibly from Greek holos, whole; + ? (maybe Greek thureoeides (thyroid); or (thureos, oblong shield (from thura, door))]
Class Echinoidea [Greek ekhinos, spine (figuratively), sea urchin, hedgehog (from ekhis, adder, viper)]
Class Ophiuroidea [Greek ophis, snake + Greek oura, tail]
Phylum Hemichordata [Greek hemi; half; + Latin chorda, cord]
Phylum Chaetognatha [Greek khaite, bristle, long hair; + Greek gnathos, jaw]
Phylum Chordata [Latin chorda, cord]
Subphylum Cephalochordata [Greek kephale, head; + Latin chorda, cord]
Subphylum Urochordata [Greek oura, tail; + Latin chorda, cord]
Subphylum Vertebrata [Latin, vertebra, a joint, backbone, from vertere, to turn]
Class Agnatha [Greek prefix a-, not, without ; + Greek gnathos, jaw]
Class Chondrichthyes [Greek khondros, cartilage; + Greek ikhthus, fish]
Class Osteichthyes [Greek osteon, bone; + Greek ikhthus, fish]
Class Amphibia [Greek amphi-, on both sides, around; + Greek bios, life]
Class Reptilia [Latin reptilis, creeping]
Class Aves [Latin avis, bird]
Class Mammalia [Latin mamma, breast]
Kindgom Fungi [Latin fungus, mushroom; perhaps from Greek spongos, sphongos, sponge]
Note: suffix -mycota [New Latin -mycetes, from Greek mykes, myket-, fungus]
Division Zygomycota [Greek zygon, yoke (= paired spores)]
Division Ascomycota [Greek askos, bag]
Division Basidiomycota [Latin basidium, a small pedestal]
�Fungi Imperfecti� [Latin: �imperfect fungi�] (deuteromycota [Greek deutero, second])
�Lichens� [Greek leikhen, from leikhein, to lick]
Kindgom Plantae [Latin planta, sole of the foot, and denominative plantare, to drive in with the sole of the foot, to plant (verb), therefore planta, a plant (noun)]
Note: suffix -phyta [from Greek phyton, plant, from phyein, to make grow]
Nonvascular Plants (Nonseed as well)
Division Bryophyta [Greek bryon, moss, from bryein, to swell, teem]
Division Hepatophyta [Greek hepato, liver]
Division Anthocerotophyta [Greek anthos, flower; + Greek keras, horn]
Vascular Plants
Division Psilotophyta [Greek psilo-, bare, naked]
Division Lycopodophyta [Greek lukos, wolf; + Greek pod, foot]
Division Equisetophyta [Latin equi, a horse]
Division Pteridophyta [Greek pteron, feather, wing]
Seed Plants
�Gymnosperms� [Greek gymnos, naked; + Greek sperma, seed]
Division Pinophyta [Latin pin, pine; Latin pine = shaped like a pine tree]
(conifers) [Greek konos, cone; + from Latin ferre, to carry, bear]
Division Cycadophyta [Greek kykas, from (Egyptian ?)ko�x, a kind of palm tree]
Division Ginkophyta [Japanese ginkyo]
Division Gnetophyta [possibly from Greek gnesi, genuine]
�Angiosperms� [Greek angos, vessel; + Greek sperma, seed]
Division Magnoliophyta [Latin magni, large, great]
Class Liliopsida [Latin lili, a lily; + Greek opsi; appearance]
(monocot) from monocotyledon [Greek monos, single, alone; + Greek kotyledon, from kotyle, hollow object]
Class Magnoliopsida [Latin magni, large, great; + Greek opsi; appearance]
(dicot) from dicotyledon [Greek prefix di-, two; + Greek kotyledon, from kotyle, hollow object]
| Protozoa |
In which US city do the American Football team known as the 'Chargers' play their home games? | Greek/Latin Roots
Acoelomate [Greek a-, without; + Greek coel, cavity] animals
�Angiosperms� [Greek angos, vessel; + Greek sperma, seed]
Autotrophic [Greek autos, self; + Greek trophe, from trephein, to nourish]
Coelomate (sometimes Eucoelomate) [Greek eu-, good, (= true); + Greek coel, cavity]
Deuterostomes [Greek deuteros, second; + Greek stoma, mouth]
Eukaryotic [Greek eu, good, well (= true); + Greek karyo, nut]
�Gymnosperms� [Greek gymnos, naked; + Greek sperma, seed]
Heterotrophic [Greek heteros, other; + Greek trophe, from trephein, to nourish]
Photosynthetic [Greek photo-, from phos, light; + Greek synthesis, to put together]
Prokaryotic [Greek pro-, before; + Greek karyo, nut]
Protostomes [Greek protos, first; + Greek stoma, mouth]
Pseudocoelomate [Greek pseudo-, false; + Greek coel, cavity] animals
Classification of organisms
Consistent with Mader, 6th edition, Biology Laboratory Manual.
Kingdom Monera [Greek moneres, solitary, from monos, single, alone]
Subkingdom Archaebacteria [Greek archae-, ancient; + Greek bakterion, diminutive of baktron, rod]
Subkingdom Eubacteria [Greek eu-, good, well(= true); + Greek bakterion, diminutive of baktron, rod]
Phylum Cyanobacteria [Greek kyanos, dark blue]
Heterotrophic [Greek heteros, other; + Greek trophe, from trephein, to nourish] bacteria
bacillus [diminutive of Latin baculum, rod]
spirillum [diminutive of Latin spira, coil]
coccus [from Greek kokkos, grain, seed]
The other four Kingdoms are Eukaryotic [Greek eu-, good, well (= true); + Greek karyon, nut]
Kingdom Protista [Greek protista, neuter pl. of protistos, the very first, superlative of protos, first]
Protists resembling animals = �Protozoa� [Greek proto-, first; + Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal]
Phylum Sarcodina [Greek sarkodes, fleshy, from sarx, sark-, flesh]
Phylum Ciliophora [Latin cilium, lower eyelid (= eyelash); + Greek -phoros, bearing, from pherein, to carry]
Phylum Zoomastigophora [Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal; + Greek mastig-, whip; + Greek -phoros, bearing, from pherein, to carry]
Phylum Sporozoa [Greek spora, seed; + Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal]
Protists resembling plants = �Algae� [Latin alga, seaweed]
Phylum Chlorophyta [Greek khloros, green; + Greek phyton, plant]
Phylum Phaeophyta [Greek phaeo-, dusky; + Greek phyton, plant]
Phylum Chrysophyta [Greek khrysos, gold, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew harus; + Greek phyton, plant]
Phylum Dinoflagella [Greek dino-, terrible or whirling; + Latin flagellum, whip]
Phylum Euglenophyta [Greek eu-, good, (= true); + Greek glene, eyeball; + Greek phyton, plant]
Phylum Rhodophyta [Greek rhodon, rose (= red); + Greek phyton, plant]
Protists resembling fungi = �Slime Molds�
Phylum Gymnomycota [Greek gymno-, naked; + New Latin -mycetes, from Greek mukes, muket-, fungus]
Kingdom Animalia [Latin animale, neuter of animalis, living, from anima, soul]
Phylum Porifera [Latin porus, passage, pore; + Latin -fera, bearing, from ferre, to carry]
Phylum Cnidaria [Latin cnide, nettle; + Latin -arius, of or related to]
Class Hydrozoa [Greek Hydra, a many-headed water serpent; + Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal]
Class Scyphozoa [Greek skyphos, cup; + Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal]
Class Anthozoa [Greek anthos, flower; + Greek zoion, zoon, living being, animal]
Phylum Ctenophora [Greek cten-, comb; + Greek -phoros, bearing, from pherein, to carry]
Phylum Platyhelminthes [Greek platy-, flat; + Greek helminth, worm]
Class Turbellaria [Latin turbella, bustle, turmoil (from the motion of their cilia in the water)]
Class Trematoda [Greek trema-, hole, perforation; + Greek oda, Like, a resemblance]
Class Cestoda [Latin cestus, belt; + Greek oda, Like, a resemblance]
Phylum Nematoda [Greek nema, thread; + Greek oda, Like, a resemblance]
Phylum Rotifera [Latin rota, wheel; + Latin -fera, bearing, from ferre, to carry]
Protostomes [Greek protos, first; + Greek stoma, mouth]
Phylum Mollusca [Latin molluscus, thin-shelled, from mollis, soft]
Class Bivalvia [Latin bis, bi-, twice (=two); + Latin valva, folding door, valve]
Class Gastropoda [Greek gaster, stomach; + Greek pous, pod-, foot]
Class Polyplacophora [Greek poly-, many; + Greek plax, plate; + Greek -phoros, bearing, from pherein, to carry]
Class Cephalopoda [Greek kephale, head; + Greek pous, pod-, foot]
Phylum Annelida [Latin anellus, diminutive of anus, ring; + Latin -id, body]
Class Oligochaeta [Greek oligos, few; + Greek khaite, long hair (= bristle)]
Class Polychaeta [Greek poly-, many; + Greek khaite, long hair (= bristle)]
Class Hirudinea [Latin hirudo, leech]
Phylum Arthropoda [Greek arthron, joint; + Greek pod, foot]
Subphylum Chelicerata [Greek khele, claw; + Greek cerat, horn]
Class Arachnida [Greek arakhne, spider]
Class Merostomata [Greek meros, thigh; + Greek stoma, mouth]
Subphylum Crustacea [Latin crusta, shell]
Class Crustacea
Subphylum Uniramia [Latin unus, one; + Latin ramus, branch]
Class Diplopoda [Greek diploos, double; + Greek pod, foot]
Class Chilopoda [Greek kheilos, lip (the foremost pair of legs are jawlike appendages); + Greek pod, foot]
Class Insecta [Latin insecare, cut up (= segmented)]
Deuterostomes [Greek deutero, second; + Greek stoma, mouth]
Phylum Echinodermata [Greek ekhinos, spine (figuratively), from sea urchin, or hedgehog (ultimately from ekhis, adder, viper); + Greek derma, skin]
Class Asteroidea [Greek asteroeides, starlike]
Class Crinoidea [Greek krinon, lily]
Class Holothuroidea [Greek, holothurum, a sedentary marine animal, possibly from Greek holos, whole; + ? (maybe Greek thureoeides (thyroid); or (thureos, oblong shield (from thura, door))]
Class Echinoidea [Greek ekhinos, spine (figuratively), sea urchin, hedgehog (from ekhis, adder, viper)]
Class Ophiuroidea [Greek ophis, snake + Greek oura, tail]
Phylum Hemichordata [Greek hemi; half; + Latin chorda, cord]
Phylum Chaetognatha [Greek khaite, bristle, long hair; + Greek gnathos, jaw]
Phylum Chordata [Latin chorda, cord]
Subphylum Cephalochordata [Greek kephale, head; + Latin chorda, cord]
Subphylum Urochordata [Greek oura, tail; + Latin chorda, cord]
Subphylum Vertebrata [Latin, vertebra, a joint, backbone, from vertere, to turn]
Class Agnatha [Greek prefix a-, not, without ; + Greek gnathos, jaw]
Class Chondrichthyes [Greek khondros, cartilage; + Greek ikhthus, fish]
Class Osteichthyes [Greek osteon, bone; + Greek ikhthus, fish]
Class Amphibia [Greek amphi-, on both sides, around; + Greek bios, life]
Class Reptilia [Latin reptilis, creeping]
Class Aves [Latin avis, bird]
Class Mammalia [Latin mamma, breast]
Kindgom Fungi [Latin fungus, mushroom; perhaps from Greek spongos, sphongos, sponge]
Note: suffix -mycota [New Latin -mycetes, from Greek mykes, myket-, fungus]
Division Zygomycota [Greek zygon, yoke (= paired spores)]
Division Ascomycota [Greek askos, bag]
Division Basidiomycota [Latin basidium, a small pedestal]
�Fungi Imperfecti� [Latin: �imperfect fungi�] (deuteromycota [Greek deutero, second])
�Lichens� [Greek leikhen, from leikhein, to lick]
Kindgom Plantae [Latin planta, sole of the foot, and denominative plantare, to drive in with the sole of the foot, to plant (verb), therefore planta, a plant (noun)]
Note: suffix -phyta [from Greek phyton, plant, from phyein, to make grow]
Nonvascular Plants (Nonseed as well)
Division Bryophyta [Greek bryon, moss, from bryein, to swell, teem]
Division Hepatophyta [Greek hepato, liver]
Division Anthocerotophyta [Greek anthos, flower; + Greek keras, horn]
Vascular Plants
Division Psilotophyta [Greek psilo-, bare, naked]
Division Lycopodophyta [Greek lukos, wolf; + Greek pod, foot]
Division Equisetophyta [Latin equi, a horse]
Division Pteridophyta [Greek pteron, feather, wing]
Seed Plants
�Gymnosperms� [Greek gymnos, naked; + Greek sperma, seed]
Division Pinophyta [Latin pin, pine; Latin pine = shaped like a pine tree]
(conifers) [Greek konos, cone; + from Latin ferre, to carry, bear]
Division Cycadophyta [Greek kykas, from (Egyptian ?)ko�x, a kind of palm tree]
Division Ginkophyta [Japanese ginkyo]
Division Gnetophyta [possibly from Greek gnesi, genuine]
�Angiosperms� [Greek angos, vessel; + Greek sperma, seed]
Division Magnoliophyta [Latin magni, large, great]
Class Liliopsida [Latin lili, a lily; + Greek opsi; appearance]
(monocot) from monocotyledon [Greek monos, single, alone; + Greek kotyledon, from kotyle, hollow object]
Class Magnoliopsida [Latin magni, large, great; + Greek opsi; appearance]
(dicot) from dicotyledon [Greek prefix di-, two; + Greek kotyledon, from kotyle, hollow object]
| i don't know |
The 'World Expo' ended this month In which Asian country had it been held? | Shinji Tanimura: Subaru / Star 昴 (2010 Live, World Expo) - Download & Lyrics - YouTube
Shinji Tanimura: Subaru / Star 昴 (2010 Live, World Expo) - Download & Lyrics
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Uploaded on May 8, 2010
An Asian friend asked me to post this. This is an incredible performance by the man who wrote the 1980 song, later made popular by Teresa Teng. I don't understand Japanese or Chinese, but was immediately enraptured by the beautiful melody and incredible voice. The visuals for this recent performance is also pretty amazing. Lyrics at the end, with English translation.
You can download a high quality video of this performance here. Please post a quick comment saying that you downloaded. Thanks!
Shinji Tanimura (谷村新司?, born December 11, 1948 in Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese singer and songwriter.
Biography
In 1971, Tanimura set up the musical group, Alice, along with Takao Horiuchi, and in 1972 produced his first extended play musical album. Two years later, they produced their first album from the musical group. During this time, Tanimura had also written several musical pieces for many famous and popular singers of that time, including Momoe Yamaguchi.
In the early 1980s, Tanimura started to move towards his singer-songwriter career and in 1981 he held singing concerts in places like Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Beijing.
Some of the more famous singers from Hong Kong had also performed many of Tanimura's pieces, including Jacky Cheung, Alan Tam, Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung. He had also once said that Leslie Cheung and Alan Tam were two of his closest friends from Hong Kong. In 1984, Tanimura, together with South Korean singer Cho Yong-pil and Alan Tam, set up Pax Musica to promote cultural exchanges of different countries and world peace.
Career in China
In 1980...[Wikipedia states 1987, but it's actually 1980] he wrote his famous piece "Subaru"《昴》, and mentioned that his inspiration came from his visits to Heilongjiang in China. Since then, he had been actively involved in organising performances to promote Sino-Japanese relations, including an invitation by the Japanese and Chinese governments to organise and perform at the grand 30th anniversary to celebrate Sino-Japanese relations. In 2003, he held a "'Help China get rid of SARS' music concert" and donated all the 15.34 million Yen he earned from the concert to China's Red Cross Society to aid them in their efforts in fighting SARS. In 2004, he became the professor at Shanghai Conservatory of Music. In September 2007, he planned the friendship concert between Japan and China in Shanghai and he joined it. The concert was the 35th anniversary for the normalization of relations between Japan and China. He played the song Sarai etc. On April 30th 2010, he sang "Subaru" on the World Expo Opening Ceremony in Shanghai, China.
Records
Number of self-composed musical pieces: 370
Number of solo albums: 62
Number of musical albums: 63
Number of copies of albums sold: 29,796,682
Number of concerts held (Japan): 3,620 （top in Japan until today）
=========
Me o tojite nanimo miezu
Kanashikute me o akereba
Kohoya ni mukau miti yori
Hoka ni mieru mono wa nashi
Aaa... kudake tiru sadame no hoshi tati yo
Semete hisoyaka ni kono mi o terase yo
Ware wa yuku aojiroki hoho no mama de
Ware wa yuku saraba subaru yo
Iki o saraba mune no naka
Kogarashi wa naki tsuzukeru
Saredo wa ga mune wa atsuku
Yume o oitsuzukeru nari
Aaa... sanza meku namonaki hoshi tatiyo
Aaa... semete azayaka ni sono mi o oware yo
Ware mo yuku kokoro no meizuru mama ni
Ware mo yuku saraba subaru yo
Aaa.... itsu no hi ka dareka ga kono miti o
Aaa.... itsu no hi ka dareka ga kono miti o
Ware wa yuku aojiroki hoho no mama de
Ware wa yuku saraba subaru yo
Ware wa yuku saraba subaru yo
=======
With my eyes closed, I see nothing
With sorrow in my heart, I open my eyes
A road heading for the wilderness
And nothing else other than what I see.
Ah , all you stars, destined to shatter into pieces
At least you can quietly shed a light on me
I'll go onwards, even if my cheeks turn pallid
I'll go onwards, bidding farewell to the stars
With every breath I have in my chest,
And the cold wind continues to howl
Even so, my heart holds the passion
To keep on pursuing my dream
Ah, all you stars, each nameless among many,
Glowing gloriously as you shatter into pieces
I'll go onwards, as my heart commands
I'll go onwards, bidding farewell to the stars
Ah, someday, someone will walk this road
Ah, someday, someone will walk this road
I'll go onwards, even if my cheeks turn pallid
I'll go onwards, bidding farewell to the stars.
I'll go onwards, bidding farewell to the stars
English translation from
| South Korea |
Which group had a hit in 1974 with 'This Town Ain't Big Enough For The Both Of Us'? | WOMEX - the World Music Expo
WOMEX
End of 2016 Charts - Including WOMEX Artists!
The world music charts have been publishing their end–of–year lists for 2016, and previous WOMEX showcasers are very much in evidence! Below are the top ten lists from the World Music Charts Europe and the Transglobal World Music Chart – across the two of them, there are ten artists who have graced the WOMEX stage!
World Music Charts Europe :
1. Aziza Brahim (Western Sahara/Spain) – Abbar el Hamada (Glitterbeat Records)
2. Elza Soares (Brazil) – The Woman at the End of the World (A Mulher do Fim do Mundo) (Mais Um Discos)
3. Bombino (Niger) – Azel (Partisan Records)
4. Rokia Traoré (Mali) – Né So (Nonesuch Records)
5. Konono No1 Meets Batida (DR Congo/Portugal) – Konono No1 Meets Batida (Crammed Discs)
Narf (Fran Pérez) 1968 - 2016
It was with great sadness that we heard of the death of Fran Pérez, better known as Narf, earlier this week (15 November 2016). He died aged 48, after a serious illness. Narf was well known to WOMEX and WOMEXicans as a pioneer of Galician roots music, and we had the honour of welcoming him to our stages on two separate occasions: in Sevilla in 2008 and most recently just last month in Santiago de Compostela with his collaboration with Timbila Muzimba of Mozambique. Narf's impact on Galician culture was highlighted by the Mayor of Santiago de Compostela at the WOMEX 16 Opening, who quoted lyrics from the song 'Santiago' - the lyrics and the mayor's words are below.
We are touched and privileged that Narf went through such efforts to make possible his wonderful show in... More...
We have several resources to help make sure you are fully prepared for your time with us in Santiago de Compostela:
- The Preparation Checklist helps you to get straight down to business as soon as you arrive;
- Our Useful Info + Local Tips help you get around Santiago with ease, as well as to enjoy everything it offers;
- The FAQ provides answers to some of our more general WOMEX questions;
- Download our all-new WOMEX App to browse the full schedule and delegate list, and create your own favourites list;
- Get in touch with anyone attending WOMEX 16 and more via... More...
Taste the Peninsula at the WOMEX 16 Opening
In less than a month, WOMEX hits Santiago de Compostela for a second time, offering us the opportunity to deepen our understanding of not only the region of Galicia but the Iberian peninsula as a whole. To this end, the WOMEX 16 Opening will be a musical journey entitled 'Iberians – Music Tapas Menu' , directed by musician and producer Pedro Pascual.
The Opening will feature five performances of different musical flavours from Galicia, Aragon, the Basque Country and Catalonia. Together they will explore the richness of Iberia’s different languages, influences of other cultures and different identities, all just as rich and diverse as its cuisine: a musical tapas. More...
International WOMEX Film Programme Returns for 2016
Once again, WOMEX is offering a platform to connect the global music and film communities: we have now announced our dedicated programme of new film releases that will be screened at WOMEX 16 in Santiago de Compostela. These eleven films portray music, movements and history from across the globe; amongst them, two world premieres will be celebrated.
The community of film professionals devoted to or interested in music film at WOMEX is growing. (as soon as possible, please!). Films will be screened in Cidade da Cultura during the day, and in Museo das Peregrinacións e de Santiago in the old town at night.
The tremendous interest of the public audience in Santiago de Compostela has led to another exciting evolution of our programme: the first time ever, we will open our... More...
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In the Book of Genesis, who died whilst giving birth to her son, Benjamin? | Benjamin
Benjamin
Bible People
Benjamin
This article contains a free Bible Study resource on the subject of Benjamin. It provides facts, a biography and information about this famous Biblical character for bible study. There is also reference to where Benjamin is mentioned in the Holy Bible.
Genesis 35:22b-26
Now the sons of Jacob were twelve: 23 The sons of Leah ; Reuben , Jacob's firstborn, and Simeon , and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun: 24 The sons of Rachel ; Joseph , and Benjamin : 25 And the sons of Bilhah, Rachel's handmaid; Dan, and Naphtali: 26 And the sons of Zilpah, Leah's handmaid; Gad , and Asher :
these are the sons of Jacob
Bible Dictionary Definition - Who was Benjamin?
The definition and outline of Benjamin is as follows: According to the Old Testament Benjamin was the last-born of Jacob's twelve sons, and the second (and last) son of Rachel in the Book of Genesis. He was the founder of the Israelite Tribe of Benjamin.
Biography, Facts and Information about Benjamin
The following info provides a concise biography with facts and information about Benjamin:
The younger son of Jacob by Rachel (Genesis 35:18). His birth took place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place. His mother died in giving him birth, and with her last breath named him Ben-oni, son of my pain, a name which was changed by his father into Benjamin. His posterity are called Benjamites (Genesis 49:27; Deuteronomy 33:12; Joshua 18:21).
The tribe of Benjamin at the Exodus was the smallest but one (Numbers 1:36,37; Psalms 68:27). During the march its place was along with Manasseh and Ephraim on the west of the tabernacle. At the entrance into Canaan it counted 45,600 warriors. It has been inferred by some from the words of Jacob (Genesis 49:27) that the figure of a wolf was on the tribal standard. This tribe is mentioned in Romans 11:1; Phil 3:5.
The inheritance of this tribe lay immediately to the south of that of Ephraim, and was about 26 miles in length and 12 in breadth. Its eastern boundary was the Jordan. Dan intervened between it and the Philistines. Its chief towns are named in Joshua 18:21-28.
The history of the tribe contains a sad record of a desolating civil war in which they were engaged with the other eleven tribes. By it they were almost exterminated (Judges 20:20,21; 21:10). (See GIBEAH .)
The first king of the Jews was Saul, a Benjamite. A close alliance was formed between this tribe and that of Judah in the time of David (2 Samuel 19:16,17), which continued after his death (1 Kings 11:13; 12:20). After the Exile these two tribes formed the great body of the Jewish nation (Ezra 1:5; 10:9).
The tribe of Benjamin was famous for its archers (1 Samuel 20:20,36; 2Sam 1:22; 1 Chronicles 8:40; 12:2) and slingers (Judge. 20:6).
The gate of Benjamin, on the north side of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 37:13; 38:7; Zechariah 14:10), was so called because it led in the direction of the territory of the tribe of Benjamin. It is called by (Jeremiah 20:2) "the high gate of Benjamin;" also "the gate of the children of the people" (17:19).
Benjamin
We have selected Benjamin as one of the most important people and character from the Bible and provided a biography and character outline of this famous person. Much of the information is taken from the classic reference books including Matthew George Easton "Easton's Bible Dictionary" and Ashley S Johnson "Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia".
Benjamin - A Free Christian Bible Study Resource
We hope that this Benjamin article will provide useful information and ideas for those following a Bible Study plan. This article about Benjamin, together with other tools, activities, aids and materials and are designed to be used by an individual or a Christian Bible study group. This biography of Benjamin may prove useful as the basis for fun Sunday School lessons for Christian children and kids other topics will prove a useful asset to teens, youth or adults taking a Bible Study course or Biblical degree. All information on this Benjamin page is free to be used as an educational Christian Bible Study resource.
Benjamin
Benjamin - a free Bible Study resource about this famous Biblical character
A free Benjamin learning aid for Christian students undertaking Bible studies and learning about Benjamin
Use this free information about Benjamin for an online Bible study course
Ideal biography for Biblical Studies, Sunday School lessons and Bible Study
Benjamin
Benjamin
Benjamin - Character - Lesson - Studies - Study - Kids - Women - Biblical - Children - Youth - Research - Facts - Info - Information - Christian - Sunday School - Outlines - Old Testament - New Testament - Great - Famous - Biography - Important - Bad - Good - List - Search - Character - Lesson - Studies - Study - Kids - Women - Biblical - Children - Youth - Research - Facts - Info - Information - Christian - Sunday School - Outlines - Old Testament - New Testament - Great - Famous - Biography - Important - Bad - Good - List - Search - Benjamin
| World Possible |
Which SI unit is equal to one Joule per second? | Genesis - Life, Hope & Truth
Genesis
Genesis takes us back to the very beginning. It introduces God as Creator and gives a glimpse into the origin and purpose of His creation—including humans.
Genesis is a book of beginnings.
The name Genesis is applied to the first book of the Bible, which is also the first book in the Pentateuch (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). The Jews refer to this set of five books as the “Torah,” which means “teaching” or “instruction.” In English it is known as the “Law” ( Matthew 5:17 ; Luke 16:17 ; Acts 7:53 ).
The English name Genesis comes from the Greek Septuagint and means “beginning” or “origin.” The Hebrew title of the book comes from the first word Bereshith, which means “in the beginning” and is found in the first verse of chapter 1. The book is about the origins or beginnings—the history—of mankind.
The first book of the Bible shows the beginning of earth, the beginning of man, the beginning of marriage , the beginning of the seven-day weekly cycle and the Sabbath, the beginning of sin and its consequences, the beginning of human government, the beginning of nations and the various languages, the beginning of the nation of Israel and so on.
The contents may be summarized into two major parts:
The first 11 chapters record the history of the world prior to Abraham (also referred to as the primeval period). Four of the chapters are about Noah.
The next 39 chapters deal primarily with the lives of four men (also referred to as the patriarchal period):
Abraham (chapters 12-25).
Jacob (chapters 28-36).
Joseph (chapters 37-50).
Most of Genesis illustrates God’s involvement with the descendants of Abraham, starting with the call of Abram (later called Abraham) in chapter 12 to the death of Joseph in chapter 50.
References in the New Testament
Jesus Christ quoted from Genesis ( Matthew 19:4-5 ), thereby putting His stamp of approval on the book as part of inspired Scripture. There are numerous other scriptural references quoted from Genesis in the New Testament, proof that the writers accepted Genesis as inspired and of divine origin. Below are a few examples:
Esau’s despising of his birthright: Genesis 25:33 and Hebrews 12:16 .
Many of the examples of faith in Hebrews 11 are from Genesis.
Outline of Genesis
Period prior to Abraham (chapters 1-11)
Chapters 1-2: In the opening verse we are introduced to God the Creator. In Hebrew the word translated “God” is the Hebrew word Elohim, which is a plural noun and means “supreme,” “strong” and “almighty” (Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #430). Elohim often denotes a plurality of divine beings: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness’” (Genesis 1:26, emphasis added throughout). A further example is Genesis 3:22: “Then the LORD God said, ‘Behold the man has become like one of Us.” The New Testament reveals that this refers to God the Father and the Word, who became Jesus Christ ( John 1:1, 14 ).
What did God do at the end of the creation week? “And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which he had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it” (Genesis 2:2-3). On the seventh day, God performed His final, concluding act of creation by resting from the work He had done on the previous six days.
This is the origin of the weekly day of rest later referred to as the Sabbath . God intended that each week we set aside the seventh day to meditate about and worship Him. It is a day set apart (“sanctify” means to set apart for a holy purpose) for us to grow closer to God through personal prayer, study of the Bible and attendance at Church services ( Hebrews 10:24-25 ).
The story of the creation shows the supremacy of God’s superior intelligence, power, authority and knowledge ( Psalm 104:29-30 ). As Creator, He has absolute control over everything.
Chapter 3: Adam and Eve were offered the tree of life but instead chose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The result has had widespread implications for mankind ever since. They usurped the authority of their Creator and chose to try to decide for themselves what is right and wrong. The apostle Paul explained that it was through the first man, Adam, that sin entered the world, and sin that is not repented of results in death ( Romans 5:12 ; 6:23 ).
Chapter 4: Cain became the first murderer by killing his brother Abel and, as a result, “went out from the presence of the LORD” (Genesis 4:16). What a tragic outcome for Adam and Eve. However, it was their choice and decision to reject God’s ways in favor of the ideology of Satan. Unfortunately, Satan continues to negatively influence mankind today ( 2 Corinthians 4:4 , Ephesians 2:2-3 ).
Chapter 5: This chapter gives the genealogy of Adam.
Chapters 6-9: These chapters describe the corrupt antediluvian world, resulting in God instructing Noah to build an ark. The flood begins and then ends with the Noachian Covenant.
Chapter 10 records the table of nations of those descended from Noah.
Chapter 11 describes the construction of the tower of Babel, the confusion of the languages and the genealogy of righteous Shem.
Patriarchal period (chapters 12-50)
Chapter 12 introduces God calling Abram (later named Abraham ). Abram is an outstanding example of faith and trust in God. He was instructed by God to leave his home. “So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him” (Genesis 12:4). As a result of his faithfulness, Abram was promised profound favor ( verses 2-3 ), as God promises to bless those who seek to obey and please Him today ( 1 Corinthians 2:9 ).
Chapter 13 deals with the separation between Abram and Lot, which gives further evidence of Abram’s faith that God would bless him under all circumstances. God reiterated and expanded His promise of national and spiritual blessings ( Genesis 13:14-17 ).
Chapter 14 introduces the law of tithing . Abram understood that tithing was a divine law instituted by God, and that it was a law he should obey. He was known to obey all of God’s laws and commandments, including tithing: “Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws” (Genesis 26:5). What a striking example for all Christians!
Chapter 17: At age 99 Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, which means “Father of a Multitude.” The promises to Abraham were further magnified to include a multitude of nations and kings. As a token of His covenant with Abraham and his descendants, God instituted circumcision.
Chapters 18-19: The degeneracy and debauchery of Sodom and Gomorrah and the other cities of the plain are highlighted.
Chapter 20: The interaction between Abraham and Abimelech (king of the city of Gerar) over Sarah is described.
Chapter 21: After waiting for 25 years, God fulfilled His promise to provide an heir (Isaac) to Abraham and his wife Sarah. Because they succumbed to frustration due to waiting on God, Abraham and Sarah had earlier agreed to produce a child through Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid. (Her son Ishmael became the father of many of the present-day Arab nations.)
Chapter 22: God tested Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham did not hesitate to obey and journeyed to Mount Moriah fully trusting and believing that God knew what He was doing ( Hebrews 11:17-19 ). Abraham passed his severe trial of faith, an example of total trust in God’s faithfulness and promises.
Chapters 23-26: Sarah died at age 127 years, and Abraham purchased land at Machpelah for her burial. Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob and Leah were also buried there ( Genesis 25:9 ; 49:30-31 ; 50:13 ).
Abraham sent his servant to Mesopotamia to find a wife for Isaac. Rebekah was selected by God and returned to marry Isaac.
Abraham died at the age of 175 years.
Esau foolishly sold his birthright. In Hebrews 12:16 he is called a “profane person” (showing disrespect for that which is important).
Chapters 27-31: Because of Jacob’s deception of his father Isaac, he was forced to flee from the wrath of his brother Esau. He traveled to the land of Padan Aram and to Laban, Rebekah’s brother. He worked for Laban for 14 years to marry Leah and Rachel. Eventually Jacob left Laban and returned to his homeland.
Chapters 32-33: Jacob and his company continued their return journey and camped at the River Jabbok. There a most unusual event occurred: During the night a supernatural Being wrestled with Jacob; and because of his perseverance and unwillingness to give up, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, meaning “Prevailer with God” (Genesis 32:24-30).
Chapters 34-35: Dinah’s violation resulted in her brothers Simeon and Levi using trickery and deceit to take revenge.
Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin, and Reuben lost his birthright after committing adultery with Bilhah, the mother of his brothers, Dan and Naphtali.
Isaac died at the age of 180 years ( Genesis 35:28-29 ).
Chapters 36-47: Chapter 36 records the family line of Esau. Most of the remaining chapters of Genesis deal with the life of Joseph. However, the account of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38 interrupts the story flow of Joseph’s life. The incident ends with the birth of twin sons, Perez and Zerah, to Tamar. In Luke 3:33 and Matthew 1:3 we read that Perez is the son of Judah through whom Jesus was descended.
Many people have heard the story of Joseph being sold by his brothers as a slave into Egypt, and how he was taken from prison (where he was kept for many years) and placed over all of Egypt under the Pharaoh. After 22 years, Joseph was reunited with his brothers when they were sent by Jacob to purchase grain in Egypt.
Joseph was reunited with his father when Jacob (Israel) and his family settled in Egypt. A list of the names of family members who accompanied Jacob is given (Genesis 46:8-26).
Chapters 48-49: Before his death, Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph with the birthright, as his father had done to him. As mentioned in Genesis 35:11 , Jacob bestowed on the two boys tremendous national blessings of greatness and wealth. Manasseh would become a great nation, and Ephraim would develop into a “company of nations.”
Genesis 49:1-28 details Jacob’s last words to each of his 12 sons. Future prophecies and blessings are pronounced on his sons.
Jacob’s death is recorded ( Genesis 49:33 ).
Chapter 50: The deaths of both Jacob (Israel) and Joseph are mentioned.
Highlight: lessons from Joseph’s life
We can learn various lessons from Joseph’s example. Despite enduring many hardships, afflictions and misfortunes, Joseph continued to obey and trust God even when his circumstances and future looked bleak. He believed that God would ultimately work things out for his good ( Romans 8:28 ) and that he would not be tried beyond what he could endure ( 1 Corinthians 10:13 ).
In Genesis 39:9 Joseph states, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Part of repentance is coming to understand that sin is against God ( Psalm 51:4 ), and this understanding should be the primary motivation to avoid and to root sin out of our lives.
Only the beginning
Increasingly, the Bible seems irrelevant to many in the Christian world, and it is being rejected as a source of life, hope and truth. This results in further instability and hopelessness in our society. On the other hand, God promises to take special note of those who study His Word with an attitude of respect and reverence ( Isaiah 66:2 ).
It’s up to us to take Him at His word! Learn more about studying how God wants us to live in the section on “ The Practical and Priceless Benefits of Bible Study .”
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On which British island in the South Atlantic would you find Wideawake Airfield? | Ascension | island, Atlantic Ocean | Britannica.com
island, Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Ascension, island in the South Atlantic Ocean , part of the British overseas territory of St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. St. Helena is 700 miles (1,100 km) to the southeast of Ascension, and the island group of Tristan da Cunha is some 1,300 miles (2,100 km) south of St. Helena. The main settlement and the location of the island’s administrative headquarters is Georgetown.
Islands off the western coast of Africa.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Except on the heights of Green Mountain (2,817 feet [859 metres]), where fruit, vegetables, and livestock are raised, the island is mostly a desert of dormant volcanic craters and extensive lava flows. There are no surface streams. Catchment basins constructed on Green Mountain in the 19th century yield some fresh water, but desalinization plants produce the bulk of the island’s water supply. The sandy beaches, unprotected by coral reefs, are vulnerable to heavy oceanic swells but are critical nesting sites for the globally endangered green sea turtles, which come ashore to lay eggs between January and April. Sooty terns also breed in abundance. After the island’s feral cats were eradicated in the early 21st century, populations of other birds—including the masked booby , brown booby, and red-billed tropic bird but not the globally threatened native Ascension frigate bird—began recolonizing the island.
Volcanic landscape, Ascension Island, South Atlantic Ocean.
© kwest/Shutterstock.com
Ascension was discovered by the Portuguese navigator João da Nova in 1501 and was rediscovered on Ascension Day 1503 by Afonso de Albuquerque . It remained uninhabited until 1815, however, when British marines were stationed there, during the exile of Napoleon I on St. Helena, to prevent the French from claiming the island. Ascension subsequently served as a frequent stop for ships sailing the South Atlantic in the 19th century. It came under the supervision of the British Royal Marines in 1823 and in 1922 became a dependency of St. Helena. From 1922 until 2002, most governmental and economic administration was provided by the military and by various entities, including Cable & Wireless PLC (later acquired by another company and renamed Sure) and the British Broadcasting Corporation , which have continued to operate telecommunications facilities on the island. Other important presences have been the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration , the U.S. Air Force , the Royal Air Force (RAF), the European Space Agency , and British and American intelligence organizations.
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In which English county could you visit Bolingbroke Castle? | Ascension Island: remote South Atlantic - Sailfeed
Ascension Island: remote South Atlantic
Posted by Behan Gifford / 0 Comments
Uninhabited before it was encountered by Portuguese sailors in the 1500s, Ascension’s lonely position in the middle of, well, more or less nowhere in the South Atlantic made it a place of strategic importance since. In the age of commerce under sail, it was a place to water up (once a source was found) and provision (initially by hunting green turtles, which nest in Ascension by the thousands; goats were left later, and farms cultivated).
A British Overseas Territory, Ascension has never technically been settled, as St Helena has, but has hosted residents since the English installed garrisons in the early 1800s as a precaution against attempted escape by Napoleon from his nearby exile. The UK still has an RAF base , and staged for the Falklands War here. The US Air Force has a base, but US military presence has waxed and waned since building an airstrip- “ Wideawake ”- to support troops in North Africa during World War II. Now, it’s mainly useful as a military and communications hub. Ascension hosts one of five land-based antennae supporting the world’s GPS data that so many people rely up. The European Space Agency monitors their orbits from here. The BBC has a relay station here that transmits the British way of life to Africa and South America.
What does all this mean? Well, there is a freakish amount of wire strung up. Transmitting, of course, but it must be a pretty major listening station too. I’ve lost count of the radar domes.
feral (yes, feral) sheep graze near some of the huge antennae structures on Ascension
We won’t provision much because all that’s here now is either frozen, or isn’t very fresh (onions, potatoes, etc.). In many ways, ships visiting way back when had better meat and produce than we do today! But we thoroughly enjoy looking into the history of the island, exploring the desolate but strangely appealing landscape.
Wideawake airfield among the cinder cones
The museum is full of artifacts from the first centuries of Ascension’s discovery up through the modern era. It has the kind of random hours that speak to a volunteer organization (Monday evenings for two hours, Saturday mornings for two more), so we sneak in at the first opportunity as there are a few history buffs on Totem! Jamie is amazed that we can touch the bell that once hung in William Dampier’s ship Roebuck , which sank off Ascension more than three hundred years ago.
at least the 16th century china is under glass
checking out the grounds atop old Fort Georgetown
What do civilians do on a visit to Ascension? Go hiking! It pales next to the walks in St Helena, but still fun. The trick is transportation to reach them, but it was only about $25 to rent a car for the day, so off we went.
We hiked to the summit of Green Mountain, the tallest spot on Ascension – a few score feet higher than St Helena. Interestingly enough, the foliage here is 90% introduced — on purpose! Charles Darwin visited, and along with a british botanist encouraged the introduction of plants…and so they were shipped by the hundreds from Kew during the 19th century.
fragrant “Lady Nugent’s Rose” on Green Mountain
There’s animal spotting: besides feral sheep, there are feral donkeys (relatively easy to find) and rumored to be feral cows (COWS) in the greener elevations.
it’s cute, but do you really want to get close to a wild donkey?
It’s the end of nesting season for green turtles, which swim here from Brazil to lay nests by the thousand. They’re plentiful enough in the water that we must take care while driving the dinghy to avoid any dink-vs-turtle accidents. These turtles are huge – more than four feet long, around three feet across! The kids curtailed sleep to make a dawn pilgrimage to the beach in the hopes of seeing a few, and weren’t disappointed. Full moonlight, however, isn’t great for pictures…and it’s not right to use a flash on these gentle giants. This mama throws sand to bury her nest as early dawn gives juuuuust enough light for a blurry shot.
A land crab species found only here and three other tiny South Atlantic islands surprised us by showing up on a wall near the trailhead for the Dew Pond hike – an elevation of at least 1,500′! These tenacious crabs are mountain dwellers and spend most of their time underground, but make an annual pilgrimage to the sea to spawn. It must be an amazing sight.
It’s not all nature and critters on Ascension…Friday nights are happy hour at the Volcano Club, the open-to-civilians joint at the US Air Force base. Of course we had to go! I must be feeling homesick as we get closer to the USA, because the sight of US brands on the shelves in their short-order restaurant was exciting. In the bar, big screen TVs played FOOTBALL – our kind of football! Want a beer? Choose Bud, and Bud Light. All the music was American. OH MY GOODNESS. Honestly, I got a little misty.
Totem set sail from Ascension today! We’re headed for Barbados; you can see our current position and speed here ! We will get comments at sea, so add a little interest to our day out in the big blue. We’ll be able to respond after we reach the Caribbean in late April.
This article was syndicated from Sailing Totem
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The 'Coxa' is the medical name for which bone in the human body? | What are the three bones of the os coxa? | Reference.com
What are the three bones of the os coxa?
A:
Quick Answer
The three bones of the os coxa, or hip bone, are the ilium, ischium and pubis, according to Dartmouth College. By adulthood, these three bones have grown together to form a single bone. When combined with the sacrum, these bones make up the bony pelvis.
Full Answer
The ilium forms the fan-shaped portion of the pelvis, according to the University of Arkansas. The crest, or top part, is attached to abdominal wall muscles. Ligaments are also connected to parts of the ilium. The ischium is located at the lower back portion of the hip bone and is joined to ligaments. The pubis forms the lower front portion of the pelvis. This bone attaches to the root of the penis.
| Hip bone |
Which former American President was nominated for re- election by the Bull Moose Party? | Coxal - definition of coxal by The Free Dictionary
Coxal - definition of coxal by The Free Dictionary
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/coxal
n. pl. cox·ae (kŏk′sē′)
1. Anatomy The hip or hip joint.
2. Zoology The first segment of the leg of an insect or other arthropod, joining the leg to the body.
[Latin, hip.]
1. (Anatomy) a technical name for the hipbone or hip joint
2. (Zoology) the basal segment of the leg of an insect
[C18: from Latin: hip]
n., pl. cox•ae (ˈkɒk si)
1.
b. the joint of the hip.
2. the first or proximal segment of the leg of insects and other arthropods.
[1700–10; < Latin: hip]
ischial bone , ischium , os ischii - one of the three sections of the hipbone; situated below the ilium
thigh - the part of the leg between the hip and the knee
articulatio spheroidea , ball-and-socket joint , cotyloid joint , enarthrodial joint , enarthrosis , spheroid joint - a freely moving joint in which a sphere on the head of one bone fits into a rounded cavity in the other bone
pelvic arch , pelvic girdle , pelvis , hip - the structure of the vertebrate skeleton supporting the lower limbs in humans and the hind limbs or corresponding parts in other vertebrates
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ischial bone
References in periodicals archive ?
The leg was then gently manipulated until voluntary rupture of the coxal apodeme was achieved and the isolated limb placed in absolute ethanol (stored at -20[degrees] C).
Neolithic nomads at El Multaga, Upper Nubia, Sudan
moubata, expanding on the work of Dutton and Todd, and demonstrated spirochetes in numerous tick tissues including the midgut, synganglion (central ganglion), malphigian tubules, salivary glands, ovaries, and coxal organs.
Vector interactions and molecular adaptations of Lyme disease and relapsing fever spirochetes associated with transmission by ticks. (Perspectives)
Chilling-injury and disturbance of ion homeostasis in the coxal muscle of the tropical cockroach (Nauphoeta cinerea).
Effects of duration of cold storage of host eggs on percent parasitism and adult emergence of each of ten Trichogrammatidae (Hymenoptera) species
Endites dark yellow-brown with black mottling, white at distinct serrula and maxillar hair tuft; labium yellow-brown, white distally, trapezoidal with slightly concave distal margin; sternum shield-shaped, rebordered, orange-brown with black mottling, with scattered long erect and short straight setae and white feathery setae; intercoxal sclerites present between all coxal pairs; precoxal triangles present; pleural bars isolated.
A redescription of Merenius alberti Lessert, 1923 (Araneae: Corinnidae), with remarks on colour polymorphism and its relationship to ant models
Coxal sutures present; ventral spinulae present on pro- and meso-tarsi and tibiae, absent on metathoracic leg; trochanter with six sensilla; simple and complex spines present, complex spines confined to the femoral and tibial segments, most numerous anteroventrally and distally, and on the metathoracic leg; posterior tarsal claw shorter than anterior claw, tarsal spines present.
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After Oxford and Cambridge, which is England's next oldest university? | Lesson 31: Oxford and Cambridge Universities
Oxford and Cambridge Universities
Lessons >>> Lesson 31
England is famous for its educational institutes. There were many different kinds of schools in Medieval England and the English universities were one of the most significant creations. The students who attended either Oxford or Cambridge Universities set an intellectual standard that contrasted markedly with the norm of Medieval England. Today both Universities are internationally renowned centres for teaching and research, attracting students and scholars from all over the world.
The University of Oxford , located in the city of Oxford is one of the oldest and most highly revered Universities in Europe. It was the first university established in Britain. Oxford is situated about 57 miles (90 km) north-west of London in its own county of Oxfordshire. The city lies at the confluence of the Rivers Cherwell and Thames, or "Isis", as it is locally known, giving the opportunity to enjoy such pleasant pursuits as boating and punting, or a stroll along river banks. The story of Oxford is one of a war, plague, religious persecution, heroes and the emergence of one of the greatest Universities in the world. Known as the city of "Dreaming Spires," Oxford is dominated by the Medieval architecture of the University, and the exquisite gardens within.
According to legend Oxford University was founded by King Alfred the Great in 872 when he happened to meet some monks there and had a scholarly debate that lasted several days. A more realistic scenario is that it grew out of efforts begun by Alfred to encourage education and establish schools throughout his territory.
Long after Alfred, during the late 11th or early 12th century, it is known that Oxford became a centre of learning for clerics, from which a school or university could have sprung or evolved. The university was given a boost in 1167 when, for political reasons, Henry II of England ordered all English students at Paris to return to England. Most of the returning students congregated at Oxford and the University began a period of rapid development. Oxford, like Cambridge, differs from many other universities in that there is no central university campus. Instead, the University consists of a large number of colleges and associated buildings, scattered throughout the city.
From the start there was friction between "town and gown". Most students took lodgings with local people, who soon realised that they could charge high prices and rents of the Academics. However it was a strain on the resources of the community to have to provide for the influx of people from elsewhere. In the 13th century, rioting between students and localpeople hastened the establishment of primitive halls of residence. These were succeeded by the first of Oxford's colleges or endowed houses whose architectural splendour, together with the University's libraries and museums, give the city its unique character.
The first college, University College, was founded in 1249 by William of Durham. Other notable colleges include All Souls (founded in 1438), Christ Church (founded in 1546) and Lady Margaret Hall (founded in 1878), which was the first women's college. Since 1974, all but one of Oxford's colleges have changed their statutes to admit both men and women. St Hilda's remains the only women's college, and the rest enroll both men and women.
Oxford early on became a centre for lively controversy, with scholars involved in religious and political disputes. John Wyclif, a 14th-century Master of Balliol, campaigned for a bible in the vernacular, against the wishes of the papacy. In 1530, Henry VIII forced the University to accept his divorce from Catherine of Aragon. During the Reformation in the 16th century, the Anglican churchmen Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley were tried for heresy and burnt at the stake in Oxford. During the Civil War, Oxford was selected as the Royalist capital. The King stayed at Christ Church, the Queen at Merton, and a passage was constructed to allow them to meet. Most of the citizens were violently anti-Royalist, but not the University.
Today Oxford University is comprised of thirty-nine colleges and six permanent private halls, founded between 1249 and 1996, whose architectural grandeur, together with that of the University's libraries and museums, gives the city its unique character. More than 130 nationalities are represented among a student population of over 18,000. A range of scholarships offer support for international students.Thirty colleges and all halls admit students for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Seven other colleges are for graduates only; one has Fellows only, and one specializes in part-time and continuing education. Each college is practically autonomous with its own set of rules. There is central administration, providing services such as libraries, laboratories, lectures and examination.
There have been many famous people who have studied at Oxford Univeristy and they include John Locke, Adam Smith, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Lewis Carroll, Oscar Wilde, J. R. Tolkien, Indira Gandhi, Baroness Margaret Thatcher, Bill Clinton, Rupert Murdoch, Rowan Atkinson (Mr Bean), and Hugh Grant. All in all, Oxford has produced four British and at least eight foreign kings, 47 Nobel prize-winners, 25 British Prime Ministers, 28 foreign presidents and prime ministers, seven saints, 86 archbishops, 18 cardinals, and one pope. Seven of the last eleven British Prime Ministers have been Oxford graduates.
Oxford's teaching and research is consistently in the top rank nationally and internationally, and is at the forefront of medical, scientific and technological achievement. Amongst the University's old members are many widely influential scientists. Contemporary scientists include Stephen Hawking, Richard Dawkins and Nobel prize-winner Anthony James Leggett, and Tim Berners Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web.
University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world (after Oxford). The start of the University is generally taken as 1209, when some masters and students arrived in Cambridge after fleeing from rioting in Oxford.
Cambridge is situated about 50 miles (80 km) north of London. The town of Cambridge originally took its name from the river on which it stood - the Granta. Through a convoluted process of evolution, the name 'Grontabricc' became 'Cambridge', and the river became the 'Cam'. The town is referred to in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales as 'Canterbridge'.
The university was basically established to study for religious purposes. The earliest teaching sessions of the University were carried out in churches or private houses. This was obviously unsatisfactory, and so the University authorities began to establish buildings for its own use. Some of these early 'schools' still exist on the site known, appropriately, as the 'Old Schools'. During the 14th and 15th Centuries, the University gradually gained its independence from the church, with the Chancellor taking on both religious and civil duties.
Cambridge University is composed of more than thirty constituent colleges, one of the most illustrious of which is Emmanuel College. This college was founded in 1584 by Sir Walter Mildmay, Chancellor of the Exchequer to Queen Elizabeth I. Many Emmanuel graduates, including John Harvard, were among those who settled in New England in the first half of the 17th century. The oldest building is in St John's College but the oldest college as institution is Peterhouse, dates from 1284. King Henry VIII founded the largest college, Trinity, in 1546.
Many of the University buildings are of historical or architectural interest, and the University's museums contain many rare, valuable and beautiful items. King's College Chapel, begun in 1446, is one of Britain's most magnificent buildings. The mulberry tree under which the poet John Milton is reputed to have written Lycidas is on the grounds of Christ's College. Samuel Pepys's library, housed in the original cases, is at Magdalene College. Two of the colleges contain chapels designed by Christopher Wren-Pembroke and Emmanuel. The gardens and grounds of the colleges along the River Cam are known as the "Backs," and together they form a unique combination of large-scale architecture, natural and formal gardens, and river scenery with student boaters.
The University at present has more than 16,500 full-time students - over 11,600 undergraduates and nearly 5,000 graduates. About 17% of the student body is from overseas, coming from over 100 different countries. Because of its high academic reputation, admission to the University is highly competitive, and most overseas students already have a good degree from a university in their own country.
The University also has a worldwide reputation for other aspects of its work. Cambridge University Press (one of the world's oldest and largest publishers) and UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate) are world leaders in their respective fields and allow the University to make a direct educational and academic contribution to the lives of millions of people around the world.
Cambridge University is more renowned than its rival for mathematics and natural sciences, and has produced 80 Nobel-prize winners (33 more than Oxford and the highest number of any university worldwide), 13 British Prime Ministers (12 less than the other place) and 8 Archbishops of Canterbury, among others.
The list of illustrious alumni is endless. Among the most famous are Desiderius Erasmus, Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe, Lord Byron, Charles Darwin, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Jawaharlal Nehru, Vladimir Nabokov, Lee Kuan Yew (PM of Singapore from 1959 to 1990), and Rajiv Gandhi. The great Russian scientist Pavlov came to Cambridge to receive the degree of the Honorary Doctor of Cambridge. University of Cambridge is known as a great centre of science, where many fomous scientists have worked.
Sources: http://www.ox.ac.uk/aboutoxford/history.shtml
Today both Universities are internationally
centres for teaching and research, attracting students and scholars from all over the world.
3.
The University of Oxford, located in the city of Oxford is one of the oldest and most highly
Universities in Europe.
The city lies at the
of the Rivers Cherwell and Thames.
5.
Oxford's location is giving the opportunity to enjoy such pleasant pursuits as boating and punting, or a
along river banks.
The story of Oxford is one of war,
, religious persecution, heroes and the emergence of one of the greatest Universities in the world.
7.
During the late 11th or early 12th century, it is known that Oxford became a centre of learning for clerics, from which a school or university could have sprung or
.
8.
The university was given a
in 1167 when, for political reasons, Henry II of England ordered all English students at Paris to return to England.
9.
Most of the returning students
at Oxford and the University began a period of rapid development.
10.
From the start there was
between "town and gown".
11.
Most students took
with local people, who soon realised that they could charge high prices and rents of the Academics.
12.
between students and localpeople hastened the establishment of primitive halls of residence.
13.
These were succeeded by the first of Oxford's colleges or
houses whose architectural splendour, together with the University's libraries and museums, give the city its unique character.
14.
Oxford early on became a centre for lively
, with scholars involved in religious and political disputes.
15.
During the Reformation in the 16th century, the Anglican churchmen Cranmer, Latimer and Ridley were tried for heresy and burnt at the
in Oxford.
of thirty-nine colleges and six permanent private halls, founded between 1249 and 1996.
17.
offer support for international students.
18.
University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in the English-speaking world (after Oxford). The start of the University is generally taken as 1209, when some masters and students arrived in Cambridge after
from rioting in Oxford.
19.
The town of Cambridge originally took its name from the river on which it stood - the Granta. Through a
process of evolution, the name 'Grontabricc' became 'Cambridge', and the river became the 'Cam'.
20.
The earliest teaching sessions of the University of Cambridge were
out in churches or private houses.
21.
its independence from the church, with the Chancellor taking on both religious and civil duties.
22.
| Durham |
Which French painter, who with his wife Sonia Terk, pioneered the art movement known as Orphism, is best known for his series of paintings of Paris and, in particular, of the Eiffel Tower? | A History of Oxford University
A SHORT HISTORY OF OXFORD UNIVERSITY
By Tim Lambert
OXFORD UNIVERSITY IN THE MIDDLE AGES
According to legend Oxford university was founded in 872 when Alfred the Great happened to meet some monks there and had a scholarly debate that lasted several days.
In reality it grew up in the 12th century when famous teachers began to lecture there and groups of students came to live and study in Oxford. The university was given a boost in 1167 when, for political reasons, the English king ordered all students in France to return home. Many of them came to Oxford.
From the start there was friction between students and the townspeople. In 1209 the students left and went to Cambridge. However the traders in Oxford soon missed the custom of the students and persuaded some of them to return in 1214. In that year the first Chancellor was appointed, a man named Robert Grosseteste (1175-1253).
At first the students lodged with the townspeople or lived in halls. St Edmund Hall dates from 1238. In the 13th century the first colleges were founded. Each college owned its own buildings. The colleges also owned land (today many of them own investments). Each college was self-governing. William of Durham founded the first college, University College, in 1249. (The oldest part of the existing buildings dates from 1634).
Balliol College was founded in 1264 by John de Baliol. He founded it as a penance after insulting the Bishop of Durham. Walter de Merton founded Merton College in 1264. Merton Library was built in 1379.
Exeter College was founded in 1314 by Walter Stapledon for students from Exeter Diocese, 8 were to come from Devon and 4 from Cornwall. Adam de Brome founded Oriel College in 1324. Robert Eglesfield founded Queens College in 1341. He was the queen's chaplain and he named it in her honour. In 1377 John Wycliffe was expelled from Oxford University after he criticized some of the church's teachings.
Then in 1379 William of Wykeham who lived from 1324 to 1404 founded New College.
After 1410 students were forbidden to lodge with townspeople and had to live in halls of colleges. Eventually colleges replaced most of the halls. However St Edmund Hall survived till the 20th century when it became a college. The Divinity School was built about 1426.
The Bishop of Lincoln founded Lincoln College in 1427. It was intended to train men to fight heresy. The chapel was built in 1630. All Souls College was founded in 1437 by Archbishop Chichele to commemorate Henry V and all the men killed at Agincourt. William of Waynflet, Bishop of Winchester, founded Magdalen College in 1448. Its bell tower was built in 1509.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY 1500-1800
In the Middle Ages students learned from lectures as books were rare luxuries. The situation changed when Caxton introduced the printing press to England in 1476. Books became far more common.
In the Middle Ages students learned the seven liberal arts of grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music. In the 16th century they began to study the humanities. In the Middle Ages ancient writers like Aristotle were regarded as the final authority. Lecturing was a matter of explaining what they meant. With the renaissance there was a new spirit of inquiry.
Brasenose College was founded in 1509. Its name comes from a bronze doorknocker taken from a house in Stamford. The Hall was built in 1663. The chapel was built in 1666.
Corpus Christi College was founded in 1516. Cardinal Wolsey founded Christchurch College in 1525. In 1542 the chapel of Christchurch College became Oxford Cathedral. Tom Tower (the college bell tower) was built in 1682 by Wren. Trinity College was founded in 1555. Also in 1555 St Johns College was founded. Jesus College was founded in 1571 by Queen Elizabeth.
In 1444 Duke Humfrey (younger brother of Henry V) founded a library at Oxford. At the reformation it was broken up and the books were sold. However in 1598 Sir Thomas Bodley decided to restore it. The new library opened in 1603. Bodley then decided to extend the library. He died in 1613 but work went on and the Bodleian Library was completed in 1624.
In 1621 a physic garden, where medicinal plants were grown, was created at Oxford. It is now the Botanic Gardens.
Wadham College was founded in 1612 and Pembroke College was founded in 1624. Oriel College was rebuilt in the years 1619-42. In 1647 after the civil war Oxford University was purged of royalists among its staff. After the restoration in 1660 it was purged of puritans.
Wren built the Sheldonian Theatre in 1669. The Old Ashmolean Museum was built in 1683 (it is now the Museum of the History of Science). The Clarendon Building was erected in 1713. Worcester College was founded in 1714. Radcliffe Camera opened as a library in 1749. Magdalen Bridge was built in 1782.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY IN THE 19th CENTURY
The famous debating society, the Union Society was formed in 1823. Oxford University press dates from 1478. The present building was erected in 1830. The Ashmolean Museum opened in 1845. The Taylor Institution was built in 1854. University Museum of Natural History opened in 1860. The Clarendon Laboratory was built in 1872. Pitt-Rivers museum was built in 1885.
Keble College was founded in 1868 to commemorate John Keble (died 1866). It was built by the famous architect William Butterfield (1814-1900). Hertford College was founded in 1874. Mansfield College was founded in 1886. St Hughs College was also founded in 1886.
In the late 19th century Halls were built for female students (later they became colleges). Elizabeth Wordsworth founded Lady Margaret Hall for women in 1878. Somerville College for women was founded in 1879. St Hildas College was founded in 1893 by Dorothea Beale.
The University Act of 1854 made it possible for those who did not belong to the Church of England to study at Oxford. In 1889 a dissenter's academy moved to Oxford. It is now Harris Manchester College. Kellogg College for continuing education was founded in 1878. Campion Hall (Jesuit theological college) was founded in 1895. It was named after Edward Campion (1540-81). Ruskin Hall was founded in 1899. It became Ruskin College in 1913.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY THE 20th CENTURY
In 1902 Cecil Rhodes died. He left money to provide scholarships for students from the colonies, the USA and Germany. Rhodes House was built in 1929. The Bridge of Sighs was built in 1914. St Peters College was founded in 1929. Nuffield College was founded in 1937. St Antonys College was founded in 1948. St Annes College was founded in 1952.
Greyfriars Hall (a Franciscan friary which dates from 1910) was made a permanent private hall in 1957. (Franciscan friars were called grey friars because of the color of their costumes). So was Regents Park College. St Edmund Hall was finally made a College in 1957. Linacre College was founded in 1962. St Catharines College was founded in 1963. Wolfson College (originally Iffley College) was founded in 1965. St Cross College was also founded in 1965.
The Oxford Centre for Management Studies was founded in 1965. In 1983 it was renamed Templeton College after Sir John Templeton.
The Zoology and Psychology buildings at Oxford were erected in 1970. Green College was founded in 1979. After 1974 more and more of the colleges at Oxford changed from being single sex to being dual sex colleges. To date the only exception is St Hildas. Blackfriars (a Dominican friary) was made a permanent private hall in 1994. Wycliffe Hall (which dates from 1877) followed in 1996.
| i don't know |
What is the value of pi to two decimal places? | Pi
To help you remember just draw this diagram.
Draw a circle, or use something circular like a plate.
Measure around the edge (the circumference):
I got 82 cm
Measure across the circle (the diameter):
I got 26 cm
82 cm / 26 cm = 3.1538...
That is pretty close to π. Maybe if I measured more accurately?
In fact π is approximately equal to:
3.14159265358979323846
The digits go on and on with no pattern. π has been calculated to over two quadrillion decimal places and still there is no pattern to the digits
Example: You walk around a circle which has a diameter of 100m, how far have you walked?
Distance walked = Circumference = π × 100m = 314.159...m
= 314m (to the nearest m)
Approximation
A quick and easy approximation for π is 22/7
22/7 = 3.1428571...
But as you can see, 22/7 is not exactly right. In fact π is not equal to the ratio of any two numbers, which makes it an irrational number .
A better approximation (but still not exact) is:
355/113 = 3.1415929...
(think "113355", then divide the "355" by the "113")
Remembering
I usually just remember "3.14159", but you can also count the letters of:
"May I have a large container of butter today"
3 1 4 1 5 9 2 6 5
To 100 Decimal Places
Here is π with the first 100 decimal places:
3.14159265358979323846264338327950288
| three point one four |
Who was the American screenwriter who created, wrote, narrated and hosted the science fiction series 'The Twilight Zone'? | algorithms - Calculate $\pi$ to an accuracy of 5 decimal places? - Mathematics Stack Exchange
Calculate $\pi$ to an accuracy of 5 decimal places?
1
In this message at point 18 I saw following programming question:
Given that $\pi$ can be estimated using the function $4(1 – 1/3 + 1/5 – 1/7 + \ldots)$ with more terms giving greater accuracy, write a function that calculates Pi to an accuracy of 5 decimal places.
So I know how to implement the given function and how to choose how "far" I should calculate, but how can I tell when I've reached the "accuracy of 5 decimal places" ?
14314
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This question came from our site for professionals, academics, and students working within the systems development life cycle who care about creating, delivering, and maintaining software responsibly.
1
That converges quite slowly, I believe; Wikipedia states it'll take 500,000 iterations to get to 5 places. You'd have to read the linked paper to find out how they determined that though. :-P – Martijn Pieters Aug 30 '12 at 9:07
1
This is a math question – Simon Aug 30 '12 at 14:06
Just use a constant. The value of PI to 5 decimal places is known. In many cases its already a math constant. The programming question seems to ignore this fact. – Ramhound Aug 30 '12 at 14:35
@Ramhound - That's because the programming question is a sample interview question. Of course in your daily work you'd use a built-in or define your own. That wasn't the point; any idiot can hard-code the desired result of a single trial into a method. The point was to determine if you can think your way through the desired algorithm. – KeithS Aug 30 '12 at 15:44
What do you mean when you say "I know... how to choose how 'far' I should calculate"? Because that's precisely the question you are asking. – Sridhar Ramesh Aug 30 '12 at 17:16
up vote 6 down vote accepted
The series you wrote is an Alternating series . The alternating series test says that for such a series, the error in the approximation is less than the absolute value of the first missing term.
In other words, if the last term you have is of the form $\pm \frac{1}{2n+1}$, then your approximation is good within $\frac{1}{2n+3}$. To be sure that this is accurate to the 5th digit, you need
$$\frac{1}{2n+3} \leq 0.00001$$
2
You are correct about the alternating series test and the error bound. One has to be careful by what is meant by accurate to 5 decimal places (which may be more an English problem than a math one). If $\pi$ were of the form $3.1416000000001233144\ldots$ you could have quite a small error change the fifth decimal point. Yes, you would have to be really unlucky. – Ross Millikan Sep 4 '12 at 15:53
up vote 5 down vote
You can just keep going until the decimal places you are interested in don't change for two terms. Since we add and subtract alternately, and subsequent terms have less effect, you can be sure that the decimal places will never change if they don't for two turns.
Note that this series for pi is very slow!
4 * 1 / 400000 = 0.00001. Any term smaller than that will not contribute to the first 5 decimal places of the accumulated sum.
So in pseudo-code:
val = 0; for d = 1; d <= 400000; d += 4 val += 1 / d val -= 1 / (d+2) return val*4
5
-1 Incomplete. You need to show that the terms smaller than 1E-5 don't sum to more than 1E-5. In fact, actually it's even more complicated than that, because the answer should be correctly rounded. You also potentially have loss of significance due to adding from the largest elements in the series rather than from the smallest. – Peter Taylor Aug 30 '12 at 12:46
up vote 2 down vote
The iteration should be simple; it's how you know when you're done, without knowing the answer, that's trickier. Basically, if you need to know the answer to 5 decimal places, then stop as soon as the 5th decimal place hasn't changed in some arbitrary number of trials.
A more elegant way (not requiring you to multiply by 4 after every step to ensure the precision of the final number is within the epsilon) is to quit as soon as you reach a value that does not change the least significant digit of the decimal value that would produce the correct value of Pi. Pi to 5 decimals is 3.14159. Divided by 4 (producing the necessary sum of the infinite series), that's .7853975. This is what you have to get to. Therefore, the largest fraction that can be summed to the series that will not affect the precision is 1E-8 (one hundred millionth).
So, the ending point is the iteration N at which $|\dfrac{-1}{2n-1} + \dfrac{1}{2n+1}| < .00000001$, so that at the end of the iteration (one iteration being a subtraction and an addition), the series sum has not changed by a greater degree than the epsilon. By inspection, we see that the sum of the two fractions will be negative, so:
$\dfrac{1}{2n+1} - \dfrac{1}{2n-1} = -0.00000001$
$\dfrac{2n-1}{(2n+1)(2n-1)} - \dfrac{2n+1}{(2n+1)(2n-1)} = -1*10^{-8}$
$\dfrac{(2n-1)-(2n+1)}{(2n+1)(2n-1)} = -1*10^{-8}$
$\dfrac{-2}{4n^2-1} = -1*10^{-8}$
$-2 = (-1*10^{-8})(4n^2-1)$
$\dfrac{-2}{-1*10^{-8}} = 4n^2-1$ <-- from here you can pretty much plug in any needed precision
$2*10^{8} = 4n^2-1$
$200000001/4 = n^2$
$50000000.25 = n^2$
$n > 7071$
Plugging this back in to check, we get $\dfrac{1}{2(7072)+1} - \dfrac{1}{2(7072)-1} = \dfrac{1}{14145} - \dfrac{1}{14143} = -0.9997*10^{-8}$ which is less significant than $-1*10^{-8}$.
So, it should take 7072 iterations, at least, of subtracting the inverse of an odd natural number, then adding the next smaller odd inverse, to arrive at a sum that will produce pi to the necessary precision. In fact, it may actually take many more to produce a value that rounds correctly to the necessary number of decimal places; if you simply truncate to the needed sig figs, this is the answer.
| i don't know |
In the children's t.v. programme, who was the 'Wombles' cook? | The Wombles - ClassicKidsTv.co.uk
The Wombles
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The Wombles Title
The Wombles were created by Elisabeth Beresford in 1968 and first appeared in a series of childrens novels. Wombles are pointy-nosed furry creatures (though the characters in the original books resembled ordinary 'teddy bears') that live in burrows, where they help the environment by recycling rubbish in useful and ingenious ways. Although Wombles live in every country in the world, the stories focus on the life of the Wimbledon Common burrow in London, England.
The Wombles was adapted as a British children's television programme, The Wombles, a series of five-minute stop-motion episodes produced by FilmFair for the BBC and voiced by Bernard Cribbins . The first series aired in 1973 and the second in 1975, sixty episodes in all. In 1977, a feature-length live-action movie called Wombling Free appeared, starring David Tomlinson and Bonnie Langford .
The Wombles were re-invented from 1998 as a cartoon after FilmFair was acquired by the Canadian company Cinar Films in 1996, with a number of new geographically-named Wombles being introduced.
Contents
Great Uncle Bulgaria - The Wombles' leader
Tobermory - Engineer and handyman
| The Wombles |
Historically, French kings were crowned at the famous cathedral in which French city? | Much-loved characters from children’s televison celebrated by Royal Mail in stamp issue
Much-loved characters from children’s televison celebrated by Royal Mail in stamp issue
3 January 2014
Much-loved characters from children’s televison celebrated by Royal Mail in stamp issue
Some of the most popular shows from over 60 years of children’s television are celebrated with 12 much-loved characters featured on a new set of Special Stamps
Characters in the issue are Andy Pandy, Ivor the Engine, Dougal - from The Magic Roundabout, Windy Miller - from Camberwick Green, Mr Benn, Great Uncle Bulgaria - from The Wombles, Bagpuss, Paddington Bear, Postman Pat, Bob the Builder, Peppa Pig and Shaun the Sheep
Each decade since the 1950s is represented in this stamp issue
2014 marks the 40th anniversary of Bagpuss appearing on television
Stamps are designed so each character ‘breaks out’ of the border
The stamps are available from 7th January online at www.royalmail.com/childrenstv , by phone on 08457 641 641 and in 10,000 Post Offices throughout the UK
Royal Mail’s Special Stamp programme kicks-off 2014 with an issue that celebrates over 60 years of Classic Children’s TV.
12 of the most popular characters from children’s television are included in the set. The full line-up features Andy Pandy, Ivor the Engine, Dougal - from The Magic Roundabout, Windy Miller - from Camberwick Green, Mr Benn, Great Uncle Bulgaria - from The Wombles, Bagpuss, Paddington Bear, Postman Pat, Bob the Builder, Peppa Pig and Shaun the Sheep.
2014 will mark the 40th anniversary of Bagpuss first appearing on TV. The saggy cloth cat is continually cited as one of the most favourite British children’s TV character of all time. The year will also mark the 50th anniversary of The Magic Roundabout. The prolific British animator Ivor Wood created Dougal, one of the show’s memorable characters, who also ranks highly in people’s affections. Wood also went on to animate Paddington Bear and Postman Pat for TV.
Each decade since the 1950s is represented in this issue. Even the older programmes have been frequently repeated and new series created of them. Such is the popularity of these characters, that 2014 will see the films ‘Postman Pat: The Movie’ and ‘Paddington’ hit the big-screen at cinemas nationwide.
2015 will see a return to television for The Wombles and a new CGI series giving them a high-tech makeover.
Many of these shows have acquired cult status, and while intended for a young audience, they also attract devoted adult fans. Such was the attraction of The Magic Roundabout that, when, in 1967 it was moved to an earlier timeslot, the BBC received complaints from the programme’s adult fans who could not get home in time from work to watch the show.
Andrew Hammond, Royal Mail Stamps, said: “For over 60 years, Britain’s children’s TV characters have brought cheer to generations of viewers. More importantly it has presented us with a cast of characters that, like the memories of the programmes themselves, remain with us throughout our lives.
”It feels appropriate to celebrate all of these unforgettable characters on a set of very special stamps.”
Natasha Ayivor
www.royalmail.com/stamps
NOTES TO EDITORS
For almost 50 years, Royal Mail’s Special Stamp programme has commemorated and celebrated events and anniversaries pertinent to UK heritage and life. Today, there are an estimated 2.5 million stamp collectors and gifters in the UK and millions worldwide. Her Majesty the Queen approves all UK stamp designs before they are printed.
Stamps and stamp products are available at Post Office Branches, online at www.royalmail.com/stamps and from Royal Mail Tallents House (tel. 08457 641 641), 21 South Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9PB.
Stamp Characters:
ANDY PANDY
“Andy Pandy’s coming to play, la-la-la-la-la-la!” Devised by Freda Lingstrom and Maria Bird, Andy Pandy was first screened live in summer 1950 during the BBC’s For the Very Young slot. Subsequent episodes were filmed to enable repeat broadcasts and became central to the Watch with Mother segment from 1953.
Narrator Vera McKechnie addressed string puppets Andy Pandy, Teddy and Looby Loo directly, and encouraged young viewers to sing and dance along with the music and songs. After the original filmed episodes had become too damaged to be broadcast, in 1970 13 brand-new colour programmes were recorded.
IVOR THE ENGINE
Developed for ITV by Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, Ivor the Engine told the story of small steam train working on a remote line in the “top left-hand corner of Wales”. Narrated by Postgate, in his best Under Milk Wood voice, the show used charmingly rudimentary techniques to animate illustrations of Ivor and driver Jones the Steam. While Ivor would perambulate along the rails making a pleasing “pssh-te-cuff” sound, Vernon Elliott, a classical bassoonist, provided the accompanying music.
A total of 32 episodes were made between 1959 and 1964, and a further 40 were commissioned in colour by the BBC in 1975.
THE MAGIC ROUNDABOUT
In the early 1960s, French animator Serge Danot created an innovative stop-motion series, Le Manège Enchanté. British animator Ivor Wood joined Danot to work on the original episodes. Set in a magical park, it featured a dog named Pollux and his friends. Pollus was Wood’s invention, First broadcast in 1964, the unique programme soon caught the attention of TV executives in the UK.
BBC Head of Children’s Programming Doreen Stephens was charmed by the feel of the series, but felt the script needed changes. Eric Thompson, who was brought in to redub it, wrote and narrated entirely new stories around the visual elements. The Magic Roundabout debuted on British TV in 1965, with Pollux renamed Dougal, and was an immediate hit.
CAMBERWICK GREEN
Created by Gordon Murray, Camberwick Green featured stories about the folk of a picturesque rural village in the county of Trumptonshire. Thirteen 15-minute episodes were filmed in colour and narrated by the Play School presenter Brian Cant.
First broadcast in 1966, each episode began with a rhyme: “Here is a box, a musical box, wound up and ready to play. But this box can hide a secret inside. Can you guess what is in it today?” The featured character – perhaps Windy Miller, Dr Mopp or Mrs Honeyman – would then be revealed. Accompanying songs were composed by classical guitarist Freddie Phillips.
MR BENN
It all began in Festing Road, Putney, where author and illustrator David McKee lived. He used the street as the inspiration for Festive Road, the home of Mr Benn. First published in book form in the late 1960s, Mr Benn the TV series followed in 1971.
Each episode saw our hero visit a fancy-dress shop where, “as if by magic”, the shopkeeper would appear. Dressed in his chosen costume, Mr Benn would leave the changing room and end up in an unusual location – a knight’s armour, for example, led to an encounter with a dragon, while a caveman outfit took him to the Stone Age and a spaceman costume took him to outer space.
THE WOMBLES
Created by Elisabeth Beresford in a series of books starting in 1968, the Wombles are conical-faced creatures that live in a burrow under Wimbledon Common and spend their days collecting and recycling rubbish. They arrived on our screens in a series of 60 short instalments first airing in 1973. Using stop-motion models directed by Ivor Wood and the perky narration of Bernard Cribbins, the show introduced us to, among others, the exotic Madame Cholet and wise old Great Uncle Bulgaria.
‘The Wombling Song’, the show’s catchy theme tune, gave rise to The Wombles pop group, which, with a little vocal help from songwriter Mike Batt, had many hits.
BAGPUSS
Another unique creation from Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin, Bagpuss was a pink, striped, “saggy old cloth cat” who first appeared in 1974.
The series was set in a lost-and-found shop where Bagpuss would come to life on delivery of a discarded, broken item from young girl Emily. He and his friends – including six mice, banjo-playing toad Gabriel, rag doll Madeleine and woodpecker bookend Professor Yaffle – would then weave songs and stories around the object while it was repaired. With the restored item placed in the shop window for its owner to collect, Bagpuss would give a contented yawn and settle back down to sleep.
PADDINGTON BEAR
A Bear Called Paddington, written by Michael Bond, was first published in 1958. In 1975, the TV series directed by Ivor Wood and narrated by Michael Hordern was a mix of Paddington as stop-motion puppet animation and 2D illustration for all the other characters and backgrounds.
In the first episode, Mr and Mrs Brown meet the marmalade-loving bear from Darkest Peru and take him home, naming him after the London railway station where he was found. Paddington is the classic innocent abroad, a kind bear, well-meaning and polite, who is unaware of the obstacles and imminent catastrophes so evident to everyone else – but things always turn out fine for Paddington in the end.
POSTMAN PAT
Postman Pat is the longest running animated series on the BBC and everyone knows the words to the theme tune. In each stop-frame episode, Pat makes his deliveries in the idyllic village of Greendale. Whilst he often gets distracted by the locals including farmer Alf Thompson, handyman Ted Glen, postmistress Mrs Goggins and various sheep, with his trusty sidekick Jess the Black and White Cat, Pat always makes his delivery. Pat encourages sense of community spirit, bringing out the good neighbour in all of us. You can always count on Postman Pat!
Ivor Wood collaborated with writer John Cunliffe to bring his Postman Pat stories to our screens in 1981. Originally narrated by Ken Barrie, Lewis MacLeod more recently took over as the voice of Pat. Pat’s famous red postal van was joined by a fleet of new vehicles in 2008 when his route was extended to include the bustling town of Pencaster.
BOB THE BUILDER
Can he fix it? Yes, he can! Making his debut in 1998, Bob the Builder was the brainchild of former Muppets designer Keith Chapman. As the world’s favourite builder, Bob’s ability to take on any project promotes a can-do attitude of positivity and the benefits of working together, as sung in his chart-topping theme tune. Bob is ably assisted by his ‘Can-Do Crew’ of Scoop, Muck, Dizzy, Roley and Lofty, as well as his business partner Wendy.
PEPPA PIG
Peppa is a lovable, cheeky little piggy who lives with her little brother George, Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig. Peppa’s favourite things include playing games, dressing up, days out and, most of all, jumping in muddy puddles. After Lily Snowden-Fine and Cecily Bloom, Harley Bird was the third person to provide Peppa’s vocals, and in 2011 she won Best Performer at the BAFTA Children’s Awards. The show sees its 10-year anniversary in 2014 and Peppa will be wearing her golden boots to celebrate.
SHAUN THE SHEEP
First appearing in Nick Park’s Oscar-winning 1995 Wallace and Gromit film A Close Shave, Shaun the Sheep graduated to his own TV series in 2007. Shaun is a sheep who doesn’t follow the flock – in fact, he leads them into all sorts of scrapes and scraps, turning peace at Mossybottom Farm into mayhem in the meadow. Shaun and his pals run rings around their poor sheepdog Bitzer, as he does his best to stop the Farmer from finding out what’s going on behind his back. A Shaun the Sheep movie is currently in production.
| i don't know |
Launched by the Soviet Union in April 1971, what was the name of the first space station? | April 19, 1971: Soviets Put First Space Station Into Orbit | WIRED
April 19, 1971: Soviets Put First Space Station Into Orbit
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Author: Tony Long. Tony Long
Date of Publication: 04.19.11.
Time of Publication: 7:00 am.
7:00 am
April 19, 1971: Soviets Put First Space Station Into Orbit
1971: Salyut 1, the first operational space station, is launched.
As they often were during the space race, the Soviets were out in front of NASA in concept and launch. But just as often, they were bedeviled by technical glitches and failures, and so it was with Salyut 1.
Beaten to the moon by the Americans, the Soviet space program turned its attention to the deployment of a working space station , which had been on the drawing boards since 1964. Salyut 1 was essentially a lash-up, its components assembled from spacecraft originally designed for other purposes.
The April launch went smoothly and Salyut 1 entered orbit, but it was all downhill after that. The crew of
Soyuz 10
, intended to be the first cosmonauts to take occupancy of Salyut 1, couldn’t enter the space station because of a docking mechanism problem.
The crew of
| Salyut 1 |
Which Israeli Prime Minister resigned in 1974 following the Yom Kippur War? | space station | Britannica.com
Space station
astronomy
Space station, an artificial structure placed in orbit and having the pressurized enclosure, power, supplies, and environmental systems necessary to support human habitation for extended periods. Depending on its configuration, a space station can serve as a base for a variety of activities. These include observations of the Sun and other astronomical objects, study of Earth ’s resources and environment , military reconnaissance, and long-term investigations of the behaviour of materials and biological systems—including human physiology and biochemistry —in a state of weightlessness , or microgravity .
Video of Earth as seen from the International Space Station.
Science in Seconds (www.scienceinseconds.com) (A Britannica Publishing Partner)
The International Space Station photographed against the Rio Negro, Argentina, from the shuttle …
NASA
Small space stations are launched fully assembled, but larger stations are sent up in modules and assembled in orbit. To make the most efficient use of its carrier vehicle’s capacity, a space station is launched vacant, and its crew members—and sometimes additional equipment—follow in separate vehicles. A space station’s operation, therefore, requires a transportation system to ferry crews and hardware and to replenish the propellant, air, water, food, and such other items as are consumed during routine operations. Space stations use large panels of solar cells and banks of storage batteries as their source of electrical power. They also employ geostationary relay satellites for continuous communication with mission controllers on the ground and satellite-based positioning systems for navigation.
space exploration: Space stations
Since 1971, 11 space stations launched into a low orbit around Earth have been occupied for varying lengths of time. In chronological order they are Salyut 1, Skylab , Salyuts 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, Mir , the International Space Station , and Tiangong 1 and 2.
Space stations (1971 onward)
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Following the death of Augustus in AD14, who became the second Roman Emperor? | Augustus - Ancient History - HISTORY.com
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Augustus: Birth and Inheritance
Of Augustus’ many names and honorifics, historians favor three of them, each for a different phase in the emperor’s life. From his birth in 63 B.C. he was Octavius; after his adoption was announced in 44 B.C., Octavian; and beginning in 26 B.C. the Roman Senate conferred on him the name Augustus, the august or exalted one. He was born Gaius Octavius Thurinus in Velletri, 20 miles from Rome. His father was a senator and governor in the Roman Republic. His mother Atai was Caesar’s niece, and the young Octavius was raised in part by his grandmother Julia Ceasaris, Caesar’s sister.
Did You Know?
In 8 B.C. Augustus had the Roman month of Sextilius renamed after himself—as his great-uncle and predecessor Julius Caesar had done with July. August was the month of several of the emperor's greatest victories, including the defeat and suicide of Antony and Cleopatra. He did not increase the month's length, which had been 31 days since the establishment of the Julian calendar in 45 B.C.
Octavius donned the toga, the Roman sign of manhood, at age 16, and began taking on responsibilities through his family connections. In 47 B.C. he went to Hispania (modern-day Spain) to fight alongside Caesar. He was shipwrecked along the way, and had to cross enemy territory to reach his great-uncle—an act that impressed Caesar enough to name Octavius his heir and successor in his will.
Augustus: The Path to Power
The 17-year-old Octavius was at Apollonia (in present-day Albania) when the news of Caesar’s death and his own inheritance arrived. The dead ruler’s allies, including many in the senate, rallied around Octavian against their powerful rival Mark Antony . But after Octavian’s troops defeated Antony’s army in northern Italy, the future emperor refused an all-out pursuit of Antony, preferring an uneasy alliance with his rival.
In 43 B.C. Octavian, Antony and Marcus Aemilus Lepidus established the Second Triumvirate, a power-sharing agreement that divided up Rome’s territories among them, with Antony given the East, Lepidus Africa and Octavian the West. In 41 B.C. Antony began a romantic and political alliance with Cleopatra , queen of Egypt, which continued even after a Senatorial decree forced his marriage to Octavian’s sister Octavia Minor. Lepidus remained a minor figure until Octavian finally had him ousted after the triumvirate’s renewal in 37 B.C.
Antony’s affair with Cleopatra continued, and in 32 B.C. he divorced Octavia. In retaliation, Octavian declared war on Cleopatra. In the naval battle of Actium a year later, Octavian’s fleet, under his admiral Agrippa, cornered and defeated Antony’s ships. Cleopatra’s navy raced to aid her ally, but in the end the two lovers barely escaped. They returned to Egypt and committed suicide, leaving Octavian as Rome’s undisputed ruler.
Augustus: Emperor in All but Name
Historians date the start of Octavian’s monarchy to either 31 B.C. (the victory at Actium) or 27 B.C., when he was granted the name Augustus. In that four-year span, Octavian secured his rule on multiple fronts. Cleopatra’s seized treasure allowed him to pay his soldiers, securing their loyalty. To mollify Rome’s Senate and ruling classes, he passed laws harkening back—at least on the surface—to the traditions of the Roman Republic. And to win over the people, he worked to improve and beautify the city of Rome.
During his 40-years reign, Augustus nearly doubled the size of the empire, adding territories in Europe and Asia Minor and securing alliances that gave him effective rule from Britain to India. He spent much of his time outside of Rome, consolidating power in the provinces and instituting a system of censuses and taxation that integrated the empire’s furthest reaches. He expanded the Roman network of roads, founded the Praetorian Guard and the Roman postal service and remade Rome with both grand (a new forum) and practical gestures (police and fire departments).
Augustus: Family and Succession
Augustus married three times, although his first union, to Mark Antony’s stepdaughter Clodia Pulchra, was unconsummated. His second wife, Scribonia, bore his only child, Julia the Elder. He divorced in 39 B.C. to marry Livia Drusilla, who had two sons—Tiberius and Drusus—by her first husband, Mark Antony’s ally Tiberius Claudius Nero . The family tree became more complicated after Augustus had his stepson Tiberius briefly marry his daughter, and then adopted Tiberius outright as son and successor in A.D. 4.
Augustus Caesar died in A.D. 14, his empire secured and at peace. His reported last words were twofold: to his subjects he said, “I found Rome of clay; I leave it to you of marble,” but to the friends who had stayed with him in his rise to power he added, “Have I played the part well? Then applaud me as I exit.” Soon after that acknowledgement of human frailty, the Roman Senate officially declared their departed emperor, like Julius Caesar before him, to be a god.
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| Tiberius |
On which river does the Welsh city of Newport stand? | Imperium: Augustus (TV Movie 2003) - IMDb
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Caesar Augustus tells of how he became the emperor to his reluctant daughter, Julia following the death of her husband Agrippa.
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Title: Imperium: Augustus (TV Movie 2003)
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Twenty year-old Julius Caeser flees Rome for his life during the reign of Sulla but through skill and ambition rises four decades later to become Rome's supreme dictator.
Director: Uli Edel
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A doc-drama covering the rise and the fall of the Roman world including the founding by Julius Caesar and the building of Rome by Nero.
Stars: Lyall B. Watson, James D'Arcy, Sean Pertwee
A thirteen hour series which focuses on the Germanic, Britannic and other barbarian tribal wars with Rome which ultimately led to the decline and fall of the Roman Empire. This series is ... See full summary »
Stars: Leif Anders, Paul Bicknell, Andre de Nesnera
Epic four-hour series about the rise of Octavius who succeeds Julius Caesar and tangles with Marc Anthony for control of the Roman empire and finally went on to become the emperor Augustus.
Stars: Santiago Cabrera, Vincent Regan, Emily Blunt
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It is 200 years before the birth of Christ and Rome is the new superpower of the ancient world. She believes she is invincible - but one man is destined to change that. He is a man bound by... See full summary »
Director: Edward Bazalgette
After he is bought by the owner of a Roman gladiator school and trained as an gladiator A slave leads a rebellion of slaves and gladiators into revolt against Rome.
Director: Robert Dornhelm
A romanced story of Attila the Hun, from when he lost his parents in childhood until his death. Attila is disclosed as a great leader, strategist and lover and the movie shows his respect ... See full summary »
Stars: Pauline Lynch, Steven Berkoff, Andrew Pleavin
The Caesars (TV Mini-Series 1968)
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Battles BC (TV Series 2009)
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After the destruction of the Second Temple, 900 Jewish zealots hold out against a 5000 man Roman legion on the mountaintop fortress of Masada.
Stars: Peter O'Toole, Peter Strauss, Barbara Carrera
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Storyline
In 42 BC Rome is in the middle of a civil war. Together with his friend AGRIPPA, the young Augustus goes to Spain in order to help JULIUS CAESAR in his struggle against the troops of POMPEY. Even though they are outnumbered, they manage to defeat Pompey. Caesar honours his adopted son Augustus with a triumphal entry into Rome and then sends him to Greece together with his friends Agrippa and Maecenas. There, Augustus hears the news of Caesar's assassination and he returns to Rome with his friends. Back in Rome, he is able to gain both the support of the people and political power. In his struggle with the conspirators against Caesar he finds an ally in MARC ANTONY. Marc Antony not only pursues BRUTUS and CASSIUS, he also initiates a wave of executions which practically eliminates the old Roman ruling class. Among those who are killed is the husband of LIVIA DRUSILLA, a woman with whom Augustus had been in love as a young man. Through a combination of good luck and chance, Augustus and... Written by Anonymous
History will bear the mark of his rule. See more »
Genres:
Rated R for some war violence | See all certifications »
Parents Guide:
30 November 2003 (Italy) See more »
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Did You Know?
Trivia
To lower the rating, some DVD and VHS releases cut the scene where Tiberius attacks and rapes Julia. See more »
Goofs
During the visit to Plancius' house, the water feature has modern aluminium packed tea lights floating for decoration. Metallic aluminium was first produced in the 19th century. See more »
Quotes
(U.K, England) – See all my reviews
AUGUSTUS isn't the best it could be, lacking the historical accuracy that previous reviewers have been kicking a screaming about; it is because of the pointless stereotypical Julia, who is always made out to be a villain and Augustus a wounded. However, the tales of Augustus daughter Julia are mainly made of rumours, the likelihood she was a prostitute is slim and chances are Iullus was one of her only, if not only, lover. Read your historical notes and what historians say today, chances are you'll find her in a new light. AUGUSTUS shows Julia as the wounded daughter she was; mistreated and thrown around just for her father's own delights. When you consider that he treated her like that and that she had a father who led a far kinkier and scandalous sex life, is it any wonder his daughter, who apart from her adulteries had no bad vein in her body, ended up the way she did?
Augustus (Peter O'Toole) is on his deathbed, overlooking how he "played his part in this comedy called life," and he takes us back several years to the high point of his rein. His daughter Julia (Vittoria Belvedere) is married to his beloved friend and ally, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, and together the two have had a pair of lovely sons, Gaius and Lucius, who are "just like their grandfather" and running around in army gear, rather like how Julia's daughter Agrippina (oddly missing from the movie) would do for her youngest son Gaius, or Caligula, thirty or so years later. Of course, the bubble bursts when Augustus is nearly murdered by an assassin, only saved by his leather breast plate, and Julia receives dreadful news: her husband Agrippa has died. He tells her of his earlier days when he was a sickly eighteen-year-old, who one day gets a letter from Julius Caesar, despite the pleas of his mother, "Your father would forbid it!" Octavius (Benjamin Sander) reminds her that, "only your uncle treats me like a son," leaps on a horse with Marcus Agrippa (Ken Duken) another eighteen-year-old, who dreams of becoming a soldier, to join the army. The story seems to take us through a romanticised view of Octavius growth into manhood along side his two friends Marcus Agrippa and Gaius Maecenas (Russell Barr), a man who is clearly thrown in for a giggle.
Agrippa represents the world that we all want to be apart of, yet he doesn't live in a fool's paradise like Octavius does, and towards the end of the flashbacks he finally pulls his friend out of belief that sticking to the nobles will save him; he has to suppress them. Interestingly, they show us how Agrippa built the great aqueducts, proving himself not only to be a great soldier but also one of history's great architect. Ironically, Maecenas mocks him by saying, "At least we'll be able to get some lovely fountains out of it!" Cleopatra is just as she should be, not a Liz Taylor but a real malicious mastermind. Julia does as she's told but is so trapped that she can't help but loom for ways out. Tiberius is a pig and his mother Livia too ambitious, and it's refreshing that Augustus actually "gets" that Livia wants Tiberius to be emperor. Iullus Antonius, who wants revenge for his father's murder at first, uses the vulnerable widow of Agrippa to in his plan. The irony being of course that lovely Agrippa warned Octavius when he saved Iullus' life that this would one day come to pass. In a way, Iullus cheats both his saviours, not only seducing Augustus' daughter but also taking Agrippa's wife and using her against the man he spent his whole life protecting. Of course the plot falls through when Iullus ends up falling in love with her proving himself a true Antonius boy"a woman changed Antony, you could change Iullus" Augustus says and by god, Julia does.
The acting is still great, though many see O'Toole as the best: the desperation of Belvedere's Julia, the cunning of Rampling's Livia, the nobleness of Duken's Agrippa and the deep love that Barr's Maecenas has for Augustus really does touch you and makes their characters come alive.
The only thing that is disappointing is that it didn't cover the whole of the history, the Battle of Actium was rushed, we never see two of Augustus wives and we don't know what happened after the civil war was over, which is probably some of the most interesting part. Various other characters were clearly cut to save time for the film, Octavia's first husband, her children, Fulvia, Sextus, Drusus, who was Livia's other son and various others. If anything, this show would have been better off as a mini series and covering other important parts of history like the self-exile of Agrippa because of Marcellus, and how his death resulted in Agrippa's marriage to Juliathat would have been a story worth hearing.
If you're not interested in history, then you could just watch it for its soap opera feel, with the drama, attempted assassination and Julia's affair with Iullus Antonius driving her husband into raping her, we might as well have been watching an ancient rendition of DAYS OF OUR LIVES, only it's much better! Boys will also be happy to see that they get a hot babe to stare at in the form of Augustus' daughter Julia for half of the film. Don't worry, fear not girls, because in the other half, ladies such as us, also get a hot and handsome treat in the form Agrippa. My point being is that there is something for everyone. Filled with comic relief, a few wars, a few scandals, a troublesome wife, a few hot wild affairs, a hot chick for the boys and a cute guy for the girls, it pretty much does have everything you need to make history come alive.
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Who was the Hindu god of fire, portrayed with three legs and a thousand eyes? | Agni: The Fire God of the Hindus
Agni: The Fire God of the Hindus
Agni: The Fire God of the Hindus
Excerpted & Abridged from WJ Wilkins' 'Hindu Mythology, Vedic & Puranic'
Agni, God of Fire. W.J. Wilkins
Hinduism Expert
By Subhamoy Das
Agni, the god of Fire, is one of the most prominent of the deities of the Vedas . With the single exception of Indra, more hymns are addressed to him than to any other deity.
The Origin & Appearance of Agni
Various accounts are given of the origin of Agni. He is said to be a son of Dyaus and Prithivi; he is called the son of Brahma , and is then named Abhimani; and he is reckoned amongst the children of Kasyapa and Aditi, and hence one of the Adityas. In the later writings he is described as a son of Angiras, king of the Pitris (fathers of mankind), and the authorship of several hymns is ascribed to him.
In pictures, he is represented as a red man, having three legs and seven arms, dark eyes, eyebrows and hair. He rides on a ram, wears a poita (Brahmanical thread), and a garland of fruit. Flames of fire issue from his mouth, and seven streams of glory radiate from his body.
The Many Hues of Agni
Agni is an immortal who has taken up his abode with mortals as their guest.
He is the domestic priest who rises before the dawn, and who concentrates in his own person and exercises in a higher sense all the various sacrificial offices which the Indian ritual assigns to a number of different human functionaries.
He is a sage, the divinest among the sages, immediately acquainted with all the forms of worship; the wise director, the successful accomplisher, and the protector of all ceremonies, who enables men to serve the gods in a correct and acceptable manner in cases where they could not do this with their own unaided skill.
He is a swift messenger, moving between heaven and earth, commissioned both by gods and men to maintain their mutual communication, to announce to the immortals the hymns, and to convey to them the oblations of their worshippers; or to bring them (the immortals) down from the sky to the place of sacrifice.
He accompanies the gods when they visit the earth, and shares in the reverence and adoration which they receive. He makes the oblations fragrant; without him the gods experience no satisfaction.
The Uniqueness of Agni
Agni is the lord, protector, king of men. He is the lord of the house, dwelling in every abode. He is a guest in every home; he despises no man, he lives in every family. He is therefore considered as a mediator between gods and men, and as a witness of their actions; hence to the present day he is worshipped, and his blessing sought on all solemn occasions, as at marriage, death, etc.
In these old hymns Agni is spoken of as dwelling in the two pieces of wood which being rubbed together produce fire; and it is noticed as a remarkable thing that a living being should spring out of dry (dead) wood. Strange to say, says the poet, the child, as soon as born, begins with unnatural voracity to consume his parents. Wonderful is his growth, seeing that he is born of a mother who cannot nourish him; but he is nourished by the oblations of clarified butter which are poured into his mouth, and which he consumes.
The Might of Agni
The highest divine functions are ascribed to Agni. Although in some places he is spoken of as the son of heaven and earth, in others he is said to have stretched them out; to have formed them, and all that flies or walks, or stands or moves. He formed the sun, and adorned the heavens with stars. Men tremble at his mighty deeds, and his ordinances cannot be resisted. Earth, heaven, and all things obey his commands. All the gods fear, and do homage to him. He knows the secrets of mortals, and hears the invocations that are addressed to him.
Why do Hindus Worship Agni?
The worshippers of Agni prosper, are wealthy, and live long. He watches with a thousand eyes over the man who brings him food, and nourishes him with oblations. No mortal enemy can by any wondrous power gain the mastery over him who sacrifices to this god. He also confers and is the guardian of immortality. In a funeral hymn, Agni is asked to warm with his heat the unborn (immortal) part of the deceased, and in his auspicious form to carry it to the world of the righteous.
He carries men across calamities, as a ship over the sea. He commands all the riches in earth and heaven; hence he is invoked for riches, food, deliverance, and in fact all temporal good. He is also prayed to as the forgiver of sins that may have been committed through folly. All gods are said to be comprehended in him; he surrounds them as the circumference of a wheel does the spokes.
Agni in Hindu Scriptures & Epics
In a celebrated hymn of the Rig-Veda , attributed to Visishtha, Indra and the other gods are called upon to destroy the Kravyads (the flesh-eaters), or Rakshas, enemies of the gods. Agni himself is a Kravyad, and as such takes an entirely different character. He is then represented under a form as hideous as the beings he, in common with the other gods, is called upon to devour. He sharpens his two iron tusks, puts his enemies into his mouth, and devours them. He heats the edges of his shafts, and sends them into the hearts of the Rakshasas.
In the Mahabharata , Agni is represented as having exhausted his vigour by devouring too many oblations, and desiring to consume the whole Khandava forest, as a means of recruiting his strength. He was [at first] prevented from doing this by Indra; but having obtained the assistance of Krishna and Arjuna, he baffled Indra, and accomplished his object.
According to the Ramayana , in order to assist Vishnu when incarnate as Rama , Agni became the father of Nila by a monkey mother; and according to the Vishnu Purana, he married Swaha, by whom he had three sons-Pavaka, Pavamana, and Suchi.
The 7 Names of Agni
Agni has many names: Vahni (who receives the hom, or burnt sacrifice); Vitihotra, (who sanctifies the worshipper); Dhananjaya (who conquers riches); Jivalana (who burns); Dhumketu (whose sign is smoke); Chhagaratha (who rides on a ram); Saptajihva (who has seven tongues).
Source: Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic, by W.J. Wilkins, 1900 (Calcutta: Thacker, Spink & Co.; London: W. Thacker & Co.)
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Which Italian city was ruled by the Visconti family between 1277 and 1477? | Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic: Part I. The Vedic Deities: Chapter V. Agni
CHAPTER V.
AGNI.
Agni, the god of Fire, is one of the most prominent of the deities of the Vedas. With the single exception of Indra, more hymns are addressed to him than to any other deity. Professor Williams gives the following spirited description of Agni:—
"Bright, seven-rayed god, how manifold thy shapes
Revealed to us thy votaries: now we see thee
With body all of gold; and radiant hair
Flaming from three terrific heads, and mouths,
Whose burning jaws and teeth devour all things.
Now with a thousand glowing horns, and now
Flashing thy lustre from a thousand eyes,
Thou’rt borne towards us in a golden chariot,
Impelled by winds, and drawn by ruddy steeds,
Marking thy car's destructive course with blackness."
Various accounts are given of the origin of Agni. He is said to be a son of Dyaus and Prithivi; he is called the son of Brahmā, and is then named Abhimāni; and he is reckoned amongst the children of Kasyapa and Aditi, and hence one of the Ādityas. In the later writings he is described as a son of Angiras, king of the Pitris (fathers of mankind), and the authorship of several hymns is ascribed to him. In pictures he is represented as a red man, having three legs and seven
p. 22
arms, dark eyes, eyebrows and hair. He rides on a ram, wears a poita (Brāhmanical thread), and a garland of fruit. Flames of fire issue from his mouth, and seven streams of glory radiate from his body. The following passage, for every sentence of which Dr. Muir * quotes a text from the Vedas, gives a good idea of the character and functions of this deity in the Vedic Age.
Click to enlarge
AGNI.
Agni is an immortal who has taken up his abode with mortals as their guest. He is the domestic priest who rises before the dawn, and who concentrates in his own person and exercises in a higher sense all the various sacrificial offices which the Indian ritual assigns to a
p. 23
number of different human functionaries. He is a sage, the divinest among the sages, immediately acquainted with all the forms of worship; the wise director, the successful accomplisher, and the protector of all ceremonies, who enables men to serve the gods in a correct and acceptable manner in cases where they could not do this with their own unaided skill. He is a swift messenger, moving between heaven and earth, commissioned both by gods and men to maintain their mutual communication, to announce to the immortals the hymns, and to convey to them the oblations of their worshippers; or to bring them (the immortals) down from the sky to the place of sacrifice. He accompanies the gods when they visit the earth, and shares in the reverence and adoration which they receive. He makes the oblations fragrant; without him the gods experience no satisfaction.
Agni is the lord, protector, king of men. He is the lord of the house, dwelling in every abode. He is a guest in every home; he despises no man, he lives in every family. He is therefore considered as a mediator between gods and men, and as a witness of their actions; hence to the present day he is worshipped, and his blessing sought on all solemn occasions, as at marriage, death, etc. In these old hymns Agni is spoken of as dwelling in the two pieces of wood which being rubbed together produce fire; and it is noticed as a remarkable thing that a living being should spring out of dry (dead) wood. Strange to say, says the poet, the child, as soon as born, begins with unnatural voracity to consume his parents. Wonderful is his growth, seeing that he is born of a mother who cannot nourish him; but he is nourished by the oblations of clarified butter which are poured into his mouth, and which he consumes.
p. 24
The highest divine functions are ascribed to Agni. Although in some places he is spoken of as the son of heaven and earth, in others he is said to have stretched them out; to have formed them, and all that flies or walks, or stands or moves. He formed the sun, and adorned the heavens with stars. Men tremble at his mighty deeds, and his ordinances cannot be resisted. Earth, heaven, and all things obey his commands. All the gods fear, and do homage to him. He knows the secrets of mortals, and hears the invocations that are addressed to him.
The worshippers of Agni prosper, are wealthy, and live long. He watches with a thousand eyes over the man who brings him food, and nourishes him with oblations. No mortal enemy can by any wondrous power gain the mastery over him who sacrifices to this god. He also confers and is the guardian of immortality. In a funeral hymn, Agni is asked to warm with his heat the unborn (immortal) part of the deceased, and in his auspicious form to carry it to the world of the righteous. He carries men across calamities, as a ship over the sea. He commands all the riches in earth and heaven; hence he is invoked for riches, food, deliverance, and in fact all temporal good. He is also prayed to as the forgiver of sins that may have been committed through folly. All gods are said to be comprehended in him; he surrounds them as the circumference of a wheel does the spokes.
The main characteristics of this deity are taught in the following verses by Dr. Muir:— *
"Great Agni, though thine essence be but one,
Thy forms are three; as fire thou blazest here,
As lightning flashest in the atmosphere,
In heaven thou flamest as the golden sun
p. 27
"In a celebrated hymn of the Rig-Veda, attributed to Visishtha, Indra and the other gods are called upon to destroy the Kravyāds (the flesh-eaters), or Rākshas, enemies of the gods. Agni himself is a Kravyād, and as such takes an entirely different character. He is then represented under a form as hideous as the beings he, in common with the other gods, is called upon to devour. He sharpens his two iron tusks, puts his enemies into his mouth, and devours them. He heats the edges of his shafts, and sends them into the hearts of the Rākshasas." *
"In the Mahābhārata, Agni is represented as having exhausted his vigour by devouring too many oblations, and desiring to consume the whole Khāndava forest, as a means of recruiting his strength. He was [at first] prevented from doing this by Indra; but having obtained the assistance of Krishna and Arjuna, he baffled Indra, and accomplished his object." †
According to the Rāmāyana, in order to assist Vishnu when incarnate as Rāma, Agni became the father of Nila by a monkey mother; and according to the "Vishnu Purāna," he married Swāhā, by whom he had three sons—Pāvaka, Pavamāna, and Suchi.
Agni has many names; those more generally known are the following:—
Vahni, "He who receives the hom, or burnt sacrifice."
Vītihotra, "He who sanctifies the worshipper."
Dhananjaya, "He who conquers (destroys) riches."
Jivalana, "He who burns."
Chhāgaratha, "He who rides on a ram."
Saptajihva, "He who has seven tongues."
Brihaspati and Brahmanaspati are generally regarded as being identical with Agni. Nearly the same epithets are applied to them, with this additional one—of presiding over prayer. In some few hymns they are addressed as separate deities. In "The Religions of India," M. Barth, regarding these as names of one and the same deity, thus describes him:—
"Like Agni and Soma, he is born on the altar, and .thence rises upwards to the gods; like them, he was begotten in space by Heaven and Earth; like Indra, he wages war with enemies on the earth and demons in the air; like all three, he resides in the highest heaven, he generates the gods, and ordains the order of the universe. Tinder his fiery breath the world was melted and assumed the form it has, like metal in the mould of the founder. At first sight it would seem that all this is a late product of abstract reflection; and it is probable, in fact, from the very form of the name, that in so far as it is a distinct person, the type is comparatively modern; in any case, it is peculiarly Indian; but by its elements it is connected with the most ancient conceptions. As there is a power in the flame and the libation, so there is in the formula; and this formula the priest is not the only person to pronounce, any more than he is the only one to kindle Agni or shed Soma. There is a prayer in the thunder, and the gods, who know all things, are not ignorant of the power in the sacramental expressions. They possess all-potent spells that have remained hidden from men and are as ancient as the first rites, and it was by these the world was formed at first, and by which it is preserved up to the present. It is this omnipresent power of prayer which Brahmanaspati personifies, and
p. 29
it is not without reason that he is sometimes confounded with Agni, and especially with Indra. In reality each separate god and the priest himself become Brahmanaspati at the moment when they pronounce the mantras which gave them power over the things of heaven and of earth."
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Court of Justice of the European Union
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Luxembourg encompasses three distinct courts (Court of Justice, General Court, and Civil Service Tribunal) that exercise the judicial functions of the European Union (EU), which aims to achieve greater political and economic integration among EU Member States. However, the Civil Service Tribunal only considers labor disputes raised by EU civil servants against EU institutions. The CJEU has competence to hear individual complaints of alleged human rights violations, which are decided by the General Court and may be reviewed on appeal by the European Court of Justice.
The current EU Member States are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Originally established in 1952 as the Court of Justice of the European Coal and Steel Communities to ensure observance of the law “in the interpretation and application” of the EU treaties, CJEU currently holds jurisdiction to:
review the legality of institutional actions by the European Union;
ensure that Member States comply with their obligations under EU law; and,
interpret European Union law at the request of the national courts and tribunals.
The CJEU hears complaints brought by individuals through the subsidiary General Court under three circumstances under Article 263 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) . First, individuals may bring a “ direct actions ” against any body of the EU for acts “of direct and individual concern to them.” Second, individuals may bring “ actions for annulment ” to void a regulation, directive or decision “adopted by an institution, body, office or agency of the European Union” and directly adverse to the individual. Third, individuals may bring “ actions for failure to act ” that can challenge an adverse failure of the EU to act, but “only after the institution concerned has been called on to act. Where the failure to act is held to be unlawful, it is for the institution concerned to put an end to the failure by appropriate measures.” General Court judgments and rulings on an individual action may be appealed, only on points of law, to the Court of Justice .
The EU recognizes “three sources of European Union law: primary law , secondary law and supplementary law. The main sources of primary law are the Treaties establishing the European Union. Secondary sources are legal instruments based on the Treaties and include unilateral secondary law and conventions and agreements . Supplementary sources are elements of law not provided for by the Treaties. This category includes Court of Justice case-law, international law and general principles of law.”
An essential, primary source of EU human rights law is the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union , which covers the civil, political, economic and social rights protected within the EU. The Charter binds EU bodies, and also applies to domestic governments in their application of EU law, in accordance with the Treaty of Lisbon .
The CJEU also views the European Convention of Human Rights as embodying principles of law applicable in EU Member States. See, e.g., Criminal Proceedings against Gianfranco Perfili, Case C-177/94, Judgment of 1 February 1996. In that case, the Court stated:
According to settled case-law, where national legislation falls within the field of application of Community law, the Court, when requested to give a preliminary ruling, must provide the national court with all the elements of interpretation which are necessary in order to enable it to assess the compatibility of that legislation with the fundamental rights — as laid down in particular in the European Convention of Human Rights — the observance of which the Court ensures. However, the Court has no such jurisdiction with regard to national legislation lying outside the scope of Community law (see the judgment in Case C-159/90 Society for the Protection of Unborn Children Ireland v Grogan and Others [1991] ECR 1-4685, paragraph 31).
Thus, although the primary goal of the EU has been economic and political integration, the CJEU has decided many cases that deal with fundamental rights. See Defrenne v. Sabena , Case 43/75, [1976] E.C.R. 455 (non-discrimination); Prais v. Council , Case 130/75, [1976] E.C.R. 1589 (freedom of religion); Union Syndicale-Amalgamated European Pub. Serv. Union v. Council , Case 175/73, [1974] E.C.R. 917 (freedom of association); VBBB & VBVB v. Commission , Joined Cases 43 & 63/82, [1984] E.C.R.19. (freedom of expression); and other cases dealing with the legality of anti-terrorism measures .
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Professor of Constitutional Law, Universidad Carlos III (Madrid), 1995-2008
Vice-President of the General Council of the Judiciary, 1996-2001
Director of the Institute of Comparative Public Law, Universidad Carlos III, 2001-2003
Secretary of State for Justice, Ministry of Justice of Spain, 2004-2007
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 February 2008
Vice-President of Section from 1 November 2014 to 31 August 2015
President of Section since 1 Septembre 2015.
András
Born on 25 March 1949 in Budapest, Hungary
Law degree at the ELTE Law School of Budapest, 1972
Various research fellow positions at the Institute for State and Law, Hungarian Academy of Sciences since 1972
PhD and Habilitation at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1977 and 1982
Founder and spokesperson of the Hungarian League for the Abolition of the Death Penalty, Budapest, 1988-1994
Legal Counsellor to the President of Hungary, 1991-1992
Chair of Comparative Constitutional Law, University Professor, Central European University (Budapest), 1993-2007
Member, American Law Institute, 1996
Member, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1997
Recurrent Visiting Professor, Cardozo School of Law, New York, since 1990; Global Faculty, New York University Law School, since 1996
Board of Directors of the Open Society Justice Initiative of New York, 2001-2007
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 February 2008
Vice-President of Section from 1 January 2015 to 31 July 2015
President of Section since 1 August 2015
Vice-President of the Court since 1 November 2015.
Mirjana
"The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"
Section President
Born on 5 November 1963 in Strumica
Law studies, Faculty of Laws, Ss Cyril and Methodius, University of Skopje, 1982-1986
Bar exam, Ministry of Justice, Skopje, 1992
Master of law (LL.M.), Faculty of Law, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2007
Doctor of law, Faculty of Law, University of Ljubljana, 2012
Legal Representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Court proceedings, 1988
Member of working groups and Commissions set up by various Ministries and other State services, 1991-2003
Assistant Minister for Interior, heading the Department for administrative procedures, 1995-2001
Member of the Committee of experts on nationality at the Council of Europe, 1995-2004
Head of Department on Human Rights at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2001-2003
Member of the Steering Committee for Human Rights at the Council of Europe (CDDH), 2001-2003
President of State Election Commission, 2002-2003
Judge of the Constitutional Court, 2003-2008
Member of the Venice Commission, 2004-2008
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 February 2008
President of Section since 1 November 2015.
Ledi
Born on 22 February 1971 in Shkodër, Albania
Law degree, Faculty of Law at the University of Tirana, 1989-1993
Law studies, Faculty of Law at the University of Trento, Italy, 1992-1993
Legal practice in Tirana, 1994-1998 and 1999-2006
Lecturer in Law (Public International Law, European Human Rights Law and European Union Law) at the University of Tirana, 1995-2007 and at the Albanian School of Magistrates, 1997-2007
LL.M in European Law Studies at the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, 1996-1997
Office of the OSCE Legal Counsellor in Albania, 1998-1999
Founder and Executive Director of the European Centre in Tirana, 1999-2006
Advisor ad personam to the President of the Republic, to the President of the Parliament and to Ministers of Justice and of European Affairs, 2000-2007
Chairman of the National Broadcasting Authority, 2006-2007
Member of the Venice Commission, 2006-2007
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 February 2008
Vice-President of Section since 5 January 2016.
Nona
Born on 8 December 1958 in Istanbul, Turkey
Faculty of Political Science, Istanbul University, 1983
Faculty of Law, Marmara University, 1990
Master’s degree Public Law, Istanbul University, 1986
Master’s degree in European Law, “Centre européen universitaire”, Nancy II University, 1988
Doctor of Public Law, Istanbul University, 1992
European University Institute, Florence, 1990
Professor of International Law, Faculty of Law, Galatasaray University, 2003-2008
Director of the Research and Documentation Centre on Europe, Galatasaray University, 2002-2008
Head of Department of Public International Law, Faculty of Law, Galatasaray University, 2003-2008
Visiting Professor, Universities: Aix-Marseille III, Reims, Montpellier II, Strasbourg Robert Schuman
Vice-Dean, Faculty of Law, Galatasaray University, 2004-2008
Judge at the European Court of Human Rights since 1 May 2008
Vice-President of Section from 1 November 2013 to 31 December 2014
President of Section since 1 January 2015
Vice-President of the Court since 1 November 2015.
Nebojša
Born on 17 October 1953 in Cetinje, Montenegro
Bachelor of Arts, Faculty of Law of Titograd (recently Podgorica), 1976
Reseach assistant, Assistant professor, Full time professor, Podgorica Law Faculty, 1976-2008
PhD in International Public Law and International Relations, Belgrade Law Faculty, Belgrade University, 1986
Member of various Expert Groups for International Legal and Political Issues, 1993-2008
Director of the University of Montenegro, Law Faculty Human Rights Center, 2000-2008
Serbia and Montenegro representative in Steering Committee for Human Rights, Council of Europe, 2004-2006
Member of Judicial Council of Montenegro, 2003-2007
Head of Department in International law and International Relations, University of Montenegro, 1994-2008
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 15 April 2008.
Kristina
Seconded to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Diplomatic Legal Service, 1986-1989
Co-Agent for the Italian Government before the European Court and Commission of Human Rights, 1989-1997
Member of the Appeals Board of the Western European Union in London, 1991-1992
Member of various Council of Europe Steering Committees and Committees of Experts, in particular the Bureau of the Steering Committee for Human Rights, chaired 1999-2000
Advocate General at the Court of Cassation, 1997-2002
Member of the Italian Inter-ministerial Committee for Human Rights (1998-2003)
Full member of the Appeals Board of the Western European Union in Brussels, 1998-2000
Ad hoc judge of the European Court of Human Rights, 2001-2003
Judge of the Court of Cassation, 2002-2003
Deputy Legal Adviser to the International Labour Office (ILO) in Geneva, 2003-2007
Legal Adviser and Director of the Office of Legal Services of the ILO, 2008-2010
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 5 May 2010.
Vice-President of the Court and President of Section from 1 November 2012 to 31 October 2015
President of the Court since 1 November 2015.
Vincent A.
Born on 17 August 1952 in Sliema, Malta
Diploma of Notary Public, Royal University of Malta, 1974
Doctor of Laws, Royal University of Malta, 1975
Member of the Malta Bar, 1976
Diploma in Criminology, University of Cambridge, 1977
Senior Counsel for the Republic in the Attorney-General’s Office, Malta, 1979
Member of the ad hoc Committee of Experts on the Legal Aspects of Territorial Asylum, Refugees and Stateless Persons of the Council of Europe, 1988-1994
Malta’s representative on the Steering Committee on Legal Co-operation of the Council of Europe as from 1988, Vice-Chairman then Chairman, 1988-2000
Assistant Attorney-General, 1988 then Deputy Attorney-General, 1989-1994
Senior Lecturer in Criminal Law and Law of Criminal Procedure, University of Malta, 1994
Judge of the Superior Courts of Malta, 1994
Chairman of the Multidisciplinary Group on Corruption of the Council of Europe, 1995-1997
Chief Justice and President of the Constitutional Court, of the Court of Appeal and of the Court of Criminal Appeal of Malta, 2002-2010
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 20 September 2010
Vice-President of Section since 3 November 2015.
Angelika
Born on 1 June 1963 in Munich, Germany
Studies in Slavic languages and literature, 1982-1987; studies in law, University of Munich, 1984-1989
Magister Artium in Slavic languages and literature, University of Munich, 1987
Diploma in comparative law, University of Strasbourg, 1988
First and Second State exam in law, Universities of Munich and Heidelberg, 1989 and 1993
Doctor of Law, University of Würzburg, 1993
Research fellow at the Max-Planck-Institute for Foreign and International Social Law, Munich, 1993-2001
Visiting researcher Harvard University, 1994-1995
Legal advisor of the General Directorate Social Cohesion of the Council of Europe, 2001-2002
Full professor of law and Director of the Institute for Eastern European Law, University of Cologne, 2002-2010
Member of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations of the International Labour Organisation, 2004-2010
Substitute Member of the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe, 2006-2010
Vice-President of the University of Cologne, 2010
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 January 2011
Vice-President of Section since 13 November 2012
President of Section since 1 November 2015.
Julia
Born on 25 July 1974 in Tartu, Estonia
Studies in law, University of Hamburg, Germany, 1994-1995
EU law expert, Ministry of Justice of Estonia, 1996-1999
Traineeship at the European Commission’s Legal Service, 1997
B.A. in law, University of Tartu, 1997
LL.M. in law, University of Münster, Germany, 1998
Lecturer in European law, Law Institute of Tallinn, later University of Tartu 1999-2006
Head of EU law Division, then EU Law and Foreign Relations Division, Ministry of Justice of Estonia, 1999-2002
Member of the board of the Centre for Policy Studies (PRAXIS), 2000-2004
Deputy Secretary General on Legislative Drafting, Ministry of Justice of Estonia, 2002-2004
Studies in law, European University Institute of Florence, Italy, 2002
Doctor iuris of law, University of Tartu, 2003
Justice at the Supreme Court of Estonia (member of administrative law and constitutional law chambers), 2004-2010
Member of the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE) of the Council of Europe, since 2004, Vice-President then President, 2006-2010
Traineeship at Federal Administrative Court of Germany, 2005
Judge ad hoc at the European Court of Human Rights, 2006
Associated professor and consequently Professor of European law, University of Tartu, 2006-2011
Traineeship at the Council of State, France, 2007
Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, since 2010
President of Estonian Association for European Law since 2004, President of International Federation for European Law (FIDE), 2010
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 4 January 2011
Elected “2013 European of the Year” in Estonia by the European Movement Estonia, 2013
Vice-President of Section since 3 November 2015.
Paulo
Born on 5 October 1966 in Beira, Mozambique
Law Degree, Faculty of Law, State University of Lisbon, 1989
Member of the Portuguese Bar
Judge in the Criminal Court and the Correctional Court of Lisbon and President of the Courts of Nelas, Lagos and the Criminal Instruction Court of Lisbon, 1992-2004
Master of Law, Faculty of Law, Catholic University of Lisbon, 1994
Doctorate of Law, Faculty of Law, Catholic University of Lisbon, 2003
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Catholic University of Lisbon, 2004-2008
Member of the Ministry of Justice Taskforce for Penal Reform of the Portugal, 2005-2007
Invited Professor on criminal law and procedure at the High Military Studies Institute of the Ministry of Defence of Portugal, since 2007
Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Catholic University of Lisbon, 2008-2010
Associate Professor with tenure, Faculty of Law, Catholic University of Lisbon, since 2011
Visiting Professor, Illinois College of Law, United States of America, 2006-2007
Visiting Professor, Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China, 2006
Adjunct Professor, Illinois College of Law, United States of America, since 2009
Expert of the GRECO appointed by the Council of Europe, 2009-2010
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 April 2011.
Linos-Alexandre
Born on 9 May 1960 in Athens, Greece
Law degree, University of Athens, 1983
Masters degree in International Law, University Robert Schuman of Strasbourg, 1984
Doctor of Law, University Robert Schuman of Strasbourg, 1990
Lawyer before the Supreme Civil and Criminal Court and the Supreme Administrative Court (on leave)
Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Athens
Member (1997-2009) and Chairman (2003-2004) of the Committee of experts of the Council of Europe for the Improvement of Procedures for the Protection of Human Rights (DH-PR)
Member (2002-2009), Vice-Chairman (2004-2005) and Rapporteur (2008-2009) of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
Member since 2000, then Vice-Chairman of the Greek National Commission for Human Rights, 2006-2011
Member of the European Union Network of independent experts in the field of fundamental rights, 2002-2006
Member of the Management Board since 2007 and member of the Executive Board of the Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union, 2009-2011
Member of the Curatorium of the Hague Academy of International Law, since 2010
Member of the Scientific Board of the Revue trimestrielle des droits de l’homme and of the European Journal of International Law
Member of the Administrative Board of the European Society of International Law
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 18 May 2011.
Erik
Born on 9 October 1950 in Oslo, Norway
Law degree, University of Oslo, 1976
Counsellor since 1977, then Head of Division, Ministry of Justice, 1981-1986
Participated in the drafting process of Protocols No. 6 to No. 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights, 1977-1994
Part-time lecturer in human rights, University of Oslo, 1981-2003
Chairman, Committee of Experts for the drafting of the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 1984-1985
Deputy Judge, Eiker, Modum and Sigdal, 1985-1986
Agent of the Government before the European Commission and the European Court of Human Rights, until 1993
Advocate, Attorney General’s Office (Civil Affairs) since 1986, Supreme Court Barrister, 1989-1993
Chairman, Steering Committee for Human Rights, Council of Europe, 1993-1994
Judge, Borgarting Court of Appeals, Oslo, 1993-1999
Fellow at the Human Rights Institute, University of Essex (UK), since 1995; honorary doctor, 2007
Member of the Board of the Norwegian Institute of Human Rights, 1995-1999
Judge (1999-2009), Vice-President (1999-2003), President (2003-2007), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
Member of the UN Secretary-General’s Selection Panel for the appointment of judges of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, since 2007
Justice, Supreme Court of Norway, 2009-2011
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 September 2011
Vice-President of Section since 1 November 2016.
André
Judge
Born on 21 June 1950 in Lyon, France
Law degree at the University of Paris II, graduate of the Institute of Judicial Studies, 1973
Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature in Bordeaux, 1975
Deputy Secretary General to the first President of the Paris Appeal Court, 1979
Vice-President of the Senlis Regional Court, 1982
Secretary General to the President of the Paris Regional Court, 1984
Secretary General to the First President of the Paris Appeal Court, 1985
Secretary General to the First President of the Court of Cassation, 1988
Vice-President of the Paris Regional Court, 1990
Head of the Department of European and International Affairs in the Ministry of Justice, 1991-1994
Judge at the Paris Appeal Court, 1994
Associate professor at the University of Paris X-Nanterre in European Community Law, 1994
Judge at the Court of First Instance of the European Communities in Luxembourg, 1995
Section President at the Paris Appeal Court, commercial section, 2001
Vice-President of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) at the Council of Europe, 2002-2006
Judge at the Court of Cassation, 2005-2011
Visiting Scholar at the Law School of the University of Columbia in New-York, 2011
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 4 November 2011.
Paul
Born on 29 June 1954 in Wilrijk, Belgium
Degree in Law, University of Antwerp and Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 1971-1976
Master of Laws, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States, 1977-1978
Doctor in Law, Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 1987
Member of the Brussels bar, 1976-1984 and 1987-1994
Auditor at the Council of State, 1984-1987
Judge (1994-2005), chamber president (2005-2012), Council of State
Assistant, Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), 1976-1986
Professor of human rights (since 1986), of civil procedure (1986-1995), of administrative procedure (1995-1997), of constitutional law (1997-2008), University of Leuven (KU Leuven)
Member of the Human Rights Advisory Panel (United Nations, Kosovo), 2007-2012
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 13 September 2012
Vice-President of Section from 25 August 2015 to 31 October 2015.
Helena
Born on 16 October 1958 in Gothenburg, Sweden
Master of Law, University of Uppsala, 1983
Maritime law course, University of Oslo, Norway, 1983
Assistant Judge and Associate Judge at the Administrative Court of Appeal and its courts of first instance, Stockholm, 1987-1993
Lecturer in Constitutional and Administrative Law, Faculty of Law, University of Stockholm, 1993-1994
Legal Adviser and Deputy Director in the Division of Constitutional Law of the Swedish Ministry of Justice, 1994-2003
Member and Chairperson of the Council of Europe Group of Specialists on Access to Official Information under the Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH), 1998-2000, 2004-2008
Assignments from the Council of Europe as expert as regards legislative projects in various Member States in Central and Eastern Europe and missions as part of the Council of Europe’s activities for development and consolidation of democratic stability in Member States, 1998-2005
Director and Head of the Pardons Division of the Swedish Ministry of Justice, 2002-2005
Sweden’s representative in the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Legal Cooperation (CDCJ), 2002-2005
Senior Judge and Head of Division at the County Administrative Court, Stockholm, 2005-2007
Chief Judge and Head of Division at the Administrative Court of Appeal, Stockholm, 2007-2011
Justice of the Supreme Administrative Court, 2011-2012
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 26 September 2012
Vice-President of Section since 10 November 2015.
Aleš
Juris Doctor (JUDr.), Faculty of Law, Charles University, Prague, 1978
Member of the Czech Bar, 1980
Advocate partner in a law firm, 1980-2012
Lecturer in constitutional and civil law at the Academy of Performing Arts, Prague, 1995-1997
Member of the Control Council of the Czech Bar Association, 2002-2005
President of the Private Law Section of the Czech Bar Association, 2002-2009
Member of the Consultative Advisory Body of the President of the Czech Republic for the areas of law and legislation, 2003-2012
Member of the Board of Directors of the Czech Bar Association, 2005-2012
Arbitrator at the Arbitration Court attached to the Economic Chamber of the Czech Republic and Agricultural Chamber of the Czech Republic, 2007-2012
Member of the Multi-jurisdictional Law Firms Committee of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), 2007-2012
President of the Study and Legislative Collegium of the Czech Bar Association, 2009-2012
Vice-President of the Czech Bar Association, 2009-2012
Member of the Human Rights Committee of the CCBE, 2009-2012
Member of the Legislative Council of the Government of the Czech Republic, 2011-2012
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 November 2012.
Krzysztof
Born on 19 February 1968 in Kraków, Poland
Master in Law, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, 1991
Junior lecturer, Faculty of Law and Administration, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, 1991-1999
Doctorate in law, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, 1998
Legal advisor (1998-2009), Senior legal advisor (2009-2012) of the Constitutional Court
Lecturer, Faculty of Law and Administration, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, 1999-2010
Director of the School of French law, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, 2000-2012
Member of the European Scientific Council (European Group of Public Law), since 2006
Habilitation in law, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, 2009
Member of a Committee of experts appointed by the President of the first house of the Parliament (Sejm) for the preparation of a draft of a new chapter of the Polish Constitution on the European Union membership, 2009-2010
Professor at the Jagiellonian University, Kraków, since 2010
Director of the Coordination Centre for Foreign Law Schools, 2010-2012
Associate member of the International Academy of Comparative Law, since 2012
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 November 2012.
Valeriu
Born on 22 February 1959 in Mîndîc, Donduseni district, Republic of Moldova
Law Degree, Faculty of Law, State University, 1975-1980
Lecturer in Civil and Civil Procedure Law, State University, 1980-1983 and 1986-1987
Doctorate in Law and post-graduate studies, All-Union Scientific Research Institute of Soviet Legislation of the USSR Ministry of Justice, Moscow, Russian Federation, 1983-1986
District Judge, Chisinau, 1987-1991
Lawyer, member of the Bar Association of the Republic of Moldova (since 1991), member of the Board of the Bar Association (since 2003)
Legal advisor of many national and foreign banks and companies (1995-2011)
Chairman of the Qualification Commission (1999-2003), Vice-President of the Bar Association (2003-2007)
Member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Republic of Moldova, since 2005
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 3 December 2012.
Ksenija
Born on 13 February 1964 in Zagreb, Croatia
Dipl. Jur. Degree (J.D.), Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, 1987
Master of Law (LL.M.), Yale Law School, New Haven, CT, USA, 1989
Doctor of Juristic Science (J.S.D.), Yale Law School, New Haven, CT, USA, 1996
Member of the New York State Bar, NY, USA, 1996-2008
Associate in General Corporate Practice, Sullivan & Cromwell, New York, NY, USA, 1995-1996
Legal Counsel in a case before the ICTY, The Hague, Netherlands, Hunton & Williams, New York, NY, USA, 1998-2000
Visiting Scholar, Yale Law School, New Haven, CT, USA, 2002-2003
Full Professor of Criminal Law, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb (Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, 2005-2007; Head of Criminal Law Department, 2008-2010)
Vice-Rector, University of Zagreb, 2008-2012
Vice-president of the Committee of Experts on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PC-ES), Council of Europe, 2006-2007
Vice-president of the Group of Specialists on Child Friendly Justice (CJ-S-CH), Council of Europe, 2009-2010
President of the Expert Committee drafting new Croatian Criminal Code (adopted by the Croatian Parliament in 2011), Ministry of Justice, Zagreb, 2009-2011
President of the Board, Croatian Centre for Human Rights (an independent national human rights institution), Zagreb, 2007-2012
Observing Member of the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 2010-2012
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 2 January 2013.
Dmitry
Born on 23 May 1967 in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Law Degree, Faculty of Law, University of Sarajevo, 1987-1993
Trainee, European Commission of Human Rights, 1998
Legal expert, Office of the Ombudsperson for Human Rights, 1996-2000
Bar Exam, 2001
Registrar, Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2001-2007
Master Degree in European Studies, Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Studies in European Studies, University of Bologna and University of Sarajevo, 2003-2005
Judge (2007-2012), Vice-President (2008-2012), Constitutional Court of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Member of Association of Judges of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Lecturer, Centres for Education of Judges and Prosecutors of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska
Member of the Board, Center for human Rights, University of Sarajevo
Ad hoc Judge, European Court of Human Rights, 2010-2012
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 3 December 2012.
Egidijus
Born on 26 October 1961, in Vilnius, Lithuania
M.A. in law, Vilnius University, 1984
PhD in law, Moscow State University, 1988
Habilitation, Vilnius University, 2008
Assistant lecturer (1984-1985, 1988-1991), Senior Lecturer (1991-1992), Associate professor (1992-1994), Professor and Head (2008-2009), Department of Theory and History of State and Law; Professor and Head (2009-2013), Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, Vilnius University
Advisor, State Re-Establishment Committee, Supreme Council of the Republic of Lithuania, 1990-1991
Member, legal professionals’ group for drafting the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, 1992
Associate Professor (1992-2002), Professor (2002-2013) and Director (1992-1999), Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University
Assistant to the President, Constitutional Court of Lithuania, 1993-1997
President, Lithuanian Political Science Association, 1995-1998
Justice (1999-2008) and President (2002-2008), Constitutional Court of Lithuania
President (as president of the constitutional court presiding at the Conference), Conference of the European Constitutional Courts, 2005-2008
President of the Council, Mykolas Romeris University, Vilnius, 2005-2009
Associate Member, International Academy of Comparative Law, since 2012
Member, Permanent Commission for the Assessment of Activities of Judges (Lithuania), 2012-2013
Member, Advisory Board, Ministry of Health (Lithuania), 2013
External Advisor to the Minister of Justice (Lithuania), 2013
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 November 2013.
Robert
Judge
Born on 27 August 1972, in Reykjavik, Iceland
Cand. jur. degree in Law (combined BA and Masters Degrees), Faculty of Law, University of Iceland 1997
Mag. jur. degree in European and Comparative Law, University of Oxford (University College) 2000, Clifford Chance Prize (proxime accessit), Civil Procedure Prize
Deputy District Court Judge, 1997-1998
Legal Adviser to the Parliamentary Ombudsman, 1998-2001
Adjunct Professor of Law, Faculty of Law, University of Iceland, 2000-2002
Assistant Professor of Law, Faculty of Law, University of Iceland, 2002-2004
District Court Judge, 2004
Deputy to the Parliamentary Ombudsman, 2001-2004
Member of the Board, Human Rights Institute, University of Iceland, 2005-2013
Chairman of the Standing Committee of Experts on Criminal Law, Ministry of Justice, 2003-2008 and 2011-2013
Associate Professor of Law, Faculty of Law, University of Iceland, (tenure) 2004-2006
Editor of the Law Review, Lawyers' Association of Iceland, 2005-2013
Professor of Public Law, Criminal Procedure and Jurisprudence, Faculty of Law, University of Iceland, (tenure) 2006
Chairman of a Commission of Experts appointed by the Prime Minister of Iceland to investigate human rights abuses from 1947-1992 in child care institutions run by the state and municipal governments, 2007-2012
Chairman of a Commission of Experts elected by the Assembly of the National Church of Iceland to investigate allegations of sexual abuse by the former Bishop of Iceland, 2010-2011
Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Iceland, 2007-2010
Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Iceland, 2010-2013
Member of the Judicial Supervisory Board, 2011-2013
Independent Expert to the Lanzarote Committee of the Council of Europe, 2012
Icelandic Member of the European Committee on Crime Problems (CDCP), 2012-2013
Ad hoc Judge, EFTA Court, 2012-2013
Parliamentary Ombudsman of Iceland (provisional appointment and ad hoc), 2009-2013
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 November 2013.
Iulia
Born on 20 August 1967, in Timişoara, Romania
L.L.B., University of Bucharest, School of Law, 1989
Master in International Public Law, University Aix-Marseilles III, 1991
S.J.D. in International Public Law, University Aix-Marseilles III, 1996
Habilitation in Law, University Paris XI, 1998
Ph.D. in Philosophy, University of Bucharest, Department of Philosophy, 1999
Senior “Jean Monnet” Fellow, New York University, School of Law, 2003-2004
Senior Fellow, Yale University, School of Law, Orville Centre for International Human Rights, 2004-2007
Trainee Prosecutor, Giurgiu Regional Prosecution Office, 1989-1990
Judge, Trial Court of the 2nd District of Bucharest, 1990-1995
Lawyer, Bucharest Bar Association, 1995-2013
Teaching Assistant (1995-1997), lecturer (1997-1998), reader (1998-2002), professor of International Law and Human Rights (2002-2013) and European Law (2007-2013), University of Bucharest
Member of the Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, Council of Europe, 1998-2004 and 2008-2012
Member (2000–2007) and President (2000-2001) of the Sub-Commission on the promotion and protection of human rights, United Nations
Member, Working Group on Indigenous Populations, United Nations, 2000-2004
Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission for Human Rights for the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2001-2004
Member, Working Group on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, United Nations, 2003-2006
UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Human Genome, 2004-2007
Member (2006-2013), Rapporteur (2008-2010) and Vice-President (2012-2013), Human Rights Committee, United Nations
Member, Executive Board of the European Society of International Law, 2004-2008
Member of the Presidential Commission for Analysis of the Constitution, Romania, 2007-2008
Member of the Fundamental Rights Agency of the European Union, 2010-2012
Director (Romania) of the European Master on Human Rights and Democratisation, European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation, Venice, 2007-2013
Arbitrator, International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes, Washington, 2008-2013
Research Professor, Justice and International Law in a Global World, Institute for Research in International and European Law, Sorbonne, 2012-2013
Judge, Constitutional Court of Romania, 2010-2013
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 18 December 2013.
Jon Fridrik
Born on 15 October 1955, in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
LL.D. (1979), M.S. (1985), Dr. Sci. (1990), Law School of the University of Belgrade
Assistant Professor (1992-1999), Associate Professor (1999-2005), Full Professor (2005-2015), Law School of the University of Belgrade
Editor-in-Chief of the Archives for Law and Social Sciences, 2003-2008
Coordinator of the Council of Europe for the compatibility of the Serbia and Montenegro law with the Revised European Social Charter, 2003-2005
President of the Serbian Association for Labour Law and Social Security, 2008-2011
Member of the Serbian High Civil Service Council, 2005-2010
Member of the Presidency of the Serbian Association of Jurists, 2011-2015
External collaborator/expert of the International Labour Organisation, 2002, 2013 and 2014
Member of the Scientific Committee Forum for the Regulation of a Social Europe, 2011
Member of the Republican Board for prevention of conflict of interest, 2005-2009
Member of the Board of Anticorruption Agency of Serbia, 2009-2013
President of the Board of Anticorruption Agency of Serbia, 2013-2015
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 13 April 2015.
Yonko
Born on 27 December 1965, in Sofia, Bulgaria
Master of Law, Faculty of Law, University of Sofia, 1991
Lawyer, registered with the Sofia Bar Association, 1993
Development and implementation of a training program for Bulgarian judges on the application of the European Convention on Human Rights, Council of Europe, 1991-2001
Founding member, Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, Sofia, 1992-2013
Founding member of the Board, Centre for Liberal Strategies, Sofia, 1993-2013
LL.M. (Master of Law), Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1995
Founding member of the Board, Access to Information Foundation, Sofia, 1996 and 2002
Member of the Legal Advisory Committee of the European Roma Rights Centre, 1998-2010
Member of the Board, Media Development Center, Sofia, 2000-2003
Member of the Board, Open Society Institute, Sofia, 2001-2004
Lecturer and trainer for extensive training meant for practising lawyers on the case law of the European Court of Human Rights, since 2001
Member of the Board, Mental Disability Advocacy Center, Budapest, 2002-2006
Head of a working group with the task of drafting a strategy for institutional reform aimed at improving the implementation of judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, Ministry of Justice of Bulgaria, 2007-2008
Member of a working group drafting the first legal aid legislation, 2009
Chair of the Board and founding member, Risk Monitor, Sofia, 2009-2015
Member of the Board, Bulgarian Lawyers for Human Rights, 2009-2013
Member of the Board, Open Society Justice Initiative, New York, 2011-2015
Development and implementation of a web-based training course for practising lawyers, Council of Europe, 2012-2013
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 13 April 2015.
Síofra
Born on 20 September 1968, in Dublin, Ireland
Bachelor of Civil Law, University College Dublin, 1986-1989
PhD on European law, European University Institute, Florence, Italy, 1989-1993
Lectures addressing practitioners, government agencies and academics on fundamental rights, EU law and European Court of Justice practice and procedure, 1992-2014
Visiting Fellow, Department of Public International Law, University of Cádiz, Spain, 1994-1995
Research Associate, Institute for Public Policy Research, London, 1994-1996
Assistant Director of the Centre for European Legal Studies, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1995-1996
Fellow of Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1995-1996
Référendaire, Court of Justice of the European Communities, Luxembourg, 1996-1999
Visiting Fellow, Faculty of Law, University College Dublin, Ireland, 1999-2004
Référendaire and Chef de cabinet, Court of Justice of the European Communities, Luxembourg, 2000-2004
Visiting Professor, Department of Law, College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium, since 2003
Administrator, Research and Documentation Directorate, Court of Justice of the European Communities, Luxembourg, 2004-2005
Référendaire and Chef de cabinet, Court of Justice of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2005-2012
Member of the Editorial and Advisory Boards of the Common Market Law Review, since 2012 and 2015
Head of Unit, Research and Documentation Directorate, Court of Justice of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2012-2015
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 2 July 2015.
Roderick
Born on 2 November 1965, in St. Gallen, Switzerland
Master of Law, University of St. Gallen, 1985-1989
Attorney’s license, bar exam in St. Gallen, 1992
Legal assistant, Court of Appeal, St. Gallen, 1992-2000
Judge, Court of Justice of the Principality of Liechtenstein, Vaduz, 2001-2015
Member of the Association of Jurists St. Gallen, since 1991
Member of the Liechtenstein Association of Judges, since 2001
Collaboration in numerous Liechtenstein working groups on legislative reforms, 2003-2015
Member (2003-2015), Head (2011-2015) of the Liechtenstein expert group against sexual abuse of children and juveniles
Member of the Swiss Association of Criminal Law, since 2004
Member of the Swiss Group of Criminology, since 2006
Liechtenstein representative at the Council of Europe Committees of experts PC-ES on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and abuse, 2006-2007, and CAHVIO on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, 2009-2010
Member of the Liechtenstein delegations presenting national reports to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, 2006, and the UN Human Rights Council, 2008
Liechtenstein representative at the European Committee on Crime Problems of the Council of Europe (CDPC), 2007-2015
Liechtenstein Deputy Member at the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE), 2008-2015, and the Council of Europe Committee of the parties to the Lanzarote Convention (T-ES), 2013-2015
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 September 2015.
Mārtiņš
Born on 25 March 1972, in Riga, Latvia
Senior Adviser, Department of Case-law Analysis of the Latvian Supreme Court, 1993-1995
LL.B., qualification of a lawyer, University of Latvia, 1995
Deputy Director (1995-1998), Acting Director (1999-2001), Human Rights Institute, University of Latvia, Faculty of Law
LL.M. in Human Rights, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, 1998
Chief Editor of the Latvian Human Rights Quarterly, 2000-2001
Lecturer (1999-2012), Docent (2012-2013), Associate Professor (since 2013); Prorector (2008-2015), Riga Graduate School of Law
Regular lecturer in the Latvian Judicial Training Centre and in training courses organised for judges of the Latvian Constitutional Court (2003-2004) and the Latvian Supreme Court (2003-2004, 2010)
Dr.iur (LL.D) in Public International Law, Lund University, Sweden, 2010
Member of the Constitutional Rights Committee of the President of the Republic of Latvia, 2007-2012
Alternate member representing Latvia in the Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 2007-2012
Expert of the Latvian Council of Science, 2010-2012 and since 2014
Listed by the Latvian Government as ad hoc Judge of the European Court of Human Rights, 2012-2015
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 3 September 2015.
Armen
Born on 7 March 1964, in Yerevan, Armenia
Diploma in Law, Yerevan State University, Law Department, 1981-1986
PhD, Institute of State and Law of Academy of Science of the USSR, Moscow, 1986-1989
Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Professor, Yerevan State University, Law Department, Division of Constitutional and International Law, 1989-2002
Doctor of Law, Academy of Public Administration of Russian Federation, Moscow, 1996-1997
Member of the Commission on Constitutional reforms, 1997-2001
Legal Advisor, Constitutional Court of Armenia, 1997-2005
Representative of the President of the Republic of Armenia on Constitutional reforms, 2001-2005
Rector, Public Administration Academy of Armenia, 2002-2006
Deputy Representative of Armenia, European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), 2002-2011
Member of the Council of Justice of Armenia, 2004-2005
President of the European Law Association of Armenia, 2004-2011
Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of Armenia, Human Rights Defender’s Institution of Armenia, 2006-2011
Member of the Board of European Ombudsman Institute (2008-2011), external member (2011-2015)
Graduated of the Human Rights Law Centre, School of Law, University of Nottingham, 2007
Member of the Armenian Bar Association of North America, Los Angeles, 2007-2011
Honorary Member of the French Association of Armenian Advocates and Lawyers (AFAJA), Paris, 2008-2011
Regional Representative, Regional Office for Central Asia of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, 2011-2014
Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, 2014-2015
Member (external) of the Commission of Constitutional amendments of Ukraine, 2015
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 17 September 2015.
Stéphanie
Born on 19 December 1955, in Vienna, Austria
Law Studies, Law School, University of Vienna, 1973-1977
Doctor of Law, Law School, University of Vienna, 1977
Legal trainee in the District Court for Commercial Affaires and in the Regional Criminal Court, Vienna, 1980-1981
Habilitation for Constitutional and Administrative Law, University of Vienna, 1984
Associate Professor for Constitutional and Administrative Law, University of Vienna, 1985
Substitute Member of the Constitutional Court of Austria, 1995-2015
Visiting professor, University of Graz, 2000
Permanent Member of the Austrian Commission of Jurists, since 2000
Expert at the Austrian Constitutional Convention in the Austrian National Council, 2003-2005
Member of the Selection Committee for Civil Service Tribunal of the European Union, 2005-2009
Member of the Society of German Public Law Professors, since 2006
Chair of the Arbitration Commission, University of Vienna, 2006-2013
Substitute Member of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), Council of Europe, 2006-2015
Vice-Chair of the Human Rights Advisory Board, Austrian Ministry of the Interior, 2008-2012
Vice-Chair of the Human Rights Advisory Board, Austrian Ombudsman Office, 2012-2013
Chair of the Independent Disciplinary Commission, Austrian Ministry of Science, Economy and Research, 2008-2015
Full Professor for Constitutional and Administrative Law, Law School, University of Vienna, since 2011
Chair (2013-2015) of Senate, Vice-Chair (2009-2011), University of Vienna
Spokesperson for the Senates of Austrian Universities, 2013-2015
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 November 2015.
Pere
Born on 29 November 1968, in Andorra la Vella, Principality of Andorra
Master’s Degree in Political Science, Toulouse Institute of Political Science, France, 1987-1990
Master’s Degree in Finance and Business Economics, Montpellier Business School, France, 1990-1992
Master’s Degree in Public Administration, National School of Administration, Paris, 1992-1994
Technical Director of the Interior Ministry, Andorra, 1995-1998
Judge of First Instance in charge of Administrative and Civil Litigation, Andorra, 1998-2011
PhD Public Law, University of Toulouse 1, 1999-2002
Member of the Bioethics Committee of the Council of Europe (DH-BIO), 2005-2015
Lecturer at the University of Andorra and the University Toulouse 1, since 2005
Judge of the Supreme Court of Andorra, 2011-2015
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 November 2015.
Françoise
Born on 6 November 1964 in Bojnice, Slovak Republic
Law Studies at Comenius University, Bratislava, 1982-1987
JUDr, Faculty of law, Legal History, Comenius University, Bratislava, 1987-1988
Law teacher, Secondary Economic School, Bratislava, 1988-1991
Trainee Judge, Regional Court, Bratislava, 1991-1994
Judge, Ministry of Justice, 1993
Judge in Commercial Law, District Court, Bratislava, 1994-2002
PhD, Faculty of Law, Commercial Law, Comenius University, Bratislava, 1996-2001
Judge in civil law matters, District Court, Bratislava, 2002-2004
Judge in administrative law matters, Supreme Court, 2004
Agent of the Government before the European Court of Human Rights, 2005-2006
Member of the Committee of Experts on improving the process of the protection of human rights, 2005-2006
Judge in civil law matters, District Court, Bratislava, 2006-2007
Judge in administrative law matters, Supreme Court, 2007-2011
Member of the Consultative Council of European Judges (CCJE), 2010-2015
President of Panel, Administrative Law, Supreme Court, 2011-2015
Vice-President of the Slovak Association of Judges, 2012-2014
Member of the First-instance Chamber on the Slovak Bar exam, 2012-2015
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 29 December 2015.
Pauliine
Born on 22 June 1956 in Salo, Finland
Master of Laws, University of Helsinki, 1979
Senior Officer in Legislative Affairs, Ministry of Justice, 1980-1984
Trained on the bench, Helsinki District Court, 1985
Senior Adviser in Legislative Affairs, Ministry of Justice, 1985-1995
Head of Division (1995-1997), Assistant General Counsel (1998-1999), Co-Director (1999-2000) of the European Investment Bank, Legal Directorate, Luxembourg
Member (2000-2015), President (2006-2015) of the Supreme Court of Finland
Member of the Board of the Finnish Law Association, 2001-2006
Member of the National Board of the Nordic Lawyers’ Conference, since 2005
Chairperson of the Judicial Appointments Board of Finland, 2006-2012
Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the Institute of European Economic Law, University of Helsinki, 2008-2011
Vice-President of the Network of the Presidents of the Supreme Judicial Courts of the European Union, 2008-2015
Dr. econ. h.c., Hanken University, School of Economics, Helsinki, 2009
Dr. jur. h.c., Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki, 2010
Dr. jur. h.c., Faculty of Law, University of Turku, 2015
Member of the Board of Trustees of the Academy of European Law (ERA), since 2008, President 2011-2016
Member of the Advisory Board of the Law Faculty, University of Helsinki, 2011-2015
Member of a committee set up by the Ministry of Justice of Finland for reforms in the justice system, 2012-2015
Member of the panel provided for by article 255 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, mandated to give an opinion on the suitability of candidates to perform the duties of judge or advocate general of the Court of Justice or the General Court, since 2014
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 1 January 2016.
Georgios
Course on Anglo-Cypriot Legal Studies, University of Leicester, 1988-1989
Ph.D. in private international law, University of Exeter, United Kingdom, 1984
Ph.D. in comparative administrative law, University of Athens, Greece, 1998
Ph.D. in comparative family law, University of Salonica, Greece, 2007
Ph.D. in the European Convention on Human Rights and comparative constitutional law, University of Thrace, Greece, 2015
Practising Advocate before all courts in Cyprus, 1985-1990
Judge (1990-1999), President (1999-2016) of the Family Court in Cyprus
International Hague Network Judge for Cyprus in abduction of children cases, 2000-2016
Cyprus Liaison in the European judicial network in family matters (2006-2016) and Cyprus family law expert for the purposes of the ERA’s training modules on European family law (2012-2016)
Cyprus Judicial Liaison for asylum matters (2013-2016)
Lecturer and Head of the Law Department of Philips College, Cyprus, 1986-1990
Secretary and Lecturer of the Cyprus Council of Legal Education, 1985-1990
Lecturer and Examiner of the Cyprus Bar Council, 2000-2004
Adjunct Law Professor at the University of Cyprus, 2009-2012
Visiting Associate Law Professor at Frederick University, Cyprus, 2014
Appointed by the Cyprus Law Commissioner to make recommendations for the amendment of a chapter of the Cyprus Penal Code (1989)
Representative of Cyprus judiciary in a number of legal bodies and committees, including the Council of the E.U., 1998-2016
Vice-President of the Committee of the United Nations Association of Cyprus (2012-2016) and a member of the Committee for the Restoration of Human Rights Throughout Cyprus (1986-2000)
Editor and main author of the series “Studia Juriis Cyprii”, 1988-2016
Author and joint author of various law books and articles
Judge of the European Court of Human Rights since 18 April 2016.
Marko
| i don't know |
In Shakespeare's 'The Tempest', what is the name of the daughter of 'Prospero' who falls in love with 'Ferdinand'? | SparkNotes: The Tempest: Character List
Character List
Plot Overview
Analysis of Major Characters
Prospero - The play’s protagonist, and father of Miranda. Twelve years before the events of the play, Prospero was the duke of Milan. His brother, Antonio, in concert with Alonso, king of Naples, usurped him, forcing him to flee in a boat with his daughter. The honest lord Gonzalo aided Prospero in his escape. Prospero has spent his twelve years on the island refining the magic that gives him the power he needs to punish and forgive his enemies.
Read an in-depth analysis of Prospero.
Miranda - The daughter of Prospero, Miranda was brought to the island at an early age and has never seen any men other than her father and Caliban, though she dimly remembers being cared for by female servants as an infant. Because she has been sealed off from the world for so long, Miranda’s perceptions of other people tend to be naïve and non-judgmental. She is compassionate, generous, and loyal to her father.
Read an in-depth analysis of Miranda.
Ariel - Prospero’s spirit helper. Ariel is referred to throughout this SparkNote and in most criticism as “he,” but his gender and physical form are ambiguous. Rescued by Prospero from a long imprisonment at the hands of the witch Sycorax, Ariel is Prospero’s servant until Prospero decides to release him. He is mischievous and ubiquitous, able to traverse the length of the island in an instant and to change shapes at will. He carries out virtually every task that Prospero needs accomplished in the play.
Caliban - Another of Prospero’s servants. Caliban, the son of the now-deceased witch Sycorax, acquainted Prospero with the island when Prospero arrived. Caliban believes that the island rightfully belongs to him and has been stolen by Prospero. His speech and behavior is sometimes coarse and brutal, as in his drunken scenes with Stephano and Trinculo (II.ii, IV.i), and sometimes eloquent and sensitive, as in his rebukes of Prospero in Act I, scene ii, and in his description of the eerie beauty of the island in Act III, scene ii (III.ii.130-138).
Read an in-depth analysis of Caliban.
Ferdinand - Son and heir of Alonso. Ferdinand seems in some ways to be as pure and naïve as Miranda. He falls in love with her upon first sight and happily submits to servitude in order to win her father’s approval.
Alonso - King of Naples and father of Ferdinand. Alonso aided Antonio in unseating Prospero as Duke of Milan twelve years before. As he appears in the play, however, he is acutely aware of the consequences of all his actions. He blames his decision to marry his daughter to the Prince of Tunis on the apparent death of his son. In addition, after the magical banquet, he regrets his role in the usurping of Prospero.
Antonio - Prospero’s brother. Antonio quickly demonstrates that he is power-hungry and foolish. In Act II, scene i, he persuades Sebastian to kill the sleeping Alonso. He then goes along with Sebastian’s absurd story about fending off lions when Gonzalo wakes up and catches Antonio and Sebastian with their swords drawn.
Sebastian - Alonso’s brother. Like Antonio, he is both aggressive and cowardly. He is easily persuaded to kill his brother in Act II, scene i, and he initiates the ridiculous story about lions when Gonzalo catches him with his sword drawn.
Gonzalo - An old, honest lord, Gonzalo helped Prospero and Miranda to escape after Antonio usurped Prospero’s title. Gonzalo’s speeches provide an important commentary on the events of the play, as he remarks on the beauty of the island when the stranded party first lands, then on the desperation of Alonso after the magic banquet, and on the miracle of the reconciliation in Act V, scene i.
Trinculo & Stephano - Trinculo, a jester, and Stephano, a drunken butler, are two minor members of the shipwrecked party. They provide a comic foil to the other, more powerful pairs of Prospero and Alonso and Antonio and Sebastian. Their drunken boasting and petty greed reflect and deflate the quarrels and power struggles of Prospero and the other noblemen.
Boatswain - Appearing only in the first and last scenes, the Boatswain is vigorously good-natured. He seems competent and almost cheerful in the shipwreck scene, demanding practical help rather than weeping and praying. And he seems surprised but not stunned when he awakens from a long sleep at the end of the play.
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| Miranda |
Which city in New York State was settled by the Dutch in 1624 and originally known as Fort Orange? | The Tempest: Entire Play
The Tempest
SCENE II. The island. Before PROSPERO'S cell.
Enter PROSPERO and MIRANDA
SCENE I. Another part of the island.
Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, GONZALO, ADRIAN, FRANCISCO, and others
SCENE II. Another part of the island.
Enter CALIBAN with a burden of wood. A noise of thunder heard
SCENE I. Before PROSPERO'S Cell.
Enter FERDINAND, bearing a log
SCENE II. Another part of the island.
Enter CALIBAN, STEPHANO, and TRINCULO
SCENE III. Another part of the island.
Enter ALONSO, SEBASTIAN, ANTONIO, GONZALO, ADRIAN, FRANCISCO, and others
SCENE I. Before PROSPERO'S cell.
Enter PROSPERO, FERDINAND, and MIRANDA
SCENE I. Before PROSPERO'S cell.
Enter PROSPERO in his magic robes, and ARIEL
I'll drown my book.
Solemn music
Re-enter ARIEL before: then ALONSO, with a frantic gesture, attended by GONZALO; SEBASTIAN and ANTONIO in like manner, attended by ADRIAN and FRANCISCO they all enter the circle which PROSPERO had made, and there stand charmed; which PROSPERO observing, speaks:
| i don't know |
Which Italian football club did Sven-Goran Eriksson leave in order to take over as manager of England? | Pro League: Sven-Goran Eriksson leaves Dubai club Al Nasr after four months | The National
China's Guangzhou R&F is reportedly interested in internationally renowned coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, but the former England coach, when asked if China is his next destination, answers: 'Maybe, but there are other solutions as well.'
Pro League: Sven-Goran Eriksson leaves Dubai club Al Nasr after four months
UAE football
DUBAI // Sven-Goran Eriksson's brief tenure at Al Nasr has come to an end after the Swede revealed he will leave the UAE to return to club coaching.
The former England coach arrived in January as the Dubai side's technical adviser and signed an 18-month contract with a remit to oversee the technical development of all aspects of the football set-up, with particular focus on the youth academy.
He was also said to form an integral component in the club's committee tasked with identifying potential signings.
Eriksson was expected to continue in his role despite Nasr's decision on Saturday to part company with Walter Zenga , their coach of the past two and a half seasons.
Eriksson was initially tipped to replace the Italian, although both he and the club's board dismissed the idea.
He did not provide Nasr with the sort of recognition Diego Maradona gave Al Wasl during the previous Pro League season, but many fans of world football would have recognised Eriksson, 65, as he sat in the VIP area of Nasr home games over the final half of the season, often speaking with club officials seated on either side of him.
It now seems certain he will take a position at Guangzhou R&F, a team in the Chinese Super League, who last month claimed they were in discussions with the former Benfica, Lazio, Sampdoria and Manchester City manager.
Only last week, Eriksson denied he had been in contact with the club.
"I'm leaving Al Nasr, and Dubai early in the morning," he said last night. "I have done what I set out to do: I looked at football schools, academies and the first team, and I've given my advice on everything, such as how to get the best out of the academy and other details.
"So that part of the job is done. Now it's up to the club to do it or not. But from my side it's done.
"I might also have a possibility to go back into coaching somewhere. You will know that in a couple of days."
When asked if his next destination is China, Eriksson replied: "Maybe, but there are other solutions as well."
Eriksson's decision not to see out his contract will disappoint Nasr, as they had recently reiterated their determination to retain one of the most experienced men in world football.
Eriksson has led a nomadic existence during the past few years, which in 2010 saw him briefly manage Ivory Coast and then Leicester City. Last September he accepted a director of football role at BEC Tero Sasana, the two-time Thai champions.
That his work with Nasr lasted only 19 weeks may rankle with the club's supporters, but Eriksson says he is content with his contribution.
"I've been here four and a half months and I feel I've done what the club asked me to," he said. "So I'm finished. I've been very happy here and thanks to the chairman and vice chairman for that. They're very good people to work with and I'll go on and help them in the future if they want and if I can.
"I can give them advice about coaches and players, whatever is needed."
Eriksson refused to comment on whether he has played a part in the identification of Zenga's successor, simply adding: "Everything is done, but everything is confidential."
�
| Lazio |
Bismark is the capital of which US state? | Sven-Göran Eriksson's Career: The Fortunate Rise and the Inevitable Fall - Back Page Football Back Page Football
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A wearer of rimless Armani glasses; a multilingual; an owner of over twenty-five designer suits; a possessor of a calm demeanour; a winner of seventeen trophies (became the first ever manager to win a double in three different countries); and the third most successful, record wise, England manager of all-time (played 67, won 40, drew 15, lost 12).
Superficially, Sven-Göran Eriksson looks the part of the wise Professor and his record should be considered among the best managers of the modern era but on closer inspection, the Swede’s achievements and activities leave a lot to be desired of a manager who has coached some of the biggest teams in the world.
Eriksson, certainly in the past decade, has become something of a mercenary and placebo manager, a man who changes very little of the said team’s fortunes and, regardless of the Swede’s already cool demeanour, shows little sorrow upon being sacked from his latest job. Added to this is the Swede’s lack of tactical dynamism during the course of 90 minutes, his poor level of discipline with his players, his obscene off the field activities, his naive media relations, his ill-advised career moves and his self-confessed use of Football Manager and Youtube for scouting players. So, it begs the question, was Eriksson always an average, at best, and lucky manager or did certain environments and situations bring out the best, or worst, of his abilities?
Sven-Göran Eriksson was born in the small town of Sunne in Värmland in west-central Sweden on 5 February,1940. A lover of football from an early age, Eriksson supported Liverpool, like his father, and attended a handful of matches at Anfield in his early life during the Swedish winter break. Despite his decent sporting prowess, from ski jumping 65 meters to playing ice hockey locally, a professional sporting career did not seem likely for the young Swede – particularly in full-time football. Balancing being a PE teacher in Orebro and playing as a right back for lower division clubs, from his local Torsby to KB Karlskoga (Eriksson’s highest level of division two football, where he met Tord Grip) to Gothenburg’s Västra Frölunda Idrottsförening, Eriksson suffered a crippling right knee injury in 1975, at the age of 27, and was forced to retire. It was not, however, the end of his footballing life and he was asked by Grip to become his assistant at Thrid Division side Degerfors IF.
At this time in Swedish football, clubs were open to the English style of football and the likes of Roy Hodgson and Bob Houghton, who were young and up and coming managers that had their respective playing careers prematurely ended, were employed in Sweden’s top divisions. The then 27 year old Houghton managed Allsvenskan side Malmo between 1974 and 1980, having only coached Maidstone United and Hastings United previously, while the 29 year old Hodgson was hired in 1976 by Halmstad after a managerial spell with Carshalton Athletic. What attracted Swedish clubs to these then obscure Englishmen was their qualifications, as graduates of the FA’s technical director Allen Wade’s coaching course and adherents to the legendary FA Guide to Coaching and Training. This breed of English managers were more concerned with shape, rather than individual ability, and an emphasis was placed on defensive and united zonal movement, pressing, counter-attacking and a high offside line.
As seemingly bizarre as it was for two unknown Englishmen to get such high-level jobs in Sweden, Swedish football was in a state of flux. The libero movement under Georg ‘Aby’ Ericson in the early 1970s had seen Sweden finish a brilliant 3rd at the 1974 World Cup, but there was still an English rootedness, fondness and connection with much of Swedish football. After all, English sailors introduced the game to Sweden and the national team’s first coach was George Raynor, an Aldershot reserve team coach, who used the W-M formation innovated by the great Herbert Chapman. Also, following on from Ajax’s and Bayern Munich’s domination of the European Cup in the early ‘70s, English teams, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, were beginning to gain a foothold in Europe with effective football. Eriksson became open to the English style of football once he began his role as assistant coach to Grip at Degerfors, going on coaching tutorials under Terry Venables at Crystal Palace, Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan at Liverpool and Sir Bobby Robson at Ipswich Town, as well as keeping in close contact with Houghton and Hodgson.
Grip was also a key figure in Eriksson’s early coaching career and within a year of Eriksson becoming his number two, Grip was approached by George Ericson to become his assistant for the Swedish national team in the run up to the 1978 World Cup. Grip jumped at the chance and left his 29 year old protégé to take over Degerfors. In just his first season, Eriksson helped Degefors to promotion, something Grip failed to achieve, to the Superettan. Much of this early success was owed to Eriksson’s clever appointment of Tom Chadney, a graduate of Wade’s infamous coaching course, as his assistant and the pair were quickly snapped up by Allsvenskan side IFK Göteborg, who were undergoing a barren spell of ten years without a title when Eriksson took over. Considering Eriksson was just 30 and had not yet even managed in the Superettan, his appointment to one of Sweden’s most illustrious clubs was a huge shock – particularly given his early shyness and awkwardness with players and media alike.
The Swede even began to doubt himself, after losing his first three games, and offered to resign but spurred on by his players, who quickly warmed to the Swede’s empathetic and easygoing man management style, Göteborg finished the season 2nd and won the Swedish Cup. While this was a decent turnaround, Eriksson’s ‘English’ style of football was winning him few admirers, particularly with Hodgson and Houghton departing for Bristol City in 1980 and the English era being then deemed over, and average attendances dwindled from 16,450 to 13,320 at Göteborg within a season. While 1981 was a trophyless season, 1982 would prove to be the groundbreaking campaign of Eriksson’s career. After qualifying for the UEFA Cup from again finishing as runners-up in the Allsvenskan, Eriksson led Göteborg to an unprecedented treble of league, cup and UEFA Cup. Göteborg were an unstoppable force in Europe, with the steel of Glenn Hysén, Conny Karlsson, Stig Fredriksson and Glenn Strömberg brilliantly propping up the prolificity of Dan Corneliusson and Torbjörn Nilsson, but for the most part, it was a massive shock for them to hammer Dinamo Bucharest (4-1 on aggregate), Valencia (4-2 on aggregate), Kaiserslauten (edged 3-2 on aggregate) and Hamburg (a 4-0 final win over the international-laden German giants).
For this, Eriksson deserves immense credit for giving his fairly obscure, aside from a handful of Swedish internationals, side the belief to beat some of Europe’s top sides. Having achieved all he could with fairly limited resources, Eriksson left for the mighty Benfica. Unlike his first season at Göteborg, the now 34 year old Eriksson, one of the hottest young managers in European football, did not require a bedding in period and won the Portuguese League in 1982/1983 (double with the Portuguese Cup) and in 1983/1984. However, a defeat to the talented Anderlecht in the 1983 UEFA Cup final prevented Eriksson becoming the first manager to win back to back European titles with different clubs. Still, though, Eriksson had achieved a remarkable rise from part-time footballer to multiple title-winning coach in just nine seasons and a move to one of Europe’s most competitive leagues seemed inevitable. Roma, who finished 2nd in Serie A in 1983/1984 and who made the final of the 1984 European Cup, duly obliged after Eriksson received the warm backing of outgoing manager and fellow Swede Nils Liedholm.
Unlike at Göteborg and Benfica, Eriksson had a host of international stars and resources at Roma. The likes of Franco Tancredi, Dario Bonetti, Aldo Maldera, Sebastiano Nela, Ubaldo Righetti, Carlo Ancelotti, Ruben Buriani, Toninho Cerezo, Bruno Conti, Falcão, Giueseppe Giannini, Roberto Pruzzo and Francesco Graziani were all of an international standard and like when he first began his career at Göteborg, Eriksson had to earn the respect of his players – regardless of his previous achievements. It took Eriksson time to adjust to this new and higher standard, finishing 7th in his opening season in 1984/1985, but Roma finished 2nd behind a supremely talented Juventus side in 1985/1986 and beat Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia final in the same season. However, the Swede failed to deliver in 1986/1987 and Roma finished a dismal 7th. A mutual termination of Eriksson’s contract was agreed, with mid-table Fiorentina immediately waiting in the wings to appoint the Swede as their manager.
While not as blessed with as many stars in every department as at Roma, Eriksson could call upon the incredible natural talent of Roberto Baggio and was also able to bring in his former captain, Glenn Hysén, from Göteborg. Again, though, Eriksson’s tactical dynamism left a lot to be desired against the might of Arrigo Sacchi, Ottavio Bianchi, Vujadin Boškov and Giovanni Trapattoni. Nonetheless, Eriksson led Fiorentina to decent 8th and 7th place finishes in 1987/1988 and 1989/1989 respectively. Sensing that he needed to hone his skills at a lower league again, Eriksson was still only 41 after all, the Swede returned to Benfica. Again Eriksson was a massive success: leading a fairly unfancied, despite their array of internationals (Silvino Louro, Ricardo Gomes, Aldair, Vítor Paneira, Valdo Filho, Mats Magnusson and Jonas Thern), Benfica side to the 1990 European Cup final against Milan and winning the 1991 Portuguese League. A winning reputation restored, Eriksson headed back to Italy to coach a blossoming Sampdoria side.
Despite having credentials for defensive solidity throughout his whole career, Eriksson’s Sampdoria were a permeable outfit in his first season, with the goalscoring exploits of the likes of Attilo Lombardo, Vladimir Jugović and Roberto Mancini proving fairly ineffective with a defence that conceded 48 goals in 34 Serie A matches in finishing 7th. The 1993/1994 season was a remarkable improvement, with David Platt and Ruud Gullit proving to be brilliant signings, and Sampdoria finished an impressive 3rd and won the Coppa Italia. Unlike his previous jobs, Eriksson saw no reason to leave after two seasons and planned for the long-term goal of winning the Serie A within the next three seasons. It never happened however, with a failure to hang on to the likes of Platt, Jugović, Lombardo, Gullit and later Clarence Seedorf and Christian Karembeu, and Sampdoria finished 8th,8th and 6th in Eriksson’s final three seasons up to 1997. After building an impressive goalscoring dynasty and dealing with departues and transfers remarkably well, with ‘finds’ like Juan Sebastián Verón and Siniša Mihajlović, Eriksson was headhunted by the resourceful title challengers Lazio.
Eriksson with Cragnotti, football's first sugar daddy
Intriguingly, at the same time, Eriksson came very close to joining Blackburn Rovers, who had fallen badly under Ray Harford after the spending success of Kenny Dalglish. However, Lazio came in with an offer before Eriksson signed a contract, having previously shook on an agreement with Jack Walker, with Blackburn. As well as being offered more money and a bigger transfer budget, Eriksson cited the intrusive English media and his family’s rootedness in Italy as reasons to remain in Serie A. Lazio, armed with Sergio Cragnotti’s seemingly endless supply of money, were an attractive and new-style of project to Eriksson and he was able to enlist his friend Tord Grip, whose managerial career paled in comparison to his protégé’s, as his assistant. Eriksson went on to spend some £274 million in just four seasons under Cragnotti, a then unprecedented outlay in world football, with the likes of Giuseppe Pancaro, Matías Almeyda, Mancini, Jugović and Alen Bokšić all arriving in his first season – which saw Lazio finish a disappointing 7th, but make the UEFA Cup final against a Ronaldo-inspired Internazionale and win the Coppa Italia against Milan.
Encouraged, the frivolous Cragnotti sanctioned even more spending for the 1998/1999 season, with Mihajlović, Fernando Couto, Lombardo, Sérgio Conceição, Dejan Stanković, Marcelo Salas and Christian Vieri all arriving. The then near world-record arrival, for £17m (50 billion lira), of Vieri perfectly summed up the lack of a financial structure under Cragnotti. Eriksson rang Cragnotti after the 1998 World Cup asking to take Vieri ‘home’ from Atlético Madrid and refusing Cragnotti’s pleas to offer players in part-exchange – with Cragnotti, eventually, not arguing with Eriksson’s ‘out of the sky’ valuation of Vieri at 50 billion lira. This scenario was then repated a year later, but in the opposite direction, with Eriksson requesting that Cragnotti ask Massimo Moratti for an astonishing £31m (90 billion lira) for the sale of Vieri. Despite being horrified and fearful that the incredible valuation would scupper the £24 million world-record fee that had been previously touted, Cragnotti begrudgingly went with Eriksson’s ‘logic’ and Lazio made a whooping and implausible £14m profit.
Lazio finished a respectable 2nd in 1998/1999, much-owed to Vieri’s and Salas’ array of goals, but Eriksson finally managed to shed his nickname of perdente di successo (the successful loser, following his failure to win a major trophy with any of his four Italian sides up to this point) after winning the Serie A in 1999/2000. By winning the UEFA Super Cup, having won the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1999, and claiming just their second ever Serie A title, Eriksson had established himself as one of Lazio’s most successful managers of all-time and as one of Europe’s most coveted coaches at 54 years of age. Looking at establishing Lazio as European Cup winners in the 2000/2001 season, Angelo Peruzzi, Dino Baggio, Karel Poborský, Claudio López, Hernán Crespo (world record £35m signing) and Fabrizio Ravanelli were all recruited. However, the resignation of Kevin Keegan as England manager on 8 October, 2000 shook the foundations of world football.
Up to this point, international management had been seen as a retirement home of sorts or for average managers who were of the same nationality as the international team they were managing. Very few international managers were recent title-winning managers, outrageously well-paid or under the age of 60. The FA’s appointment of Eriksson on 31 October, 2000 completely changed the status quo of international management. The FA was headed by Adam Croizer, a sharp and dynamic individual who was cut from the same cloth as Tony Blair with regard to recognising and promoting the multi-national metropolis that England’s main cities had become, who set the tone for the future of the FA as a commercial organisation. Having been the head of Saatchi and Saatchi advertising, Croizer improved sponsorship and advertising for the England team tenfold and made it a lot more open to the media with the FA’s headquarters being moved from the decrepit Lancaster Gate to the buzzing Soho Square. Still, though, Croizer was the key figure behind making sure Wembley was rebuilt on the exact site that the Two Towers had been demolished and removed Ken Bates and any fears of selling the site for retail purposes very quickly.
From his footballing passion, Croizer sought to bring something different to the English set-up: their first foreign manager. Horrified by the legacy and shambles of Graham Taylor’s kick and rush football and the ‘do I not like that era’, and the failures of Glenn Hoddle and Kevin Keegan after the successful interlude of Terry Venables from 1994 to 1996, Croizer sought to bring ‘thinking football’ to the English national team. With Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Leeds, Ipswich, Chelsea, Everton, Coventry and Bradford all managed by foreigners, nearly half the league’s total coaches, and only Alan Curbishley looking like a viable domestic appointment, the FA were left with little other choice – particularly when considering the mystique of Eriksson. After all, the Swede spoke of his love of Tibetan poetry in his interview and seemed like the perfect Professor to bring culture and class to English football after Keegan’s directionless 21 months in charge of The Three Lions.
Eriksson initially planned to take over England after the end of the 2000/2001 campaign with Lazio, but with a £4.5m a year salary on offer, an unprecedented amount for a manager, he resigned early into the season and officially began his reign as England’s manager in January, 2001. With England 17th in the world rankings and already in danger of failing to make the 2002 World Cup, following a home defeat to Germany and a 0-0 draw away to Finland under Keegan, Eriksson was quickly under pressure to earn his astronomical salary. He soon proved himself as a substantial improvement on Keegan, with comfortable wins over Finland (2-1), Albania (1-3), Greece (0-2), Germany (1-5) and Albania (2-0) before a winner takes all match against Greece at Wembley on 6 October, 2001.
Having been bold enough to appoint David Beckham as his captain, epitomising the modern and laissez faire set-up of the English side which had seen Eriksson lead the way with an affair with Ulrika Jonsson, Eriksson’s judgement was continually questioned by the media. While the 5-1 victory over Germany, admittedly a woeful and stale German outfit, is always remembered fondly, the 2-2 draw with Greece at Wembley was the pivotal moment of Eriksson’s early reign: Beckham scoring a 25-yard free-kick deep into stoppage time to send England to the World Cup. Inevitably, the media hype was stoked when the seemingly infallible Eriksson proclaimed that England could win the tournament and after qualifying from a tight group of Argentina, Nigeria and Sweden, and then hammering Denmark 3-0, a seemingly beatable Brazil awaited.
Despite Eriksson’s proclamation, England were yet to develop into the set of world-class individuals that they were soon to become. David Seaman was 39 and Danny Mills (who, admittedly, filled in for the influential and injured Gary Neville), Nicky Butt, Trevor Sinclair, Emile Heskey and Darius Vassell were not of an international standard. Still, though, the win over Denmark, following painful 0-0 draws against Nigeria and Sweden and a 1-0 edging over a poor Argentina side, left England confident – particularly when Brazil were not among the pre-tournament favourites. With England 1-0 up after a 23’ Michael Owen goal, Luiz Felipe Scolari’s outfit did not seem a daunting prospect to the fired up English. However, Eriksson’s decision to take Beckham, who had barely recovered from a metatarsal injury, to South Korea and failure to build on the 1-0 lead, instead cautiously sitting back, saw England soon flag.
After Beckham jumped out of a tackle with Roqúe Junior, Ronaldinho was set free and quickly set-up Rivaldo for Brazil’s equaliser on the pivotal 44’ mark. With Ronaldinho brilliantly putting Brazil 2-1 up on 50’, with a looping free-kick, but then getting himself sent off for a challenge on Danny Mills, Eriksson failed to react and push on for an equaliser. England were out and Eriksson cited fatigue and their lagging fitness after a long season, following the failure of England to score in the second half of any of the five World Cup matches. Interestingly, with Sir Alex Ferguson planning to retire from football in the summer of 2002 at the age of 61, Eriksson had been approached by Manchester United to take over from the Scotsman after the World Cup.
Eriksson shook on the deal despite his four-year contract with the FA, according to Ferguson before his u-turn on retirement in February 2002, but Ferguson was quick to distance himself from sanctioning the Swede’s appointment:
I think Sven would have been a nice easy choice for the United board in terms of nothing really happens, does it? He doesn’t change anything. He sails along, nobody falls out with him. He comes out and says ‘the first half we were good, second half we were not so good. But I am very pleased with the result.
Instead, remaining with England and hoping to build on his solid start, Eriksson became one of the first managers to use international friendlies for utilising all 22 of his players, disrupting the game as a consequence, and the net result of this were games like the embarrassing 1-3 home defeat to Australia at Upton Park on 14 February, 2003 – leading to the precedent of the English fans booing their team off after a poor result.
Still, though, Eriksson delivered on the qualification front for Euro 2004, remaining undefeated in a group with Turkey, Slovakia, Macedonia and Liechtenstein, and with the emergence of the precocious Wayne Rooney, hopes were high for the tournament in Portugal. However, a demon that had dogged England during the ‘90s returned: penalties. After drawing 2-2 with Scolari’s Portugal in the quarter final, England lost 7-6 on penalties (with Eriksson’s favourites, Beckham and Vassell, missing their kicks). Again, though, having taken a 3’ lead through Owen, Eriksson missed the chance to kill off the game and Hélder Postiga equalised on 83’.
It had been a much different English outfit, on paper, to the one that played in the 2002 World Cup with the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Rooney all starting – but Eriksson’s regrettable use of Paul Scholes out of position on the wing led to England losing one of their most underrated, understated and influential footballers of all-time and added to the Gerrard/Lampard conundrum dominating England’s preparations for the best part of a decade. Before Eriksson could move on and focus on the 2006 World Cup, however, off the field incidents dominated the following 24 months. First was the revelation in August 2004 that Eriksson and Mark Palios had separate affairs with Faria Alam, a FA secretary. Then, Eriksson met with Chelsea Chief Executive Peter Kenyon about the Chelsea job, while Claudio Ranieri was still in charge of the Blues, which led to the Swede being handed a desperate 10% wage rise to £5 million by the FA from 2004-2006.
For such a seemingly uncharismatic individual, Eriksson then caused yet more embarrassment to the FA when Mazher Mahmood, the News of the World’s ‘Fake Sheikh’, offered Eriksson the chance to manage Aston Villa when his proposed takeover was completed in January, 2006. Eriksson agreed, if England won the World Cup and planned to sign Beckham as club captain, but went on to make regrettable comments on the backgrounds of the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Steven Gerrard. This, as well as an embarrassing 1-0 defeat (Eriksson’s only ever qualification defeat in five years of managing England) to Northern Ireland, certainly played a part in the FA, despite a Save Our Sven (S.O.S) campaign by many England fans, announcing that Eriksson would not be offered a new deal. With Steve McClaren appointed as Eriksson’s successor, just a month before the World Cup, by the aloof FA head Brian Barwick, England’s preparations were not ideal.
However, Eriksson had laid the foundations for a serious assault on the 2006 World Cup, with the ‘Golden Generation’ of Paul Robinson (27), Gary Neville (31), Rio Ferdinand (28), John Terry (26), Ashley Cole (26), David Beckham (31), Frank Lampard (28), Steven Gerrard (26), Joe Cole (25), Wayne Rooney (21) and Michael Owen (27)/Owen Hargreaves (25) all reaching their peak years. England easily had the most high-profile eleven individuals on paper in the tournament, even dwarfing Brazil’s ‘Magic Square’ of Roberto Carlos, Kaká, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo, but as a team, performances to match were not forthcoming – the late 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago was an example of the flawed packing of individuals into a basic 4-4-2 system, with Gerrard and Lampard constantly getting in eachother’s way. The English media were at pains to say that this group of individuals would eventually click, with Eamon Dunphy commenting that, the usually cynical, Garth Crooks’ lauding of Eriksson’s 4-4-2 system in an interview after the 1-0 win over Ecuador in the second round was “the first time he had seen two men having sex on the BBC.”
With Rooney lacking fitness, it was clear that his loss for the warm-up games to a metatarsal injury, a la Beckham in 2002, was unfortunate – but should it have been an issue with Peter Crouch playing so well in his absence? A penalty defeat to Portugal in the quarter-finals was marred by Rooney’s inexperience and his immaturity. Like Beckham in 1998, Rooney’s ‘honesty’ showed on 62’: after an intense 10 second battle and shielding of the ball with Ricardo Carvalho, Rooney stamped on Carvalho’s groin after a niggling challenge. It resulted in a red card but unlike when Beckham was sent-off, the English media were at pains to excuse Rooney due to Cristiano Ronaldo’s pleas to the referee and wink to the Portuguese bench. In truth, the uninspiring Eriksson failed to rally his players in what in hindsight, despite Scolari’s hoodoo over Eriksson, was a beatable Portuguese outfit. A 4-1 penalty loss followed, with Lampard, Gerrard and Carragher missing their respective spot-kicks, and the Eriksson and Beckham era, that had promised and spoofed so much, ended flatly.
On paper, Eriksson’s record with England was admirable: a rise from 17th in the World Ranking in January, 2001 to 5th in July, 2006; a consistency in being the only manager, along with Alf Ramsey and Terry Venables, to guide England to the knockout phase in all of the international tournaments (3) he entered; losing only three competitive matches (excluding extra-time); and qualifying automatically for the three international tournaments England played in under the Swede. Still, though, Eriksson’s off the field scandals, poor tactics and big wages meant that big projects were not as forthcoming for the then 59 year old Swede and it was not until July, 2007 that he got his next job: Manchester City. With City taken over by the notorious Thaksin Shinawatra, Eriksson, on a £2 million per year contract, must have harboured dreams of a Lazio-like assault on the title with the backing of massive resources. However, the scale was not the same and the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool were miles ahead of City – especially with the miniscule, given what he had previously promised, investment from Shinawatra.
Eriksson started the 2007/2008 season well, leading City to 3rd by November with some free-flowing displays, but fell badly by spring with a poor run of just one win in five games. Shinawatra, who had sanctioned the fairly unglamorous ‘Eriksson signings’ of Vedran Ćorluka, Javier Garrido, Gelson Fernandes, Elano, Geovanni, Martin Petrov and Rolando Bianchi, quickly lost patience and vowed that Eriksson would be dismissed at the end of the season. Despite a string of protests from the City fans, with a similar S.O.S campaign to the England fans of 2006, and the players effectively working to rule rather than going on strike, as was seen in the 8-1 defeat to Middlesbrough, Eriksson was sacked. Despite achieving UEFA Cup qualification, beating Manchester United home and away (first time in 38 years) and an admirable 55 points (City’s joint-highest total in the Premier League era up to this point), Eriksson was eventually dismissed and Shinawatra set a dangerous level of expectations that would haunt City’s future coaches.
A day after ‘a mutual consent’ termination of the remainder of his two-year contract, Eriksson quickly dusted himself down, in now characteristic fashion, and took the Mexico national job. Clearly seeing a decent paycheck, with deep divisions within the Mexican FA and the playing squad making it an incredibly difficult job despite the seemingly lower standard of football in North American World Cup qualifiers, Eriksson ignored Mexican fans’ protests to his appointment. Eriksson’s competitive record with Mexico was abysmal, winning just one out of seven World Cup qualifiers, and caused a lot of controversy with the unprecedented selection of naturalised Mexicans. The Swede was sacked in April, 2009, leading to a mass victory rally of 30,000 Mexican fans.
Within just three months, Eriksson was again back in a job. As bizarre as the Mexico appointment was, given that a mild-mannered Swede was being sent out to a country ravaged by crime and inner conflict, Eriksson’s role as Director of Football at Notts County was even more shocking. On £2 million per year, backed by the Middle Eastern Munto Finance, Eriksson played a huge role in the coup signings of Kasper Schmeichel and Sol Campbell but after details of County’s debts and an unpaid tax bill emerged in February 2010, Eriksson resigned. Again, within a short period of time and ridiculing the idea of gardening leave that is always cited by out of work managers, Eriksson quickly returned to management: taking over the Côte d’Ivoire for the World Cup from 28 March, 2010.
Again on a reported £2 million contract, but this time for just a handful of matches, Eriksson hoped to lead Côte d’Ivoire to at least the quarter-finals – given that they were, on paper, Africa’s strongest set of individuals. A tough Group G with Brazil and Portugal made this difficult, however, and despite a 3-0 win over North Korea, the 3-1 defeat to Brazil and the 0-0 draw with Portugal saw Les Éléphants fail to make the knockout stages. Even though this finish may seem somewhat disappointing, the Côte d’Ivoire players spoke of their disappointment that Eriksson’s short-term contract was not renewed, proclaiming that he had performed miracles in balancing out the side. Within three months, Eriksson took the 13th job of his 34-year management career with the relegation-threatened Leicester City on 3 October, 2010. Leicester were, initially, a hark back to Eriksson’s real comfort zone, a la Göteborg and Benfica with just average expectations and limited investment under Milan Mandarić, and the Swede’s clever use of the loan system led to Leicester finishing 10th and performing admirably in a 2-4 FA Cup 3rd round defeat to the mighty Manchester City.
The arrival of Vichai Raksriaksorn and the Thai King’s Power Group in August, 2010 gave Eriksson a potential route back into top-level football but like at City, inflated expectations from increased transfer spending again caused his downfall – with £10 million, a Championship record, spent on the likes of Kasper Schmeichel, Lee Peltier, Sean St. Ledger, Matt Mills, Paul Konchesky and Jermaine Beckford. Eriksson, seemingly, could not cope with the need for literal instant success, despite Leicester being just two points off the play-off places but admittedly eight points off leaders Southampton, and was sacked on 25 October. While a rumoured appearance on Strictly Come Dancing can presumably be ruled out, Eriksson’s options do not look great.
Blackburn Rovers have been touted, but Sven-Göran Eriksson may find obtaining a job in Europe increasingly difficult – given that his last great success, a title win at Lazio, came over ten years ago. The Middle East may be the 63 year old’s only viable option due to the success of the Swedish national team under Erik Hamrén, Eriksson’s wage demands and his poor overall record in England and Italy. Also, when one considers the work-ethic, honour, respect and admiration Eriksson’s generation of managers command and the legacy that they will leave, including Arsene Wenger (61), Ottmar Hitzfeld (62), Luiz Felipe Scolari (62), Carlos Bianchi (62), Marcello Lippi (63) and Guus Hiddink (64), it seems the world has woken up to the fact that Eriksson was, for the most part, an incredibly fortunate spoofer.
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'The Glorious Revolution' brought which monarch to the throne of England? | The Glorious Revolution of 1688
The Glorious Revolution of 1688
Stephen Quinn, Texas Christian University
The Glorious Revolution was when William of Orange took the English throne from James II in 1688. The event brought a permanent realignment of power within the English constitution. The new co-monarchy of King William III and Queen Mary II accepted more constraints from Parliament than previous monarchs had, and the new constitution created the expectation that future monarchs would also remain constrained by Parliament. The new balance of power between parliament and crown made the promises of the English government more credible, and credibility allowed the government to reorganize its finances through a collection of changes called the Financial Revolution. A more contentious argument is that the constitutional changes made property rights more secure and thus promoted economic development.
Historical Overview
Tension between king and parliament ran deep throughout the seventeenth century. In the 1640s, the dispute turned into civil war. The loser, Charles I, was beheaded in 1649; his sons, Charles and James, fled to France; and the victorious Oliver Cromwell ruled England in the 1650s. Cromwell’s death in 1659 created a political vacuum, so Parliament invited Charles I’s sons back from exile, and the English monarchy was restored with the coronation of Charles II in 1660.
Tensions after the Restoration
The Restoration, however, did not settle the fundamental questions of power between king and Parliament. Indeed, exile had exposed Charles I’s sons to the strong monarchical methods of Louis XIV. Charles and James returned to Britain with expectations of an absolute monarchy justified by the Divine Right of Kings, so tensions continued during the reigns of Charles II (1660-1685) and his brother James II (1685-88). Table 1 lists many of the tensions and the positions favored by each side. The compromise struck during the Restoration was that Charles II would control his succession, that he would control his judiciary, and that he would have the power to collect traditional taxes. In exchange, Charles II would remain Protestant and the imposition of additional taxes would require Parliament’s approval.
Table 1
Issues Separating Crown and Parliament, 1660-1688
Issue
Royal right to control succession
(Parliamentary approval NOT required)
Parliament’s right to meet
(Royal summons NOT required)
Royal authority sufficient to impose and collect traditional taxes.
Parliamentary authority necessary to impose and collect traditional taxes.
traditional taxes traditional taxes.
Royal authority sufficient to impose and collect new taxes.
Parliamentary authority necessary to impose and collect new taxes.
Appropriation
Complete royal control over expenditures.
Parliamentary audit or even appropriation.
In practice, authority over additional taxation was how Parliament constrained Charles II. Charles brought England into war against Protestant Holland (1665-67) with the support of extra taxes authorized by Parliament. In the years following that war, however, the extra funding from Parliament ceased, but Charles II’s borrowing and spending did not. By 1671, all his income was committed to regular expenses and paying interest on his debts. Parliament would not authorize additional funds, so Charles II was fiscally shackled.
Treaty of Dover
To regain fiscal autonomy and subvert Parliament, Charles II signed the secret Treaty of Dover with Louis XIV in 1671. Charles agreed that England would join France in war against Holland and that he would publicly convert to Catholicism. In return, Charles received cash from France and the prospect of victory spoils that would solve his debt problem. The treaty, however, threatened the Anglican Church, contradicted Charles II’s stated policy of support for Protestant Holland, and provided a source of revenue independent of Parliament.
Moreover, to free the money needed to launch his scheme, Charles stopped servicing many of his debts in an act called the Stop of the Exchequer, and, in Machiavellian fashion, Charles isolated a few bankers to take the loss (Roseveare 1991). The gamble, however, was lost when the English Navy failed to defeat the Dutch in 1672. Charles then avoided a break with Parliament by retreating from Catholicism.
James II
Parliament, however, was also unable to gain the upper hand. From 1679 to 1681, Protestant nobles had Parliament pass acts excluding Charles II’s Catholic brother James from succession to the throne. The political turmoil of the Exclusion Crisis created the Whig faction favoring exclusion and the Tory counter-faction opposing exclusion. Even with a majority in Commons, however, the Whigs could not force a reworking of the constitution in their favor because Charles responded by dissolving three Parliaments without giving his consent to the acts.
As a consequence of the stalemate, Charles did not summon Parliament over the final years of his life, and James did succeed to the throne in 1685. Unlike the pragmatic Charles, James II boldly pushed for all of his goals. On the religious front, the Catholic James upset his Anglican allies by threatening the preeminence of the Anglican Church (Jones 1978, 238). He also declared that his son and heir would be raised Catholic. On the military front, James expanded the standing army and promoted Catholic officers. On the financial front, he attempted to subvert Parliament by packing it with his loyalists. With a packed Parliament, “the king and his ministers could have achieved practical and permanent independence by obtaining a larger revenue” (Jones 1978, p. 243). By 1688, Tories, worried about the Church of England, and Whigs, worried about the independence of Parliament, agreed that they needed to unite against James II.
William of Orange
The solution became Mary Stuart and her husband, William of Orange. English factions invited Mary and William to seize the throne because the couple was Protestant and Mary was the daughter of James II. The situation, however, had additional drama because William was also the military commander of the Dutch Republic, and, in 1688, the Dutch were in a difficult military position. Holland was facing war with France (the Nine Years War, 1688-97), and the possibility was growing that James II would bring England into the war on the side of France. James was nearing open war with his son-in-law William.
For William and Holland, accepting the invitation and invading England was a bold gamble, but the success could turn England from a threat to an ally. William landed in England with a Dutch army on November 5, 1688 (Israel 1991). Defections in James II’s army followed before battle was joined, and William allowed James to flee to France. Parliament took the flight of James II as abdication and the co-reign of William III and Mary II officially replaced him on February 13, 1689. Although Mary had the claim to the throne as James II’s daughter, William demanded to be made King and Mary wanted William to have that power. Authority was simplified when Mary’s death in 1694 left William the sole monarch.
New Constitution
The deal struck between Parliament and the royal couple in 1688-89 was that Parliament would support the war against France, while William and Mary would accept new constraints on their authority. The new constitution reflected the relative weakness of William’s bargaining position more than any strength in Parliament’s position. Parliament feared the return of James, but William very much needed England’s willing support in the war against France because the costs would be extraordinary and William would be focused on military command instead of political wrangling.
The initial constitutional settlement was worked out in 1689 in the English Bill of Rights, the Toleration Act, and the Mutiny Act that collectively committed the monarchs to respect Parliament and Parliament’s laws. Fiscal power was settled over the 1690s as Parliament stopped granting the monarchs the authority to collect taxes for life. Instead, Parliament began regular re-authorization of all taxes, Parliament began to specify how new revenue authorizations could be spent, Parliament began to audit how revenue was spent, and Parliament diverted some funds entirely from the king’s control (Dickson 1967: 48-73). By the end of the war in 1697, the new fiscal powers of Parliament were largely in place.
Constitutional Credibility
The financial and economic importance of the arrangement between William and Mary and Parliament was that the commitments embodied in the constitutional monarchy of the Glorious Revolution were more credible that the commitments under the Restoration constitution (North and Weingast 1989). Essential to the argument is what economists mean by the term credible. If a constitution is viewed as a deal between Parliament and the Crown, then credibility means how believable it is today that Parliament and the king will choose to honor their promises tomorrow. Credibility does not ask whether Charles II reneged on a promise; rather, credibility asks if people expected Charles to renege.
One can represent the situation by drawing a decision tree that shows the future choices determining credibility. For example, the decision tree in Figure 1 contains the elements determining the credibility of Charles II’s honoring the Restoration constitution of 1660. Going forward in time from 1660 (left to right), the critical decision is whether Charles II will honor the constitution or eventually renege. The future decision by Charles, however, will depend on his estimation of benefits of becoming an absolute monarch versus the cost of failure and the chances he assigns to each. Determining credibility in 1660 requires working backwards (right to left). If one thinks Charles II will risk civil war to become an absolute monarch, then one would expect Charles II to renege on the constitution, and therefore the constitution lacks credibility despite what Charles II may promise in 1660. In contrast, if one expects Charles II to avoid civil war, then one would expect Charles to choose to honor the constitution, so the Restoration constitution would be credible.
Figure 1. Restoration of 1660 Decision Tree
A difficulty with credibility is foreseeing future options. With hindsight, we know that Charles II did attempt to break the Restoration constitution in 1670-72. When his war against Holland failed, he repaired relations with Parliament and avoided civil war, so Charles managed something not portrayed in Figure 1. He replaced the outcome of civil war in the decision tree with the outcome of a return to the status quo. The consequence of removing the threat of civil war, however, was to destroy credibility in the king’s commitment to the constitution. If James II believed he inherited the options created by his brother, then James II’s 1685 commitment to the Restoration constitution lacked credibility because the worst that would happen to James was a return to the status quo.
So why would the Glorious Revolution constitution be more credible than Restoration constitution challenged by both Charles II and James II? William was very unlikely to become Catholic or pro-French which eliminated many tensions. Also, William very much needed Parliament’s support for his war against France; however, the change in credibility argued by North and Weingast (1989) looks past William’s reign, so it also requires confidence that William’s successors would abide by the constitution. A source of long-run confidence was that the Glorious Revolution reasserted the risk of a monarch losing his throne. William III’s decision tree in 1689 again looked like Charles II’s in 1660, and Parliament’s threat to remove an offending monarch was becoming credible. The seventeenth century had now seen Parliament remove two of the four Stuart monarchs, and the second displacement in 1688 was much easier than the wars that ended the reign of Charles I in 1649.
Another lasting change that made the new constitution more credible than the old constitution was that William and his successors were more constrained in fiscal matters. Parliament’s growing ‘power of the purse’ gave the king less freedom to maneuver a constitutional challenge. Moreover, Parliament’s fiscal control increased over time because the new constitution favored Parliament in the constitutional renegotiations that accompanied each succeeding monarch.
As a result, the Glorious Revolution constitution made credible the enduring ascendancy of Parliament. In terms of the king, the new constitution increased the credibility of the proposition that kings would not usurp Parliament.
Fiscal Credibility
The second credibility story of the Glorious Revolution was that the increased credibility of the government’s constitutional structure translated into an increased credibility for the government’s commitments. When acting together, the king and Parliament retained the power to default on debt, seize property, or change rules; so why would the credibility of the constitution create confidence in a government’s promises to the public?
A king who lives within the constitution has less desire to renege on his commitments. Recall that Charles II defaulted on his debts in an attempt to subvert the constitution, and, in contrast, Parliament after the Glorious Revolution generously financed wars for monarchs who abided by the constitution. An irony of the Glorious Revolution is that monarchs who accepted constitutional constraints gained more resources than their absolutist forebears.
Still, should a monarch want to have his government renege, Parliament will not always agree, and a stable constitution assures a Parliamentary veto. The two houses of Parliament, Commons and Lords, creates more veto opportunities, and the chances of a policy change decrease with more veto opportunities if the king and the two houses have different interests (Weingast 1997).
Another aspect of Parliament is the role of political parties. For veto opportunities to block change, opponents need only to control one veto, and here the coalition aspect of parties was important. For example, the Whig coalition combined dissenting Protestants and moneyed interests, so each could rely on mutual support through the Whig party to block government action against either. Cross-issue bargaining between factions creates a cohesive coalition on multiple issues (Stasavage 2002).
An additional reason for Parliament’s credibility was reputation. As a deterrent against violating commitments today, reputation relies on penalties felt tomorrow, so reputation often does not deter those overly focused on the present. A desperate king is a common example. As collective bodies of indefinite life, however, Parliament and political parties have longer time horizons than an individual, so reputation has better chance of fostering credibility.
A measure of fiscal credibility is the risk premium that the market puts on government debt. During the Nine Years War (1688-97), government debt carried a risk premium of 4 percent over private debt, but that risk premium disappeared and became a small discount in the years 1698 to 1705 (Quinn 2001: 610). The drop in the rates on government debt marks a substantial increase in the market’s confidence in the government after the Treaty of Ryswick ended the Nine Years War in 1697 and left William III and the new constitution intact. A related measure of confidence was the market price of stock in companies like the Bank of England and the East India Company. Because those companies were created by Parliamentary authorization and held large quantities of government debt, changes in confidence were reflected in changes in their stock prices. Again, the Treaty of Ryswick greatly increased stock prices and confirms a substantial increase in the credibility of the government (Wells and Wills 2000, 434). In contrast, later Jacobite threats, such as the invasion of Scotland by James II’s son ‘the Pretender’ in 1708, had negative but largely transitory effects on share prices.
Financial Consequences
The fiscal credibility of the English government created by the Glorious Revolution unleashed a revolution in public finance. The most prominent element was the introduction of long-run borrowing by the government, because such borrowing absolutely relied on the government’s fiscal credibility. To create credible long-run debt, Parliament took responsibility for the debt, and Parliamentary-funded debt became the National Debt, instead of just the king’s debt. To bolster credibility, Parliament committed future tax revenues to servicing the debts and introduced new taxes as needed (Dickson 1967, Brewer 1988). Credible government debt formed the basis of the Bank of England in 1694 and the core the London stock market. The combination of these changes has been called the Financial Revolution and was essential for Britain’s emergence as a Great Power in the eighteenth century (Neal 2000).
While the Glorious Revolution was critical to the Financial Revolution in England, the follow up assertion in North and Weingast (1989) that the Glorious Revolution increased the security of property rights in general, and so spurred economic growth, remains an open question. A difficulty is how to test the question. An increase in the credibility of property rights might cause interest rates to decrease because people become willing to save more; however, rates based on English property rentals show no effect from the Glorious Revolution, and the rates of one London banker actually increased after the Glorious Revolution (Clark 1996, Quinn 2001). In contrast, high interest rates could indicate that the Glorious Revolution increased entrepreneurship and demand for investment. Unfortunately, high rates could also mean that the expansion of government borrowing permitted by the Financial Revolution crowded out investment. North and Weingast (1989) point to a general expansion of financial intermediation which is supported by studies like Carlos, Key, and Dupree (1998) that find the secondary market for Royal African Company and Hudson’s Bay Company stocks became busier in the 1690s. Distinguishing between crowding out and increased demand for investment, however, relies on establishing whether the overall quantity of business investment changed, and that remains unresolved because of the difficulty in constructing such an aggregate measure. The potential linkages between the credibility created by the Glorious Revolution and economic development remain an open question.
References:
Brewer, John. The Sinews of Power. Cambridge: Harvard Press, 1988.
Carlos, Ann M., Jennifer Key, and Jill L. Dupree. “Learning and the Creation of Stock-Market Institutions: Evidence from the Royal African and Hudson’s Bay Companies, 1670-1700.” Journal of Economic History 58, no. 2 (1998): 318-44.
Clark, Gregory. “The Political Foundations of Modern Economic Growth: England, 1540-1800.” Journal of Interdisciplinary History 55 (1996): 563-87.
Dickson, Peter. The Financial Revolution in England. New York: St. Martin’s, 1967.
Israel, Jonathan. “The Dutch Role in the Glorious Revolution.” In The Anglo-Dutch Moment, edited by Jonathan Israel, 103-62. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991.
Jones, James, Country and Court England, 1658-1714. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1978.
Neal, Larry. “How it All Began: the Monetary and Financial Architecture of Europe during the First Global Capital Markets, 1648-1815.” Financial History Review 7 (2000): 117-40.
North, Douglass, and Barry Weingast. “Constitutions and Commitment: The Evolution of Institutions Governing Public Choice in Seventeenth-Century England.” Journal of Economic History 49, no. 4(1989): 803-32.
Roseveare, Henry. The Financial Revolution 1660-1760. London: Longman, 1991.
Quinn, Stephen. “The Glorious Revolution’s Effect on English Private Finance: A Microhistory, 1680-1705.” Journal of Economic History 61, no. 3 (2001): 593-615.
Stasavage, David. “Credible Commitments in Early Modern Europe: North and Weingast Revisited.” Journal of Law and Economics 18, no. 1 (2002): 155-86.
Weingast, Barry, “The Political Foundations of Limited Government: Parliament Sovereign Debt in Seventeenth-Century and Eighteenth-Century England.” In The Frontiers of the New Institutional Economics, edited by John Drobak and John Nye, 213-246. San Diego: Academic Press, 1997.
Wells, John, and Douglas Wills. “Revolution, Restoration, and Debt Repudiation: The Jacobite Threat to England’s Institutions and Economic Growth.” Journal of Economic History 60, no 2 (2000): 418-41.
Citation: Quinn, Stephen. “The Glorious Revolution of 1688″. EH.Net Encyclopedia, edited by Robert Whaples. April 17, 2003. URL http://eh.net/encyclopedia/the-glorious-revolution-of-1688/
© EH.Net - Economic History Services
| William III |
What sort of food is 'Raclette'? | British Literature Wiki - Religion, Politics, and the Glorious Revolution of 1688
Religion, Politics, and the Glorious Revolution of 1688
Religion, Politics, and the Glorious Revolution of 1688
King James II of England - G. Kneller (1684)
Under the short rule of King James II from 6 February 1685 to 11 December 1688, England would soon find out what sort of nation it has been in the past, and what sort of nation it wanted to be in the future. King James II views on the Protestant faith versus Catholicism and his position regarding the 'Divine Right of Kings' would eventually pave the way for a glorious yet bloodless revolution in 1688.
Table of Contents
References
Religious Background
For almost a thousand years, Rome influenced the Church of England; Catholicism infiltrating and affecting just about every aspect of life: trade, contracts, marriage etc. A century before the Glorious Revolution, England, under the rule of King Henry VIII adopted it's own form of Catholicism namely Anglicism. During the 17th century, the whole of Europe was inflamed with war and under a constant struggle to establish a unified church under a unified empire. The Holy Roman Empire was slowly loosing it's grip on distant countries, and with it, control.
During King Charles II's 25 year reign over England, shortly before the revolution, tensions slowly began to grow being that he did not have a legitimate issue to become heir to the throne. That implied that the crown would pass to his Catholic brother James which in turn incited the fear of absolute rule, popery, slavery, and subjugation to France and Rome. In order to "extenuate royal indulgence, and to defuse the anxiety of his subjects", King Charles II commissioned then Poet Laureate John Dryden to compose what would become a "menacing masterpiece" named "Absalom and Achitophel" which wove together "the Bible and contemporary politics" as a work of propaganda, and ultimately cost him his position after the revolution commenced.[ 1 ]
Political Background
King James II brought many tensions between the people of England because of the political changes that he made while he reigned as king. Coming into power as a Catholic already brought many concerns to the people because they feared popery and Catholic tyranny. However, he assured the people that he beliefs would not contribute to his manner in leading the country. Soon after the beginning of his reign, all that began to change. First, King James II allowed Catholics to hold place as officers in the armed forces in November of 1685. Next, the king suspended the Test Acts and therefore allowed him to appoint Catholics as members of his council. In April of 1687, King James passed the Declaration of Indulgence Act which removed all laws against the rights of the Catholics. All of these acts led people to begin to oppose the reign of King James II. Many people rebelled such as seven leading bishops who refused the king's orders to read his second Declaration of Indulgence. These bishops were arrested their rebellion. All of this lead the people of England to search for a new leader in fear of a Catholic monarchy.
Conspiracy
Many politicians were on a mission to remove King James II from the throne. In order to do this, they had to devise a plan, also know as, a conspiracy. This conspiracy became so popular that there were several names which grew from from its leader, William Orange. Prince Orange, the husband of Queen Mary (King James II's daughter), was at the forefront of this plan. For this reason, many called this conspiracy as the Orange Card or the Orangist Conspiracy. During the year of 1688, those involved had one main goal: to have the king change his pro-Catholic policies or remove him from the throne.Their plan led them to overthrow the government.
Overthrow of the Government
King William & Queen Mary - R. White (1703)
King James II was a devout Catholic, and he wanted to increase the power that the Catholics had in England. He began to replace any men of power that were not Catholic, especially Protestants and Anglicans. These Protestants and Anglicans were continually being suppressed more and more and feared that King James and his son would be the start of a Roman Catholic dynasty. William of Orange was a Dutch Protestant that married King James' daughter, Mary Stuart II, even though it was opposed because her family wanted her to marry into the French throne line. The people invited William of Orange to come and invade England twice, and he refused. On the third time, he accepted and led a large force to invade England in November of 1688. With just a couple minor skirmishes, King James' regime had collapsed and he escaped custody while dressed as a woman[ 2 ] and fled the country with his wife. There were very few casualties, no major battles, and the invasion was very short; and therefore, this revolution is sometimes referred to as the Bloodless Revolution.
New Religious Government
By threatening to withdraw his troops from England and leave the country with no stability, the parliament decided to make William and his wife Mary joint sovereigns of the nation of England. William made it impossible for any Catholics to vote or hold a seat in the parliament, and made the law, which is still in order today, that the monarch could not be a Catholic or marry someone who was a Catholic. William signed the proposed Bill of Rights that guaranteed certain rights to the citizens of the nation, and he began the change in the English parliamentary to a more democratic one. William's overthrow of King James and signing of the Bill of Rights made James' rule the last time that the monarch of England held absolute power. England now had a Protestant monarchy and a system that recognized the importance of Parliament in governing.
The effects of the New Government
The long-term positive effects that King William III enacted took some time to show. The short term effects through, were war with France, and the accompanying financial strain. The tax and fiscal innovation set in place by King William III ultimately led to the formation of the Bank of England, but It wasn't until his successor, Queen Anne, reigned over England that the financial burden was lifted, allowing domestic and foreign trade to flourish. This is evident in Alexander Pope's pastoral "Windsor-Forrest" on line 327 and 328: "At length great ANNA said - "Let Discord cease!" \ She said, the world obeyed, and all was Peace!"[ 3 ]
By the early 1720's, the effects of the 'Bill of Rights' were starting to be understood very well by cabinet minister Robert Walpole who managed to "cement the displacement of monarch by minister". Instead of simply advising the king, Walpole effectively managed the king, and in essence ran the state. He was given the title Prime Minister as an insult to point out the obvious, but the title remains to this day.[ 4 ]
Significant People Involved in the Glorious Revolution
King James II of England
"At midnight on 14th October, 1633, Henrietta Maria, Queen of England, gave birth to [King Charles I's second] son at St James's Palace."[ 5 ] That son would later be known as the fifth creation of the Duke of York, Lord High Admiral, and ultimately, King James II. He promised to honor the national church and not to force religious uniformity during his reign, but his actions eventually led to the imposition of Catholic officers being staffed within the royal army, and the placement of Catholic officials in Oxford University. His 'Declaration of Toleration' was mandated to be read from Anglican pulpits. These actions along with the birth of his son James Francis Edward Stuart, brought the prospect of a long line of Catholic succession to the English throne, and proved to be too much for the English to bear.[ 6 ]
James (only son of King James)
Born on June 10, 1688, the birth of King James II only son was a major catalyst to push the events of the Glorious Revolution into existence. When Queen Mary gave birth to her son, the people of England were alarmed and frightened because there was now a Catholic heir to the throne. This caused the people of England to desperately seek the aid of William III to intervene and take over as king. While William III was asked several times to invade England in order to remove King James from power, it was not until the birth of James did he feel it was absolutely necessary to take action and "save the protestant religion," as well as his position as the successor to the throne.
William III (William of Orange) and wife, Queen Mary II
William of Orange was the son-in-law of King James II. As a protestant young man he married Mary (the daughter of King James II) and therefore secured his place as the successor to the throne. After receiving pressure from England's politicians, William built up an army and invaded England in November of 1688.
Below is an informative video of several significant authors in this whose writing reflect the aftermath of the Glorious Revolution. While some of them did not live in the time when it occurred, that drastic change in the political make of England impacted authors all over Europe.
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The English National Opera is resident in which London theatre? | Theatres and Venues near to LONDON COLISEUM - ENGLISH NATIONAL OPERA (ENO) | LondonTown.com
Theatre | Until 23rd September 2017
Fortune Theatre 2 minutes walk from London Coliseum - English National Opera (eno)
One of the less well-known West-End fixtures, this adaptation of Susan Hill's gothic novel has been packing out houses since ... More
Theatre | Until 14th January 2017
Adelphi Theatre 3 minutes walk from London Coliseum - English National Opera (eno)
Inspired by a true story and based on the 2005 British film of the same name, Cyndi Lauper and Harvey ... More
Theatre | Until 4th February 2017
Vaudeville Theatre 3 minutes walk from London Coliseum - English National Opera (eno)
An all-star cast which includes Katherine Parkinson (famous for The IT Crowd and Humans), Ralf Little (The Royle Family, Two ... More
Theatre | Until 15th October 2017
Cambridge Theatre 3 minutes walk from London Coliseum - English National Opera (eno)
The Royal Shakespeare Company's multiple award-winning musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's celebrated children's book Matilda is a big hit at ... More
Theatre | Until 4th June 2017
The Lyceum Theatre 3 minutes walk from London Coliseum - English National Opera (eno)
The Lion King tells the story of Simba - the epic adventure of his battles, his friendships, his dreams and ... More
| Colosseum |
Which city on the River Volga is the centre of the Caviar industry? | London Coliseum London Seating Plan & Reviews | SeatPlan
Balcony
Getting into the Venue
The London Coliseum main entrance is located on St Martin’s Lane. There is step free access into the main foyer, the Stalls and the Stalls bars via a ramp.
All levels in the theatre can be reached by stairs or via two customer lifts, including one in the main foyer, which can take patrons to all levels of the auditorium, excluding the Upper Circle. All bars are accessible via the lift.
Customer Assistance
Staff are on hand to assist with navigation throughout the theatre.
Transfers are available into any level access aisle seat in the theatre. Staff are able to assist with transfers, but it is recommended that a companion is brought. An at-seat service is available for patrons in the Boxes, but not for those in the main auditorium. Staff are able to store wheelchairs for the duration of the performance.
How to Book
For those who require special assistance or wish to book wheelchair spaces, it is important to book in advance and notify the theatre of any special requirements. ENO runs a free access scheme which entitles access patrons and their companions to purchase half-price tickets and receive free mailings and priority booking.
For further information on joining the access scheme and to book wheelchair and transfer seats, please call: 020 7845 9300 or email: [email protected]
The Nutcracker
One of the world’s most famous ballets and a firm Christmas family favourite, the English National Ballet’s Nutcracker returned to the London Coliseum on 14th December 2016 and is set to run over Christmas, making it the perfect festive delight no matter what your age is.
Booking from 27 Dec 2016 to 07 Jan 2017
Bat Out Of Hell - The Musical
Meat Loaf’s classic album Bat Out Of Hell comes to the London stage in a brand new musical directed by the award-winning Jay Scheib, set to open at the London Coliseum in summer 2017, following a run at the Manchester Opera House from 17 February 2017.
Booking from 05 Jun 2017 to 22 Jul 2017
Carousel
Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins co-star for the first time in a new revival of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic Carousel at the London Coliseum from April 2017.
Booking from 07 Apr 2017 to 13 May 2017
The Pirates of Penzance
The Gilbert and Sullivan classic, The Pirates of Penzance returns to the London Coliseum in February 2017 in the first revival of the smash-hit ENO production by legendary British filmmaker Mike Leigh. This hilarious and swashbuckling farce is set to delight audiences all over again after receiving huge critical success and being much loved by those who saw it.
Booking from 09 Feb 2017 to 25 Mar 2017
Giselle
Mary Skeaping’s production of Giselle comes to the London Coliseum in January 2017, in an enchanting performance that includes some of ballet’s most impactful scenes, with the beautiful score performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic orchestra.
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An ally of Germany, of which country was Boris king until his murder in August 1943? | The Jewish Week - Current
April 28, 2000 / 23 Nisan 5760
The Unknown Rescue
By: Steve Lipman, Staff Writer
Before the war, 48,000 Jews lived in Bulgaria. After the Nazi defeat, there were 49,000. Here�s the seldom-told story
Plovdiv, Bulgaria -- Albert Alkalai put on his raincoat, the one with the small yellow Jewish star on the lapel, left his family�s house and walked to work a quarter-mile away in the central square at 8 a.m. on March 10, 1943.
The morning was sunny. �A little bit chilly, as in March,� Alkalai remembers.
He was 19, an out-of-work accountant, a Jew working with �special permission� that morning. The store where he was employed by a sympathetic Bulgarian was shuttered, closed like the other businesses on the street. �It gave a hint something unusual was going on,� he says.
Then Alkalai saw some young Jews, friends, rushing around with bags of clothing. They told him why - police had rounded up hundreds of Jewish families in the early hours, bringing them to the courtyard of the Jewish school. At the railroad station, empty cars were waiting to take the Jews to Poland, to their death in concentration camps. March 10 was the beginning of what the Nazis, Bulgaria�s ally during World War II, hoped would be the end of Bulgarian Jewry.
But it didn�t happen.
Little known in the West, certainly less then the Danish rescue of its 8,000 Jews, the story of Bulgaria and its Jewish population is among the most dramatic tales of the Holocaust.
Historians still disagree over the relative roles played by King Boris III, members of the country�s fascist government, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and the Bulgarian people. But one fact is beyond dispute -- before the war, 48,000 Jews lived in Bulgaria; after the war, the figure was 49,000.
Though some Jews died as member of partisan units in Bulgaria, not one Jew in �Old Bulgaria� -- the part that did not include the territories annexed after Bulgaria joined the Axis alliance -- was killed because he or she was Jewish.
�The Bulgarian Jews became the only Jewish community in the Nazi sphere of influence whose numbers increased during World War II,� Michael Bar-Zohar writes in �Beyond Hitler�s Grasp: The Heroic Rescue of Bulgaria�s Jews� (Adams Media Corp., 1998).
�I was an eyewitness,� says Alkalai, 76, a pensioneer still living here in his hometown in west-central Bulgaria.
For the 6,000 Jews in the Balkan land today, the rescue by their countrymen is a defining moment in their 2,000-year history. March 10 is celebrated as a minor Purim, with annual commemorations. Since the fall of communism in late 1989, Plovdiv�s Jews have erected a menorah-shaped monument in the center of the country�s second-largest city, and the Jews of Sofia, the capital, dedicated a smaller plaque near the parliament building.
A larger sculpture, a pair of obelisks sponsored by the government, are to go up next year outside the Jewish community center in Sofia.
Bulgarian Jews in Israel and at a Sephardic synagogue in Los Angeles mark the rescue each year, and several major Jewish organizations -- including the Anti-Defamation League, the American Jewish Committee and the American Jewish Congress � have recognized Bulgaria�s wartime effort in recent years.
There is a Bulgarian forest planted by the Jewish National Fund in Israel, a Bulgarian square in a Jerusalem neighborhood and a garden named for King Boris at the Migdal Ohr campus in northern Israel.
But the story of Bulgaria in World War II has received little recognition in the wider Jewish community. One example, Mordecai Paldiel�s classic book, �The Path of the Righetous: Gentile Rescuers of Jews During the Holocaust,� devoted only one paragraph to the subject.
�People know Denmark, says the Sofia-born Bar-Zohar. �Bulgaria nobody knows about.�
Bar-Zohar, who lives in Tel Aviv and serves as adjunct professor of history at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., was in Bulgaria last week to conduct interviews for a documentary he is producing on the rescue.
His interest in the topic began after he read a 1993 New York Times article about the rescue in Denmark. He sent a letter to the Times about the Bulgarian experience.
�Do you have proof?� the Times asked.
�Of course,� he told them. �I�m living proof.�
His family was among the 45,000 Bulgarian Jews who made aliyah in the first few years after the Jewish state was created.
Bar-Zohar, who used once-sealed Bulgarian archives and Yad Vashem records for his research, started giving public speeches on his work. �That is a wonderful story,� listeners would tell him. �Such a pity it is not true.�
He hears those comments �even today,� he says.
His book, which paints King Boris as an indecisive monarch who allowed the Nazis to deport some 11,000 Jews from Yugoslavian Macedonia and Greek Thrace, the annexed territories, is controversial among other experts for its positive portrayal of the king�s role in the spring of 1943.
Until March 9-10, the king meekly followed Nazi dictates, Bar-Zohar says. After that date he protected his Jews. �This expressed the national spirit of the Bulgarians.�
This is the story.
The Sacrifice of the Jews
In December 1940, to placate Germany, in whose economic and military shadow Bulgaria lay, the Bulgarian parliament passed the Law for the Defense of the Nation, patterned after the Nazis� Nuremberg Laws. It barred Jews from citizenship, public office, army service, ownership of property and intermarriage. Jewish participation in commerce, industry and the professions was limited.
The law also established a Commissariat for the Jewish Problem, headed by Alexander Belev, a Bulgarian anti-Semite.
Bulgaria signed the Tripartite Pact in March 1941, joining the Axis coalition. It declared �symbolic war� on the United States and England. Boris, from the Saxe-Coburg line of German royalty, refused to commit troops to the war but allowed German soldiers free passage.
As an ally of Germany, Bulgaria was not occupied by German soldiers and was allowed a degree of autonomy in internal affairs.
Through its officials in Sofia, and in occasional meetings between Boris and Adolf Hitler, the Nazis kept constant pressure on Bulgaria to participate in the Final Solution. The king, true to his character, would procrastinate, disappearing when crucial decisions were required.
The Jewish star was imposed in 1942. The Jews wore it arbitrarily at first, later as a matter of pride.
Then labor camps and concentration camps were established in the countryside. Although rations were meager, treatment at the hands of Bulgarian officers was usually benign.
In early 1943, Belev and Theodor Dennecker, the Third Reich�s special adviser on Jewish affairs, signed a secret agreement for the �Deportation of the first batch of 20,000 Jews to the East German territories.� The pact called for the shipping of 11,000 Jews from Thrace and Macedonia to Poland, and another 8,000-plus from Bulgaria�s old borders. The rest of Bulgaria�s Jews were to be deported a few months later.
Boris, with no jurisdiction over the annexed lands, approved the agreement, sacrificing the Jews of Thrace and Macedonia.
They were deported in the beginning of March. Only 12 survived the Holocaust.
The Compassionate Church
The initial roundups in Bulgaria proper were to begin March 9. In Kyustendil, on the western border, word leaked out to Jewish leaders. By then, the Jews knew what happened in Thrace and Macedonia.
�We knew about Treblinka,� says Viktoria Levi, now a resident of a Jewish home for the elderly in Sofia.
A delegation of Kyustendil Jews approached Ditimar Peshev, vice chairman of the parliament. Initially disbelieving, he eventually confirmed the Jews� report. He took a few fellow parliamentarians to Sofia, where he confronted Interior Minister Peter Gabrovski, who was responsible for the deportations. Peshev threatened to expose the scheme, certain to enrage the Bulgarian public.
Gabrovski agreed to postpone the deportations. Over the next day he sent telegrams announcing his decision to the roundup centers.
Peshev also sent a letter protesting the deportation plan, signed by 42 other members of the parliament, to Prime Minister Bogdan Filov. Similar letters were sent by prominent groups of writers, lawyers, physicians and army officers.
Bishop Stefan, leader of the Orthodox Church in Sofia, went to King Boris and told him, �If the persecution against the Jews continues, I shall open the doors of all Bulgarian churches to them and then we shall see who can drive them out.�
His counterpart in Plovdiv, Bishop Kyril, also sent a telegram -- he threatened to lie down on the railroad tracks to block the deportations and to take up arms against the government.
On the morning of March 10, Albert Alkalai quickly returned to his family home, told his parents about the overnight deportations and went back to town to see how his married sister was faring. At the main park across from police headquarters he spotted a policeman on horseback and ducked behind some shrubs.
Hidden there for hours, he watched Bishop Kyril enter the police station then walk, escorted by another bishop and five police officers, to the Jewish school where the rounded-up Jews were kept.
Against the police wishes Bishop Kyril scaled the fence and went inside. He told the frightened Jews, Alkalai later learned, �Wherever you go, I will go with you.�
�These are words that are known in this country,� Alkalai says.
Later he heard a loud �hurrah� and the strains of a Bulgarian hymn from the direction of the school. The telegram ordering the Jews� release had arrived.
The freed Jews ran back home, shouting in Ladino, �Ja mos salvaron� -- we were saved.
Alkalai�s sister, it turned out, had not been arrested. His parents opened a jar of scarce jam to share with neighbors who came over that day to celebrate.
�It was a tradition to treat people with something sweet when something good happens,� Alkalai says.
Nazi pressure on Boris continued. In May he received two options � deport the Jews out of Bulgaria, or deport them to the interior, where they could be easily gathered for deportation to their eventual fates.
Boris chose the second option. He was stalling, hoping the Jews would be spread out in the countryside and harder to locate, Bar-Zohar says.
Nearly 20,000 Jews were deported from Sofia, living in cramped apartments and makeshift dwellings and labor camps.
As the war in Russia turned against Germany, and recognition of the Bulgarians� lack of sympathy for anti-Jewish measures increased, the pressure on Bulgaria waned.
Adolf-Heinz Beckerle, the German ambassador in Sofia, wrote his superiors in Berlin in June: �The Bulgarian people � lack the ideological conceptions that we have. Having grown up among Turks, Jews, Armenians, the Bulgarian people have not observed in the Jews faults which would warrant � special measures against them.�
The Red Army entered Bulgaria in September 1944, ending the threat against the Jews.
�Good Guys Standing Up
To Bad Guys�
�Who saved the Jews? That is the main question,� says Viktor Baruch, a Jewish writer in Sofia and expert on the rescue.
Most Bulgarian Jews -- reflected in the language in the Sofia and Plovdiv memorials -- give credit to �the Bulgarian people.�
King Boris, who must accept responsibility for the deaths of the Jews from Thrace and Macedonia, played a crucial role in keeping the Bulgarian Jews out of Nazi hands, most authorities agree.
�Boris was in control of the government, and little transpired without his approval,� Guy Haskell writes in �From Sofia to Jaffa: The Jews of Bulgaria and Israel� (Wayne State University Press, 1994).
During communist times, the role of Boris was downplayed. Books and documentaries focused attention on wartime communists, especially Todor Zhivkov, the country�s longtime leader.
Why was the rescue largely unknown?
�The Bulgarians are extremely inept at public relations,� Bar-Zohar says. And, he adds, the West was reluctant to praise the predecessors of Eastern Europe�s most hardl-ine, doctrinaire communist country. �Bulgaria had a very unpleasant reputation.�
Bulgaria�s post-communist government stresses the rescue at every opportunity with Western leaders for its symbolic and economic benefits.
�Every politician in Bulgaria is trying to use it for their own purposes,� Baruch says. �Everyone is using the Jews.�
Bulgarian leaders, says Nansen Bexar, a Jewish member of the parliament, feel the rescue story will make �investors from the West � more eager to come here.�
Why was Bulgaria different?
The country, says President Petar Stoyanov, understands persecution after being under foreign rule -- Turkish and Byzantine -- for most of the last 700 years.
There is little tradition of anti-Semitism in Bulgaria, where Jews found haven for centuries, though Vicki Tamir, author of �Bulgaria and Her Jews: The History of a Dubious Symbiosis� (Sepher-Hermon Press, 1979), strongly disagrees with this common claim.
�The story should be told,� Bar-Zohar says. �It is the story of the good guys standing up to the bad guys and winning.�
Thirteen Bulgarians, including Peshev and people who assisted Jews in the annexed terrttories, were honored as Righteous Gentiles by Yad Vashem.
Peshev, censored and removed from the parliament after his action in 1943, lived with his nieces in Sofia, a bachelor and semi-recluse, until his death in 1973. Gabriele Nissim, an author in Italy, is conducting a personal campaign to honor Peshev through a biography and international commemorations.
Prime Minister Filov was executed after the war in the Soviet Union.
The body of Alexander Belev, who headed the Commissariat for the Jewish Problem, was found in 1944 outside of Kyustendil.
Adold-Heinz Beckerle, the German ambassador in Sofia, spent 11 years in a Soviet forced labor camp.
Theodor Dennecker, the Third Reich�s special adviser on Jewish affairs, committed suicide in 1945.
Stefan, the leader of the Orthodox Church in Sofia, and Bishop Kyril both served as exarch, head of the Bulgarian national church, and are buried side by side in a monestary near Plovdiv.
King Boris died, under mysterious circumstances, in August 1943.
Albert Alkalai, who stayed in Bulgaria, worked in an electrical laboratory.
After March 10, 1943, he says, �The curfew went on, the labor camps went on, the work prohibitions went on.� The Jews of Plovdiv, rescued from one roundup, lived with the fear �this could happen again.�
A memorial ceremony, �to express gratitude to the Bulgarian people,� takes place here each year, originally at the synagogue or the Jewish community building, in recent years at the memorial sculpture.
Alkalai gave the keynote speech this year. �A little speech,� he says.
�I said, �The help the Bulgarian people were ready to offer will never be forgotten. The help was the expression of long-lasting Bulgarian friendship, which will never be forgotten.� �
| Bulgaria |
Which bird is also known as the 'Adjutant Bird'? | Germany | Turtledove | Fandom powered by Wikia
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In the home timeline , Germany was a member of the European Union . There were several alternates where Germany had won World War II . These were deemed particularly terrible. In some of them, the Axis had conquered the United States . The Crosstime Traffic employee Eduardo Caruso considered these alternates to be "only slightly worse" than one in which the Soviet Union won the Cold War . [2] In one of these alternates, Nazi Germany was responsible for starting a devastating nuclear war .
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In the alternate designated "3477" by Crosstime Traffic, Germany emerged victorious from the brief war of 1914 when the Schlieffen Plan proved a complete success, in no small part because Russia mobilized against Germany more slowly than it had in the home timeline . Stronger German forces wheeled around behind Paris , knocking France out of the war and Great Britain soon after. Russia was subsequently smashed, and broke up into smaller entities. Germany annexed various territories and created several puppet kingdoms, including Poland , Finland , Courland , and the Ukraine .
In the late 1930s, France and Britain initiated another war, but that was quickly snuffed out, and Germany proved to be the absolute ruler of Europe . Russia did not participate in this second war as it had never reunified after 1914. Germany turned its eyes to the United States , which watched Europe with great anxiety. By the late 1940s, Germany had developed the atomic bomb . In 1956, Germany attacked and defeated the United States, and instituted an occupation that was still in effect 150 years later.
Germany maintained its rule by keeping a tight lid on technological advances. Thus, when Paul and Lawrence Gomes , father-and-son employees of Crosstime Traffic and denizens of an alternate timeline opened the store Curious Notions in San Francisco , the German authorities took notice. The store sold technology that, while obsolete in the Gomes' home, was above anything available to the average American. The store also caught the eye of the Chinese -American Triads operating in the city.
This timeline was viewed by all Crosstime employees as a particularly bad one, though comparatively "less nasty" than another timeline, one in which Nazi Germany won World War II .
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Much as the United States failed to establish themselves as a country, the German states never unified. In the late 21st Century, this left Prussia as the largest and most powerful of the numerous German-speaking states of Central Europe . Many Germans formed North American colonies, where they fought on behalf of Prussia against their pro-British neighbors during the Great War .
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Germany was divided between the victorious Allied Forces after World War II . When the Soviet Union won the Cold War in the 20th century, Germany was reunified under a single communist government.
While Germany was one of the countries most devoted to Marxism , the Soviet Union nonetheless kept a tight control on Germany, a country that had invaded Russian territory twice in a generation.
The Germans made the Trabant automobile, which was notorious for its dirty emissions.
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The Germanies were a set of independent provinces and kingdoms sharing a common language and culture. In the 14th century the Great Black Deaths wiped out 80% of the population in the Germanies along with the rest of Europe .
Like the Kingdom of Versailles , the people of the Germanies believed in the Second Revelation of Henri . The Germans made the sign of the wheel in the opposite direction, which proved to their French cousins just how stupid Germans were.
Due to the many wars among the disparate states in the Germanies, interregnums were common into the late 21st Century.
German men wore tight breeches and rimless hats.
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Germany was locked in a death-struggle with the Soviet Union when its ally Japan invaded and occupied the American territory of Hawaii in December 1941. Days after the initial attack, Germany declared war on the United States. German U-boats' harassment of U.S. shipping in the Atlantic benefited Japan's position in the Pacific to some extent, but ultimately, Germany gave little aid to Japan's war-effort.
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In 2041, Germany led a coalition of various European countries to meet China's invasion of Russia the same year. While the coalition was initially successful in meeting the invasion in European Russia, by 2043, the German lines were collapsing, and Chinese troops were making their way into Ukraine . [3]
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The America Will Break men spoke to each other in a strange guttural language which caused some Confederates to believe they were Germans. However, Avram Goldfarb , a native of Germany, examined a book written in their language , and found that it was not German, though it closely resembled it. This and other captured documents indicated that the AWB men admired certain German figures and institutions from their 20th century's history , including a disagreeable man named Adolf Hitler .
Germany was divided between the Western Allies ( the U.S. , the U.K. , and France ) and the Soviet Union after World War II , yielding two new states, West Germany and East Germany . However, when World War III broke out in February 1951, the Soviet Union's primary goal was to occupy and reunify Germany under communist rule.
This article is a stub because the work is part of a larger, as-of-yet incomplete series.
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So great was H.L. Mencken's admiration for Germany that he severed his ties with the Sun papers in 1915 over their support for England against Germany during World War I . He did the same thing in 1941 during World War II .
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By the 21st Century, Germany was the dominant superpower of the world and its Greater German Reich was the largest land empire the world had ever seen. Its capital was Berlin , one of its largest cities.
During the Second World War in the 1930s to 40s, under the rule of Adolf Hitler , the Reich and its Axis allies defeated the United Kingdom , France and the Soviet Union and divided all of Europe , Africa , Asia and part of the Pacific Ocean among themselves. During the Third World War of the 1960s to 70s, the Reich (now under the rule of Heinrich Himmler ) and Japan subdued the United States which had remained in neutral isolation during the earlier war.
The vast territories formally annexed as part of the Reich included Germany's boundaries, Britain, the Low Countries , and nearly everything eastward from there, through the former Poland and Soviet Union, deep into Siberia , the Caucasus , and India . Most of Africa (including former British, French and Belgian colonies) was also an integral part of the Reich.
In addition to the Reich itself, the "Greater Germanic Empire" included two other sub-categories: occupied but not formally annexed countries, including France, the USA, and Canada , and; "allies", including Sweden , Finland , Spain , Portugal , Hungary , Romania , Bulgaria and the Italian Empire . Allies outside Europe included South Africa , Argentina and Brazil . Several of Germany's allies (Italy, Spain, and Portugal) had sizable empires in Africa and in the Middle East . However, these allies still received a great deal of input from Germany. Only Japan ruled a truly independent empire, encompassing much of Asia and the Pacific.
The Reich espoused racist views and the "superiority" of the Aryan race. All inferior races considered Untermenschen like Jews , Slavs , Roma , Arabs , Negroes and homosexuals were exterminated and/or enslaved .
However, by 2010, the Reich was growing far too dependent upon its Empire, and stagnating at multiple levels. Following the death of Führer Kurt Haldweim , the newly appointed Führer, Heinz Buckliger , began a process of reform. His first act upon his rise was to give a speech to prominent Party leaders at Nuremberg . While the text was kept from the German people, rumors quickly circulated that Buckliger had denounced certain of the Reich's past actions as criminal.
Throughout 2010 and 2011, Buckliger gradually made substantive changes to the German system. Naturally, Buckliger faced opposition. While Buckliger toured Scandinavia in 2011, Reichsführer-SS Lothar Prützmann , the head of the SS , acted behind the scenes to discredit Buckliger by ordering the publication of an op-ed piece entitled Enough is Enough . Alternatively, Rolf Stolle , the Gauleiter of Berlin, gave a speech that at once complimented Buckliger for his planned reforms, and attacked him for not being ambitious enough.
When Buckliger announced free and fair elections to be held on 10 July 2011 , Prützmann (under the guise of the Committee for the Salvation of the Greater German Reich ) initiated a Putsch in advance of the elections. Buckliger and his wife, Erna were placed under house-arrest in Croatia . The Wehrmacht sided with Buckliger, and helped put down the Putsch. However, Rolf Stolle became a national hero as he fearlessly and bombastically refused to be arrested. Upon his return, Buckliger's relationship with Stolle changed. As a consequence of his house arrest, Buckliger's stature had diminished in the eyes of the German people, whereas Stolle's public defiance had elevated his.
Sunday, 10 July 2011 saw the largest voter turnout the country had known in decades. With the people mobilized, the reformers won the majority, and the Reich took the first steps on the slow march to reform.
List of Known Countries Part of the Reich
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Adolf Hitler's rise to power in Germany was concurrent with the rise US President Joe Steele . The two shared a deep and abiding hatred of each other for most of the 1930s. [4] Ironically, Steele used a number of tactics used by Hitler as part of his own reign. Steele used Hitler and Nazism as tools to denounce his enemies; investigations of Steele's critics very often turned up "ties" to Hitler. [5] [6] .
In March 1936, Hitler remilitarized the Rhineland. [7] Steele condemned Germany's move, as well France's failure to respond. Hitler thumbed his nose at Steele, proclaiming that Steele had never been told that the U.S. did not have the right to fortify its own borders. Steele, clearly enjoying the essentially meaningless back-and-forth, reminded Hitler (and the world) that the U.S. border with Canada was 3000 miles long and completely unfortified, proving that trust counted more than fortifications. [8]
In March 1938, Hitler ordered the annexation of Austria , [9] and immediately began making claims on the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia . [10] Despite loud support from Steele and Soviet leader Leon Trotsky (who loathed each other more than either loathed Hitler), France and Britain , rather than fight Hitler, brokered a deal in which the Sudetenland was granted to Germany in September 1938. [11] Six months later, Germany annexed Bohemia and Moravia and created the independent Republic of Slovakia ; Germany was now positioned to move on Poland , a situation the world at large was painfully aware of. [12]
Hitler now turned his attention to the Polish Corridor. Leon Trotsky, realizing that France and Britain could not be counted on, sent his foreign commissar, Maxim Litvinov to Berlin to negotiate a non-aggression pact with Litvinov's German counter-part, Joachim von Ribbentrop . [13] (Some found it ironic that the Jewish Trotsky had sent the Jewish Litvinov into the "world's capital of anti-Semitism." [14] ) Germany invaded Poland a week later, setting off World War II . [15] The Soviet Union attacked Poland from the east a few weeks after that. [16]
While the U.S. remained neutral, Steele grew alarmed by Hitler's substantial successes from September 1939 through May 1940. When Germany defeated and occupied France , and forced British troops off the Continent, Steele realized that now only Britain stood between the U.S. and Germany in the Atlantic Ocean . He decided to supply Britain with arms and money. [17]
In early 1941, Germany invaded North Africa , Yugoslavia and Greece in order to save Italy's floundering efforts. [18] In June, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, shredding the previous non-aggression pact. While many predicted the Soviets falling out of the war in six weeks, instead, they dug in and fought. [19] With prodding from Churchill, Steele began aiding Trotsky. While Hitler protested, he did not go to war with the U.S. [20] The German advance captured Kiev and Smolensk , but the fall rains reduced Russian roads to mud, effectively halting the advance. [21]
On 7 December 1941, Japan , Germany's nominal ally, attacked the U.S., prompting the U.S. to declare war on Japan on 8 December. Three days later, Germany declared war on the U.S. [22] Germany began seeing a series of reversals the following year. The Soviets met German forces at Trotskygrad , held them, and were able to cut those forces off in the fall, prompting Steele to commend the Soviets on striking the Nazis a heavy blow. [23] A few days later, U.S. General Omar Bradley led the landing of US and British troops in North Africa, driving the German forces out of Egypt through Libya . While the plan had called for a complete capture of German troops, the Afrika Korps were able to fall back to Tunisia . [24]
Things were even worse for Germany in 1943. The remaining German troops in Trotskygrad surrendered. However, the German military decided to let the Soviet advance exceed its supply line, and launched a counter-attack, again putting the Soviets on the defensive. [25]
In 1944, the end of the war was in sight. General Bradley oversaw the successful invasion of Normandy , thereby opening the long anticipated second front in Europe. [26] Paris fell to the Allies quickly thereafter. The Soviets' drive prompted Finland and Bulgaria to exit the war, and Romania to change sides. While Germany was able to overrun Slovakia and Hungary , and to hold a line in Italy, the writing was on the wall. [27]
Germany was able to hold out until May 1945, when, with two armies bearing down on Germany, Hitler committed suicide (it was initially reported that Hitler had died fighting the Russians). Shortly after his death, Germany surrendered unconditionally. [28] Germany was divided up among the victorious allies, eventually birthing two separate states: West Germany was established under the direction of the U.S., and East Germany , which was created by the Soviet Union. [29]
The two German states remained points of controversy in the tense political atmosphere that developed after 1945. After Steele's death in March 1953, U.S. officials were concerned that the Soviet Union might make a move in West Germany, but nothing happened. [30]
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Germany defeated the United Kingdom in 1941 and had conquered all of Europe and the Soviet Union by 1947 when the Nazis added India to their empire. Germany was in the process of organising trade with Japan while supporting Vichy French forces in Africa against American backed Free French forces.
It was generally believed that Germany and Japan's next target would be the United States.
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Nazi Germany was defeated and occupied by the Domination of the Draka in the Eurasian War of the 1940s. The victors proceeded to reduce the entire population of Germany, indeed all of Europe, to serfdom . Germans were sold en masse to the highest bidder in the new slave markets which the Draka set up out throughout the country. There was no hope for German serfs to ever emerge from that status, since Draka law did not recognize the possibility of manumission. However, joining the ranks of the Yanicharies, the serf-soldiers fighting in the Drakas' wars, offered the possibility of slightly better conditions than those of other serfs.
There were Germans among the Yanicharies who were sent across the Atlantic after the Draka victory in the Final War of 1998 , charged with crushing the remaining opposition in what had been the United States. The Draka had no objection to Yanicharies raping women, looting and keeping their loot to themselves. However, the American guerrillas proved far better armed and organized than the Draka generals expected, and a large part of the German Yanicharies never saw Germany again.
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In the immediate aftermath of World War II , Germany was divided up among the "big" four triumphant Allies : the United States , the Soviet Union , Britain and France . Each country administered its respective occupation zone with minimal input from the other three. Tensions were especially strong between the Anglo-American forces and the Soviets.
However, all sides were soon confronted with terrorist actions launched by the German Freedom Front (also known as the "Werewolves"), a specially trained underground group of unrepentant Nazis organized under the direction of Reichsprotektor Reinhard Heydrich beginning in 1943. Almost immediately, the GFF began a campaign of roadside bombings, suicide bombings , assassinations, and kidnappings in an effort to drive out the Allies.
Each occupier reacted differently. The Soviet Union, having endured a long and bloody war and occupation from 1941-3, and ruled by a government known for its brutality, responded with torture, hostage-taking, and mass executions. The French, also having endured a long occupation which ended only when the US and the UK drove Germany out, and desperate to regain face, responded in a similar fashion. The British, while having demonstrated its ability to take a hard line in its colonies , took a much softer line. The US took perhaps the softest of all, initially trying various tactics (including hostage taking as well), but found itself juggling the need to maintain security and the need to maintain its ideals of freedom. Consequently, the US saw a growing desire to end the occupation within its population.
From 1946 to 1948, the GFF was responsible for several acts that slowly wore down the American people's (if not its military and its government ) willingness to continue the occupation. This included: the assassination of General George Patton ; the kidnapping of American soldier Matthew Cunningham (whom the Werewolves filmed pleading for his life); the death of Pat McGraw (whose mother Diana spear-headed the recall of American troops); and the prevention of war crimes trials against top Nazi officials, including the truck-bombing of the Palace of Justice in November, 1945, the radium -bombing of Frankfurt and the crashing of a cargo plane into a courthouse in the Soviet zone.
The GFF also sent truck bombs into Paris and London , which saw the toppling of the Eiffel Tower in the former and the destruction of St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey .
While the Soviet Union was not directly attacked, various landmarks to Communism it had established in its zone were destroyed. Most importantly, most of its officers were killed on New Years' Eve, 1945 when a Werewolf poisoned their celebratory liquor with wood alcohol.
Throughout 1946 and 1947, the tenacity of the GFF and the apparent helplessness of the Allies to stop them wore down the American public. In 1946, the electorate returned the Republican Party to power in Congress. In 1947, American troops were able to finally track down and kill Reinhard Heydrich. He was immediately succeeded by Joachim Peiper , who launched a series of hijackings aboard passenger planes. The House of Representatives refused to fund the continued occupation of Germany, leaving the US military no choice but to withdraw most of its forces.
With the Americans gone, the die-hard Nazis began their plans to return to power in western Germany. However, the USSR, knowing full well the consequences of withdrawal, were prepared to hold onto eastern Germany.
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Germany provided clandestine help to rebels in the American South (unreconciled to their defeat in the Great Rebellion nearly eight decades before) during both World Wars in an attempt to keep the US government busy at home and unable to intervene in European affairs.
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Germany was able to negotiate a separate peace with the Soviet Union after General Erich von Manstein shot and killed Adolf Hitler on 19 February 1943. Manstein became Germany's leader and oversaw the consolidation of its power in Europe , repelling the Allied invasions of Italy and France . In 1953, an exchange of sunbombs in Japan nearly brought the United States and the Soviet Union to war. Manstein was able to mediate a ceasefire. Joseph Stalin's timely death also helped diffuse the situation.
In 1979, as the Soviet Union threatened British oil resources in the Middle East , Britain opened up a dialogue with Germany, which was making claims to oil in the North Sea. At the behest of the German government, the British secret service helped the government of Croatia capture a Serb partisan, in exchange for unfettered access to the North Sea oil.
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Under the rule of the Nazi Party , the German Reich emerged triumphant from the War of Retribution in the first half of the 20th Century, and soon imposed its will upon the globe. It systematically eliminated all of the world's Jews , making thorough records of Jewish culture as it did.
In the mid-21st Century, Germany established a variety of shtetls as tourist attractions. The shtetls were meticulous recreations of the villages the Reich had wiped out a century before. The Reich also hired historical re-enactors to reside in these villages and play the part of Jews. The commitment of the re-enactors to their craft was such that they learned Yiddish, Hebrew and Aramaic, studied the Talmud and the Torah , and soon, came to see themselves as Jews first, rather than Germans. In this way, the German Reich resurrected its long vanquished "enemy".
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Germany had unified around Prussia by 1870, following a series of wars, including with its neighbour France . After the United States was defeated by the Confederate States , Britain , and France in the Second Mexican War (1881-2), Germany developed an important alliance, later known as the Central Powers , with the U.S.A. The United States emulated German military and social organization (people had to line up for manufactured goods and coal, universal conscription was established, and bureaucracy became rampant) to make itself better able to oppose the Confederacy.
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Under the rule of Kaiser Wilhelm II , Germany supported Austria-Hungary against first Serbia and then Russia following the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian prince Franz Ferdinand , an act that triggered the various alliance systems put in place across Europe and North America , and the Great War began.
During the war, the Germans developed numerous weapons innovations, including poison gas and a variety of aeroplanes. They shared these with the United States, which in turn taught Germany to build barrels , helmets, and light machine guns. Germany also supported the Russian Revolution and the separatist uprising in Ireland , and established a state in Poland on former Russian territory.
Following several years of stalemate, Germany defeated France and, with help from the US, Britain. It thus established itself as the dominant power in Europe, occupying Belgium and the Ukraine , annexing the former French province of Lorraine and the Belgian Congo . It recognized the Republic of Quebec , a new nation the US had carved out of defeated Canada .
Interwar Years
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Its period of dominance was short-lived, however, and was marked by elevated tensions with the US. The two victors cooperated in a joint naval operation to block British interference in the Republic of Ireland, but throughout the 1920s many people from both countries believed that a US-German conflict was not out of the question.
While tensions with the US eased during the 1930s, Germany suffered a string of setbacks in Europe. The Germans were unable to prevent the hostile Action Francaise from coming to power in France or the Silver Shirts from joining the ruling Conservatives in Britain. Bolshevik revolutionaries in Russia were crushed by loyalists of Tsar Nicholas II , Austria-Hungary grew increasingly unstable, and strong Anglo-French support for the Nationalists allowed them to triumph over the German-backed Monarchists in the Spanish Civil War .
When Kaiser Wilhelm II died in 1941, his son Wilhelm III faced a renewed war with the revitalized Entente. Wilhelm III's perceived weakness encouraged the British and French to invade Belgium and Alsace-Lorraine , and within a matter of weeks the ensuing war had spread to Eastern Europe and North America.
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In the first year of the war, Germany suffered a number of military setbacks: Anglo-French forces drove the Germans out of Alsace-Lorraine and Belgium, and invaded the Netherlands , reaching the Rhine and the North German Plain, while much of the Ukraine was lost to the Russians. Within a few months, Germany had managed to stabilize its various fronts and had successfully repelled a British invasion of Norway .
By 1943 Germany claimed to have driven British forces back over the Dutch border. The Germans also recaptured most of the Polish, Ukrainian, and Baltic territory seized by Russia in the opening stages of the war. By the end of the year, the Germans had defeated the Russians east of Kiev and begun the reconquest of Belgium.
As 1943 drew to a close, Kaiser Wilhelm broadcast a warning to Russia and her western allies to surrender or face "unprecedented destruction," an oblique reference to the German superbomb program, by far the most advanced in the world. It was able to draw upon the talents of Albert Einstein and Denmark's Niels Bohr , as well as the best and brightest of the German and Austro-Hungarian physics community. Their skill was confirmed in the spring of 1944 with the destruction of Petrograd , the Russian capital, the first use of a superbomb in warfare. Their efforts also produced a secret dossier transported across the Atlantic by U-boat in November 1943 to a waiting U.S. destroyer escort. This jump-started the lagging U.S. superbomb program, although not by enough to beat the Confederates to the first use of such a device in North America.
Once again, the Kaiser broadcast a surrender demand. Despite the loss of his capital, the Russian Tsar again refused, backed by Britain and France. Though initially reluctant to drop a bomb in the west (where prevailing winds would blow radioactive fallout back into Germany), the German air force bombed Paris , killing the French king and melting the Eiffel Tower into a stump. The Russian government, its capital lost, its armies disintegrating, and under pressure from a Japanese ultimatum to evacuate several of its Siberian provinces, realized that no more help would be forthcoming from its Western allies on the continent. After dithering for several weeks, the Tsar asked the Kaiser for an armistice. The collapse of both France and Russia provoked the British, whose own uranium program had finally borne fruit (embarrassingly, their Confederate clients had built and used a superbomb before them) to destroy Hamburg .
The German response would wait until June, when three superbombs were dropped near-simultaneously on London , Brighton , and Norwich , along with a broadcast warning that Germany had more bombs and would use them. Prime Minister Winston Churchill , who had fled London along with the British royal family after the Hamburg bomb, boasted that Britain would take immediate vengeance. He sent Britain's second superbomb on its way into Germany, but the plane was shot down over Belgium by German turbo-powered night fighters. Having no more bombs in its arsenal, the Churchill government fell and Britain sued for peace, as did France in turn. With her western foes essentially eviscerated, Germany's attentions for the latter half of the 20th Century turned back to Russia. Fearing its longtime foe might develop its own superbomb, Germany agreed to the doctrine formulated by U.S. President Thomas Dewey , in which both countries would police the world to prevent other countries from obtaining their own superbombs.
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The German States continued to squabble among themselves into the late 20th Century and had never unified into a European , let alone world, power. Instead they remained a mishmash of separate kingdoms, principalities, duchies, archbishoprics, and free cities. Germans were known for their music, beer, heavy food and heavier philosophies. In the 1990s, the Russian Empire sought to dominate the Germanies. [31]
An American alternate history novel entitled The United Colonies Triumphant depicted a very different history in which Germany united, became a major world power and fought a great war with other European powers. In this fictional war, the North American former colonies of Britain came to Britain's aid, saving it from Germany. It was considered an entertaining but rather far-fetched and improbable speculation. Colonel Thomas Bushell of the Royal American Mounted Police found the novel's writing style to be poor, and considered the idea of Germany being united under a single malign ruler to be absurd. [32]
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Germany defeated the Entente powers in the Great War of 1914, when General Alfred von Schlieffen successfully implemented his plan for a two-front war . Germany occupied both France and Belgium immediately afterward, a situation which still persisted in 1929. [33] In 1916, Germany came to the aid of its former enemy, Russia , helping to put down a communist revolution . [34]
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Under the rule of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party , Germany had spent the period from 1933-1938 pursuing an aggressive, racially-based foreign policy designed to restore German military greatness and the unification of all German peoples. By 1938, Germany had began rearming, in violation of the Treaty of Versailles , had formally annexed Austria , and began demanding the Sudeten region of Czechoslovakia . In addition, Germany and Italy had been men and arms to the Nationalist faction of the Spanish Civil War . Hitler viewed Nationalist leader Marshal José Sanjurjo as a kindred spirit.
While the other powers of Europe were alarmed by Nazi Germany's aggression, there was little will to confront Hitler in Britain and France . The Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin seemed more inclined to fight. Stalin supported the Republican faction of the Spanish Civil War openly, whereas France and Britain paid the Republicans lip-service and little else.
In September 1938, it appeared that once again, Germany would be appeased, as British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and French Premier Edouard Daladier met in Munich with Hitler and Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini (one of Hitler's main foreign allies) to enter into an agreement which would give Germany the Sudetenland. The meeting was interrupted by news that Konrad Henlein , a political leader of the Germans in the Sudetenland, had been assassinated by a Czech nationalist named Jaroslav Stribny . Hitler, who had actually wanted a war, not this handover of territory, announced his intention to declare war on Czechoslovakia . Chamberlain and Daladier could not believe that Hitler was innocent of Henlein's death (he was in fact, innocent) and so saw no other option but war .
While Germany had been rearming, in truth it was only marginally more prepared for war than its enemies. German strategy involved bluffing the Western Allies, to help slow down their advance into Germany, while Germany subdued Czechoslovakia. After 30 days, French troops had a fragile toe-hold on German territory and British troops hadn't left France, each convinced that Germany was in a far better position for war than it was. Again, the Soviet Union was willing to directly confront Germany, landing troops in Czech territory, and launching aerial attacks. But geography thwarted a direct land engagement: Poland and Romania acted as buffers between the USSR and Czechoslovakia proper. Thus, after ferocious fighting on both sides, Czechoslovakia fell completely to Germany in 30 days.
Flush with victory, Germany now turned West. In December, all French troops had been pushed out of German territory, and German forces invaded France. Simultaneously, Germany launched an invasion of the Netherlands , then Luxembourg . An invasion of Belgium was clearly in the offing, but King Leopold III was unwilling to allow Allied forces into Belgian territory until far too late. Belgium fell, and Germany had another route into France.
After the German advance was halted at Beauvais, east of Paris, the Germans had difficulties. British Empire, French, African, and Czech troops held the line, and forced back the Wehrmacht. Soon, German troops were beginning to fall back. In the east, the tenacity of the Poles stymied the Soviets. Despite this, Hitler remained defiant, and ordered an invasion of Denmark (which, completely taken by surprise, fell in days) and then Norway (which immediately fought, with help from Britain and France).
By the end of the year Scandinavia and the East were more or less secure, but the situation continued to worsen in France where the German troops were pushed almost to the border with Belgium. Another coup attempt was launched, prompting the SS to conduct a second, more violent crackdown on the Wehrmacht that took the shooting to Germany itself and made civilians reminisce about the collapse of the Kaiser 's Empire in 1918.
Hitler still stood defiant, and conducted a massive rally in Münster despite being aware that the city was a recurrent target of the RAF and the French Air Force . He refused an offer from United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt to negotiate an end to the war with a return to the status quo ante bellum, but he was careful not to anger the U.S., no mean task, as a German u-boat had sunk the luxury liner SS Athenia in January, 1939. While Germany was able to successfully blame Britain for the sinking, Hitler took additional steps, including helping American tourist Peggy Druce , trapped in Europe since the outbreak of war, to go first to Denmark and then on to neutral Sweden after Denmark fell to Germany.
In 1940, Hitler's fortunes changed dramatically (albeit temporarily) for the better when he sent his deputy, Rudolf Hess into Britain. Here, Hess was able to convince the governments of both Britain and France to end their war and arrange a new alliance where in Britain and France joined Germany in its war against the Soviet Union. Hungary and Slovakia also joined the alliance, as did Romania early the following year. Concurrently, Hitler announced plans to force the Jews in the former Czechoslovakia into ghettos.
While the coalition made substantial gains into Soviet territory in the following year, discontent in the British military led to an unprecedented coup the Spring of 1941 which deposed the pro-appeasement government of Horace Wilson . Britain then withdrew from the Soviet Union. As France remained a German ally, the British could not return ground troops to Europe, and concentrated on aerial bombings. Britain also engaged Italian forces in North Africa . As Britain gained the upper hand in the closing days of 1941, Germany's Afrika Korps entered the fray, opening a new front for Germany. In December, 1941, France, which had been seeking to exit the German alliance, completed negotiations with Britain and the USSR, and withdrew from Russia. Now Germany was again fighting in both the east and the west.
Discontent with Hitler began to grow throughout 1941. Münich was a center, led in part by Bishop Clemens August von Galen , who was critical of the Nazis' euthanasia programs. Finally, Hitler overplayed his hand when the government arrested von Galen, prompting a round of demonstrations in Münster. In the spring of 1943, another demonstration in the square outside of Münster's cathedral erupted into violence when police officers fired on the crowd. While several protesters were shot, other were able to charge the line of police, inflicting damage in return. [35] In response, the German government sent the SS into Münster, who fortified the cathedral. [36] While the people of Münster publicly accepted martial law, resentment boiled just below the surface. [37]
Hitler also grew more reckless with regards to the U.S., which had been attacked by Japan in January 1941. Despite this war, the U.S. continued to ships arms to Britain, France, and the USSR. Hitler issued an ultimatum that the U.S. would suffer consequences. He further ordered that German troops were no longer to retreat on any front.
Things continued to go poorly for Germany throughout the remainder of 1943 and into 1944. Münster continued to fester. Despite fortifications in the Low Countries, the Allies continued to press German positions in Belgium, and Soviet troops continued to move into Ukraine and Poland. Marshal Sanjurjo was killed by a sniper in Fall 1943. [38] Despite efforts to maintain his cult of personality, Hitler's popularity waned. [39]
Hitler's downfall came after a series of blunders. In the Winter of 1943, Münster began an open revolt, prompting marshal law. [40] Further, after months of tension, Hitler decided to initiate war with the United States when U-boats attacked several American merchant ships in March, 1944. [41] This prompted several military leaders to form the Committee for the Salvation of the German Nation , with General Heinz Guderian as their leader. When Hitler decided to broadcast a speech from Münster in an attempt to regain the country's trust, the group successfully assassinated him with a bomb, despite the heavy security measures the SS put into place. [42]
A civil war broke out almost immediately. Several of Hitler's would-be successors were arrested or killed. Ultimately, Guderian and the Committee triumphed. [43] Ironically, while Germany withdrew from the Low Countries, Denmark, Norway, France, and the USSR, Guderian was able to keep many of the territorial gains Hitler had made early on, including Austria, the Sudetenland, and the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. [44]
Thus, unlike in 1918, Germany had not been defeated. The war ended with a draw, and with some German territorial gains as compared to the pre-1938 situation. Germany remained a major military power, with its armed forces battered but intact, and no restrictions on its further building up armaments. The German Navy embarked on producing a new and vastly improved model of U-Boat, which had not come into operation during the war. Over in the US, Albert Einstein was concerned that the far more rational military government of Germany could develop atomic bombs before everybody else, and made great efforts to get President Roosevelt to resume the halted American bomb program.
Domestically, the Committee loosened the more restrictive policies of the Nazis. News broadcasts included uncomplimentary reports about Germany and emphasized the crimes and cruelty of the SS and SD. It also quietly revoked the Reich Citizenship Law of 1935 and effectively restored citizenship to Jews , rather than treating them as residents without rights. It also removed the requirement that Jews have the yellow star of David on their clothing in public. [45]
When the Committee abolished the Nazi flag of Germany, it was replaced by the pre-1918 flag of the German Empire, rather than that of the short-lived Weimar Republic.
Germany's Possessions, 1942, the Eve of the Race Invasion
Germany was one of Earth's most powerful and most aggressive nations in the 1940s, ruled by Führer-Chancellor Adolf Hitler . It launched World War II by invading a number of neighboring countries and absorbing them into the Greater German Reich . When the Race 's Conquest Fleet invaded Earth in 1942 , it was engaged in wars with the Soviet Union , which it had invaded , and Britain , which it was fighting in North Africa . It had also declared war against the United States several months earlier, though Americans had not yet deployed against it in force. It was also practicing a genocide against the Jews ; in each major city it controlled, Jewish populations were relegated to a ghetto , and mass executions were taking place in concentration camps such as Treblinka . It was a member of the Axis .
The Race recognized Germany as one of the most important Tosevite not-empires and launched simultaneous invasions of it from Poland , Italy and France . German forces initially fared very badly in the field against the superior weapons of the Race, and were driven from most of the extraterritorial gains they had made by launching a series of wars against their neighbors several years earlier. Germany's capital Berlin became the first Earth city destroyed by an explosive-metal bomb . Even then, however, the Germans managed several successes against the Race. They cooperated with the United States, Soviet Union, Britain and Japan in the Big Five .
The most important of these was a raid which Otto Skorzeny commanded and launched in conjunction with the Soviet NKVD in which radioactive plutonium was captured from the site of a destroyed Race starship. Heinrich Jäger was charged with returning the metal to Germany, but was intercepted by Mordechai Anielewicz and stripped of half of it. What remained was not enough to build an atomic bomb , but it was helpful for Germany's atomic researchers, including Werner Heisenberg .
German forces stabilized their various fronts against the Race when the Race entered German territory. They proved quite adept at exploiting the Race's main weakness, its inability to replace expended ammunition and other supplies.
Germany built an atomic bomb in late 1943 and copied the Soviet tactic of burying it underground, withdrawing from a position, and detonating it by radio when the Race took possession of the position in question. Despite retaliation from the Race with its own nuclear weapons, Germany used atomic bombs as an offensive weapon, destroying the Race-controlled cities of Rome and Alexandria using bombs carried on U-boats .
Germany's foreign minister, Joachim von Ribbentrop , took part in the negotiations at Cairo which ended the war. Ribbentrop took a very hard line in his demands: for Germany to agree to peace, the Race would need to recognize its borders as encompassing all the territories it had conquered before their arrival (he later abandoned Germany's claim to Poland for fear that it would provoke another war with the Soviet Union). Germany would also be allowed to annex Northern Italy and to protect the sovereignty of Sweden , Finland , Switzerland , Hungary , Slovakia , and Romania .
An uneasy peace prevailed on Earth for the next two decades until the arrival of the Colonization Fleet , by which time Hitler had died and been replaced by Heinrich Himmler . During this period, Germany succeeded in bringing Britain into its political orbit.
When the Colonization Fleet arrived, Germany, which the Race trusted least of all the Tosevite powers, was considered the prime suspect for launching the sneak attack against that fleet with nuclear missiles ; in fact, the United States had authorized it.
Like the United States and the Soviet Union, Germany was a space-faring nation. Its Reich Rocket Force maintained a space station in Earth orbit and made regular spaceflights. It was the first nation to land a manned mission on the Moon , and also visited Mars . It built the Hermann Göring , an atomic-powered spaceship which traveled to the asteroid belt and, like the American Lewis and Clark , no doubt could have been developed into a starship had it lasted longer. The space program, a branch of the military, was commanded by General Walter Dornberger .
When Himmler died in 1965, a period of political wrangling began, during which a Committee of Eight kept a tenuous hold on political authority. This period ended when Dr. Ernst Kaltenbrunner was chosen to succeed Himmler as Chancellor.
Kaltenbrunner's short and disastrous chancellorship was marked with an unprovoked and unilateral invasion of Poland which precipitated a second war with the Race, the Race-German War of 1965 . Since the Conquest Fleet's arrival in 1942, human powers had generally made an effort to keep a united front in matters relating to the Race; however, only the small nations which relied on Germany completely to preserve their independence allied with it in this war. No other nuclear-capable nation supported Germany despite concerns that allowing the Race to destroy it would weaken the position of remaining human powers in future conflicts with the Race, as their potential alliance would be that much weaker.
The war saw the destruction of Germany's military and infrastructure, though it did manage to do significant damage to the Race, especially in those areas which bordered it such as Poland and Spain . Kaltenbrunner himself was killed, and Chancellorship fell to the Reich Rocket Force commander, General Doktor Walter Dornberger, who immediately requested that Soviet General Secretary Vyacheslav Molotov mediate a peace conference. The terms of this agreement , which the Race imposed almost unilaterally, included the surrendering of all German nuclear and space technologies and the German withdrawal from and reconstitution of France.
Other human powers warned the Race that it was exceedingly difficult to enforce harsh treaties against Germany, remembering the experience of the British and French after World War I . The Race boasted that it had the patience and determination to succeed where the " Big Uglies " had failed. However, Germany began concealing nuclear weapons almost immediately, and had returned to space within a few decades; and while the Race who were supposed to ensure Germany's military in check, and like the Entente of World War I, utterly failed to lived to their so-called devoutness. By 2031, Germany was once again in a position to threaten the Race on Earth--and within a few years it was expected that it would be able to travel between the stars.
Under the ruling Nazi Party , Germany was a volatile and dangerous power which disrupted international relations across the Earth.
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In which Dickens novel do the characters 'Gaffer Hexam', 'John Harmon', and 'Bradley Headstone'? | Our Mutual Friend Essay - Our Mutual Friend, Charles Dickens - eNotes.com
Our Mutual Friend Essay - Our Mutual Friend, Charles Dickens
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Our Mutual Friend Charles Dickens
The following entry presents criticism of Dickens's novel Our Mutual Friend (1864-65). See also Charles Dickens Criticism, Hard Times Criticism, and A Tale of Two Cities Criticism.
The last of Dickens's novels to be issued as a twenty-part monthly serial, Our Mutual Friend has long been considered one of the author's darkest works, the product of his declining years when exhaustion and disillusionment were taking over his life and his writing. The novel was not terribly successful at the time of its publication and was unfavorably compared to his earlier, more optimistic works. In addition, the popularity of serialized novels had peaked some twenty years earlier and the form was being replaced by less expensive monthly magazines. Critics today, for the most part, consider the novel in a more favorable light, appreciating the complexity of its numerous characters and multiple plot lines, and praising its unified presentation of the themes of money and predation.
Biographical Information
Charles Dickens was born in 1812 in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, to John and Elizabeth Barrow Dickens. The second of eight children, Dickens spent his childhood on the southern coast of England, where he attended a good school until the age of eleven. The family then moved to London and shortly thereafter his father was sent to debtor's prison. Young Charles went to work in a blacking warehouse and was forced to live on his own in cheap lodgings in a state of near starvation. Although he was soon rescued by his father and sent to school in London, the brief period of abandonment and uncertainty affected his life and his writings for years to come. Dickens did not attend college but was admitted as a reader to the library of the British Museum, where he immersed himself in the study of great literature, particularly Shakespeare. He worked for some time as a clerk, as a shorthand reporter, and eventually as a news reporter for the Morning Chronicle, a position which required him to travel all over the country.
Dickens's first success, both critical and popular, was Sketches by Boz (1836), a series of short pieces on life in London. His first novel, Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club (1837), was published, as were all of his novels, in serial form, and by the time the fourth monthly installment was issued, Dickens was the most popular author in England. Over the next thirty years, he continued to publish successful novels, among them: Oliver Twist (1838), A Christmas Carol In Prose (1843), The Personal History of David Copperfield (1850), Bleak House (1853), Hard Times for These Hard Times (1854), A Tale of Two Cities (1859), and Great Expectations (1861). His writing, once full of hope and optimism, grew increasingly pessimistic as he aged, with images of decay and corruption dominating the later works. Our Mutual Friend was his last completed novel; with its images of dustheaps and death, it is widely considered one of the author's darkest visions. In 1870, while working on The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Dickens suffered an aneurysm in the brain and died the next day. He was buried in the Poet's Corner of Westminster Abbey.
Plot and Major Characters
There are numerous plots and subplots in Our Mutual Friend, the main one involving a young man, John Harmon, who returns to England after an absence of many years. Before his death, his wealthy father had made his son's inheritance contingent upon his marriage to Bella Wilfer, a beautiful but mercenary young woman. Shortly after leaving the ship that brought him back to England, Harmon is supposedly murdered; a body found in the Thames is identified as his and he does nothing to correct the error. Assuming first the name of Julius Handford, and then John Rokesmith, Harmon takes a position as secretary to Mr. Boffin—a former employee and now heir of the elder Harmon's estate—in order to assess the character of his bride-to-be while in disguise. Uneasy with their newly-acquired wealth, the Boffins have taken Bella into their home in order to give her the advantages she would have had if she had married Harmon. As Rokesmith, Harmon professes his love for Bella, but believing she is capable of making a far better match, she refuses him and Mr. Boffin discharges him for impudence.
During this time, Boffin has changed from a kindly generous man to a materialistic miser as part of an elaborate charade to teach Bella a lesson about the hazards of greed. The young woman becomes so disturbed by the changes in her benefactor, she returns to her father's house, giving up the material advantages of life with the Boffins. Bella sees the error of her ways and determines to marry for love. When Rokesmith reappears, she agrees to marry him, and their marriage is happy despite their modest means. Eventually the mystery surrounding Rokesmith's true identity is unraveled and his fortune restored, making Bella the wealthy wife she had once dreamed of being.
The other major narrative involves Lizzie Hexam, the daughter of a river scavenger, Gaffer Hexam, the very man who discovered the body thought to be Harmon's. At the inquest, Lizzie is noticed by Eugene Wrayburn, a bored, upper-class lawyer. Lizzie's brother, a churlish youth, hates Wrayburn and tries to steer his sister's affections away from the lawyer and towards Bradley Headstone, a severe schoolmaster whose repressed anger surfaces when Lizzie rejects his proposal. Lizzie escapes the attentions of both men by retreating to a small country village. Returning from a visit to Lizzie, Wrayburn is attacked and thrown into the river by Headstone. Lizzie rescues him, and he is slowly nursed back to life with the help of Jenny Wren, a dolls' dressmaker with whom Lizzie had lived in London. Jenny determines that Wrayburn's wish is to marry Lizzie; she brings a clergyman from London and arranges a bedside ceremony for the pair.
Subplots include the attempted blackmail of Mr. Boffin by his employee Silas Wegg, who has been hired to read to the illiterate Boffins. Wegg had taken possession of the Boffin house and dustheap when the Boffins departed for more luxurious quarters. When Wegg finds another of the elder Harmon's wills, this one leaving the fortune to the state, he tries, with the aid of a taxidermist named Mr. Venus, to coerce his employer into sharing the estate. The plot is foiled by Venus's offer to testify against Wegg.
A second case of attempted blackmail involves Rogue Riderhood, a river scavenger who witnesses the attack on Wrayburn and tries to extract money from Headstone in exchange for his silence. As the two argue and struggle, they both fall into the river and drown.
The upper classes make up what Dickens called “the social chorus,” a group whose only apparent function is to represent society's views on the events of the main narratives as they unfold. Their lives are empty and their activities are limited to gossiping about the Harmons, the Boffins, and the other characters who lead more active lives. The main members of the social chorus are the Veneerings, a newly-rich couple who hold dinner parties in an attempt to ingratiate themselves with the more established members of London society; the Podsnaps, who are rich, self-satisfied, and rigid; and the Lammles, who married each other for money only to discover that each had been trying to deceive the other and they were both penniless.
At the opposite end of the economic spectrum is Betty Higden, a poor woman hounded by her fear of dying in the poorhouse. She would prefer to starve than to suffer the cruelties and indignities associated with the almshouse, and that's exactly what she does, dying in a field as Lizzie Hexam tries to comfort her.
Major Themes
The major theme of Our Mutual Friend is money and the hazards associated with its misuse. The well-to-do characters, almost without exception, are negatively portrayed, and the Harmon fortune makes it necessary for its heir to hide his identity in order to assess the character of the Boffins and Bella Wilfer with any accuracy, the implication being that a rich man can never determine who his true friends are. A related theme is predation—several chapter headings refer to birds of prey—wherein the possibility of extracting wealth from another by less than honorable means proves too tempting for such characters as Silas Wegg, Rogue Riderhood, and others. The very opening scene of the novel involves Gaffer Hexam, bent over the edge of his boat like a vulture, looking for bodies in the river—bodies that he then robs before turning them over to the authorities.
Many critics have pointed out the emphasis on surfaces and depths throughout the novel. Hexam and Riderhood plumb the depths of the Thames searching for bodies and whatever other treasures they can find, while the Veneerings are all glossy surface with no depth at all. Masks, disguises, and cases of mistaken identity occur repeatedly within the narrative. John Harmon is taken for dead because a man who resembles him has been murdered by mistake. Harmon then assumes a new identity and lives as John Rokesmith, allowing the community to believe the error. Mr. Boffin pretends to be a miser in order to instruct Bella Wilfer on the perils of materialism and greed. Bradley Headstone disguises himself as Rogue Riderhood so that the attack on Wrayburn will be blamed on the waterman. Both the river and the dustheaps, which forms the basis of the Harmon fortune, are recurring motifs in the work and both are associated with death and decay but, at the same time, they provide a livelihood for some. As critic Richard A. Lanham puts it, “if the river is the liquid sewer of London, the dust-heap is the dry one, and the two together provide food and drink for the majority of the characters in the novel.”
Reading and literacy are also prominent features of Our Mutual Friend. The Boffins' illiteracy provides an employment opportunity for Weggs, who pretends to be an expert in literary matters. Gaffer Hexam's illiteracy means he must memorize the posters and pamphlets of missing persons who have possibly met their deaths in the river. His daughter Lizzie's illiteracy provides the excuse for Wrayburn's involvement with her, as the lawyer offers to provide reading lessons for both Lizzie and Jenny Wren.
Overall, the tone of the narrative is grim and bleak; the cumulative effect of the numerous references to corruption, decay, and death is a darkness that becomes oppressive. Although there are humorous instances throughout the novel, most especially those associated with the Veneerings and the Podsnaps, they are satiric in nature rather than comic.
Critical Reception
Critical response to Our Mutual Friend was long shaped by Henry James's famous 1865 review in the Nation. James called it “the poorest of Mr Dickens's works,” claiming that the novel was “poor with the poverty not of momentary embarrassment, but of permanent exhaustion.” Most scholars agreed with this assessment and termed the work incoherent and implausible. The reading public, meanwhile, was put off by the novel's relentless pessimism; subscriptions fell off monthly as installments were published. Most modern critics, though, tend to recognize the complexity of the work and to appreciate the multiple plot lines and numerous characters. Some of these characters, such as Gaffer Hexam and Betty Higden, were possibly inspired by real Londoners who had been interviewed by Henry Mayhew for his nonfiction work London Labour and the London Poor. Harland S. Nelson has examined these possible connections by comparing the two texts. Other possible sources of inspiration have been suggested by Lewis Horne, who believes that Homer's hero Odysseus was the model for three of Dickens's characters; and Howard W. Fulweiler, who suggests that Darwin's theories informed Dickens's later fiction, particularly Our Mutual Friend.
Concentrating too completely on characters and the weaknesses in their representation has led, according to Philip Hobsbaum, to many negative assessments of Our Mutual Friend. Critics would be better served, he claims, by concentrating on the novel's central images, particularly dust and the river. Other critics claim the novel is unified by the motifs of reading and literacy, among them Stanley Friedman, who believes that these recurring elements provide character definition and aid in plot development. Michael Greenstein, meanwhile, has studied the many unifying themes and motifs that focus on mutuality. As a whole, late twentieth-century scholars have dismissed the early negative appraisals of Our Mutual Friend and now urge a new appreciation of this complicated novel.
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Dickens Champions: MK Borrowers read Our Mutual Friend
Our Dickens Champions, the Milton Keynes Borrowers, have finished reading Our Mutual Friend. Here is what they thought:
Synopsis
Gaffer Hexam and his daughter Lizzie make their living from what they find floating in the River Thames. One evening they find a dead body. The body is identified to be that of John Harmon, who was travelling back to England to claim his inheritance.
His father was a rich dust-contractor, who not only bequeathed him a fortune, but also a bride – Bella Wilfer. The father had spotted Bella as a child throwing a tantrum and thought she would make his son an ideal wife and made that a condition in his Will for his son to inherit the money.
On the certification of the John Harmon’s death, rather than a third, all the money goes to Mr and Mrs Boffin, long-serving, loyal workers and protectors of John when he was a child. On moving up in the world they offer to help Bella find a rich husband and also engage Silas Wegg to look after the dust-contractor’s site.
Julius Handford makes a mysterious appearance at the discovery of the body and later in the guise of John Rokesmith offers his services as secretary to Mr Boffin. Mr and Mrs Boffin’s solicitor Mortimer Lightwood and his friend Eugene Wrayburn are also at the identification of the body. Eugene takes an interest in Lizzie Hexam.
An ex-partner of Gaffer Hexam, Rogue Riderhood, spreads a rumour that Gaffer Hexam murdered John Harmon. Rogue Riderhood eventually goes to the police and gives false evidence to claim the reward, but Gaffer Hexam is found drowned before he can be arrested.
Six months pass and Gaffer Hexam’s son, Charlie, is a pupil-teacher to Bradley Headstone. On a visit to Charlie’s sister Lizzie, Bradley instantly falls in love with her and offers to help with her education, which had suffered because of her father’s strong aversion to learning. However, Eugene Wrayburn in his pursuit of Lizzie has also offered to pay for her education. Eugene and Bradley become bitter rivals.
Bella rejects the advances of John Rokesmith, who as well as his duties as secretary to the Boffin’s, is pursuing the events surrounding the discovery of the body of John Harmon, and in disguise convinces Rogue Riderhood to retract his false statement. He sends this to Lizzie to help clear the name of her father. We discover that John Rokesmith is in fact John Harmon, and the body is that of George Radfoot who drugged and robbed him.
Silas Wegg spends his spare time searching the dust mounds and finds a will that reduces Mr Boffin’s inheritance, with which he tries to blackmail him.
After John Rokesmith is fired because of his presumptuous declaration of love to Bella, she defends him and returns to her parents. John and Bella marry, and live modestly and happily in a small cottage, although Bella is unaware of John’s true identity.
Lizzie moves away fearful of Bradley Headstone’s anger, but her location is discovered by Eugene Wrayburn and he pays her a visit. He is followed by Bradley Headstone, who attacks and nearly kills him. Lizzie finds Eugene, takes care of him and they marry. Bradley’s crime is discovered by Rogue Riderhood and he attempts to blackmail him, but they both drown in a struggle.
John Rokesmith’s identity as John Harmon and Julius Handford is revealed to Bella, Mr Boffin’s behaviour turns out to had been an act to test Bella’s character, the will discovered by Silas Wegg turns out to be false, Eugene Wrayburn is recovering slowly and all the good people are happy at last!
What we thought
Our Mutual Friend is another evocative Dickensian portrayal of Victorian London. We felt that it is the marvellous array of incidental characters that is the main strength of this novel. The depiction of poverty of the Hexams and their associates is particularly strong. The constant fear of the workhouse of Mrs Betty Higden allowed Dickens to have another swipe at the whole social care system. Dickens also attacked the superficial nature of the upper classes, the political system of voting of MPs, and education by rote. All this in addition to a complex plot!
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In which country is the Kasserine Pass - scene of a decisive US Army defeat in World War II? | Kasserine Pass: Allied Defeat? | Armchair General | Armchair General Magazine - We Put YOU in Command!
Posted on May 19, 2007 in Front Page Features , War College
Kasserine Pass: Allied Defeat?
By Alexander Wilson
Did Rommel Really Win at Kasserine?
The 1970 FOX film Patton opens with a panorama of the North African desert, and after presenting the viewer with some beautiful, if bleak, scenery during the opening credits, the movie switches to a scene where Arabic nomads and their children are rummaging through the aftermath of a battle. Dead GIs, burnt-out American tanks, and abandoned equipment of every kind litter the rocky landscape. The nomads are in the process of stripping the dead bodies of boots, socks, jackets, and other articles of clothing when two Willys jeeps arrive on the scene, their passengers firing their guns into the air to ward off the pesky Africans. General Omar Bradley alights from the lead jeep, takes a look around, and then listens to his aide read the casualty report for the engagement. Stunned and a little bewildered by what he has seen, Bradley climbs back into the jeep, and the two vehicles drive off, weaving their way through the carnage. The setting? Kasserine Pass, Tunisia, February 1943.
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The road to the Battle of Kasserine Pass began on November 8, 1942, when an Anglo-American force of gigantic proportions landed on the beaches of French North Africa. A total of 107,000 Allied troops – three-fourths of them American and the remaining quarter British – were landed to secure a foothold at nine key locations along the coast (1). After skirmishing with Vichy French troops and securing their initial objectives, the Allies moved inland and began to consider how to best defeat the German forces waiting for them in Tunisia. After failing to capture Tunis before the end of the year, the British and Americans spent the winter trading insults with each other and attempting to come up with a new plan for the campaign. Meanwhile, Hitler moved General Jurgin von Arnim into Tunisia to take command of the army charged with its defense. By January of 1943, von Arnim had at least 100,000 troops under his command and has also seized control of the strategically vital mountain passes through the heights near Tunis (2).
Meanwhile, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, who had pulled his bruised and weary Afrika Korps back into Tunisia after his defeat at El Alamein, was envisioning a daring strike against the Allies. When Montgomery and his Eighth Army halted at Tripoli in January 1943 to rest before tackling the Desert Fox once again, it gave Rommel enough time to retreat to the Mareth Line, an old French string of fortifications (3). Rommel hoped that he could hold Monty at the Mareth Line with part of his troops while the rest of his veteran Afrika Korps sliced into the green and cocksure American II Corps, stationed at that time in the area around Sidi Bou Zid (4). This attack would allow him, after crushing the Americans and damaging their morale, to drive deep into the Allied forces still bogged down and seize vital supply and transport centers. In order for this offensive to be successful, though, Rommel would need to temporarily borrow some troops from von Arnim, but von Arnim, who disliked Rommel and his unorthodox methods, would not lend him enough forces to pull off an offensive which he considered too risky (5). On the other hand, von Arnim would gladly support a limited offensive against the 2nd U.S. Armored Division, part of the U.S. II Corps holding Sidi Bou Zid. Rommel agreed, and this attack, which occurred on the 14th of February, was spearheaded by the 10th and 21st Panzer Division, and supported by Stuka dive bombers. It proved to be an overwhelming victory, and the American sustained over 2,000 casualties, most of whom were taken prisoner (6).
An American M5 Light Tank, arguably the best light tank of the war,
although undergunned when facing the German at Kasserine Pass
Realizing now that he had sent the entire American II Corps reeling back towards the Western Dorsal mountain range, Rommel harassed the retreating Americans and pressured von Arnim for a continuation of the offensive, hoping to drive for the important Allied base at Tebesa, located approximately 40 to 50 miles northwest of Kasserine Pass. Von Armin would have none of it, though, and the debate grew so tense that Field Marshal Kesselring had to settle it in person, flying across the Mediterranean from his headquarters in Rome. In the end, Rommel won the argument, although von Arnim still withheld certain units for an offensive of his own – units which Kesselring had ordered him to loan to Rommel (7). While this clash of opinions in the Axis camp may seem to have been a minor incident, in the end it proved decisive, allowing the American under General Fredendall to prepare for the coming attack, granting them precious time to bring up reinforcements and supplies, and ultimately turning the tide of the battle in favor of the Allies (8).
Fredendall, though he knew that the Germans were preparing another offensive, was completely in the dark as to which of the five passes through the Western Dorsal mountains the Germans would use for their upcoming attack. On February 18th, 1943, however, Axis reconnaissance planes operating near Kasserine suggested an attack in that area, so Fredendall ordered Colonel Alexander Stark’s 26th Infantry Regiment to the pass posthaste. Fredendall’s orders to Stark: “I want you to go to Kasserine and pull a Stonewall Jackson.” (9)
Supporting Stark and the 26th Infantry Regiment was a conglomeration of anti-tank, artillery, and infantry battalions, which Stark added to his own force to create Task Force Stark. Meanwhile, the 10th Panzer Division, led by Brigadier General Karl Buelowius, barreled towards Kasserine, reaching it on the 19th of February (10). The Germans found Stark and his troops ready and waiting for them, and tried immediately to break through the American defenses, but in doing so underestimated Stark’s force and subsequently had to withdraw in the face of tenacious resistance. That night, realizing that the nature of both the pass and the Allied defenses dictated a strategy other than that of direst assault, Buelowius sent infiltration patrols into and behind the green American troops, disrupting their defenses and capturing some of them (11). Later that same night, however, a small contingent of British tanks arrived to bolster the sagging American lines, meaning that although temporarily victorious, Buelowius and his troops would have to try again in the morning (12). Rommel, meanwhile, was in a pensive mood, and was growing increasingly dissatisfied with his soldiers’ progress. Realizing that time was of the essence, as it would only be so long before Monty attacked again, Rommel pressured Buelowius to achieve an immediate breakthrough. He recorded in his diary for the 20th of February that “. . . what I most feared had now happened. The enemy had the opportunity to deploy his reserve troops in the unassailable hill positions.” (13)
[continued on next page]
| Tunisia |
Which 20th century British Prime Minister lived the longest? | HyperWar: U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II: Tunisia
US Army Campaigns in World War II
General Grant Medium Tank M3 in the Kasserine Pass area. (DA Photograph)
Introduction
World War II was the largest and most violent armed conflict in the history of mankind. However, the half century that now separates us from that conflict has exacted its toll on our collective knowledge. While World War II continues to absorb the interest of military scholars and historians, as well as its veterans, a generation of Americans has grown to maturity largely unaware of the political, social, and military implications of a war that, more than any other, united us as a people with a common purpose.
Highly relevant today, World War II has much to teach us, not only about the profession of arms, but also about military preparedness, global strategy, and combined operations in the coalition war against fascism. During the next several years, the U.S. Army will participate in the nation's 50th anniversary commemoration of World War II. The commemoration will include the publication of various materials to help educate Americans about that war. The works produced will provide great opportunities to learn about and renew pride in an Army that fought so magnificently in what has been called "the mighty endeavor."
World War II was waged on land, on sea, and in the air over several diverse theaters of operation for approximately six years. The following essay is one of a series of campaign studies highlighting those struggles that, with their accompanying suggestions for further reading, are designed to introduce you to one of the Army's significant military feats from that war.
This brochure was prepared in the U.S. Army Center of Military History by Charles R. Anderson. I hope this absorbing account of that period will enhance your appreciation of American achievements during World War II.
M. P. W. Stone
Tunisia
17 November 1942--13 May 1943
Victory at Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers gave the United States Army and its British ally solid toeholds in the western Mediterranean Theater of Operations. But it offered no guarantee of easy access to Italy or southern Europe, or even to the eastern end of the Mediterranean, where the British desperately needed assistance to secure Egypt and strategic resources in the Near East. The sudden entrance of American forces during 8-11 November 1942 created an awkward deployment in which two pairs of opposing armies fought in North Africa, one in Tunisia, the other in Libya. Neither Axis nor Allies found any satisfaction in the situation; much fighting remained before either adversary could consider North Africa secure.
Strategic Setting
Even before the fighting in northwest Africa ended, intense negotiations between American and French officials began. On the morning of 10 November in Algiers Lt. Gen. Mark W. Clark, deputy to Lt. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Commander in Chief, Allied Force, met Admiral Jean Francois Darlan, commander in chief of the collaborationist Vichy government's military forces. The different motives and needs of the two sides made these sessions difficult for all. The Allies were in a hurry to gain French help in fighting the Germans and Italians before the Axis could reinforce its units in Africa. On the same day talks in Algiers opened, British Lt. Gen. Kenneth A. N. Anderson began moving his Eastern Task Force into position off Tunisia for the next series of landings. With Clark and Darlan still in the early stages of negotiations, the enemy acted. On 11-12 November German submarines fired several near-misses at the American aircraft carrier Ranger, scored hits against three ships, and sank three transports off Casablanca. Intelligence sources reported Axis aircraft and transports en route to Tunis. Meanwhile, across the negotiating table General Clark found a frustrating lack of urgency in his French counterparts.
Ever since France had surrendered to Adolf Hitler in June 1940, French officers had been struggling with Nazi demands that they fight the Allies on the one hand and with their need to retain a measure of
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sovereignty on the other. When Operation TORCH began, German and Italian units crossed Vichy borders to complete the conquest of France begun over two years before. In response, the French fired on Axis units in Tunisia, which only brought closer Nazi supervision at Vichy. At Algiers Admiral Darlan thus found himself performing a delicate balancing act. As a member of the Vichy government he could not simply turn over French forces in North Africa to the Allies. But he also refused even to deal with his subordinate commanders in North Africa whom he suspected of pro-Allied sympathies. And, to the exasperation of the Allies, Darlan's cease-fire order to the Oran and Casablanca garrisons was countermanded by officials in Vichy. Generals Clark and Eisenhower saw no alternative to continuing reinforcement while the talks went on.
On the day a cease-fire went into effect in Morocco and Algeria, 124,760 Allied troops were ashore, and dozens of transports were steaming toward Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers. By the end of November the Allies would have 253,213 troops in North Africa. The Axis buildup began at an equally frenzied pace. As early as 10 November the Italian Air Force sent to Tunis a flight of 28 fighters. Two days later an airlift began that would bring to Tunisia over 15,000 men and 581 tons of supplies. During November transports brought to the ports of Tunis and Bizerte 176 tanks, 131 artillery pieces, 1,152 vehicles, and 13,000 tons of supplies. To strengthen Axis units already in North Africa, the Germans sent three fresh divisions, the Italians two. Due to limited Allied naval capability, Axis submarines could attack Allied ships in waters between Sicily and Tunisia with little worry about Allied antisubmarine retaliation. The longer Darlan delayed committing to the Allies, the more costly the ensuing battle would become.
Finally, on 13 November, Clark and Darlan reached a workable agreement. The Allies gained their major objective: French forces in North Africa would immediately assist American and British forces in liberating Tunisia and, later, metropolitan France. Political fragmentation in the French armed forces was for the moment subordinated to the common purpose of defeating Axis armies. General Eisenhower quickly cabled his approval of the Clark-Darlan agreement, and Allied field commanders added French units to their operational plans.
Soon after the signing of final terms with Darlan on 22 November, however, political squabbles within the French Army threatened to disrupt the Allied war effort. General Charles de Gaulle and his Free French followers in London opposed any agreement
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reached with an official they considered a traitor. Civilian reaction as well dampened official enthusiasm. Public opinion in the United States and Britain did not welcome the news that Allied governments had negotiated with Darlan, who shared an extremely negative reputation with Vidkun Quisling, the Norwegian Army officer who had facilitated the surrender of his own country to Hitler's armies. With both President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill speaking of the need to accept a "temporary expedient" with Darlan, the issue was contained, but Allied planning proceeded in an atmosphere of some uncertainty.
Operations
To liberate Tunisia from Axis influence, the Allies would have to conduct operations whose character was entirely different from those at Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers. The Allies had entered northwest Africa by executing simultaneous amphibious operations at separate points. But in Tunisia Axis air power based in Sicily would make an amphibious assault risky, necessitating an overland advance from Algeria, the only route that provided a secure base of support. Major Allied objectives were the port cities of Bizerte and Tunis, only forty miles apart.
In Tunisia the United States Army for the first time had to operate far inland on the African continent. The task brought Americans into terrain much different from what they had found in Morocco and Algeria. Some 400 miles east of Algiers, Tunisia enclosed a much smaller area, stretching only 160 miles from east to west and 500 miles from north to south. Hills and mountains in the north leveled to sandy expanses in the south, the northern reaches of the Sahara Desert. With the northern coast of Tunisia obviously accessible to the Axis, most combat would be there. The port cities of Bizerte and Tunis lay on separated coastal flatlands interrupted by lakes and marshes and surrounded by hill masses extending from higher ranges to the west. Half-a-dozen rivers radiated west and southwest of the two ports. Because these rivers afforded the best routes through the mountains, the most heavily traveled roads and rail lines ran along their banks. With their hubs of radiating roads and rail lines, the towns of Mateur and Djedeida, in different valleys, were obvious intermediate objectives. Possession of Mateur opened a path to Bizerte, only twenty-two miles away, while control of Djedeida left only a thirteen-mile run to Tunis. A dry climate left the flatlands hard from March to November, ideal for mechanized and armored operations and for airfield construction.
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Northwest Africa
1942-1943
While General Clark negotiated with Admiral Darlan in Algiers, the Axis continued pushing reinforcements across North Africa. By mid-November about 15,000 German and 9,000 Italian troops manned two beachheads radiating between five and ten miles from Bizerte and Tunis, and patrols were extending their perimeters. French and Italian crews manned coastal batteries around the two ports. Uncertain of the response of French troops in the area to an Allied attack, the Germans placed a civil-military detachment in the two cities to neutralize civilians and continued efforts to win over local French commanders. Of great concern to Allied leaders was the strong Axis air force in the area. Five groups of fighters and a group of dive bombers had recently transferred to Tunisian airfields. General Walther Nehring, commanding general of the German XC Corps, directed Axis units in Tunisia, while Field Marshal Albert Kesselring, Commander in Chief, South, controlled Axis operations in both Tunisia and Tripolitania, the western region of Libya.
The Allied plan for Tunisian operations called for Eastern Task Force to move between Bizerte and Tunis, capture the latter as soon as possible, then surround Bizerte and build up sufficient force to bring
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about its surrender. In support of these ground operations, naval and air units were to cut the Axis supply pipeline from Sicily. D-day was set for 25 November. Allied ground forces would be mostly British--one infantry division and one armored division supported by several American units, none larger than a battalion--and commanded by British General Anderson. General Eisenhower planned to keep adding British and American units until each ally fielded a full-strength corps.
For the present, Anderson's lone division, the British 78th Infantry, under Maj. Gen. Vyvyan Evelegh, would attack east on three axes. On the north, the 36th Infantry Brigade Group would move toward Bizerte on a road roughly ten miles inland. Another brigade-size unit, Blade Force, would advance in the center toward Tunis some twenty miles inland. On the south, the 11th Infantry Brigade Group would move on a northeasterly course about forty miles inland toward Tunis. Blade Force and the 11th Group would meet at Tebourba, then move six miles east on Djedeida, the key to Tunis. Each of the three columns was reinforced by American units. Company E, 13th Armored Regiment, supported the 36th Group; the
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1st Battalion, 1st Armored Regiment, advanced with Blade Force; and four American units supported the 11th Group: the Reconnaissance/Intelligence platoon and the 2d Battalion (less Company E) of the 13th Armored Regiment, the 175th Field Artillery Battalion, and Company C of the 701st Tank Destroyer Battalion.
Anxious to push east before Axis forces became any stronger, Evelegh began moving his troops into jump-off positions on 16 November. The next day a British unit guarding a bridge and highway intersection at Djebel Abiod, on the route soon to be used by the 36th Infantry Brigade Group, clashed with a German-Italian armored column moving west. In a three-hour fight, the first of the Tunisia Campaign, the Allies lost more men than the Axis but drove the enemy back toward Bizerte with a loss of eight tanks. For the next week similar encounters occurred at several sites as both sides tried to determine the location of each other's forward elements and to break up concentrations of men and equipment that could evolve into attack spearheads. Despite these actions and German air raids on Allied positions as far west as Algiers, Evelegh had his three brigades in position by 24 November.
The Allied attack began the night of 24-25 November when the 11th Infantry Brigade Group troops set out on the southern axis toward Medjez el Bab under bright moonlight. They were soon stopped by heavy fire and in daylight driven back with many casualties. A second element of the brigade was also stopped while approaching the town from another direction. To the Allies' surprise, however, the Germans withdrew the night of 25-26 November; after an artillery preparation, the troops walked into Medjez el Bab unopposed. Quickly moving east, the 11th Group took the town of Tebourba in the early hours of the 27th. The Germans fought the rest of the day but withdrew to Djedeida.
In the center Blade Force jumped off at 0700 on the 25th when more than one hundred British and American tanks rumbled east into a dusty sunrise. Within a few hours the 1st Battalion, 1st Armored Regiment, began meeting and pushing through light resistance from enemy reconnaissance patrols. The next day the first American-German tank battle of the war developed at the Chouigui Pass north of Tebourba. Skillfully coordinating infantry, antitank, and tank forces, the Americans knocked out seven German tanks and drove off enemy ground troops at a cost of six tanks.
On the northern axis the attack got off to a poor start when the 36th Infantry Brigade Group missed its H-hour by a full day. Finally
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Eastern Task Force
25 November--10 December 1942
moving the night of 25-26 November, the brigade advanced for two days without even seeing the enemy.
On 28 November the Allies began to encounter strong Axis defenses. Near the coast the 36th Group ran up against a mass of concealed machine-gun positions near Djefna, thirty miles west of Bizerte, and turned back with a loss of 30 men killed and 86 taken prisoner. In the south the 11th Group found a strong German force,
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"Fighter Strip in Tunisia " by Tom Lea. (Army Art Collection)
augmented by four new 88-mm. Mark VI Tiger tanks in their first field test, at Djedeida, thirteen miles west of Tunis. Enemy antitank and artillery fire stopped the brigade with a loss of five tanks. An Allied attempt to reinforce overnight only brought more frustration. The U.S. 5th Field Artillery Battalion, recently arrived from Oran, ran into an ambush and lost its command group. The next day both the 36th and 11th Groups renewed their attacks, and again they were stopped.
Special operations in support of these attacks proved ineffective. An amphibious landing of British and American infantry to assist the drive on Bizerte found no friendly troops to join because the 36th Infantry Brigade Group had been stopped miles west of the rendezvous point. The battalion-size unit ran out of supplies and withdrew with casualties. A parachute drop of 500 British troops twenty-five miles south of Tunis cut a few Axis phone lines, but the men had to make their way back to Medjez el Bab, harried by the enemy. Their losses were 19 killed, 4 wounded, and 266 missing. By nightfall on the 30th the Allies were stopped everywhere.
The decisive Axis advantage in these five days of fighting was above the battlefield. In fact, the Axis maintained several hard-surface airfields east of the Atlas Mountains until late in the campaign. In November Luftwaffe squadrons often flew several on-call missions each day from fields on the outskirts of Tunis, while Allied squadrons
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had time for only one planned daylight mission from more distant fields. The Atlas Mountains also created a weather difference that worked against the Allies in the early months of the campaign. Axis pilots enjoyed more clear days east of the mountains, while Allied pilots west of the range lost many days to rain. These conditions meant that Axis squadrons had the time and weather to react to targets of opportunity such as armor columns and infantry concentrations, while Allied air units had to be content to bomb fixed targets such as airfields and supply areas.
Kesselring and Nehring allowed their bloodied adversaries no rest. Early on the morning of 1 December a strong counterattack came out of Djedeida. In two columns spearheaded by forty tanks and supported by deadly dive bombers, the German-Italian attackers hit Blade Force, sending its units into a hasty withdrawal south. The road quickly became congested with vehicles of all types, which only made a more inviting target for enemy artillery and dive bombers. In the first four days of December the Germans and their Italian allies built up momentum and pushed the Allies back from Djedeida, securing it as an Axis strongpoint, then farther west to take Tebourba. After a brief pause the Germans resumed their offensive, taking Djebel el Guessa, a key hill mass four miles south of Tebourba, and in the process mauling elements of the U.S. 6th Armored Infantry Regiment. Still the German tanks and dive bombers came and for the next four days pushed the Allies farther west. Finally on the 10th, Allied units held a defensive line just east of Medjez el Bab. The string of defeats in December cost them dearly: over 1,000 missing (prisoners of war), and 73 tanks, 432 other vehicles, and 70 artillery pieces lost.
Frustrated and furious, Eisenhower wrote a scathing description of Allied performance in the Tunisia Campaign. To Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall he confided his view that American and British operations had thus far managed to violate every accepted tactical principle of warfare and would be condemned in the military school system for decades to come.
Despite the string of defeats, General Anderson aimed another attack at Tunis, this one scheduled for 22 December. The continued but slow buildup had brought Allied force levels up to a total of 20,000 British, 11,800 American, and 7,000 French troops. A hasty intelligence review showed about 25,000 combat and 10,000 service troops, mostly German, across their line of departure. Allied commanders hoped that a quick strike and numerical superiority would offset Axis air support and the increasingly heavy rains which had begun to affect Allied mobility. The first contact seemed to justify such hopes.
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General von Arnim (National Archives)
On the night of 16-17 December a company of the U.S. 26th Regimental Combat Team (RCT), 1st Infantry Division, made a successful raid on Maknassy, 155 miles south of Tunis, and took twenty-one Italian prisoners. The main attack began the afternoon of 22 December and pointed toward continued success. Despite rain and insufficient air cover, the U.S. 18th Regimental Combat Team and British Coldstream Guards made good progress up the lower ridges of the 900-foot Longstop Hill that controlled a river corridor to Tunis. But two days later a German counterattack stopped the advance, and by the 26th the Allies had withdrawn with heavy losses to the line they had set two weeks earlier. Without gaining even their preliminary objective the Allies had taken 534 casualties.
The run for Tunis had been stopped. Acceptance of this bitter reality, as well as cool analysis and united effort to prevent a recurrence, was made more difficult by a most unwelcome political development. Late in the year factionalism again erupted in the French Army. On 24 December Darlan was assassinated. Although the French quickly named General Henri Giraud as replacement, his acceptance by de Gaulle's
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Free French government was questionable, and the issue of French reliability arose all over again in Allied command bunkers and foxholes.
General Eisenhower found nothing to celebrate over Christmas 1942. He and his subordinate commanders concluded that their string of defeats could be ended only by making major changes in the way they were fighting Axis armies. They would have to do more than simply replace personnel and equipment losses and try another dash to Tunis. They would have to build a multi-division force with hundreds of tanks and much stronger air support, and they would have to coordinate pressure against the Axis on a front hundreds of miles long. They would also have to wait for the weather to clear. These preparations required a minimum of two months.
With the Allies still trying to carry out a quick thrust to Tunis in December, the shape of the opposing orders of battle that would decide the outcome of the Tunisia Campaign could already be discerned. Kesselring was bringing up to full strength General Juergen von Arnim's Fifth Panzer Army, successor headquarters to Nehring's XC Corps, consisting of the Division von Broich, a heavily armored unit in the Bizerte area, the 10th Panzer Division in the center before Tunis, and the Italian Superga Division on the southern flank. On the opposite side, Eisenhower transferred units from Morocco and Algeria eastward into Tunisia, bringing in fresh troops as fast as they could be prepared. On the north, Anderson's Eastern Task Force would become the five-division British First Army, with three more divisions soon joining the 6th Armoured and 78th Infantry Divisions already in Tunisia. On the south the basis of a two-division anti-Nazi French corps was being laid. In the center Eisenhower planned a full American corps, to be commanded by Maj. Gen. Lloyd R. Fredendall. With regiments from Algeria and Morocco, the U.S. II Corps would eventually include the larger part of six divisions: the 1st, 3d, 9th, and 34th Infantry and the 1st and 2d Armored.
The stage of conflict shifted south in January 1943. As the British Eighth Army pushed the German-Italian Panzer Army west across Libya, General Field Marshal Erwin Rommel sent staff officers to the port of Sfax, 150 miles south of Tunis, to prepare for a juncture of Axis forces in Tunisia and Libya. The possibility of a Rommel-von Arnim link-up greatly concerned Allied planners because these combined armies could sweep westward into Algeria and Morocco, where the Allies held only coastal enclaves. To head off this threat Eisenhower subordinated capture of the Bizerte-Tunis bridgehead to operations in central and southern Tunisia.
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Field Marshal Rommel (third from left) and members of his staff. (DA photograph)
While both sides waited for better weather they also grew stronger. With a dominant naval presence in the western Mediterranean and large garrisons in Morocco and Algeria, the Allies had little difficulty continuing their buildup in Tunisia. But the amount of Axis troops and supplies that infiltrated by sea and air from Italy was frustrating. From the surrender of Algiers in mid-November through January 112,000 men and 101,000 tons of supplies and equipment arrived in Tunisia to join enemy forces already there.
During the last week of 1942 and the first six weeks of 1943 the opposing armies sparred to improve positions in central Tunisia. Road-rail routes leading from ports on the east to the Algerian border on the west provided stages for these actions. From the port of Sousse, 75 miles south of Tunis, one line ran west through Fondouk el Aouareb; another stretched from Sfax through Faid, then joined the first at Sbeitla to continue west through Kasserine. A third route began at Mahares, 25 miles south of Sfax, and ran west through Maknassy; a fourth started at Gabes, 60 miles south of Mahares, and joined the third at Gafsa. All of these routes had to cross a north-south mountain range, making the passes for each a critical point. To effect the von Arnim-Rommel linkup they desired, Axis units would
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General Grant Medium Tank M3 in the Kasserine Pass area. (DA photograph)
have to move through the passes; to prevent the linkup, the Allies would have to block them.
In late December and mid-January the French took important gaps in the mountains near Ousseltia, but in a retaliatory strike the Germans inflicted over three hundred casualties. A more serious challenge developed in late January when Axis units attacked at the juncture of the British and French sectors and pushed the line ten miles west. The French took the brunt of this assault, losing 21 tanks, 52 artillery pieces, and over 200 vehicles as well as 3,500 troops missing. The American Combat Command B, 1st Armored Division, was also involved in this action, taking 202 casualties while destroying 9 tanks and capturing 21 1 enemy. While not a major attack, the action alarmed the Allies because it exposed coordination problems at the critical points where national sectors joined.
In their January attacks Axis units puzzled Allied commanders by limiting their own advances and abandoning key positions. Soon, however, the enemy displayed more determination. On 30 January the 21st Panzer Division blasted through French defenders at Faid Pass, then drove off an American relief column the next day. The attack on Faid interrupted preparations for an assault by the U.S. II Corps on
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Southern Operations
30 January--10 April 1943
Maknassy, thirty-two miles south. The attack went ahead on the 31st but was fatally compromised when Allied commanders argued whether American armor should be concentrated for the Maknassy operation or diverted to a counterattack on Faid. By 3 February von Arnim and Rommel had the results they wanted: the Allied counterattack on Faid had failed, the II Corps attack on Maknassy had been stopped and recalled, and Allied units were withdrawing. As a bonus,
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dissension appeared in the Alliance when the French protested ineffective American support.
While Eisenhower struggled to contain squabbles on the Allied side, the Germans refueled their tanks and continued west. On the 14th they hit Sidi Bou Zid, ten miles beyond Faid. With over 200 tanks on both sides, a huge, drawn-out battle appeared in the making. But American armor was spread too thin, and the panzers punched through in only one day. An ineffective counterattack the next day and the stunning capture of some 1,400 troops forced the Americans to undertake a major withdrawal. As the 1st Armored Division fell back, enemy pressure eased. However, on the 16th the panzers resumed their westward push, seizing Sbeitla, twenty-five miles beyond Sidi Bou Zid. Again the Americans scrambled back to establish a new defensive position, this time at Kasserine Pass. Four days of successive defeats cost II Corps dearly. The Americans lost 2,546 missing, 103 tanks, 280 vehicles, 18 field guns, 3 antitank guns, and 1 antiaircraft battery. Even service and medical companies, miles behind the infantry and armor, had been reached by the onrushing panzers.
The succession of II Corps defeats did not end with the loss of Sbeitla. Rommel saw the opportunity to keep his battered adversary reeling with a push for an even bigger prize: Kasserine Pass, gateway to Algeria. Adding the 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions to his German-Italian Panzer Army, Rommel struck the II Corps on 19 February. By the next afternoon the pass was in Axis hands. Only the valiant stands of individual battalions and companies on isolated hilltops interrupted Rommel's progress. As an alarming indication of falling morale, American troops abandoned huge stocks of equipment. In a final insult, the disastrous series of defeats was ended not by stiffening American resolve but by a shift in Axis priorities. Concerned that the British Eighth Army might attack from Libya while he was moving west, Rommel turned back to the east.
The conduct of Allied operations in both northern Tunisia in December 1942 and the central mountain ranges in February 1943 forced a total reexamination of Allied organization and plans. In short order General Eisenhower restructured the Allied command and changed key personnel. A new command--the 18th Army Group under British General Sir Harold R. L. G. Alexander--tightened operational control over the combat corps and armies of the three Allied nations. With the British Eighth Army now close enough to the Allied southern flank to affect Axis operations, the three national commands in Tunisia narrowed their battlefronts and shifted north. Because the U.S. II Corps had taken high casualties and lost so much
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German Mark VI Tiger tank. (DA photograph)
equipment during the February battles, and--in the British view--shown tactical incompetence, the Americans were to play a role auxiliary to the British in the next phase of the campaign. Accordingly, Alexander's staff was primarily British.
During late February and early March Allied units in Tunisia increased their combat power. Two fresh British divisions arrived and the British 6th Armoured Division refitted with American Sherman tanks. The French XIX Corps turned in its prewar equipment for the latest American weapons. The U.S. II Corps received the rest of the 1st, 9th, and 34th Infantry Division components from Algeria and replaced lost tanks and equipment as fast as ships, trains, and trucks could bring them to the front. Engineer and other support specialists improved and expanded ports, rail lines, and roads. Best of all for the troops on the ground, Allied air support soon improved. The Mediterranean Air Command under British Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder went into operation in late February. Consisting of the U.S. Ninth and Twelfth Air Forces and four major Royal Air Force commands, Mediterranean Air Command could put over the battlefield enough aircraft to challenge seriously the air superiority enjoyed by the Axis thus far in the campaign.
The Americans received the highest-level personnel change when in early March Eisenhower selected Maj. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., to command II Corps. Now the Allies had a field
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General Patton (left) confers with General Eisenhower at the beginning of the II Corps offensive. (DA photograph)
commander who would cause his adversaries genuine concern for his willingness to attempt maneuvers others thought rash. With Maj. Gen. Omar N. Bradley as his deputy, Patton set about rebuilding the II Corps into the panzer-killing force he knew it could become. Overlooking no detail--including neckties in the heat of North Africa--Patton pushed his men to fight and dress like the best soldiers in the world. Within days they knew they were led by a commander who would not let them fail.
But these preparations did not take place with Axis cooperation. Kesselring kept up the pressure, this time in the north. On 26 February von Arnim launched an offensive against the British in an effort to push his front west to give the Axis a wider secure zone around Tunis. This offensive, which Rommel labeled the brainchild of "nincompoops," failed but served as a painful reminder that Axis units were capable of much hard fighting. Paired with the Axis northern thrust was another in the south. In his last battle in Tunisia, Rommel on 6 March struck the British Eighth Army at Medenine soon after its arrival from Libya. The British blunted the attack and in doing so may have found the tactic that could stop the panzers: massed artillery and antitank fire combined with air raids.
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British First Army commander General Anderson and General Bradley. (DOD files)
In mid-March the Allies went back on the offensive. General Sir Bernard L. Montgomery's Eighth Army hit the Axis southern flank around Mareth with a multi-division force. In a month-long series of battles, the British, hampered by heavy rains but assisted by worsening German-Italian relations, pushed Axis units over 150 miles north to Enfidaville, only 47 miles from Tunis.
With Montgomery rolling up the enemy's southern flank Patton launched his first offensive. Reinforced combat power made another American failure unlikely. The II Corps now consisted of three full infantry and one armored divisions plus the 1st Ranger Battalion, soon to be famous as Lt. Col. William O. Darby's Rangers; the 13th Field Artillery Brigade; the 213th Coast Artillery Regiment; the 19th Engineer Combat Regiment; and seven battalions of the 1st Tank Destroyer Group. These units with service components totaled 88,287 men. Patton's mission was to drive east into the Axis flank to draw enemy units from the south, thereby weakening the opposition
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Montgomery faced in his push north. The objective for II Corps was a string of towns and hill masses beginning at Gafsa, 180 miles south of Tunis and 105 miles northwest of Mareth, where the British Eighth Army was pounding Rommel's line. Spearheaded by Maj. Gen. Orlando Ward's 1st Armored Division, Patton's men took Gafsa on 17 March but were denied the satisfaction of victory when the enemy withdrew without a fight. Urging on his tankers and their attached 60th Regimental Combat Team, Patton was soon raging at the enemy's alliance with "General Mud"; heavy rains stopped his tanks and trucks for two days. Finally, on 21 March, the Americans covered the 28-mile distance to Sened and took their second objective, this time against light opposition. Again in high gear, Ward's tankers pushed on 20 miles to Maknassy, only to see enemy troops evacuate the village. Continuing east, Ward soon found determined opposition in hills around the village and stopped his column on 22 March to await stronger support.
While the tankers rushed eastward, the infantrymen found themselves in a major battle forty miles back to the west at El Guettar. As Allied planners hoped, Kesselring had released the 10th Panzer Division for a counterattack on II Corps. While the German attack pleased strategists waiting for an enemy diversion from the south, the troops of Maj. Gen. Terry Allen's 1st Infantry Division who had to face it saw nothing to celebrate. Over three days from 21 March Allen's men turned back two strong attacks. In fighting that often came down to the "him-or-me" terror of hand-to-hand combat, 1st Division troops pushed the Germans out of their fighting positions and off hilltops. Fortunately, Allen's men could call on strong air and artillery support. Massed artillery and tank destroyers knocked out nearly thirty enemy tanks while mines stopped eight more. American casualties were heavy but the 10th Panzer Division had to withdraw.
Anxious to move beyond El Guettar, Patton planned a two-division attack to the sea that would divide enemy forces. The experienced 1st Infantry Division would advance on the north. On the south Maj. Gen. Manton S. Eddy's 9th Infantry Division would make its first attack as a unit. The 9th would also be making its first attack at night, a difficult tactic in the easiest terrain and in the rocky hills east of El Guettar probably impossible for a unit with only five months' experience. When the attack began before dawn on 28 March three battalions of the 9th soon became lost, and two remained out of touch for thirty-six hours. On the left the 1st Infantry Division made faster progress but was unable to push too far ahead of Eddy's men without inviting envelopment. Soon both
--21--
divisions were exhausting themselves in futile attacks against enemy units dug into rock-face positions with interlocking fields of fire. In nine days the 9th Infantry Division alone lost 120 killed, including 5 battalion commanders, 872 wounded, and 820 missing, injured, or ill.
Frustrated at the pace of the American infantry attack, General Alexander directed Patton to send an armored column on a quick thrust to Gabes, the seaport whose possession would complete the division of Axis forces. Patton sent; task force ahead at noon on 30 March, but in three days it made little progress and lost thirteen tanks. The task force was halted, and the emphasis returned to the infantry struggling in the hills. More than a tough Axis defense was stalling II Corps. During the advance from Gafsa to Maknassy, Alexander had told Patton not only what to do but how to do it and then changed the American mission several times. Now in the attempt to advance beyond Maknassy, Alexander again gave orders Patton considered overly detailed and, again, changed them to produce the infantry-first, armor- first, infantry- first sequence the troops found confusing and exhausting. An exasperated Patton, prevented by Eisenhower from saying anything that might upset Allied harmony, complained bitterly in letters to General Marshall in Washington.
Held in place by a tenacious enemy defense and irritated by changing instructions, Patton took a hard look at his command. Deciding a personnel change would help, he chose Maj. Gen. Ernest
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Taking the Bridgehead
20 April--13 May 1943
N. Harmon to lead 1st Armored Division from 5 April. The very next day the enemy made the work of the II Corps easier by withdrawing. With Montgomery breaking through the Mareth Line and Patton pressing in from the west, the Axis began to feel the Allied pincers close. As German and Italian units scrambled to avoid the trap, American divisions began shifting north to apply pressure closer to Tunis.
Seventy miles north of Maknassy Maj. Gen. Charles W. Ryder's 34th Infantry Division fought to open the pass at Fondouk el Aouareb for another Allied attempt to cut off Axis units retreating north. Preceded by a massive artillery barrage, Ryder's men began their attack on 27 March, but after repeated assaults over three days the pass was still in Axis hands. Alexander next directed a tri-national attack after a week of preparation. This second attempt at the pass confused most participants and severely strained Allied cooperation. Crossing the line of departure on 8 April, the Americans soon stopped to await an air strike that failed to materialize as scheduled, was then postponed, and finally was canceled altogether. Five hours later a British armored brigade suddenly ran through the 34th Division area without warning, and the commanders had to suspend the attack to sort out respective units while under fire. The next morning tanks supporting the 34th ran too far ahead of the infantry and had to be recalled under fire. These blunders prevented an early seizure of the pass, and by the time British armor had pushed through late on 9 April the Axis main
--23--
body had escaped the trap. Worst of all for the Allies, the botched attacks touched off arguments in headquarters tents which were contained only by the most pointed intervention of Eisenhower and Alexander.
By mid-April Axis forces had been pushed into a perimeter at the northeast corner of Tunisia, an area about the same size as their bridgehead of six months before. The initiative in North Africa had clearly swung toward the Allies. While Allied forces had gained experience and strength over the last six months, Axis units had been increasingly hampered by growing Allied air and naval raids on their supply line from Sicily, with supplies reaching North Africa falling below the minimum needed to sustain operations. But much hard fighting remained before the Allies could stage a victory parade, and several American units had to show marked improvement before they could claim a measure of the credit.
General Alexander laid out several missions for the next phase of the campaign: tighten the enemy perimeter, split the Tunis and Bizerte objective areas, seal off the Cap Bon peninsula, and take Tunis first and then Bizerte. The American role in these plans would be to assist the British First Army in pushing back the enemy perimeter and later to take Bizerte. To carry out its missions the II Corps would have the same three infantry and one armored divisions plus three battalions of the French Corps d'Afrique. During 14-18 April these units repositioned to the northernmost Allied sector, from the sea about thirty-seven miles inland and thirty miles west of Bizerte. On 15 April General Bradley took command of the II Corps, allowing Patton to begin planning the invasion of Sicily.
With the Allies still preparing their next move, the Germans tested the British V Corps in a strong attack by the Hermann Goering Division the night of 20-21 April. Though enemy forces penetrated five miles at some points, they could not force a withdrawal and returned to their lines with British tanks in pursuit. On the 22d the British 46th Division struck back at the Hermann Goering Division to open the southwest-to-northeast line of attack General Anderson would take to Tunis, about thirty-five miles away. Losses were high on both sides but the British inched ahead. On the 23d, Bradley launched the American part of 18th Army Group's attack. Both the 9th Division along the coast and the 1st Division to the south found enemy defenses very strong despite American artillery superiority. Progress came in yards, not miles, and some units like the 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry, in the 1st Division area had to retake the same hill three times.
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Only extraordinary personal courage enabled the II Corps to maintain its advance. Sgt. William L. Nelson gave his 9th Division comrades one such example. From an exposed position Nelson directed mortar fire effective enough to stop a German counterattack, an act which brought down on him a rain of enemy grenades. Though mortally wounded, Nelson crawled to another position and directed more devastating fire on the enemy. For his heroism, Sergeant Nelson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor . Convinced of American determination by acts such as Nelson's, enemy units withdrew on 25 April.
The next day the 34th Division entered the line between the 1st and 9th Divisions. Under pressure to compensate for its poor performance of eighteen days before, the division mounted a determined assault the night of 26-27 April on a cluster of ridges topped by Hill 609. At the same time, the 1st Division to the south attacked Hill 523. Both divisions were supported by battalions of the 1st Armored Division and by the 27th, 68th, and 91st Field Artillery Battalions. The Americans found desperate defenders and had to take high casualties but steadily gained inches and yards. As happened a few days before in the 9th Division's advance, progress often came only after the most extreme demonstrations of personal courage. On the 28th the 6th Armored Infantry Regiment was pinned down by German machine guns. Rather than await support, Pvt. Nicholas Minue crawled through the enemy line and--using only a bayonet--cleared several machinegun positions before he was killed. For his heroism Minue was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor .
After nearly three days of continuous combat the II Corps had its immediate objectives surrounded but at high cost, particularly in the southern part of the line. Allen's and Ryder's divisions had lost 183 killed, 1,594 wounded, and 676 captured or missing. But with captured German and Italian troops reporting rations and ammunition low, General Bradley believed the enemy was near the breaking point. He quickly reinforced and reorganized his corps to present a four-division front of, from north to south, the 9th, 1st Armored, 1st, and 34th Divisions. On the morning of 30 May II Corps kicked off a general offensive that set in motion an Axis collapse in the north. When American troops overran Hills 609 and 523, 1st Armored Division tanks roared eastward. After nightfall 1 May the Germans again withdrew, this time into Mateur. But two days later General Harmon's tankers drove the enemy out of the town. The Americans had won an important urban center and one only twenty miles from their ultimate objective, Bizerte.
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American tanks and infantry in Bizerte. (DA photograph)
The final American offensive of the campaign began 6 May. The 1st Armored and 9th Infantry Divisions coordinated an envelopment of Bizerte and the next day pushed retreating enemy into and through the city. At nearly the same time the British V Corps entered Tunis. In the southern half of the American sector the 1st Infantry Division found strong opposition but maintained pressure to prevent the enemy from reinforcing other areas. Next to the British sector, the 34th Infantry Division proved it had overcome its tactical inexperience by taking a key pass on the road to Tunis. As II Corps units pushed on to cut the Bizerte-Tunis road, they found Axis units in a state of collapse. Enemy troops were surrendering in such large numbers that they clogged roads, impeding further advance. In the second week of May enemy prisoners totaled over 275,000. When Axis generals began surrendering on 9 May the six-month Tunisia Campaign entered its final days. As General Bradley turned his attention from fighting a determined enemy to governing large numbers of civilians and prisoners, his troops composed doggerel about a memorable lady they had discovered: "Dirty Gerty from Bizerte."
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Analysis
If American commanders and troops thought their brief combat experience in French Morocco and Algeria in November 1942 was adequate preparation to face hardened Axis units in a lengthy campaign, the fighting in Tunisia brought about a harsh reappraisal. With few exceptions, French units in North Africa had been more intent on upholding national honor than inflicting casualties and damage; those that offered determined resistance were at a marked disadvantage in terms of weapons, equipment, supplies, and numbers. In Tunisia, however, American soldiers found themselves faced with well-trained, battle-tested units skillfully using the most advanced weapons and innovative combined arms tactics repeatedly to frustrate Allied plans. The result was painful to Army units involved and a shock to the American public: five months of almost continuous setbacks with commensurably high casualties.
The fighting in Tunisia underlined both the strengths and weaknesses of the Western Alliance and the United States Army. On the political level the successful conclusion of the Tunisia Campaign left one Allied problem unsolved: factionalism among the French. Followers of Generals de Gaulle and Giraud were still unable to unite in a common cause. In the victory parade in Tunis on 20 May Gaullist troops refused to march with those loyal to Giraud. Until some basis for political cooperation was found, the French would likely remain unable to make more of a military contribution to Allied operations than their two-division XIX Corps. But that was perhaps not so bleak a prospect when considered against enemy losses in Tunisia: nearly 200,000 battle casualties (an entire field army), 275,000 prisoners of war, tons of equipment and supplies, and the mortal wounding of Italy as an Axis partner.
On the tactical level the Allies were slow to amass the naval and air forces necessary to stop the flow of Axis supplies from Sicily. Not until the last month of the campaign did the Allies push enemy supply levels below the minimum tonnages Kesselring needed to continue offensive operations. Of more immediate concern to Allied ground commanders, theater-level air forces were unable to neutralize enemy airfields on Sicily despite frequent attacks. In addition, enemy airfields in Tunisia, even those outside the Tunis bridgehead, remained operational well into April.
The last weeks of the campaign also saw troubling, and somewhat unexpected, problems arise between American and British ground
--27--
commanders. After nearly six months of working together in the field, British headquarters officers and their II Corps counterparts found a new area of dispute in their respective missions. American commanders were unhappy with the abrupt mission changes ordered by British commanders, and the latter became at least temporarily disillusioned with American tactical capabilities. In order for the American-British partnership to remain functional, headquarters staffs of the two allies would have to do a better job of assigning missions and managing accomplishment, and American units would have to give better accounts of themselves tactically, a problem which they recognized openly and had begun to solve in the latter stages of the campaign.
At the beginning of the Tunisian battle the United States Army had in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations parts of four divisions which had acquired only limited experience at a cost of very light casualties in only four days of combat. The remainder of the force was completely "green." At the end of the battle the Army had five full divisions in the field, four of which had gained extensive experience although the cost had been high. American divisions carried out major and minor missions during the campaign in a generally successful manner, but notable failures occurred at Kasserine Pass and Fondouk el Aouareb. After these battles, they were given supporting roles to gain experience. Although American commanders chafed under this British-inspired practice, it allowed the divisions to recover from each setback, and all showed later improvement. Particularly satisfying to Eisenhower and Bradley, the 34th Infantry Division began showing commendable tactical maturity in the final weeks of the campaign. Despite casualty levels that would enervate a green unit, the 34th skillfully coordinated air and artillery support to enhance the effectiveness of its infantry-armor team advancing along the II Corps southern flank.
All ground combat arms showed varying degrees of improvement during the campaign. American infantrymen deserve much praise for the persistence they showed against a skilled enemy, most notably on 23-24 April when the 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry, had to take the same objective three times before the enemy quit the fight. One week later the 1st Division continued the successful attack on Hill 523 despite crippling casualties in the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry. The weakest aspect of infantry operations was coordination with other arms. Too often, gaps opened between troops and tanks, forcing armor to pull back and slowing the tempo of the attack. Some battalions had waited too long to advance after their artillery support was lifted, allowing enemy troops to resume fighting positions, largely nullifying
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the artillery fire. In other instances, artillery stopped too soon after the seizure of objectives, inviting successful enemy counterattacks.
In Tunisia American commanders showed a preference to begin attacks in the last hour of darkness, a tactic which gave the infantry an advantage but created problems for the artillery. Night movement is more difficult for artillerymen because of their heavier equipment and the time needed to prepare and survey gun positions. To lessen chances of detection, artillerymen also tended to accelerate gun repositioning by sacrificing adequate defensive measures. As a result, enemy counterattacks occasionally captured howitzers before machine guns could be placed to cover approach routes.
In their many battles against panzer units, American tankers learned much. Tank doctrine before the Tunisia Campaign called for rapid thrusts deep into enemy territory far in advance of infantry. But the devastating effect of accurate enemy artillery, antitank guns, and Stuka dive bombers forced a reconsideration. Greater success with armor came when panzer tactics were adopted: a deliberate tank-infantry advance preceded by intensive reconnaissance and heavy artillery. In the latter stages of the campaign a formula was laid down: one tank battalion in the attack should have three artillery battalions in support.
The greater lesson for armored units in Tunisia was to maintain concentration of tanks. Too often, armored units were dispersed to fill gaps or served as emergency reaction forces. These stopgap missions used the mobility of armor but ignored the greater advantages of its shock effect and massed firepower. When the 2d Armored Division operated as a unit in the battles for Mateur and Bizerte, the spearhead potential of armor was at last realized, and the enemy had to deal with sudden breaches in defensive lines, disruption of command links, and chaos in supply dumps. Best of all, American casualties fell dramatically.
The mission of tank destroyers (self-propelled antitank vehicles) was clarified somewhat in Tunisia. Battle experience confirmed the fear of tank destroyer crews: their thin armor made them easy targets for enemy tank and antitank gunners in open terrain. They were most effective in an ambush role, digging into a "hull down" position and awaiting a panzer assault. Success in this role, however, depended on accurate intelligence about enemy routes of approach. Over the course of the campaign tank destroyers expended more ammunition in the traditional artillery support mission than in any other role.
Air support of ground operations remained a problem throughout the campaign. Not only were there not enough squadrons in the
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theater to support all combat units but the system of requesting air support was cumbersome as well, with ground commanders having to go through several echelons of control. Tactical commanders pressed for the assignment of specific squadrons to specific regiments or divisions, but air commanders successfully argued against this policy as wasteful of air resources. The results on the ground were too often confusion and higher casualties. Air support had to be scheduled hours or days in advance and on a few occasions was postponed or canceled altogether, as the 34th Division found at Fondouk el Aouareb on 8 April. When air strikes did occur they were of limited duration, so that if the infantry and armor achieved a breakthrough, aircraft were often no longer overhead when the opportunity for exploitation developed. Only in the last stage of the campaign did air support take forms satisfactory to ground commanders: interdiction attacks on enemy assembly areas and routes of approach. Solution of the air support problem would have to await increased aircraft availability.
With victory in Tunisia, the Allies had expelled Axis forces from North Africa and thereby taken a giant step toward victory in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. The United States Army had contributed mightily toward that accomplishment. The victory in northwest Africa, however, did not come cheaply. Of 70,000 Allied casualties, the United States Army lost 2,715 dead, 8,978 wounded, and 6,528 missing. At the same time, however, the Army gained thousands of seasoned officers, noncommissioned officers, and troops whose experience would prove decisive in subsequent campaigns. These seasoned soldiers of all ranks would not have long to wait or far to go, for the next test was only two months and 150 miles away: the island of Sicily.
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Further Readings
Readings on the Tunisia Campaign are to be found in both broader studies of Operation TORCH and the European Theater of Operations, as well as in autobiographical accounts by key participants and analyses of the battle for Kasserine Pass. General Eisenhower recounts the challenges of international command in his Crusade in Europe (1948). Harry C. Butcher, a naval officer on Eisenhower's staff, gives another view from headquarters in his My Three Years with Eisenhower (1946). The views of armor commanders are to be found in George S. Patton, Jr., War As I Knew It (1947), and Ernest N. Harmon, Combat Commander: Autobiography of a Soldier (1970). Brief but professional treatment of an American setback in North Africa is Martin Blumenson, "Kasserine Pass, 30 January-22 February 1943," chapter 8 of Charles E. Heller and William A. Stofft, eds., America s First Battles, 1776-1965 (1986). The most exhaustive treatment of the battle for Tunisia remains George F. Howe, Northwest Africa: Seizing the Initiative in the West (1957), a volume in the series United States Army in World War II.
See also the HyperWar links to the war in North Africa.
CMH Pub 72-12
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Which actor starred with Angelina Jolie in the 1999 film 'The Bone Collector' in which a paraplegic detective had to pit his wits against a sadistic serial killer? | Movie reviews
Robert Vaessen's collection of movies and such.
Spoiler warning - Some of my reviews contain key plot details.
Saw it recently: Here's a list of movies I've seen this year (2005). The list (by month) contains a short review, synopsis, commentary on each movie. Something like that. I subscribe to NetFlix , watch movies from my own collection , and sometimes get out to the theater. The movies from my collection are titled in italics. The rest (unless noted otherwise) are NetFlix rentals. I update this listing throughout the month. Hopefully you'll find a movie or two to watch after perusing my reviews. (See below for instructions on viewing last years movie reviews)
(Monthly numbers in parenthesis indicate sources as: NetFlix, my movies, seen in theater, and other sources (in that order). If there's only one number it's probably all NetFlix. Only two numbers? I probably didn't see any movies at the theater. My movies are in italics, and movies from Kim's queue are colored Green. Movies in Orange were watched on one of Comcast's free OnDemand channels. Series discs - Grey in color (The Office, Star Trek (The Original Series), count as one movie per episode. The movies with Red titles are selections from my movie of the month club . I won't be reviewing short movies (30 minutes or less), unless they deserve special attention.)
[ Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec ]
Nov (19/9/1)
La Strada : (Italian) 'The Circus'. An old black & white movie movie, dating from 1954, but it's timeless. A movie directed by the Italian master Federico Fellini . The characters in this movie are haunting and memorable. A tragic story about a wandering strongman and the woman who can't help but love him. It's tragic and moving. A movie packed full of emotion. I felt like I had been drawn into their personal lives, a participant and a victim. I was definitely touched by the power of this movie. No question 5 out of 5.
Van Helsing : Crap - Spew from the hollywood. The cinematography was pretty good. The costumes were just a bit to hollywood. The writing was horrible. The story was a mix of all the hollywood monster movies. They tried to combine werewolves, vampires and Frankenstine's monster in to the same story. I think they were trying to make the Van Helsing character into something of a renaissance 'Ghost Buster'. The movie also stole elements from 'Men in Black'. There wasn't a single original theme in the entire movie. The acting was mediocre and the directing was weak. The special effects were terrible. Here's a couple of rules for special effects. Hollywood, I hope you're listening.
Special effects should never be a substitute for good writting
The audience shouldn't be able to tell that it's a special effect.
Special effects shouldn't look cartoonish in a live action movie.
Basically, this movie sucked. The characters were paper-thin, and I really didn't care for the 'we must explain everything to the viewer' attitude of the writing. The only good thing about it was the cinematograhy - and that wasn't all that good either. 1 out of 5.
Eyes wide shut : I'm sorry, but this is not that good of a movie. As a matter of fact, this is the second time I've seen it, and I'm downgrading it from 3 stars to 2. After seeing it again, I realize that there really isn't much of a story here. There are lots of good looking nudes, but you need more than nudes to make a good movie. Ever seen a porno? The story is lacking, and the mystery is still a mystery by the end of the movie. The two actors ( Tom Cruise and Nicole Kiddman ) seem to be sleepwalking through this movie. Add some downright depressing music, and some plunking piano tunes and the whole thing had a hypnotizing effect. After two and a half hours I was literally bored to tears. I forced myself to watch the whole thing, and I guess the best part of the movie was the last word uttered before the credits. What a disappointment from Stanley Kubrik . I'm sure he'd come back to make just one more, if he could. 2 out of 5.
Undead : (Australian) Zombies, Aliens, and a viral outbreak, surely these themes go together? A movie shot in a style similar to the ' Dead Alive ' flick that I saw last month. Unfortunately for this movie, the lines weren't as funny, the acting wasn't as good, and the writing was really poor. This half-hearted attempt at creating a campy zombie flick completely missed the mark. Instead of laughing, I spent most of my time groaning. I honestly thought that the lead character's eyes were going to pop out of her head at some point. I think she was some kind of mutant. Some of the characters were well depicted, but the movie overall just stank. I can't believe that someone had to tell them (the characters, and us) that aiming for the head would kill a zombie. Dhuh! everyone knows you have to "Hit 'em in the head". Oh wait, there was a plot twist. The zombies eventually revert to normal, after the Aliens have cured them of the extra-terrestrial virus that they're infected with... What?! A horrible movie. I give it a 1 out of 5.
Master and Commander - The far side of the world: A terrific movie. Victorian naval warfare, and high seas adventure. Starring Russell Crowe , and directed by Peter Weir . This movie is well worth the money. Outstanding acting, powerful directing, a gripping musical score, and edge of your seat action. The scenes where canon shot rips through the rigging of the ship is astonishing. Very realistic. This is the sort of special effects that I enjoy. So realistic I thought it was real, until I watched some special feature footage. It fit the scene, it wasn't out of place, it wasn't 'over-the-top', and I had no idea that I was seeing a 'special-effect'. The level of detail in this movie was amazing. The costumes, sets and locations were all so authentic and gorgeous that the movie took me to 'the far side of the world' with the characters. Very well done. This one deserves a 5 out of 5.
Star Trek - The original series - Vol. 11 [ Tomorrow is yesterday / The return of the Archon's ]: I've started viewing episodes of the original Star Trek series. I watched it as a kid when I was growing up (Yow! that makes me... old?), and I loved it back then. You know what? I still love it. My friends and I used to pretend to be members of the 'Starship Enterprise'. In Tomorrow is yesterday, the crew of the Enterprise inadvertently travels back to 1960's Earth, and must correct damage they caused to the timeline. It's another time travel episode. I sure liked the time travel episodes. Looking back on this episode now, it's something of a time travel movie itself. The 60's costumes, the Air Force uniforms, the jets, everything seems like a period movie. When it was made it was cutting edge present. The ridiculous circular logic presented as a consequence of time travel may have helped me formulate my ' No Time/No Motion ' theory. In 'The return of the Archon's', the crew of the Enterprise encounters a world controlled by an unseen leader. The unseen leader turns out to be a machine, which Kirk and Spock destroy in order to 'liberate' the citizens from it's stable but stale control. I believe this episode may have been the first to mention the 'Prime Directive'.
Punk - Attitude (Bonus materials): This companion to a documentary contains additional documentaries and interviews. Narrower in scope than the feature, these bonus materials are nonetheless (is this English or German?) worth watching. I especially enjoyed the interview with Henry Rolins former front man for Black Flag. I rate the bonus material 3 out of 5.
The 13th warrior : I own this, but I had no idea that it was a screen adaptation of a Michael Crichton novel. Based on the book "Eaters of the Dead". There are plenty of references to cannibalism in the movie, but I'll bet that the book focuses much more on cannibalism. After all, a movie about cannibalism would be quite shocking! Overall it was a pretty good movie. I enjoyed it immensely, the only drawback are the stereotypical depiction of an Arab by Antonio Banderas . His drinking 'Mead' - It's not made with grapes or wheat... His sleeping with a Viking woman? I liked the performance of the actor playing the lead viking ( Vladimir Kulich ). Stoic, strong, no-nonsense, willing to take a stand - to defend his people despite any personal danger. The plot, despite being based on Crichton's "Eaters of the Dead", was very much a "Beowulf" movie. The beast like enemy, the 'Wendel" are a fairly direct translation of the mysterious beast like "Grendel" that plagued the Scandinavian inhabitants of "Beowulf". The lead Norseman is named "Buliwyf", umm, sounds sort of like "Beowulf" to me.. It would have been better if the story was more original. Another problem was the use of language in the film. Switching from Arabic to Norse to English was definitely a challenge, but I don't think they pulled it off very well. In the beginning, the Norseman speaking 'Greek' was actually speaking 'Latin', and it was unrealistic to expect that the Arab prince learned the Norse language by listening to it for a few minutes. I liked the Norse burial ceremony, and it's use in the climactic conflict. The costumes, sets and locations made this movie feel like a Conan classic - and that's a good thing. That's why I own a copy, that's why I rate it 4 out of 5.
Dark Water : (Japanese - Honogurai mizu no soko kara) A very frightening horror flick from that Japanese master director, Hideo Nakata . Just slightly off mark. This movie contained all the necessary elements to scare me out of my wits, but it didn't hit head on. The music was eery, but could have been done a little better, it seemed slightly off cue. The pacing was right, but it was missing some crucial close ups. This movie was great. It created a very creepy feeling of dread that seemed to ooze out of every corner. Well directed, excellent acting and a great score. Hideo keeps getting better. I can't wait to see his next movie. This one gets a 4 out of 5.
A midnight clear : A movie about WWII. They're getting a bit rarer these days, but they're still getting made. This movie is about the insanity of war - The cruel reality of it, the parasites that make it their home, and the personal consequences of it. The human side of war. Set in the Ardennes forest as the Americans are rolling towards Berlin. A group of American soldiers is bivouacked in an abandoned mansion, where they're supposed to report on any enemy activity in their sector. Strange things start happening while they're there, and eventually they encounter a group of German soldiers (Old men and teenaged boys) who want to surrender in the face of their nations impending defeat. An intricate plan is devised, but as you can imagine. It doesn't work out quite the way they planned. Fantastic acting with a terrific set and location. Excellent directing, pacing and writing. I give this one a 5 out of 5.
The Haunting : A movie about a haunted house. This one could have been much better. The cinematography was awesome. The house was an excellent set, the location was downright chilling and the music helped create a drenching feeling of dread. Unfortunately, some of the acting was horrible, the directing was very poor, and I didn't care for the monologues. The stretching door effect was quite creepy, given the fact that this black and white movie was released in 1963. Sure I said it was black & white. I'd like to correct that. It was shot in richly saturated monochrome shades of dread. An excellent DVD transfer. Aside from the poor acting and directing, the music was slightly off queue and this timing problem helped dampen a movie that could have been much more suspenseful. This one gets a 3 out of 5.
Conspiracy theory : A spy thriller murder mystery romance. The story was pretty good. A conspiracy theory to be sure. The plot is a bit unbelievable, but given the subject matter (title), I gave it the benefit of suspending my disbelief. The action was believable - if not a bit too violent, and the pacing was thrilling. The acting by Patric Stewart was great as the heavy, but Mel Gibson played his slightly off center 'crazy cop' persona - which didn't help any. Julia Roberts ' performance was a little flat. The directing was well done and the music was great. I admit that I'm a sucker for a good conspiracy theory, and this movie pulls a point for sitting in that spot. 4 out of 5.
Hang 'Em High : A Clint Eastwood western in the tradition of the Sergio Leonne . While this western wasn't directed by Sergio Leonne , it certainly seemed like it was written for him. Apparently, he was busy working on ' Once upon a time in the west '. The lead character is the classic western loner. Trying to survive on his wits and his guns when he runs in to a lynch mob who think he's a cattle rustler and a murderer - A fatally tragic case of mistaken identities. The version I watched was aired on TV, and several scenes were missing. My DVD copy runs 115 minutes. Obviously, the TV edit had to be shortened to accommodate commercials. The missing footage moves the story forward too quickly and we lose some essential character development when those extra scenes are dumped on the cutting room floor. The judge is a hanging judge, and the protagonist uses the law to exact vengeance on those who wronged him. The west was a harsh place. Nowhere near as clean and clear cut as the Lone Ranger would have you believe. The directing was pretty good, and the soundtrack was well done. I really liked the signature staccato sound effects that punctuated the movie. The TV version gets a 3 out of 5, but the full version gets 4 out of 5.
The Gold Rush : A silent era Charlie Chaplin movie. Shot in the 1920's, the DVD restoration is fantastic. I've seen some bad transfer from films shot in the 80's, but this transfer was excellent. Charles Chaplin wrote, directed, and starred in this movie. So far I've only seen three of his movies, but it's very apparent that he was a genius when it came to cinema. This movie puts the tramp in Alaska, where he endures the harsh climate, a handful of despicable characters, starvation and forsaken love. Truly a master of comedy, I found myself laughing raucously at many of the preposterous situations in which the Tramp found himself. The scene where he uses forks and dinner rolls to perform a dance number was incredible. The version that I saw had some narration done by Charlie Chaplin (added in 1942). The narration was extremely well done. Right on queue, minimalist, highly succinct. I felt that it actually added to the movie. If you want, you can also watch it without the voice over narration. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
The Conversation : Starring Gene Hackman , Harrison Ford , John Cazale , and an uncredited appearance by Robert Duvall . This movie is a conspiracy buffs dream. A tense suspense thriller murder mystery like no other. Keeps you guessing, gasping and clenching the edge of your seat. Gene Hackman plays a paranoid surveillance specialist who's reached a point in his career where he can no longer remain disinterested in the subjects he spies on. A great cast, superb writing and direction by Francis Ford Coppola , music that fit the movie like a glove, and a thoroughly engrossing story. I really loved the way that the movie kept you guessing, and we weren't subjected to unnecessary violence or plot revelation. Coppola made this movie between the Godfather and Godfather II, and it didn't get a lot of promotion by the production studios, so it's no surprise that so few people have heard of/or seen this movie. Once you've seen it, you'll recommend it to others – I'm sure of it. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
Winchester '73 : A movie about a rifle? Not hardly. This classic western tale is a story about good and evil with a couple of twists. The lead character is played by James Stewart , but I thought 'B-Actor' Stephen McNally as the heavy, gave a better performance. He was more believable in his role, and it's a shame he wasn't more recognized during his career. John McIntire playing the 'Indian Trader' also gave an outstanding performance. It was somewhat amusing to see Rock Hudson playing an Indian Chief, but this cast was just a bit too big for this movie. As early westerns go, this was a pretty good movie. It forsook the usual white hat character and provided us with a more complicated tale of the west. Unfortunately, a few societal stereotypes dragged the movie down. The American Indians were depicted as bloodthirsty savages bent on revenge and destruction, the dance hall gal was marked as damaged goods, and the Indian trader got his 'just rewards'. Oh yeah, the characters had to meet in a town where 'Wyatt Earp' was the law... I give it a 3 out of 5.
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory : This one was on Kim's list, and I couldn't resist. Despite the juvenile theme of the movie, it was directed by Tim Burton , starred Johnny Depp , and featured music by Danny Elfman . A combination I'm quite pleased with. Thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. Remaking such a classic was certainly a risky proposition, but Tim Burton did a pretty good job. Like most Tim Burton films, this one features beautiful imagery, crazy characters, and gut busting laughs. Johnny Depp's portrayal of Willy Wonka was wonderful. The character certainly reminded me of Michael Jackson though; what with the gloves, the pale skin, the gaunt face, the company of children, the 'wonderland' factory. Talk about a kooky character.. The Oompa Loompas were o.k. I didn't care for the fact that they were all the same, and they were just a bit too small. I give the movie a 4 out of 5.
Schindler's List : There are some people who don't like this movie, because it focused too much on the strife of the Jew's. I've got news for those people; That's what the movie is about! It's about how the Jewish people survived the Holocaust. A fantastic movie. Moving, powerful, unforgettable. Crafted with the utmost respect and care. The performances (by Liam Neeson , Ben Kingsle and Ralph Fiennes (among others)) were great, the directing (by Steven Spielberg ) sublime. The music permeated the movie giving it a life all of it's own. I can imagine watching this movie with only the soundtrack playing. The locations, sets and costumes were as authentic as they could have been. An epic film where the real world melted away, and I was consumed by a struggle to survive. This one gets top notch billing. 5 out of 5 - We must never forget.
Bread & Tulips : (Italian - Pane e tulipani) This one probably wouldn't have made my NetFlix queue if it wasn't for my friends recommendation - Thanks Kim. Set in Italy (Mostly Venice), this charming romantic dramedy (Drama/Comedy) reminded me a lot of Italy (My wife (another Kim) and I spent seven years in southern Italy ). The acting was a bit sophomorish; covered by the comedic aspects of the film, and the only actor I was familiar with was Bruno Ganz . He actually had a speaking role in the remake of the Manchurian Candidate . The directing was very good, and the music was good as well. An Italian house-wife decides she's had enough of the stereotypical Italian woman's life. She rebels against her husband, leaves her spoiled teenage children to fend for themselves, and does what 'She' wants to do. What would have been a vacation becomes a self-actualizing journey. Great characters, sets, locations and music. This movie left a smile on my face. I give it a 5 out of 5.
Ikiru : (Japan - Living) Another movie from my favorite director - Akira Kurosawa . Set in post WWII Japan. The protagonist of the movie is a mid level bureaucrat who has just about run his course. Stuck in a dead end job, waiting for his retirement, pension and old age. On a rare occasion he visits the hospital where he is diagnosed with a 'mild ulcer'. Convinced that he has cancer, and only six months to live, Watanabe-San starts off in a melancholy mood, is redirected by a struggling artist, re-discovers love, finds purpose, struggles against insurmountable odds (the bureaucracy of city government and his own illness), and leaves behind a legacy in more than one form. The movie includes a considerable amount of narration, more so than any other Kurosawa films (that I've seen), and there is a vivid split in the middle of the movie. The division in the center of the movie helps to focus our attentions on what we might do if we we're placed in Watanabe-San's position. The ending scene with Watanabe singing on a swing was fantastic. The only low mark on this movie was the poor transfer and inadequate translation. Made in 1952, some of the sound and color (It was black & white. We could discuss color in a black and white movie. But you'll know what I mean if you've seen enough 'black & white' movies) was lacking in the transfer. This one gets a 4 out of 5. A better transfer and translation could easily make this into a five star movie.
The Big Chill : A great drama. This movie came out in the 80's. It's a reunion movie. A buddy movie. A comedic drama. A dramedy. It seems like I've been watching a lot of dramedies lately. A group of people get together ten years after their college days. They get together because one of their friends killed himself. In the week that follows, they examine themselves, their motives, their values and their regrets. If you didn't grow up during the 60's - 70's, you might have a hard time believing the characters. Great acting, fantastic music, terrific directing and an all-star cast make this a gem of a movie. Adult version of ' Breakfast Club '. The only drawback is the talking. There's just way too much of it. This one gets a 4 out of 5.
The Professional : (French - Léon) Another great movie by Luc Besson . Starring Jean Reno , Gary Oldman , Natalie Portman and Danny Aiello . Watch the uncut version if you can, if you're not 'disturbed' by the implications of the additional scenes. This movie is an action flick and comedic love story. Jean Reno stars as the steely hit man, Natalie Portman is an orphaned girl who's wreaked by the violence of her world. When Leon sees the damage inflicted on her, he breaks down and allows her into his heart. Oldman plays a truly despicable crooked cop who doesn't care about the little people that get in his way. The three together play great in this fantastically directed movie. 5 out of 5.
Spare Parts : (Slovenia - Rezervni deli) My fourth movie from Filmmovement.com . Another character based drama. The movie is about two smugglers. They smuggle illegal immigrants across the border from Croatia to Italy. It's a cold harsh look at life in Slovenia. Industrial pollution, the dark side of romance, abuse of power, life in the gutter of society. The characters are struggling to remain human, to be loved and to stay above the high tide line in their cesspool of existence. Some manage, some don't. Some surrender, some become numb. It was very well acted and directed. I was caught up in their petty lives, hoping they'd do what was right, hoping they'd find a life line. The bad guys in this movie were the good guys. We really felt bad for them despite the fact that they were responsible for some pretty despicable things. I give it a 4 out of 5.
La Femme Nikita : (French - Nikita) Brilliant - A masterpiece. A work of art. Directed by Luc Besson . This 80's action flick created an entire genre of action movies, an American remake ( Point of no return with Bridget Fonda), and a television series. Starring Anne Parillaud , Tchéky Karyo and Jean Reno . The movie cruises along at a quickening pace, and your pulse never lets up. The action is non-stop, but this isn't a one-sided movie. There's plenty of drama and emotion as well. The plots, characters, and world that they live in are truly believable - Not like some 'Action' movies. The characters are well developed, and the acting is top notch. The music is great, well suited to the moods and properly paced as well. The direction is fantastic. Luc Besson really knows how to make it seem like the characters live in the movie, that they belong in the setting. He blends the setting, characters and story together to create a believable, wholly functioning world. The ending of this movie is beautiful and fitting. 5 out of 5.
The man with the screaming brain : Written, directed, and starring Bruce Campbell , who did a very good job in the 'Evil Dead' series (He didn't write or direct that though). I really like Campbell, I think he's a good character actor; He's done some good work, but I can't recommend this movie (even if you are a Bruce Campbell fan) under any circumstances. Unfortunately, the best part of this movie is the title. An absolutely abysmal movie. It was supposed to be funny, but I can't recall laughing at all. There was nothing original in the plot what so ever - The setting in Bulgaria was the only original aspect of this movie. The overuse of Bruce Campbell's 'Good self vs Evil self' bit from the 'Evil Dead' series was egregious and poorly done. A slapstick B-Movie where the laughs were flat and the B-Movie science was lame. The pacing was poor, the acting, script and sound work were terrible. The best acting came from a little known Bulgarian actor - Vladimir Kolev , who's character dies twenty minutes into the movie. There were a couple of scenes that were well scored, but it felt like two different companies produced this movie. It was painful to watch, it wasn't recommended by NetFlix, but I'm a Bruce Campbell fan, so I stuck it out. When the movie ended I breathed a sigh of relief. This one gets a 1 out of 5.
The Caine mutiny : An early color movie made in 1954. This movie is a military courtroom drama, preceded by a naval adventure onboard the 'USS Caine'. The Caine is a minesweeper on duty during WWII in the Pacific, and it's crew is faced with a strictly 'by the book' commander who endangers the crew with his "I'm in charge!" attitude. There was some really good acting in this movie, and my viewing of it comes at a time when I can clearly see the dilemma that the crew had in their Captain (but that's not for this review). Starring Humphrey Bogart , Fred MacMurray , Van Johnson and José Ferrer . This movie was a joy to watch. A taught feeling of dread carries the crew forward after the crew meets their new Captain. A series of ridiculous disciplinary incidents leads to a nearly destructive storm where the crew mutinies to prevent the ship from capsizing. After the mutiny occurs the movie moves to a courtroom drama format where the outcome is anything but certain. Bogart's performance was excellent. All in all it was a well done movie that lacked a good musical score. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Kingdom of Heaven : This one showed up on Kim's list before mine. Her queue is significantly shorter. Directed by Ridley Scott , this is by far the best movie I have ever seen about the crusades. A peasant blacksmith, by way of royal inheritance becomes a knight, a lord, a defender of Jerusalem and a man in this visually stunning epic film. Great direction, acting, action, music, sets, locations, costumes, film-work and a story as old as the Holy land. I'm certainly no historian, but I'll bet it wasn't just a few bad Christians that caused all the Holy wars. Pretty much all the Muslim's were depicted as refined, sophisticated and tolerant. While most of the Christians were depicted as brutish slobs, religious fanatics, bloodthirsty murderers. Not a very even depiction. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I'll leave the political debate to historians.
With a friend like Harry : (French - Harry, un ami qui vous veut du bien) As a suspense thriller this movie delivers a disturbing scenario of obsession and murder. A dark, twisted little psycho-drama. The acting was great. The setting/sets, and costumes were all unpretentious and believable. The story was very well written and very well directed. The movie starts out innocently enough with a chance meeting in a rest-stop bathroom, but it doesn't stay that way for long. By the end of the movie there are four dead bodies, and no one's crying... This one rates 5 out of 5.
The Cable Guy : A dark comedy with a great cast - Jim Carey , Matthew Broderick , Leslie Mann and Jack Black . I really like this dark, tragic comedy. I had no idea it was directed by Ben Stiller ! He did a surprisingly good job. This movie is a bold and striking tale of dramatic tragedy. Jim Carey dared to play a dark disturbed individual with a twisted sense of humor. I think he pulled it off perfectly. The movie did an excellent job of blending bitter and sweet, creating a dark chocolate cinematic confection with just the right bitter bite for a Saturday night. The music was great, there were plenty of fan favorite cameo appearance ( Jeneane Garofalo - as a serving wench, Ben Stiller - as twin murderer/victim, Andy Dick - as MC of Medieval Times, and Owen Wilson - as an abused boyfriend), and I can't imagine anyone other than Carey playing the role of the socially mal-adjusted cable guy. I could care less for Matthew Broderick. I find all his performances whiny, lacking in substance, a little bit patronizing and slightly sophomoric. Despite his bumbling 'loveable charm' cast-type acting, this movie gets a 5 out of 5.
Movies seen/reviewed this year (2005)
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Oct (18/6/-/3)
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance kid : Released in 1969, this is a classic genre defining movie. What genre? you may be thinking. Buddy movies. A comedic western where the two characters are very close friends. These two bandits would do anything for each other. The pairing was not only character based but actor based as well. Robert Redford and Paul Newman worked wonderfully together. Combine the casting with great writing, some absolutely gorgeous locations, and a winning sound track and you've got a hit. The story wasn't momentous, it wasn't an earth shaking epic, but it was a very entertaining movie. "Who are those guys?" I give it a 4 out of 5.
White Noise : I like Michael Keaton , but this movie stank. A great premise. Something original. EVP - Electronic Voice Phenomenon. The dead communicating through off-tuned electronic devices. Unfortunately, the writers didn't do anything worthwhile with this movie. The sound effects were o.k. but I expected them to be paired with a good sound track - They weren't. This was supposed to be a horror movie? It was more drama and less suspense than I was hoping for. The previews were better than the movie. The botched ending was anti-climactic, predictable and unsatisfying. I give it a 2 out of 5.
Bad day at black rock : Ripe for a remake. Made in the mid 50's, I'm surprised by the political content of this movie. Released in the midst of the McCarthy era, most of Hollywood was hiding under a rock, trying to avoid the tribunals and black listing. Yet here's a movie that dares to call Americans racists! It points out the hypocrisy of nationalistic fervor and reminds us what patriotism is really about. A great drama set in the forgotten western town of 'Black Rock', a one-armed stranger steps off the Slipstream and straight into the frying pan. A taught mystery, this drama didn't leave much to the imagination, but there certainly is potential for a remake. A great cast ( Spencer Tracy , Robert Ryan , Walter Brennan , Ernest Borgnine and Lee Marvin ) was held back by period directing and writing I give this excellent transfer a 4 out of 5.
Alexander Nevsky : (Russian - Александр Невский) This is one serious piece of propaganda. Made in the Soviet Union during the height of Stalin's reign, this film was directed by one of the greats ( Sergei Eisenstein ). Produced as a warning to the Third Reich, parts of this film were brilliant despite the narrow confines the director was forced to work within. This movie is supposed to be about Alexander Nevksy defending Russia from an invading Teutonic army. In truth it's actually a heavy duty propaganda film. It portrays the Teutonic Knights (Read German officers) as evil conquerors. In one scene a leader of the Teutonic Knights is shown throwing defenseless (naked) and crying children into a fire! The Russians are portrayed in larger than life idealized roles. In some scenes the German troops are played by children against the Russian actors in order to make the Germans seem small and frail in comparison. In a romantic? sub-plot the Russian man (two suitors vie for the same maiden) who displays the greatest valor in combat, is promised to a beautiful virgin. The invaders are depicted as being led by a holier-than-thou group of priests. Some of the battle scenes are remarkable given the resources available to the director. There was a lot of large scale combat with numerous extras. The final battle takes place on a frozen Russian lake, and a large portion of the invading army drowns to death amongst flailing bodies, thrashing horses, and bobbing chunks of broken ice. The musical score by Sergei Prokofiev was excellent. The acting was stage like and forced at times. The costumes were great. The sets were excellent, and the locations great. Unfortunately all of the long camera shots were poorly framed, and we were often left wondering what we were looking at as an army marches ant like way off in the distance. A great movie diminished only by a poor transfer, some ill advised camera shots and a poor translation. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Layer Cake : (British - L4yer Cake) A fantastic mobster movie with pulse pounding pacing and ruthless double-crossing, down-right rotten characters. Set in England, the main character (with no name) is the leader of a small-time gang peddling cocaine. As the movie progresses, the main character (and his crew) gets played by bigger and bigger gangsters. As he desperately tries to get out from under their thumb (and retire), he ends up getting deeper and deeper into the shit. Eventually, he ends up as the big fish in the pond. The ending is poetically tragic and a fantastic climax to the movie. Daniel Craig plays the main character and the casting, characters, and acting were all outstanding. The writing brilliant and the plot was as convoluted as the twist tie on my loaf of bread! There's a lot of layers here, and it was pure joy watching the director peel them back one at a time. Despite the excessive violence, this was a very well told story. I give it a 5 out of 5.
Brazil : (British) This one was on my radar for a long time, and I finally got around to watching it. Directed by Terry Gilliam (Of Monty Python fame). Reminiscent of 1984, the characters in this movie are trapped in a constricting retro-futuristic society. The main character falls in love while trying to correct an administrative error. The penalties for bucking the system can be quite extreme! A strange otherworldly movie filled with social commentary. Very current despite it's release date. Today's society is beginning to look a lot like the paranoid paralyzed and distracted populace of 'Brazil'. With the fear of terrorists around every corner, we've pretty much given up on individual freedom or expression. This movie portrays a dark picture of what tomorrow could look like. Robert DeNiro does a really good job playing a rogue repairman; an enemy of the state who refuses to fill out paperwork! Jonathan Pryce did a bang-up job as a Ministry of Information officer who's so good at his job that it threatens the establishment. Full of crazy visuals, social commentary, and a pretty good sound track. This one gets a 4 out of 5.
Taxi : Why oh why did I let Kim talk me into watching this? Starring Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon , this second rate movie had me groaning from the the opening sequence. O.k. here's the plot: Wanna-be Nascar driver (Queen Latifah) quits her bicycle courier job in order to become a cab driver (what a great career move). Misfit police officer (Jimmy Fallon) has his license taken away after one too many department embarrassing accidents. They team up when Fallon's character commandeers Latifah's cab. From then on out they pursue a gang of - Get this - Brazilian Super-Model bank robbers. Oh my god! I can't take it any more. Just writing about this movie is painful. I give it a 1 out of 5.
Timeline : (Canadian) This movie (borrowed from a friend) is based on a Michael Crichton novel (which I read). Unfortunately, like most Crichton adaptations, it sucks. The movie didn't follow the book (which I liked) very closely, and the writing wasn't very good at all. The acting was also poor. It was a time travel movie, which is a theme that I enjoy, but I'm not sure why they bothered. They used the 'Time Travel' theme as a weak excuse to make a typical action/romance movie. There wasn't much passion in the acting and the pacing was way to fast. The dialog was pathetic, and there wasn't much science in this science fiction movie. It reminded me a lot of the new ' Time Machine '. I give it a 1 out of 5.
Dungeons and Dragons - Wrath of the Dragon god : A direct to DVD release that aired on the Sci-Fi channel (I recorded it and watched it later). It wasn't really a sequel ( Bruce Payne does return in a bad guy role), but it is another D&D movie. The first one sucked, and this one wasn't much better. The characters were simple stereotypes, but lacked the comic relief style of the original movie. The acting (for the most part) was horrible, the writing ridiculously linear and unimaginative. The plot? Evil guy obtains orb which controls slumbering bad-ass evil dragon. Dragon will wake up soon unless the good guys get the orb back. Dragon wakes up, starts wrecking havoc, and in the end the good guys manage to save the day with another orb. The writers spent to much time explaining things to the audience. Wouldn't be better if they just concentrated on making a 'good' movie? Most of the people who'll watch this movie already know what D&D is, or they've played it at some point. Here's another movie that makes D&D seem like a badly written comic book. I give it a 2 out of 5.
Star Trek - The original series - Vol. 10 [ Arena / The alternative factor ]: I've started viewing episodes of the original Star Trek series. I watched it as a kid when I was growing up (Yow! that makes me... old?), and I loved it back then. You know what? I still love it. My friends and I used to pretend to be members of the 'Starship Enterprise'. Arena is easily one of my all time favorite Star Trek episodes. First it's got great music, second it pits Kirk against the 'Gorn'. The reptilian commander of an alien space ship. Kirk's first instinct is to kill the lizard man, and he builds a canon out of raw materials in order to carry out his blood-thirsty plan. The alternative factor features some classic over the top acting by Robert Brown , and very cheesy special effects. The story isn't all that good, and I count this as one of the worst original series episodes. Of note: I'm fairly certain the 'simultaneously coexisting universes' explored in this episode must have been an influence in my ' No Time/No Motion ' theory.
High Tension : (French - Haute tension) A well done (but extremely violent) horror flick. This psychological thriller features some really good camera work, some fine acting and a great sound track with really creepy sound effects. The direction is also top notch. What's the problem with this movie? Aside from the ultra-violent murders and incredibly gory special effects? The plot twist; yeah, it blew me away, but it didn't make any sense. No sense at all. There were holes as big as the Titanic in the plot. It made the ending a complete reversal on the good work done by the director and camera work. The disc also had some technical problems. It starts out in a default dubbed version - Yuck! and the subtitles aren't the best. Be sure to watch it in French. I give it 3 out of 5.
Ringu 2 : (Japanese) A sequel like other sequels. It didn't impress me, and it won't go on my ' Must buy ' list. The music was great, and the combination of camera work and direction made for a very suspenseful horror flick. Unfortunately, this sequel fell into the 'explanation' trap. They felt that they had to explain everything that happened in the original movie. That, plus a meandering unfocussed plot left me somewhat confused. This one doesn't carry the scary the way the first one did. Too much explanation, too much trying to tie complete fantasy to some sort of paranormal plausibility. I give this one a 2 out of 5.
Rules of Engagement : Politically charged, military justice, courtroom drama, action film. I'll admit that my views are biased by 20 years in the military, but I really liked this movie. The casting was great. Tommy Lee Jones and Samuel L. Jackson did a good job in this movie, Ben Kingsley was great as the weak self serving Ambassador, Bruce Greenwood played a truly amoral National Security Advisor, and the performance of Anne Archer as the Ambassador's wife was probably the best in the movie. This movie was definitely full of politically charged content. How U.S. soldiers treat the civilian population (regardless of location) will always be the subject of political debate and heated passions on all sides. I tried to focus on the military justice aspects of the movie. Soldiers are always considered expendable in combat, in peacetime they're seen as potential liabilities. Our military (The U.S.) has a strong judicial system that treats the soldier fairly, and for that I am very grateful. Hopefully that judicial process will never become compromised by political convenience. The writers treated this movie as if it were some sort of historical depiction. Especially noteworthy was the epilogue at the end of the film, where the fate of the characters (after the events depicted in the movie) are revealed. The only real drawback for me was the stereotypical and negative light cast on all the Arabs in the film. I give this one a 4 out of 5.
The Jack Bull : This movie (borrowed from a friend) was an HBO original based on a novel. It was a pretty good western starring John Cusack and John Goodman . John Cusak plays a horse trader in the Wyoming territory. When he's denied justice by a corrupt system, he goes vigilante to exact revenge. The movie was highly formulatic, and there were no surprises or plot twists to speak of. The best part of the movie was the ending - Very fitting. The locations were spectacular, but a few plot twists and some ambiguity in the characters would have helped this movie. It was too black and white. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Batman Begins : (It came up in Kim's queue before mine) A darker Batman. A tale of corruption and redemption. Another comic book made into a movie. It was very well done. Mixing romance, drama, and action. Christian Bale plays Batman, but I thought Val Kilmer was better in the role (See Batman Forever ). Liam Neeson was great as the villain. The action was well choreographed and the 'Tumbler' chase scenes were spectacular. The direction was very good, and this movie is damn good entertainment. I give it 4 of 5.
A soldiers story : A fantastic tale. Another military themed movie. This one is more than that. It's an exploration of the black soldier's experience at the onset of WWII and pre-integration of the military. Here the characters are complex and though provoking. Much time was spent on character development and the result sets the stage for some excellent acting by a fantastic cast. A murder mystery military investigation where the suspects are suspect. This movie had a great back story, excellent directing and it earns a 5 out of 5 for it's candor, authenticity, and complex plot.
Punk - Attitude : A documentary about the origins of Punk. I lived it and as a result, I loved this movie. The Punk/New Wave scene was something spawned during my formative years. Late 70's through the 80's. It did a great job of chronicling the origins of this counter-culture musical movement. With lots of stage footage, interviews and video clips, this movie was a Kick-Ass tribute to the bands who kicked Rock-N-Roll in the groin and gave it a whole new point of view. Henry Rolins (former front man for Black Flag) has an outstanding screen presence and needs to be involved in more motion picture projects. I give this documentary a 4 out of 5.
Drifters : (Chinese - Ed Di) My second Filmmovement.com movie. Produced in Hong-Kong, this is something of a propaganda movie. A movie about a young man who's deported from the U.S. He had a child while he was there, and now he's unhappy back home in China. His son returns to China and is staying with his mother's parents. He tries to see the boy, but the grandparents do their best to keep him away. Slow moving during the first half of the movie, the pace doesn't pick up until the Er Di (Little (or Younger) Brother) learns that his son has been brought to China. The acting was pretty good, but the main characters melancholy mood was a bit too much. It's an interesting film, a human drama about traditional Chinese values and the desires of its younger generation. A complicated thing. Well done, but less than satisfying. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Sneakers : One of my favorites. A light hearted spy thriller with a great cast. Starring Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Dan Aykroyd, River Phoenix, Mary McDonnell, Donal Logue, James Craven, Ben Kingsley and James Earl Jones, this movie was a great spy thriller about computers, cryptography and the government (with a small amount of political commentary). A misfit group of 'security experts' make a living testing bank security until they're contacted by the 'NSA' to recover a 'Black-Box'. From then on it's a twisted tale of deception, danger and espionage where you don't know who to trust. The writing is fantastic, the technical details are great and the pacing is perfect. The acting is a bit lighthearted and there are no explosions or scenes of gushing blood. The director did a bang-up job, and this movie is a joy to watch. I give it a 5 out of 5.
The Big Blue : (French - Grand Bleu, Le) Stunning, an intense story, a beautifully shot adventure. Writen and directed by Luc Besson , this movie is pure pleasure. I have two versions of this movie. The theatrical release, and the directors cut. The theatrical version is actually a better version to watch. The cinematography is fantastic. The music, locations, sets, costumes and casting were perfect. The performances by Jean Reno , Jean-Marc Barr and Rosanna Arquette were outstanding. Watching this movie is like being transported to a magical world across the sea. I only wish my television was bigger - So big that it wrapped all the way around my living room. The characters are unforgettable, life like, utterly convincing and genuine. This movie gets a 5 out of 5.
Sharpe's company : (British - English) This was my second helping of a British television series. Unfortunately, it wasn't as good as the original series opener. The acting wasn't as good, and the production value was off. There wasn't anything special about the plot. As a movie it was disappointing, as a t.v. series it wasn't too bad. A period piece set during the British struggle against Napoleon (this episode is set in Portugal). The character development is contrived and somewhat shallow. The costumes, music and sets were well done and the action sequences were well done. I give it a 3 out of 5, but I won't be watching any more of this series. It needs to rise above a 3 to compel my attention. Another negative was the DVD production value. Notably irritating was the lack of an English subtitle track.
Bewitched : Why do I torture myself so? Surely it's for love alone. This was another one of Kim's picks. It wasn't on my list, and you'd have to pay me to watch it again. The writing was weak. They couldn't come up with an actual plot, so the movie was about the movie. Yeah, it was that lame. O.k. they were remaking the series, and didn't want to redo the series, so instead they came up with the worst possible alternative. A movie about the making of a movie based on an old t.v. series. The casting of Will Ferrell as Jack Wyatt/Darrin was a huge mistake. I kept thinking 'Why is he trying to do Jim Carrey '? Surely this role was meant for someone else... I actually had to stop watching it about half way through. Had to stop mind you, we had an appointment to go to. Thankfully, my wife didn't force me to watch the rest of it. The acting was lacking and the direction was missing. No one seemed to care whether they were believable. Nicole Kidman was embarrassing in her role, and the whole thing stank. I give it a 1 out of 5.
Dead Alive : (New Zealand - aka Braindead) I didn't even know they made movies in New Zealand. This one was made in 1992, but it's a period piece, depicting a viral induced zombie outbreak that occurred in the 50's? The costumes, locations and sets were great. The acting was 'Over the top, tongue in cheek campy". The special effects were abysmal but effective. This was definitely the most egregious slasher splatter gore-fest I've ever seen. The story is plausible, if not a bit thin. Sumatran rat monkey is infected with some sort of disease, bites someone's mother, she turns into a zombie (after someone symptoms develop), and then the twist comes in. Instead of immediately destroying her, or her infecting the rest of the town, the lead character tries to hide her in his basement. She bites others and the situation spirals out of control. The giant 'Mother Zombie' in the climactic battle reminds me of the 'Mother Alien' from the 'Alien' series of movies. Buckets of blood, undead zombies, and campy acting. The characters were delightfully stereotyped, and the lines delivered were pretty good. I especially liked the 'Kung-Fu minister'. His line of "I kick ass for the Lord" and supernatural Kung-fu moves were hysterical. It. Another memorable scene is the main character coming through the front door of the house with a lawn mower strapped to his chest. He says "Party's over", starts the lawnmower, and becomes a human Cuisinart blending up an 'Undead daiquiri". If this movie wasn't so funny it would have been a disaster. Heavily influenced by 'Evil Dead' and 'Army of Darkness' movies. I give it 4 out of 5.
I'm not scared : (Italian - Io non ho paura) Directed by Gabriele Salvatores , this suspenseful thriller features some great child actors, and a lush environment. In an idyllic Italian countryside, the lead character discovers a child imprisoned in a hole in the ground. The story is told through the eyes of children, and it was very well done. The music was great, but it wasn't suspenseful enough. It didn't match the mood of the events unfolding on the screen. While the title was "I'm not scared", the main character should've been. If he knew what was good for him. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Anchorman : Will Ferrell at his funiest.What a laugh fest. Written by Adam McKay & Will Ferrel, Directed by Adam McKay. I thought it was just going to be another one of those extended 'Saturday Night Live' skits. You know, some yucks, and a 'little' story. Well, it was much more. A LOT of laughs, and a little story. Seriously though, the story was thin at best. I could care less about 'Ron Burgundy', he was just a good reason to poke fun at the 70's, ourselves and goofy anchormen. 'Great Odin's beard' this was a funny movie. Everyone in the movie was funny. The news team fight scene was awesome. The soundtrack was great. This movie gets a 5 out of 5.
Campfire : (Israel - Medurat Hashevet) My third movie from Filmmovement.com - This one came on time. It's November's selection, but the movies are supposed to be shipped half way through the previous month. A splendid drama filmed in Israel. Fantastic directing and acting in a story about a young mother who's trying to restart her life a year after the death of her husband. Can she fall in love for the first time? Will she be able to provide safety and parenting to her two young daughters? At the same time her two daughters are learning about love, friendship and sex? Will her community accept a single mother as a peer? Examines several critical themes in a male dominated society. Very well done. I give it a 4 out of 5.
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Sep (20/1/1)
Napoleon Dynamite : Sheer delight. Geeks rule! This movie chronicles one geeks journey through a week of high school hell. It brought back a lot of memories for me, the characters were full of flavor. Quirky and real, tragic and truthful. Yeah it was funny, but is was also satirical and dramatic. The pacing and directing were fantastic. The music and characters transported me back to 1982 (just like one of the characters in the movie). I graduated in 1982, and this movie was my time machine. Gets better with repeat viewings. A 5 out of 5.
The station agent : Far better than I anticipated. At first I shied away from this movie because of it's main actor. I thought - A Dwarf in the lead role? Surely it's just a gimmick to get you to watch it. Not so! Peter Dinklage does an absolutely fantastic job, and the movie isn't a parody or joke. It's a serious character based drama. A romantic idealization of life's miseries. Peter Dinklage plays the inheritor of a train depot. With his best friend dead, and no other prospects, he packs up his bag and walks to his new 'home', where he takes up residence as the 'Station Agent'. This one gets a 5 out of 5. A recommendation from someone who rode in the back seat during this years World Forum .
Kontroll : (Hungarian) Wow! I was blown away. What a great movie! A character based drama, with a little romance and a murder mystery mixed in. Filmed on location in the subways of Budapest and starring complete unknowns (to American audiences); the main characters are subway 'Control' officers. Their job, eject the freeloaders and control the flow. The subways are a place where all the cities citizens converge. It's a melting pot of drama where the characters range the gamut from mundane to murderous. I found myself riveted to the screen as this subterranean cinema careened past my retinas. A 5 out of 5 for sure.
Once upon a time in the west : (Italian - C'era una volta il West) A movie by the legendary Sergio Leone (Director of the original spaghetti westerns starring Clint Eastwood). The characters are all misfits, renegades, murderers and opportunists. Out to make a buck off their fellow man, the characters lie, cheat, steal, and kill in order to stay one step ahead of the next guy. In the end, even the cold-blooded are seeking redemption of some sort or another, unfortunately - redemption comes at a very heavy price. Some great acting ( Henry Fonda as a heavy was great casting), excellent directing, and best of all was the camera work. The movie was a bit long and drawn out at times, but overall it was a joy to watch. The character intros at the beginning of the film were great, and the music by Ennio Morricone was perfectly suited to this fable of the west. This flick earns 4 out of 5.
The night of the generals : (British) Not yet released on DVD (and I can see why), this movie lacked any compelling performances. It moved slowly, and it was difficult watching Peter O'Toole as a Nazi general. Listening to a German officer with a heavy British accent was a real mood killer for me. It starts out o.k. but it fails to reach it's potential. A narrated movie set in WWII and the 1960's, this movie jumped back and forth with no transition pieces. Sometimes I lost track of the era as the film style, coloring and costumes were nearly identical from one setting to the next. What could have been a pretty good murder mystery, ends up as a movie about a plot to kill Hitler. It ended up feeling more like a History Channel special than a dramatic suspense mystery. The only redeaming part of this movie were the sets, locations and costumes, which were authentic, realistic and thouroughly researched. I give it a 2 out of 5. I watched this movie using Comcast's OnDemand service.
THX 1138 : George Lucas ' first feature length film. This is a dark vision of the future. Living in an underground city, the citizens are treated more like inmates and machinery than individuals. Sex and free thought are strictly controlled, monitored and regulated with drugs and psycho therapy. The main character ( Robert Duval ) rebels against this rigorous structure, and is thrown into a 'prison' with other malcontents and social delinquents. The language, sets and costumes create a truly alternative view of our future. Visionary and daring, this movie deserves more attention. 4 out of 5.
The Machinist : (Spanish - Maquinista, El) This one surprised me. First of all, the performance by Christian Bale , was awesome. (I can't believe he lost all that weight to take this role) I thought it was just another serial killer murder mystery where the lead character ends up being the murderer. The lead character hasn't slept in over a year. Is his amnesia causing him to do things he wouldn't do otherwise, or - does he have amnesia because of the things he's done? Filled with powerful imagery and intriguing plot twists, I was very surprised by the ending and the significant hidden plot. I though I'd seen it all, but this was definitely a first. I've never seen a movie with this 'theme' before. A powerful story, masterfully told. Suspenseful throughout. This is one of those few movies that I can honestly say 'I never saw it coming'. Great characters, sets, locations and sound work. The ending actually ties up all the lose ends in a graceful climax that leaves you stunned. A recommendation from a friend prompted me to move this one up on my list, and I'm glad I did. 5 out of 5.
Crash : I liked the casting, I loved the direction, the music was excellent, the characters were great, but I hated the story. I despise the disjointed multiple stories equals a story concept. I don't buy it. A recent trend, let's just take a bunch of disconnected characters, tie them together through scripting connections and we'll make a movie out of it. It's almost as if someone bought up the rights to a bunch of unfinished stories, and rather than develop one of them, they simply connected them together with some connect-the-dot writing. What was the plot? Umm, there were something like eight plots... The premise? Something that unites all these movies? The world is full of racist shit bags, and people who hate everyone including themselves. There's really nothing new or special about this movie. As a matter of fact, I wish I hadn't seen it. It's just another waste of time and talent. I give it a 2 out of 5.
Gunner Palace : A documentary. A well done documentary that focused on the soldiers point of view. Shot on location in Uday Husein's bombed out pleasure palace. A view of Iraq as a post modern shell crater. Non-pretentious, but avoiding any real danger. A little bit controversial, it felt like the soldiers were holding back their true feelings. How would I know? I served 20 years in the military. Excellent camera work, editing and direction. I give it 3 out of 5.
Star Trek - The original series - Vol. 9 [ Shore Leave / The squire of Gothos ]: I've started viewing episodes of the original Star Trek series. I watched it as a kid when I was growing up (Yow! that makes me... old?), and I loved it back then. You know what? I still love it. My friends and I used to pretend to be members of the 'Starship Enterprise'. Shore Leave features more of the Star Trek lovelies. One crew member gives Kirk a back massage on the bridge, two others accompany the away team to the planet. Speaking of the back massage on the bridge, it's amazing how unacceptable that sort of behavior is in today's military. As a mater any physical contact is shunned. Is it just today's military, or is our society now unwilling to allow us to touch each other? The locations in this episode are truly beautiful. The squire includes an exceptional performance by William Campbell as Trelane an alien child who appears to be much older than he is (a common theme in TOS). This is a pretty good episode, it seems to set the stage for the 'Q' character of later Star Trek series.
Henry & June : A very sensual film with a great cast. A character based drama/romance. The characters are writers and lovers. Infidelity seems to have no bearing on the conscience of the characters, and they find themselves in each others beds quite often. The main character is discovering her sexuality in the arms of some experientialists - Those who believe that life is best when you have more 'experiences' than the next person. A story based on the true life diaries of someone who 'knew' the American novelist Henry Miller. While the movie was well directed, the dialog was agonizingly like a novel - No one would actually talk like that. There didn't seem to be any real plot, and the movie suffered from that. Despite the exploratory risk taking treatise of the movie, the movie took no risks, and it failed to achieve the artistic expression it was reaching for. I give it a 3 out of 5.
12 Angry Men : Shot in black & white, this 1957 release is the quintessential courtroom drama. A magnificent piece of writing, directing and acting. Outstanding performances by an all-star cast ( Martin Balsam , John Fiedler , Lee J. Cobb , E.G. Marshall , Jack Klugman , Ed Binns , Jack Warden , Henry Fonda , Joseph Sweeney , Ed Begley , George Voskovec , Robert Webber ). A triumphant film. No special effects, pure drama - movie making with a purpose. The plot? Twelve men are sequestered in a death sentence murder case. The initial vote shows an eleven to one bias for guilty. What will the outcome be? Guilty or Innocent? A man's life hangs in the balance. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
I Heart Huckabees : (aka I Love Huckabees) This movie seems to be modeled after the Wes Anderson style of direction. A crazy film which explores several philosophical views. The characters are angst ridden cogs, dripping with uncertainty, insecurities and inner conflict, they seek the assistance of a group of existential investigators in an effort to see the 'Big Picture'. With some funny moments, quirky characters, and deep thought, this movie fails to deliver a polished product. The cast was great, and enjoyed the movie, but in the end it was a pale reflection of a Wes Anderson movie. I give it 3 out of 5.
For a few dollars more : (Italian - Per qualche dollaro in più) Directed by Sergio Leone , starring Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef , this is another classic 'Spaghetti Western'. The dialog is great, the music (by Ennio Morricone ) is absolutely fantastic. The story is worthy of any classic western, and the movie drips with atmosphere. The sets, locations and costumes create an authentic feeling that never fails to satisfy. The introspective close-ups and flashbacks add immeasurably to the drama, and the performances are genre casting. I give it a 5 out o5.
The Great Dictator : A black and white gem from the early age of cinema. I thought this was going to be a silent film, but I was pleasantly surprised to find Charles Chaplin has a voice. Not only does Chaplin take on several roles in this movie. He also wrote, directed, and produced the film. This movie was one of only two American movies to ridicule/condemn Hitler prior to U.S. involvement in WWII. The dialog is fantastic, creating a sociopolitical statement with imagery and some very sparse lines, while maintaining a lighthearted comedic edge. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Donovan's Reef : Movie released in 1963. Directed by John Ford, starring John Wayne and Lee Marvin . Horrific writing, poor acting, great locations, sets and costumes. This knock-about comedy was a ridiculous half hearted attempt to place the cast together. Ten minutes worth of actual plot development, followed by an hour and 20 minutes of filler (singing, dancing, badly staged brawling, and stereotyped characters). Continuity and plot holes big enough to drive a Destroyer through, and a horrid sound track. It seems as if this movie might have been one of those 'I wrote it on a paper napkin' scripts. The last movie John Wayne did with John Ford - Thank god! John Wayne simply walked through this movie, exerting no effort, producing no performances whatsoever. I give it a 1 out of 5.
Nói the Albino : (Icelandic - Nói albínói) A charming character based drama. The best part was the locations, the costumes and the characters. Hmmm, that's about right. The plot? Teenage boy is a misunderstood savant trying to cope in a boring backwater village. Teen angst Icelandic style. Acting by the lead wasn't bad. A bit depressing at times. The landscape, cinematography and colors really helped establish a mood of listlessness and despair. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Sin City : O.k. I admit it. I broke one of my rules, and I paid for it. This movie was on my ' must watch ' list, but I bumped it to ' must buy ' based on reviews and comments from friends. I made a mistake. While this movie was well done. I liked the Film Noir detective style, I liked the colors, I liked the characters, I liked the casting, the music was fantastic and the directing was great. What didn't I like? What was wrong with this movie? Violence. That's it - The plot? I have no idea, maybe the plot was violence. That must have been it. Violence in 'Sin City'. All the stories were dripping in violence. The other thing I didn't like about the movie? The story. There wasn't one. Not one but several. It was another one of those 'several stories equals one story' movies. Take a bunch of separate stories and tie them together. It's a recently resurrected trend, and I don't care for it at all. Despite all the things I liked about this movie, I give it a 3 out of 5. The violence was really repulsive.
Closer : A character based drama. A chick flick. A same old story love story. Four people decieve themselves and each other. In the end it's a wash. Two people find love, two people end up unhappy. It's a tie. The writting was excellent, the sets locations and costumes were right on target, the casting and acting were great, the directing felt forced and artificial. I never really believed in the situations or characters. I know it was based on a play, but it shouldn't have been shot like a play. Way, way, way to much talking! Constant dialog pretty much ruined what could have been a great movie. There wasn't anything new here, and the opportunity to make a moving drama about love and betrayal was wasted. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Zatôichi : (Japanese) Written, directed, produced, and starring - Shintarô Katsu as Zatoichi the blind swordsman. The origin of dozens of movies, this is the original blind swordsman movie. A great action flick. Fantastic choreography, an epic film with social context and powerful images. The locations, sets and costumes were all authentic. The casting, acting and writing were excellent. An aging blind man wanders the country side in search of? Viewers are left wondering about the main characters background, but his motives and morals are clear - A powerful proponent of the Bushido code. With a lightning fast fighting style, Zatoichi remains warm and loving despite the harsh arrogance of a world ruled by Yakuza and corrupt politicians. This movie is a compilation of various Zatoichi movies, edited and updated in 1989, it's a masterful work. The music (including a live Japanese performance of traditional ethnic music) is great. Many of the camera shots are memorable, and the action is non-stop. I give it 4 out of 5.
Open City : (Italian - Roma, città aperta) Written (in part) by Federico Fellini and directed by Roberto Rossellini . This black and white movie was made in 1945. The embers of WWII were still hot when it was made, and the wounds had barely begun to heal. When it was released in theaters, this movie was as current as the rubble on the side of the road. A drama set in Nazi occupied Italy. Partisan's risked their lives to liberate Italy, to restore some semblance of order, and unite a humiliated nation. The casting and acting were pretty good. The sets, locations and costumes were as genuine as it gets. A powerful movie about pain, suffering, hope and resolve. Set a year earlier than it was shot, the movie focused on the Nazi capture of a resistance leader. The production quality wasn't that good, and the film suffered from a horrible translation (subtitles) job. There were long stretches of conversation (in Italian (or German)) that either weren't translated at all, or they were reduced to a single sentence. Thankfully; having spent seven years in Italy, I was able to follow some of the Italian, despite the atrocious subtitling. A great movie that deserves a better restoration. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Navin R. Johnson: He hates these cans. Stay away from the cans!
Sniper: Die, you random son of a bitch.
The laughs go on and on and on. It made me laugh so much I puked (just kidding). If you don't have a copy you should. Go buy one today! 5 out of 5 (of course).
Death in Gaza : A documentary, made in Palestinian Israel. An HBO production. Journalists are covering the Intifada, and the uprising is running at full speed. What makes a Martyr? How do the Palestinian children cope in this atmosphere of hate? This documentary covers a pretty intense slice of life under the gun. So intense, that one of the journalists was killed by an Israeli bullet during the filming of this movie. Not for the faint of heart, this movie features a lot of violence, blood shed and hate. I give it a 3 out of 5.
A face in the crowd : This one took me a long time to watch. I work 12 hour shifts, and I tried to watch this one during my work week. Made in 1957, it's only 125 minutes long, but the shift work was a killer, and the movie moved slowly at times. A fantastic cast, starring: Andy Griffith .... Lonesome Rhodes, Patricia Neal .... Marcia Jeffries, Anthony Franciosa .... Joey, Walter Matthau .... Mel Miller, Lee Remick .... Betty Lou Fleckum. Andy Griffith is remarkable in the role of an Arkansas redneck turned media sensation. Very reminiscent of 'Network'. A movie with a lot of depth. The hobo starts out in a jail cell. A somewhat reluctant entrant on a radio program, this 'Face in the crowd' becomes more than he is, as the public eats up his media persona. Made by media, he is undone by it in the end. A discourse on the abuse of power and the power of television. The performances were very dramatic, and the message was poignant yet pertinent and timely. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Rashomon : (Japanese - Rashômon) Another film directed by Akira Kurosawa (The best film maker ever!). Subtitled in english and produced in 1950, this black and white movie contained some groundbreaking camera work. The opening scenes where the axeman walks through the woods is just fantastic. The use of weather as an element of the film is great. The locations and sets are beautiful, and the story is terrific. A murder mystery where everyone sees things differently. Another 5 out of 5 for Akira Kurosawa.
Control : Released in 2004, this movie was a direct to DVD release. I'm pretty sure this movie was produced for the US market by the Czech/Slovak film industry. That might explain why it went straight to DVD. It wasn't all that good of a movie, but I'm a fan of Ray Liotta and Willem Dafoe . A convicted murderer on death row is given a second chance. His execution is faked, and then he's offered the 'Second Chance'. He can enter an experimental drug/therapy treatment program, or die. Umm, faced with this vexing choice, the killer chooses to live. The drugs are supposed to control his rage and suppress his violent tendencies. From the opening premise the movie devolves into a typical drama action thriller where the Russian Mafia tracks him down in his new life, so they can try to kill him... The direction wasn't all that great either, and the ending was a great disappointment. The movie gets high marks for the first half of the movie, as Ray Liotta plays the 'still violent' patient. Once he becomes more 'sedate' the film slides into mediocrity. This one gets a 3 out of 5 based on the first half of the movie.
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July (24/3)
Star Trek - The original series - Vol. 5 [ What are little girls made of? / Dagger of the mind ]: I've started viewing episodes of the original Star Trek series. I watched it as a kid when I was growing up (Yow! that makes me... old?), and I loved it back then. You know what? I still love it. My friends and I used to pretend to be members of the 'Starship Enterprise'. The acting was stage like and corny, but the stories grabbed you by the hand phaser and applied the Vulcan nerve pinch. What are little girls made of? was made in 1966 and it was a racy episode. We start out with a mixed race couple on the bridge of the Enterprise. A social statement for the times, and immediately move to androids and the implication that humans were having 'relations' with androids . The android Andrea played by a very sexy looking Sherry Jackson . Dressed in a very revealing "X" shaped jumper, she certainly had me "Confused". The episode was written by Robert Bloch - author of " Psycho " and one of my favorite lovecraftian horror novelists. In this episode we learn that Kirk has an older brother named " George ", that Kirk has always called "Sam". In this episode, Nurse Chapel's (played by Majel Barrett (Wife of Gene Roddenberry )) fiance is a mad scientist who's transferred his consciousness into an android, and has plans to convert humanity into a race of androids. Needless to say, Kirk doesn't go along with his plans. Yes - Kirk manages to get his shirt (all his clothes for that matter) off in this episode. Dagger of the mind is a rather lame episode dealing with psychiatry and a "Neuralizer" ray. The only exciting part of this episode is Dr. Helen Noel, the ship's psychiatrist - Played by Marianna Hill . Apparently she and Kirk previously met at a Christmas (apparently the future is politically incorrect) Party; Ahem, he stopped by her room afterwards... During the episode, Kirk is forced by the "Neuralizer" ray to make out with the hot Dr. who spends a lot of time crawling around in ventilation ducts. Is it just me, or are the skirts getting a lot shorter as the season progresses?
Ray : A BioPic about Ray Charles. The performance by Jamie Foxx was outstanding (He won an Oscar for his performance) - His performance was better than the movie itself. The movie was very well done, but it pretty much reduced Ray to a heroin using piano player who cheated on his wife. I would have liked to see something about his life after heroin. A story about perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and being true to yourself. The movie pretty much ended just as Ray got that monkey off his back. The production value was fantastic. The casting was great. The writing was great. I was absorbed by the movie - just couldn't stop watching; and listening - What a great soundtrack. Inspiration for anyone - Entertainment for everyone. A 5 out of 5.
The Jacket : A time travel movie - I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for all things related to time and time travel. I bought this one after reading the jacket. I'm glad I did. I wasn't disappointed. Adrien Brody plays a gulf war veteran who's already died once. In a tragic turn of events, he's convicted of murder and stuck in a hospital for the criminally insane. While he's there, one of the doctors puts him in a straight jacket and locks him in a cadaver drawer. The results are totally unexpected: Time travel - Obtaining personal knowledge of the future, he attempts to avoid the mistakes of his past and repair his present. Great casting, excellent pacing, great directing. fantastic sets and locations. The directing by John Maybury was exceptional. Creating a dark and detailed atmosphere, the characters are dripping with hidden secrets and rich with innuendo. The lighting, sound and decor immediately sucks you in to the movie. The music sets a mood, and the acting carries you through. I give it a 5 out of 5.
The Tingler : It's horrible! Astonishing! Incredibly bad. I absolutely despise a movie that talks to me, but pretends that I'm not there. This movie sucked. Vincent price sucked in this movie. The acting was terrible, the directing terrible, the music sucked. This movie was just all around bad. Some kind of parasite (the size of a prop mans forearm) lives inside all of us. Snuggled up along our backbone, it lives on fear, and screaming prevents it from killing you...? This movie was created as a set-up in order to electrocute the audience. The shows producers put vibration devices in the seats of the theater, and encouraged people to scream whenever they felt fear. I can't imagine anyone being frightened by this movie. It sucked. 1 out of 1.
Central Station : (Central do Brasil - Brazil) A fantastic foreign film. A character based drama. A single woman lives by writing letters for people at Rio's central station (she doesn't actually send the letters she writes), and a young boy wants to meet his father. The boys mothers has a letter written, and dies soon afterwards. With no relatives in Rio, the letter writer reluctantly takes up the task of re-uniting the boy and his father. A very touching tale of redemption and mercy in a place that's as rough as the streets of Rio. The writing is fantastic, the sets, locations and costumes are all authentic. The acting and casting are surprisingly genuine. I was caught up in their journey. Very well directed by Walter Salles . This movie was nominated for two oscars, and it's won several other awards . I give it a 4 out of 5.
Le Trou : (French - The Hole) Terrific movie. Shot in black & white, this prison break movie features a great cast, some fantastic acting, but lacking in passion, and simply brilliant directing ( Jacques Becker's last film). The long receding camera shots down the basement passages are sublime. Five inmates conspire to escape from an ancient prison by digging a hole through the floor of their cell. One of the inmates later learns that the charges in his case have been dropped. Not the type of prison movie you'd expect to see given today's social context. Hardly and violence, drugs, sex, or profanity. The scenes of the inmates sharing their food is simply astonishing. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Spartan : Lacking in content - There were no performances in this movie, just actors reading lines. I was very disappointed in Val Kilmer's role in this movie - frankly, he did a piss poor job (I liked him in other roles - Tombstone , Batman Forever , The Ghost and the Darkness and The Salton Sea , ). I don't think there was a soundtrack at all, and the directing by David Mamet was pretty bad (another surprise. I really liked Heist ). How many times have we seen this movie? Someone kidnaps the presidents daughter. O.k. I have to give the author some credit for turning the political tables on the characters, and casting the white house itself as the criminals in this one. Granted, no one wanted to see a movie that cast a pallor on the white house, but you've gotta given them credit for daring to tread there. With an 'R' rating, this movie stooped so low as to give us a 'from behind' shot as Kristen Bell (who seemed to be the only one trying to make this movie work) took off her top in a cliche'd attempt to get what she wanted. Her character was cast as being sexually loose and wanton (in a bid for attention from her parents?), but they wouldn't even give us a nude shot? I was disappointed. This one gets a 2 out of 5.
Assault on precinct 13 : A fairly cliched move, with a somewhat worthy twist. This was a character based drama set in a run-down police station. A big bad crime lord is captured and he's on his way to trial. On the way there a storm hits the city and they have to detour the prisoner bus at a nearly deserted police station (Why does it have to be new years eve?). Anyway the crime lord and the cities 'usual suspects' are all thrown into a cell to weather the storm. The twist comes when someone shows up to break the crime lord out of the jail. It's a pretty good twist, and I have to give credit for that. The acting was ok, but some of the casting was off base ( Ethan Hawke as Sgt. Roeneck). The acting by Laurence Fishburne and John Leguizamo was pretty good. The directing was alright. The music (until the closing score) was very good. This one gets a 3 out of 5.
The fog of War : Eleven Lessons From the Life of Robert S. McNamara. A documentary about (and starring) the political life and times of Robert S. McNamara. Technically well achieved, this documentary was very well produced, but it failed to take a critical look at the life and times of it's subject. He was treated with kid gloves throughout. His presence however, pretty much carried the film. Even at 85 years of age, he's still a very charismatic presence. The music was really good and the direction was well done. Like many other documentaries, this one suffered somewhat from pacing. I found myself nodding off at times. This one gets a 3 of 5.
Serpico : An awesome film - It sure looks like NetFlix has me pegged. If I like this movie, it recommends eight different movies; all of which I've seen, all of which I've rated five stars. This is another five star film. The performance by Al Pacino was spirited, genuine and visceral. A story about a straight cop in a corrupt system. Based on a true story, the writing and directing ( Sidney Lumet ) are exceptional. The music was great. The costumes, locations and sets gave the entire story an authenticity that's hard to capture now days. Another one of those great 70's movies. Another 5 out of 5.
Duplex : With Ben Stiller & Drew Barrymore . Another silly comedy - One of those lets make money on their names/reputations movies. It sucked. Directing by Danny Devito made it marginally better. Some of the film work was memorable. A completely predictable plot, characters and acting. These two have been so typecast that I can't possibly imagine them in any role other than the roles they played in this movie. If you've seen the previews for this movie, you've seen the movie. This one gets a 2 out of 5.
The Punisher : Another comic book movie. A remake of a 1989 movie. A marvel comic brought to the screen. This time around, we see a little better acting. Will Patton delivered the best performances; "You're killing me - Why are you killing me?" Mark Collie gave a memorable musical and theatrical performance as the bounty hunter. Definitely some better casting this time around. I enjoyed John Travolta as the villain (Howard Saint). This movie also featured a better ride for the punisher. In the original movie, the Punisher rides a motorcycle throughout the film. This time around he's driving a heavy duty Pontiac GTO with armor plating. Special effects were done the old fashioned way - In many ways they're better than some of the CGI crap we've seen of late. Despite all the good things, the directing was poor, and the story stale. This one gets a 2 out of 5.
The life aquatic : Charming, character based drama with subtle humor and great characters. I really, really, enjoyed this movie. The attention to detail is unbelievable, the fantastic creatures, the drama, the action sequences (Yes there were action sequences), everything was spectacular. An absolutely fantastic cast, great acting, awesome directing, moving music and more. I have three movies by Wes Anderson , and I've loved every one of them. This one moved from must watch to 'I bought it' as soon as it became available. Actors included: Bill Murray (Comic master), Owen Wilson (A favorite who got his start in another Wes Anderson movie), Cate Blanchett (Galadriel from 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy), Anjelica Huston , Willem Dafoe and Jeff Goldblum . The plot? A strange twisted one - Aging deep sea explorer uses the tragic demise of his partner to create a final 'last but best' documentary. While tracking down sea monster that ate his partner, he suffers a mid-life crisis, discovers a son he never had, his wide leaves him, he rescues a 'bond company stooge' from pirates, etc, etc, etc... The movie kept me glued to the couch while I was immersed in a totally self-contained magical world. I give it a 5 out of 5.
Blue collar comedy tour : Made in 2003, this movie captures four comedians on tour. Four comedians who cannot escape their redneck past make you laugh for 106 minutes. It's crude, abusive and downright raunchy, but damn, it's funny. These four 'gentleman' cracked my smile and made me laugh. What's the plot? Hell, they're trying to make you laugh. Very funny stuff. I gave it a 3 out of 5.
Close your eyes : (British - Also known as Hypnotic or Doctor Sleep) A great movie with no explosions or mind numbing CGI. A serial killer thriller with supernatural themes. The protagonist is a hypnotist with psychic powers. He's becomes involved in a murder mystery when a patient (trying to quit smoking) turns out to be a detective on the case. There are some pretty cool supernatural themes involved in this movie. Not only is the main character something of a psychic, the killer turns out to be someone quite unexpected. Great acting, excellent directing, and fantastic writing. I give it a 4 out 5.
Star Trek - The original series - Vol. 7 [ The Galileo Seven / Court Martial ]: I've started viewing episodes of the original Star Trek series. I watched it as a kid when I was growing up (Yow! that makes me... old?), and I loved it back then. You know what? I still love it. My friends and I used to pretend to be members of the 'Starship Enterprise'. The acting was stage like and corny, but the stories grabbed you by the hand phaser and applied the Vulcan nerve pinch. For some reason, NetFlix shipped me Vol. 6 but it never arrived. A week later, they claimed it had been returned. Damned post office - They must have delivered it to the wrong address, and then marked it 'No forwarding address', or some such crap. The Galileo Seven episode featured the first use of the Shuttle craft in the series (I think). We got a really good look at the Shuttle craft, both interior and exterior, as well as the hanger bay . The episode featured a crash landing on a planet inhabited by giant Neanderthal like giants. The inhabitants turn out to be hostile and some of the landing party are killed. Unfortunately Scotty has to use the phasers as an energy supply to get the shuttle back into orbit. In the meantime, Kirk is being hounded by some diplomat who keeps reminding him about their mission to provide supplies to stop a plague. In the end, Spock makes an 'Illogical' decision which results in the rescue of the away team at the last possible moment. Not one of the better episodes, the only redeeming part was Spock's use of 'instinct' to save the day. The Court Martial episode was a court room drama with a small fight sequence thrown in just to bare Kirk's chest for a minute or two. In this one Kirk is accused of negligence, and very nearly ends up loosing his command and going to prison. Luckily, Spock checks the computers capacity for error by playing against in a chess match. After he wins four times in a row, it becomes evident that someone has reprogrammed the computer. They then postulate that crew member that Kirk supposedly killed is behind it all. They manage to isolate his heart beat, and locate him in the engineering section. Bring on the fight music. This episode was another disappointment. No aliens, no sexy costumes, not much fighting.
Walking Tall : A remake of a 1973 classic. This movie, starring " Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson " suffered from lack of depth. The Rock did a good job acting (did I actually say that?) towards the beginning of the movie. Unfortunately, as the movie progressed the action increased, the acting decreased, and the writing fell by the way side. Eventually the movie became one giant shoot-em-up at the old lumber mill. There were some subplots in the movie (Vaughn for Sheriff, The old flame, The lumber mill, The main characters father), but they were brushed away by good old 'WWE' fight scenes. The film was written and directed like a pro-wrestling match. I give it a 2 out of 5.
The girl next door (Unrated version): A teen angst movie. Boy meets girl, but the girl is a porn star? A pleasant reminder of youth. Good acting by a fresh young cast. Some of the best acting came from Timothy Olyphant as the macho tough guy porn producer. Elisha Cuthbert was very sexy as the former porn star. Unfortunately, this movie (even the unrated one) fails to feature any nudity by the Elisha Cuthbert . I was a bit disappointed. Very reminiscent of Risky Business , but far more risque. Well written, with good directing and great music. Worth watching if your feeling randy. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Hotel Rwanda : A powerful and moving movie with excellent directing, acting and writing. Deserving of the praise that it's won, and the accolades it accumulated. This tale of Rwanda's suffering draws you into the personal lives of the characters involved, leaves you wondering why the rest of the world did nothing, and tells a very disturbing tale that's so compelling that you just can't look away. I give it a 5 out of 5. Unfortunately, it's not the sort of movie you'd want to own, or watch again.
Elektra : Another comic book made into a movie. Another mistake of a movie. Very reminiscent of ' Mortal Kombat ', but nowhere near as good. A martial arts flick with supernatural flavor. The story was pretty lame, the love interest wasn't all that interesting. All the actors were beautiful people. The directing was forced and the acting was lackluster. The only bright spot in the movie was Terrance Stamp as 'Stick'. Just not that good of a movie. The music was pretty good. This one only gets a 2 out of 5.
Sideways : The story suffers some - Out of work writer and best friend depart on a 'last great adventure' in California wine country before one of them gets married (Smells of ' Four weddings and a funeral '). Thankfully, there's some pretty good writting and terrific characters. A believable slice of reality. This character based drama was refreshing but hardly worth the raves the critics gave it. The casting was good, but I didn't care for the acting that much - it was just a little too rehearsed. The music was really good. The ending was predictable and flat. This one gets a 3 out of 5 despite the over hyped expectations.
Bottle Rocket : How many Owen brothers are there? Another Wes Anderson movie. Quirky characters, a ridiculous plot, and subtle humor that borders on British. This is another one of those "you either get it - or you don't" movies. A group of common suburban buddies gang up to commit crimes. Unfortunately none of them is any good at crime, or much else for that matter, and their gang is a disaster waiting to happen. A great friendship movie. A Dramedy of non-epic proportions. The directing was excellent, the music was great, and the characters were Wes Anderson classic. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Bird Man of Alcatraz : A classic movie. Black and white, released in 1962. This is a true story. A movie based on a novel. The story is captivating, compelling and telling. A tale of American justice, individuality, perseverance and dignity. The writting was top notch. The acting outstanding, and the music was simply sublime. The directing was deliberate and focused. You couldn't help but watch as the drama unfolded. The balance of narration and traditional acting was perfect. This one gets a 4 out of 5.
Runaway Jury : A courtroom drama, similar in some respects to the pelican brief. Based on a John Grisham novel. The good guy in this movie is trying to sell a jury decision in a wrongful death suit against the gun industry. The courtroom arguments didn't carry much weight, but the character development and action outside the courtroom made up for that. Some great casting ( John Cusack , Gene Hackman , Dustin Hoffman , Rachel Weisz ) and acting made this movie one worth watching. The ending had a twist, but, like most of Grisham's novels, I saw the twist coming quite a ways out. This one gets a 3 out of 5.
Blazing saddles : Ground breaking and politically incorrect. You may know this movie from the "Cowboys eating beans scene". It's a riot - a gag a minute, but funny as hell. With this movie we didn't come expecting a plot, and there wasn't much of that. Knowing that Mel Brooks made the movie I was prepared for mayhem, and he didn't disappoint. Some of the scenes are absolutely hilarious - Fantastic casting, writing and directing. There wasn't much acting to speak of, just actor-comedians delivering some damn funny lines . The plot? Save a town from evil rail-roaders by enlisting a black Sheriff! This one gets a 4 out of 5.
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June (22/2)
Good bye Lenin! : (German) This is a great movie. A staunch socialist suffers a heart attack and falls into a coma. While she's in the hospital, events outside unravel. The Berlin wall falls, the communist empire crumbles and her children grow up. She comes out of the coma eight months later and her son constructs an elaborate charade in order to shelter her from the shock of reality. Character based drama at it's best. The acting and directing were great, the casting, locations and sets terrific. Don't pass it up. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
In cold blood : Based on a Truman Capote non-fiction novel. The music (By Quincy Jones ), cinematography and directing set this movie apart. Dark moody and brooding with a great cast. Robert Blake (Yes Baretta) and Scott Wilson give great performances in this drama about two low lifes who set out on a 'sure thing' only to end up taking a trip to the 'corner'. Shot in black & white (1967), this chilling tale recounts (in a subtle documentary style) the true life crime of two social derelicts. This one gets 5 out 5.
The Bourne Identity : The original (1988) made for TV movie. Based on Robert Ludlum 's novel. This movie was a horrible production. Richard Chamberlain was unconvincing as the lead character (Jason Bourne). While it may have been a faithful adaptation of the novel, it wasn't very entertaining. Lacking the adrenalin pumping action of the remake, the casting suffered as well. It took a lot of imagination to believe in the characters. I swear, if I hear Jacklyn Smith scream just one more time... This one scored 2 out of 5.
Hud : Paul Newman gives us a hands down despicable portrayal of a lost cowboy at the end of the frontier era. Filmed in black and white, this western is a contemporary story of clashing cultures. With a great cast and great characters, Paul Newman truly shines as the outrageous and unstoppable Hud Bannon. The pacing was dead on, the locations, costumes and sets were terrific. Best of all was the writing. Based on a Lary McMurty novel, this tale of the west the past and the future spells out just waht it is that makes a man a real cowboy (Principles). 5 out of 5.
Star Trek - The original series - Vol. 2 [ Mudd's women / The enemy within ]: I've started viewing episodes of the original Star Trek series. I watched it as a kid when I was growing up (Yow! that makes me... old?), and I loved it back then. You know what? I still love it. My friends and I used to pretend to be members of the 'Starship Enterprise'. The acting was stage like and corny, but the stories grabbed you by the hand phaser and applied the Vulcan nerve pinch. In "Mudd's women" we start to see a more light hearted episode, but the social context is still present. The enemy within gave us an evil Kirk that was a spectacular performance by Shatner . The overacting was never better. It was a lot of fun watching these two episodes and I'd buy the whole series, if I could afford it! I'll rate the first season (Volumes 1-15) after I've seen them all.
Godsend : One word well describes this movie. Flatulent (Without an Exclamation mark). What a dud. A socio-political comment on the ethics and morals of cloning. Medical ethics and horror with a clear political message. The acting in this movie was terrible, the casting was poor, and the direction wasn't very good. The ending was definitely anticlimactic. Although it was billed as a horror, the scariest part of this movie was the hint at a sequel! This one gets a 2 out of 5.
The big empty : A self titled movie? Humorous but hollow. Presumptuous and stale. A comedy with quirky characters. I'd describe this movie as 'Repo-Man' meets 'The big Lebowski' Great characters, good casting, but the performances came across as a little strained. The plot was some ridiculous story about a guy who delivers a briefcase to a cowboy in the middle of the desert. Rumors of aliens abound and the characters are highly disturbed. The best part of this movie was Rachael Leigh Cook as the hard drinking underage free spirit in search of something bigger than this hick town. The worst part of the movie, an R rating without getting to see Rachael Leigh Cook in the raw! I give this one a 2 out of 5.
Meet the Fockers : A sequel to a great movie. Most sequels don't live up to the original, and this one solidifies the stereotype. Good casting, but the writing and production stunk. It's like this movie was just a string of gags. No substance. The plot? The couple travel to see meet his parents. Yep, that's it. The rest was gag shots and bad jokes. Old, re-used jokes. This movie has been done before, now it's really done. If I were you I wouldn't give it a chance. I gave it a 2 out of 5.
Spanglish : A heartwarming comedy. A really good movie. The best part about this movie? It wasn't about Adam Sandler. This was a mother daughter movie. A great family movie. The casting was good but it would have been better without the big names of Adam Sandler and Tea Leoni . I'm really glad that Adam Sandler is breaking out of his type cast roles, and this movie joins 'Punch Drunk Love' as another example of how to do that. The movie was well directed and deserving of the 'Chick Flick' crowd. I enjoyed it as well. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Goodfellas : Stellar performances by Ray Liotta , Robert De Niro , Joe Pesci and Paul Sorvino . Another classic gangster flick. A bit long but well worth it. The locations, sets, costumes and music really bring you back to the 70's and 80's. Directed by Martin Scorsese , this movie joins a long list of favorites from this master of the silver screen. The story is based on real life people and events. It seems like all the best movies are based on true stories. I've seen this one before, and I forgot how much I enjoyed it. 4 out of 5 stars.
Oceans Twelve : A complete waste of my time. What a terrible movie. Way to many big names and bigger egos. The writing was horrible. You know what? A convoluted and twisted plot does not make for a good heist movie, and apparently, neither do the people who produced this piece of crap! I gave up on who was stealing what and tried to concentrate on the music. The only redeeming aspect of this movie. I wish I had never watched it. The mambo dancing sequence, where one of the crooks dances through a laser filled room was the height of stupidity. Nearly ten minutes of some lanky guy (a stand in) doing free form dance in a laser filled room. There were several instances where I had to force myself not to simply give up and call it a night. This one gets one. 1 out of 5 that is.
Blade - Trinity : Wesley Snipes is Blade. His portrayal of the character is subliminal. It's almost as if he believes he is Blade. The casting of Ryan Reynolds as Hannibal King was a mistake. This is not a comedy. I didn't appreciate the direction in this regard. An excellent action flick. The bad guy was bad, Blade was... Well Blade is blade. The good guy was. Wait a minute, who was the good guy in this movie? Anyway, like I was saying a damn good action flick. Great fight scenes. The car chase at the beginning of the movie was great, the music was great, so were the costumes. This one gets a 3 out of 5. Not as good as the original, but a match with the second one.
Eye of the Needle : I'm a sucker for a good espionage thriller. Based on a best-selling novel by Ken Follet , this movie is a well written screen adaptation. A roller coaster ride - a chase and evade romp across the English countryside. Donald Sutherland plays a German spy in London during World War II. An interesting turn of roles. Here we're treated to an opposite character view. Normally, american movies portray the 'good guy' behind enemy lines. In this movie we follow the bad guy's point of view. The love scene with Kate Nelligan was quite steamy, and it was a good movie overall. A bit too short to do the novel justice, but worth watching. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Star Trek - The original series - Vol. 3 [ The man trap / The naked time ]: I've started viewing episodes of the original Star Trek series. I watched it as a kid when I was growing up (Yow! that makes me... old?), and I loved it back then. You know what? I still love it. My friends and I used to pretend to be members of the 'Starship Enterprise'. The acting was stage like and corny, but the stories grabbed you by the hand phaser and applied the Vulcan nerve pinch. The bio suits they wore in 'The man trap' look like something designed by a top notch fashion designer. More like pajamas than bio hazard suits. A really good looking Jeanne Bal played Nancy Crater (the M113 creature - aka the Salt Vampire) in this episode. The naked time feauted a few notable quotes. Spock is noted saying - "It's like nothing we've ever encountered before." Bruce Hyde, playing Lt. Kevin Riley get's two great quotes - "Have no fear, O'Riley's here, and one Irishman is worth 10,000 of you..." the other quote - "You know what Joe's mistake was? He wasn't born an Irishman." A great performance came from Stewart Moss , playing crewman Joey Tormolen. Unfortunately, his character dies in this episode. Fortunately, he comes back as a differenct character in "The conscience of the King". I sure had a lot of fun watching these two episodes and I'd buy the whole series, if I could afford it! I'll rate the first season (Volumes 1-15) after I've seen them all.
Conan the Barbarian : Pure Sword & Sorcery. Non-political Schwarzenegger . A great movie with great lines and no complicated plots. It's all about revenge - They killed his parents, his entire tribe, burned down his village, and enslaved all the children. Did they really think he'd just forget about it? "Conan, what is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women!" Imortal leaders of a snakc cult reap what they have sown. Great casting. James Earl Jones as Thulsa Doom was an unmistakable stroke of genius. A genre defining movie. This one gets 5 of 5.
Gallipoli : Starring Mel Gibson before he was big. This movie deserves some recognition in the anti-war category. Based on historical WWI events and the futility of war , this movie depicts the Australian asault during the Gallipoli campaign in German allied Turkey. While Mel Gibson wasn't the intended star of the movie, he ends up stealling the show. There's some humourous points - The Donkey brigade - to this serious movie, and the directing is really good. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Conan the Destroyer : Crap. Nowhere near as good as the first movie. Lacking in acting, writing, directing and special effects. This movie was the reason there were no more Conan movies. It sucked, and sucked badly. Played more for laughs than drama, the format change was a big mistake. The new thief wasn't as good as the original, and the acting and directing were very poor. The only good part of the movie is when Conan jumps on the back of the 'sleeping god', and pulls out its horn. That and Grace Jones in a thong. Just terrible. This one gets a 2 out of 5. No wonder it's packaged with Conan the Barbarian. No one would buy it otherwise.
Star Trek - The original series - Vol. 4 [ Charlie X / Balance of Terror ]: I've started viewing episodes of the original Star Trek series. I watched it as a kid when I was growing up (Yow! that makes me... old?), and I loved it back then. You know what? I still love it. My friends and I used to pretend to be members of the 'Starship Enterprise'. The acting was stage like and corny, but the stories grabbed you by the hand phaser and applied the Vulcan nerve pinch. Charlie X contained some great lighting and camera work. The acting by Lawrence Dobkin (as Charlie X) was pretty good. We saw Spock playing a Vulcan Lyre, and Uhuru sang a couple limericks. Later Spock is forced to recite poetry. A pretty good episode. The balance of terror introduces the Romulan's. This show was a nuclear deterrent show, with anti-racist teachings. It also introduced Vincent McEveety to the series as a Romulan commander who goes down with his ship. He ends up appearing in six episodes and even plays Spock's father.
Cool Hand Luke : Magnificent film. Truly classic. Paul Newman 's performance in this movie goes way beyond the standard performance. Understated and flippant; Newman plays the character like a concert pianist. The writing (Novel and screenplay) by Don Pearce was fantastic. The directing by Stuart Rosenburg (aka Alan Smithee) was outstanding. The main character is convicted of destroying public property and sent to a rural southern prison camp, where he works on a chain gang and strives to maintain his identity in a destructive atmosphere. He attempts escape on several occasions, and the warden is not happy. "What we have here is a failure to communicate." This one gets a 5 out of 5. Netflix sure has me figured out. It recommended this movie based on my rating of the following movies: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, On the Waterfront, Deliverance, The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, The Dirty Dozen, Dog Day Afternoon and Chinatown. I rated all these movies 5 out of 5. Keep up the good work NetFlix.
The Great Escape : A true tale of WWII - The Nazi's have put all there 'rotten eggs' in one basket. Hundreds of downed flyers who've tried to escape are together in one POW camp. A great escape movie. The allied flyers (Mostly downed RAF pilots) try a daring mass escape from the most secure camp ever created. Tunneling day & night, they do their best to escape from their Nazi captors. Less brutal than the sadistic guards in ' Cool hand luke ', the German guards seem downright likeable in this movie. A great cast, good music, and fantastic directing (by John Sturges ). This movie dragged on a bit too long for my tastes (2 hrs, 54 mins). locations, costumes and set design lend an authentic air to this movie. The cast ( Steve McQueen , James Garner , Richard Attenborough , Charles Bronson , ) was too large to support adequate character development, and they're reduced to gimmicks (limps with cane, baseball thrower, scottish accent, claustrophobic, myopic bird watcher) to mark them as individuals. Despite some weaknesses, the story is strong, the pacing is good and the directing is fantastic. This one gets a 4 out of 5.
Marathon Man : Another classic from the seventies. My impression of film making in the seventies has definitely changed. The last few movies I saw from the seventies were great. Perhaps I was biased by disco and my first experiences with movies of the seventies (That would have been in the seventies). Starring Dustin Hoffman , Sir Laurence Olivier , Roy Scheider and William Devane . This is another Nazi thriller. Former Nazi war criminal comes out of hiding in order to collect his ill-gotten loot. A taught thriller set in New York, this movie starts out a bit slow, but the pacing picks up and the action keeps you guessing. It's a big conspiracy - "Is it safe?" Great story, terrific acting, casting and directing make for another 70's classic. This one gets a 5 out of 5. The dental scene is very chilling.
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May (16/1/1)
The third man : Black & White Film Noir from the 1940's. This murder mystery is a gem. The story is quaint, an American travels to occupied Vienna to take a job offered by a friend. When he arrives he finds that the friend has died in an accident. His inquisitive nature then leads him on a quest to discover the truth about 'Harry Lime'. Starring Orson Welles , Joseph Cotten , Alida Valli , and Trevor Howard . Directed by Carol Reed this Black & White thriller is as vivid as any technicolor release. The acting by Orson Welles was just amazing. The chase scenes were a bit long and forgone, but the mystery was quite engrossing. This one gets a 4 out of 5.
La Femme Nikita : (French) Brilliant - A masterpiece. A work of art. Directed by Luc Besson , this 80's action flick created an entire genre of action movies, an American remake (Point of no return), and a television series. Starring Anne Parillaud , Tchéky Karyo and Jean Reno . The movie cruises along at a quickening pace, and your pulse never lets up. The action is non-stop, but this isn't a one-sided movie. There's plenty of drama and emotion as well. The characters are well developed, and the acting is top notch. The ending of this movie is beautiful. I liked this one so much (5 out of 5), I've added it to my ' must buy ' list.
The Weather Underground : A documentary about a radical student group that believed that 'Not taking action is an act of violence'. They bombed buildings, robbed banks, and engaged in an active campaign of terror intent on bringing down 'The System'. A movie about ideals, youth, personal beliefs and the counter-revolutionary left. Well done technically, but lacking fervor. A movie about the radical left really should grab the viewer by the throat and shake you until blood forms in your spittle. This one gets a 3 out of 5.
Saw : An excellent story, written and directed by James Wan . Good direction, but poor acting. The casting wasn't the best. I just wasn't convinced by the actors. A psycho drama thriller, where the killer doesn't actually kill anyone. They kill each other. I really liked the premise of the plot, the sets, locations & costumes. The ending had a twist that I didn't expect. Unfortunately, they waited until the end of the movie to surprise me. This one gets a 3 out of 5.
Anchorman : Will Ferrell at his funiest.What a laugh fest. Written by Adam McKay & Will Ferrel, Directed by Adam McKay. I thought it was just going to be another one of those extended 'Saturday Night Live' skits. You know, some yucks, and a 'little' story. Well, it was much more. A LOT of laughs, and a little story. Seriously though, the story was thin at best. I could care less about 'Ron Burgundy', he was just a good reason to poke fun at the 70's, ourselves and goofy anchormen. 'Great Odin's beard' this was a funny movie. Everyone in the movie was funny. The news team fight scene was awesome. The soundtrack was great. This movie gets a 5 out of 5.
Darkness : Mediocre rerun of the usual haunted house horror story. The only highlight of this movie was Anna Paquin's bouncing breasts. A few camera tricks were used to spice up the visual elements, but we've already seen the creepy walking on the ceiling gag. There wasn't much of a story here, and I felt like there was something missing at the conclusion of the film. This one gets a 2 out of 2.
Supersize me : A documentary of epicurean portions! A splendid documentary about the dangers of fast food. Morgan Spurlock (Writer, Director, Actor) embarks on a dangerous experiment. What would happen if he ate fast food for every meal? Is there any substance behind the claims that fast food is bad for you? This eye opening documentary is well crafted, well thought out, and well executed. An excellent effort. I give it a 5 out of 5.
Employee of the month : I've gone back and forth on this movie. In the end, it's not funny enough to be a funny movie, and not good enough to be a good movie. The only shinning part of the movie is Steve Zahn, playing himself (as usual). The last ten minutes of the movie are extremely convoluted (I didn't mind it too much, but others might), as double cross after double cross leaves you reeling and spinning. The writing wasn't all that good, but the casting was. Unfortunately, it never breaks out of the 'what might have been' category. I give it a 2 out of 5 (It was recommended by someone at work).
Blow out : With John Travolta , John Lithgow and Nancy Allen , this movie was a well cast murder mystery conspiracy thriller. B-Movie sound man (Travolta) records the sounds of a gunshot as a presidential candidate is murdered. As he starts to peel back the layers, things start to get a bit dicey. This is a great conspiracy movie where the pacing keeps you glued to the screen. I give it a 4 out of 5.
The bicycle thief : (Italian) Black & white production from 1949. Post World War II Italy is a bit bleak. Jobs are hard to come by, and the lead character lands a job that requires a bicycle. Unfortunately, the bicycle is stolen the first day on the job. As the leads start to slip away, the main character gets more and more desperate in the search for his bicycle. A terrific movie with fantastic casting. The acting by a very young Enzo Staiola is truly remarkable.
Hidalgo : (The 2004 version) Over hyped. This movie wasn't as good as it was billed to be. A typical hollywood blockbuster, this adventure movie contains some obviously glaring historical/continuity errors. There are mountains in the background when we see the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. The lead female character would be a 'fifth wife' - That's not permitted under Islam. Iraq is mentioned several times, but the country wasn't known by that name until 1919. Anyway, the movie was well produced. The acting wasn't the best but the music was good. The camera work was good, but this movie lacked any sustenance. Nothing to really sink your teeth into. Just meaningless action/adventure. Good entertainment. I rate it 3 out of 5.
House : This was a horrible movie. The sound track was absolutely terrible, the sound effects were b-grade, the acting was atrocious. Even the special effects, make-up, and camera work was sub-standard. I very nearly stopped watching it, but forced my way through to the end. A comedic haunted house story. The lead character fights the haunted denizens of the house and his Vietnam war memories to free his long lost son. I rate it 1 out of 5. Don't add this movie to your list. Someone at work recommended it!
China Syndrome : Courageous film making. In an era where nuclear power was king, this movie illustrated the dangers inherent in running a nuclear power plant. When it comes to profit over safety, which one always wins in America? A great movie with a stellar cast ( Jane Fonda , Jack Lemmon and Michael Douglas ). The acting was pretty good, the music was fantastic. The sets, costumes, and locations were authentic. News crew surreptitiously films an 'accident' at a nuclear power plant. The 'fallout' is deadly, and the consequences are ground shaking. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
The Godfather, part III : The conclusion of a trilogy. Longer, slower, boring. This movie moved like molasses. At two and a half hours, I had trouble staying awake for this one. Well directed, great casting and spectacular locations. This movie did a good job at finalizing the trilogy. Unfortunately it doesn't stand well on it's own. The writing was tired and cliched, but the directing was spot on. This one gets a 3 out of 5.
Star Trek - The original series - Vol. 1 [ Where no man has gone before / The Corbomite maneuver ]: I've started viewing episodes of the original Star Trek series. I watched it as a kid when I was growing up (Yow! that makes me... old?), and I loved it back then. You know what? I still love it. My friends and I used to pretend to be members of the 'Starship Enterprise'. The acting was stage like and corny, but the stories grabbed you by the hand phaser and applied the Vulcan nerve pinch. These were the first two episodes after the series premier. In 'Where no man has gone before', the costumes were a bit odd, and Spock's eyebrows were very angular. It was a lot of fun watching these two episodes and I'd buy the whole series, if I could afford it! I'll rate the first season (Volumes 1-15) after I've seen them all.
Curse of the Demon/Night of the Demon : A DVD double feature. I only watched one of the features. They're both the same movie. One (Night of the Demon) is an original version, the other (Curse of the Demon) is an edited version intended for American audiences. I'm pretty sure I put this on my list as the result of a search for 'Cult Classics'. The movie wasn't bad. Black & White, produced in 1957, this movie is a horror movie about a scientist intent on exposing a cult leader as a fraud. The cult leader puts a death curse on the scientist and he's got 72 hours to unravel the mystery. A well paced story, with some classic lines. I really loved it when the scientist was trying to reassure the lead female that witchcraft isn't real. Scientist (Dr. John Holden - Played by Dana Andrews): "I can assure you that as a scientist, these things don't exist". There are lots of memorable quotes. Another favorite - Scientist (Dr. John Holden - Played by Dana Andrews): "Prunes gave him the runes, but passing them used lots of skill". Despite the somewhat campy dialog, the directing was great and the camera work was superb. The music helped create a very tense atmosphere, and the special effects were quite impressive for such an early movie. The Demon's method of arrival was truly frightening. The films 'bad guy' wasn't very convincing, and it's hard to imagine that he would ever summon a Demon to kill someone. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Tommy Boy : A true comedy classic. This movie makes me roll on the floor. It is hysterical. Chris Farley and David Spade make a memorable duo in this movie. Tommy Boy graduates from college (with a D+!), and returns home to work in Dad's factory. Unfortunately, Dad dies and Tommy boy must save the company. As he goes on a road trip to sell brake parts, his evil stepmother (Bo Derek) tries to sell the company out from under him. The road trip is hilarious. The laughs are non-stop and the casting was top notch. I give this one a 5 out of 5.
Star Wars - Episode III - Revenge of the Sith : How many titles does one movie need? It's the first movie I've seen at the theater in quite a while. Kim and I used some free movie passes, went to a nearby theater and plunked down some money. It's a good thing we had a $10.00 gift certificate as well or this whole outing would have cost us $33.25. I can't believe the cost of movies these days! The movie was good. Not as good as the first three, but better than the last two. I liked the characters, the drama was good, but this movie lacked depth. It was a recap, a synopsis, built to tie together the other movies. It spent too much time on battle sequences. I would have preferred more character development. Now we all need to take a breather, step back and look at all the movies in sequence. I smell a boxed DVD set in the making. I liked the costumes and the casting. The action was too fast paced... Yeah I know that seems like an odd statement, but I got the feeling that the action scenes were more like a video game than a movie. I give it a 4 out of 5.
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Apr (8/2)
M : (German) A black and white movie from the early days of sound. Directed by Fritz Lang , this movie was the first movie about a serial killer. The first half of the movie was slow, but the second half moved at a satisfying clip. There was no soundtrack, and the sound production was terrible. The direction was great, and the acting was pretty good for the era. The movie features a plot twist that I haven't seen since. An astonishing accomplishment, given today's copycat cinema industry. Another plot twist — The killer is caught as a result of a blind persons testimony — has been copied so often that it's become cliched. This movie gets a 3 out of 5.
Anatomy : (German - Anatomie) Starring Franka Potente , this German movie does a good job of copying the crappy American cookie cutter movie formula. With some unbelievable character plots, a ridiculously transparent secret society, and very little suspense, the killer in this movie exudes no passion, and we're left yawning for the duration. The only bright spot was the production. The sound, lighting, costumes, and sets were excellent. I get the feeling that the script was written for a much longer movie, but they tried to make the movie an hour shorter than it needed to be. This movie gets a 2 out of 5.
Paths of glory : Directed by Stanley Kubrik , this black and white war movie is a powerful anti-war statement. Corrupt officers, inept staff, and a kangaroo court help explain why WWI lasted as long as it did. Set along the French-German trench front of WWI, this movie is a great movie for those interested in military law and history. Some pretty good performances by Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, and George Macready mark this as a film worth watching. 3 out of 5.
Dawn of the Dead : The original George Romero directed movie (1978). A great zombie movie. I own the remake. Two Philadelphia SWAT members, a TV reporter, and a helicopter pilot seek refuge from a world overrun by zombies. Seeking shelter in a shopping mall, everything looks like it's going to work out o.k... Tense, well paced, great writing, well developed characters and fantastic locations. This one sets the standard for many zombie movies to come. I give it a 3 out of 5.
The 300 Spartans : (Released in 1962) A historic epic. The story of a great battle. A battle I read about in a book called 'The Gates of Fire' by Steven Pressfield. This movie is based on an actual battle. A group of Greek warriors (appx 1,000) hold back an invading Persian army of more than 20,000. A great story with fantastic locations. Unfortunately, the acting is pretty bad, and the writing isn't the best. The sound track is terrible. This movie gets a 3 out of 5 based almost exclusively on the strength of the story.
Suspect Zero : An excellent crime drama. A serial killer is on the loose, abducting hundreds of children, someone who murders completely at random. Who is this 'Suspect Zero'? An original murder mystery? I don't think I've seen this plot before. Ben Kingsley provides a stellar performance, while the others pale in comparison. The story is great, the props were fantastic. The art direction was superb. It could have had a little more character development. Trying to figure out what was going on was something of a challenge, but the ending wasn't much of a surprise. Very well executed. The plot was very tightly woven, and this movie could lead to a television series. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Stalingrad : (German) There are several movies by this name, and this one is pretty good. A powerful and gripping tale. Told from the point of view of German foot soldiers. Not all Nazi's were fanatic Jew haters. Many were professional soldiers, fighting for their country. This is a powerful anti-war movie, depicting the futility and senseless slaughter that is war. The ending is very poignant and fitting. Great costumes, locations, sets and acting. An excellent reproduction of what must have been a hellacious battlefront. I give this one 4 out of 5.
Ravenous : A cannibalism movie?! Astonishing. This movie shocked me. It's actually a tale about a native American spirit — the Wendigo. A reluctant war hero (in the Spanish American war) is "Rewarded" with a remote posting to t wilderness area. Soon after he reports for duty, a man stumbles into the fort with tales of cannibalism. That's when the fun starts. A great movie, with some unexpected turns. This one gets a 4 out of 5.
Event Horizon : Recommended by a friend. I've seen this movie before, but I never fully appreciated the film. A great sci-fi horror flick. The crew of a spaceship is on a rescue mission. When they find a derelict spacecraft, they soon experience concentrated evil onboard the "Event Horizon". Excellent special effects and sound. The acting was pretty good as well. I wouldn't mind owning a copy of this movie. This one gets 5 of 5.
The Spanish prisoner : I forgot that this was a movie about a con. The acting was very stilted. I suppose it was intentional, a kind of film noir style. I'll tell you this; I'm tired of con movies that use that acting style. Everyone was so very perfect — Their mannerisms, their speech patterns, their emotions, I'm tired of it. It's just a bit too pretentious. This movie is full of twists and turns. It's a who dunnit that lacks a crime? Sure, someone stole something, but it was so well obfuscated, that I didn't notice it when it happened, and the impact was lost in subtlety. Despite the great cast, this one only gets a 2 out of 5.
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Mar (12/5/-/1)
Session 9 : Spooky. A modern day horror story. Asbestos removal in a condemned insane asylum. The sets, costumes, music, lighting and location were phenomenal. An actual abandoned insane asylum is used in the movie. The real-life place where the 'lobotomy' was first developed. The location is the scariest character in the movie. The other characters are asbestos abatement specialists. Hired to remove asbestos from this abandoned insane asylum, something makes one of them crack, or did they all crack? A taught psycho drama. Unfortunately, it had David Caruso (From CSI Miami) in it. I can't stand him. He's so conceited and arrogant that he makes me want to cave his head in. Or is that the asylum talking? The characters and story are great. The telling was a bit scripted. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Blow up : (British/Italian) Made in 1966, this early color movie was directed by an Italian director ( Michelangelo Antonioni ) regarded by many as a master of cinema. Something of a murder mystery, something of an art film. The lead character (played by David Hemmings ) is a self-indulgent photographer. Hemmings plays a self centered playboy, who cares about very little outside his own vain life. When he inadvertently photographs a murder scene, he begins to realize that the world might be about more than him. The story itself is disconnected, non-linear and chaotic. At times it's an art movie, at times it's a murder mystery. Visually it was a treat to watch. Plot wise it was very frustrating, as the main character doesn't follow up on rather obvious leads, he never calls the police, and we're left wondering 'who, what, why'? The setting is the swinging artists scene of London in the late 60's. Great costumes, a fantastic soundtrack, and some splendid camera work, the artistic and philosophical aspects of this movie make it worth watching. I give it a 3 out of 5.
The Stepford wives : Another OnDemand rental. This remake (made in 2004) of a classic dark drama (made in 1963) with a sci-fi core, didn't thrill me all that much. What was obviously meant to be a dark drama was crafted as a comedy instead. The casting was great. Starring Nicole Kidman (Overbearing turned endearing and caring), Matthew Broderick (Hapless and lackluster), Bette Midler (Captivating, comedic and unpracticed), Glenn Close (Simple turned treacherous and twisted), Christopher Walken (Subdued, subduing and surprising), Roger Bart (Listless and forgettable), David Marshall Grant (Living, vibrant and compelling), Jon Lovitz (Simply silly). The performances were worthy of a better screenplay. The characters were worthy but misplaced in this comedic treatment of a somber subject. The laughs were all character and performance driven, and the movie lacked from subject treatment. Most of the content and attention was focused on the actors rather than the story. Too much glitz, not enough guts. This one gets a 2 out of 5.
Cold Mountain : A war story, a love story, a chick flick. Great locations, sets, costumes, characters and props. The fake snow almost had me fooled! The casting was very good. Starring Jude Law , Nicole Kidman (that's two flicks that she's been in so far this month), Renée Zellweger, Eileen Atkins, Brendan Gleeson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Giovanni Ribisi, Donald Sutherland, and others. The story is the real star. In the waning days of the civil war, a wounded southern soldier skips out on the failing front to return home to a love he left in waiting. The performances matched a wonderful story and I'm glad I watched this 'chick flick'. It gets a 5 out of 5, but don't tell Kim I said so.
Twelve O'Clock High : A movie that used to be on my 'Buy' list. I bought two copies, but both were defective. Eventually, I settled on a rental (NetFlix). I'm glad I did. The movie wasn't quite as good as I'd anticipated. I originally saw some clips from the movie when I attended the Air Force's NCO academy. This black and white war movie is good, that's for sure. It's just not good enough to earn a spot on my DVD shelf. The acting lacks conviction, but the direction and writing were spot on. The inclusion of actual air combat footage was nice, but there wasn't enough of it. An excellent portrayal of what it took to win the war over Europe during World War II. This one gets a 3 out of 5.
Croupier : (British) Excellent writing. A dark noir style tale of love, deceit, gambling and ambition. The characters were stoic in the British tradition. The main character was numb to the world. The sets, locations, costumes and acting were top notch. A writer accepts a job as a dealer to cover some expenses. The ending is a bit unexpected, but we're not given much time to think about it. The movie left a 'What the heck?' taste in my mouth. It wasn't until later when I realized what had happened. The only real criticism I have for this movie is the lack of subtitles, and occasional poor sound production. Come on folks, get with the program! This one gets a 4 out of 5.
The Texas chainsaw massacre : The remake. Made in 2003, this movie was a pretty good horror flick. Unlike most of your hollywood horror mistakes, this one doesn't rely on cgi or supernatural suppositions for simulated terror. Here's a home brewed horror story, something that could happen today. Supposedly set in the 70's, the dialogue felt more recent. The acting in this one was much better than the original. I liked the characters, the costumes, the sets and location. The camera work was great. The lighting and music really helped to create an eerie mood. Jessica Biel as Erin (The lead) was boob-alicious in a tank top. I enjoyed R. Lee Ermy as the Sheriff. If you've ever been in the military, you can easily imagine your drill instructor being a sadistic twisted murderous cop. The story was more believable this time around. Unfortunately, the twisted familial relationships were strained, and the 'baby rescue' sub-plot was ludicrous. This one gets a 3 out of 5.
Exorcist - The beginning : The second time around and I was still frightened by this movie. I had to stop the movie twice in order to take a breather and uncoil. The soundtrack, sound production, and sound effects were awesome. Stellan Skarsgård as Father Merrin was an excellent casting choice, but the acting in this movie wasn't all that good. The best performance came from Alan Ford as the ill-fated Jeffries (A hard drinking, racist, abusive, dig director with a penchant for the good looking doctor). Directed by Renny Harlin , this movie was well executed. The writing for this movie was pretty good; If you overlooked the obviously 'added-for-shock-value' parts, you'll find a tense supernatural drama with plenty of suspense and gripping horror. This movie had a lot of production problems. The original choice for director ( John Frankenheimer ), died during pre-production, and the first choice to play Fr. Merrin ( Liam Neeson ), balked at the last moment necessitating re-casting. Despite the critics bemoaning the fact that this isn't the Exorcist resurrected, I thought it was a very scary movie worthy of a 5 out of 5. I liked it so much that I bought a copy when it came out on DVD. For those who are wondering. No, it's not as good as the original. It can't compare. It's a great fright fest and I enjoyed it immensely, but the original is a much better movie on many levels. How come I rated them both 5 out of 5? Because I can!
The Stepford wives : The original movie. Made in 1975, this was a really good movie. Better than the remake. It starts out a bit slow, but the end game pays for the slow motion in the first half of the movie. Starring Katharine Ross, Paula Prentiss and Peter Masterson, the acting was good. The script was tight and and well written. The sets, locations and costumes (the 70's was an era of short, shorts and revealing tops) were good as well. The music was far superior to that of the remake. The drama turned dark and tragic towards the end, a much more suitable presentation of the subject, compared to the remake. I also like the fact that the producer and director didn't explain what was going on. I'd rather draw my own conclusions, I'd rather leave the movie with a sense of foreboding and speculation. I really despise it when the characters explain everything that's going on. Why ruin a good mystery with unnecessary explanations? The remake (see above) really blew it. The original gets a 4 out of 5.
Midnight crossing : Intrigue, drama, deception. What starts out as a tropical vacation cruise on a chartered yacht, turns into murderous greed and a pretty good drama. Some good acting by: Faye Dunaway, Daniel J. Travanti, Kim Cattrall, John Laughlin, Ned Beatty and Pedro De Pool. The story is pretty transparent, but the twist at the end is a nice touch. The music/soundtrack was lacking, but the sets/locations were great. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Men in black : Great entertainment. A hollywood blockbuster with some great characters. Starring, Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D'Onofrio , Rip Torn and Tony Shalhoub , the acting by D'Onofrio and Shalhoub was excellent. As usual, Will Smith played himself, or the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or himself? Two super secret special agents are keeping the peace among extraterrestrial refugees. Saving the earth from a giant bug is just part of the job. Some great cgi, costumes, sets, props and locations add to the vivid comic-book character of this movie. This one gets a 4 out of 5.
Unforgiven : Directed by Clint Eastwood, this is a great movie that one numerous Academy Award honors. It's a movie about the twilight of the gunslinger. Two retired gunslingers (Played by Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman ) team up with a green behind the ears assassin for one last job. The Sheriff (played by Gene Hackman ) is bound and determined to 'disarm' these good-for-nothing murderous low-life scum. Great casting, acting, and character depth. Fantastic sets, locations and costumes. Pretty good soundtrack, and a great story. Who's the hero in this story? I'm glad that the story wasn't a rehash of your usual black and white white hat black hat western. A movie about changing values and progress in America. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
Dersu Uzala : (Russian - Pronounced 'Dare-Sue' 'Ooze-ala') Another movie by Akira Kurosawa . Another cinematic masterpiece! Produced in Russia (with Soviet film industry), This movie tells the tale of a Russian officer leading a group of soldiers through the Siberian wilderness on a survey mission. With a native guide leading the way, they overcome hardships, form bonds of friendship, and take us with them on a great journey. Visually breathtaking, the Siberian Wilderness is untouched and beautiful.The acting is pretty good, the music is o.k. but the story is the star here. Survival, friendship, adventure. Wonderful direction and camera work. This one gets a 5 out of 5, and I'm seriously thinking about adding it to the queue.
Starsky & Hutch : Hollywood blockbuster. Crap. Television series made into feature length movie. Starring Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson . The best casting was Snoop Dogg as Huggy Bear. The acting was mediocre, the laughs felt forced, and the contrived plot was lukewarm at best. After a few laughs I found myself checking the clock, and wondering how much longer this movie would last. I like Owen Wilson, and Ben Stiller, but neither one had a good role in this movie. The writing was marginal, and this one barely gets a 2 out of 5. Watch a re-run of the series instead.
5o first dates : A good romantic movie, cheapened by crude humor. The writing was good, the acting mediocre, and the camera work was pretty good. Starring Adam Sandler , Drew Barrymore and Rob Schneider , the casting wasn't the best. The characters (other than the leads), as typical for an Adam Sandler movie, are spastic. Sandler is a 'love em and leave em romeo', who falls for Barrymore's character. Unfortunately, she has no long term memory. Unfortunately, the detractors out weigh the good points in this movie, and the treatment of the scripts (for poor jokes) finer points is drowned out by the cheap theatrics. 2 out of 5.
Samurai Trilogy 1 - Musashi Miyamoto: (Japan) Directed by Hiroshi Inagaki and starring one of my favorites: Toshiro Mifune , this movie is the first in a three part story. A villager vows to become a samurai. Leaving his village (with his boyhood friend) to fight in a failed war, he comes out of the conflict bitter and disheartened. A priest and a girl become his salvation as he is captured and imprisoned. As the first movie ends he's set out on a new journey. Intent on a purposeful and more disciplined path. This is a good start to a Samurai story. The story was good, and the character treatment was excellent. Unfortunately some of the lighting was sub par. The music was good as were costumes and sets. The locations were awesome. This one gets a 4 out of 5.
Tampopo : (Japan) A noodle western? Written and directed by Juzo Itami and starring Tsutomu Yamazaki . This strange film follows Tsutomu - playing a Japanese truck driver with an American western style, and Nobuko Miyamoto - playing the owner of a third rate ramen shop, as they try to transform mediocre noodles into a culinary masterpiece. With strange cutouts and characters, this charming movie is heartwarming and humorous. The pacing, directing and casting are excellent. Throw in some rather peculiar direction (and some strange buy sexy sidebars) and you've got a very good movie. This one gets a 4 out of 5.
My big fat Geek wedding : Directed by Joel Zwick ; starring Nia Vardalos , John Corbett , and Michael Constantine . This was a great movie. The writting was absolutely fantastic. Despite the fact that this movie is about a Greek family, growing up Greek, and a Greek wedding, it's a story about America. How can a Greek American find happiness and still honor her Greek heritage? Nia Vardalos is brilliant as Toula Portokalos. Sad, funny, and happy, this is a great romantic drama. Not a comedy, but full of laughs. This movie doesn't mock or belittle another culture, but it lets us laugh at the eccentricities of every American family. The direction had a decided sitcom feel that worked well with this movie. The casting, costumes, sets and locations were spot on, and the music accentuated the movie perfectly. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
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Feb (15/8/1/1)
The big hit : Absolutely horrible. Directed by Kirk Wong (Otherwise known as: Zhiqiang Huang, Alan Smithee, Che Kirk Wong, Che-Kirk Wong, or Chi Keung Wong). This is a classic example of American hollywood blockbuster movies. O.k. It's a Chinese director, but it's an American movie. A glitzy, cliched, shoot-em up, movie with lots of explosions. Starring Lou Diamond Phillips (Bad acting), Antonio Sabato Jr. (Overlooked), Mark Wahlberg (Sucky character for lead role), Bokeen Woodbine (Not bad) and Christina Applegate (Obvious eye candy), I'm not quite sure why I bought this, but I won't make the mistake of watching it again. If you're looking for a movie to avoid, add this one to your list. I give it a 1 out of 5.
Indiana Jones and the temple of doom : The second film in the George Lucas (Writing) / Steven Spielberg (Directing) Indiana Jones Trilogy. Harrison Ford reprises his role as Indiana Jones. Unfortunately, he takes two annoying co-stars along for the ride. Kate Capshaw as the annoying songbird, and Jonathan Ke Quan as the sidekick Short Round. In this sequel, Indiana rescues an Indian village and their children from slavery under the thumb of a cult of Kali worshipping thugs. Some of the best acting came from Amrish Puri playing Mola Ram the evil high priest. The music and costumes are great, and it makes for a fantastic action flick. Unfortunately, the limited story and over-acting drag the rating down to a 3 out of 5.
Hidden fortress : (Japanese - Kakushi toride no san akunin) Another movie by Akira Kurosawa . Excellent directing, camera work, sets, locations, costumes, and a great story. It's an escape story. Toshirô Mifune plays a general trying to smuggle the princess out of enemy territory. Two bumbling peasants happen upon the refugees and are pressed into service by the lure of gold. Intricate, lush and laughable. This movie had a large number of extras, and some really good acting. One of Kurosawa's best. I give it a 5 out of 7.
Veronica Guerin : A crime drama about an Irish journalist who goes after a drug lord in Dublin. Based on actual events, this thriller included some excellent directing (by Joel Schumacher ) but the screenplay could have been better. One of the primary characters (The bad guy) lacks for motivation, and many of the others have a distinct feeling of incompleteness. The best acting came from a supporting actor - Ciarán Hinds , playing John Traynor, a seedy underworld figure with connections on both sides of the street. The pacing was too fast at times, but the story was great. As was the casting, locations and costumes. I give it a 4 out of 5.
The day after tomorrow : A hollywood blockbuster with some astonishing visual effects (computer generated). This movie was primarily a character based drama. It's set in a world gone awry with ice-age inducing weather. Ruining the movie are unbelievable event pacing and less than convincing behaviors. On the plus side is a good sound track, some good acting and some pretty good production, despite a difficult to work with medium (Massive amounts of digital effects). This one gets a 3 out of 5 based primarily on the first half of the movie.
The Grudge : A remake of the Japanese movie Ju-On . By the same director ( Takashi Shimizu ) as the original movie. This remake is a good scare, the music, pacing and cinematography are great. I enjoyed it quite a bit. Unfortunately, the American actors are out of place in a Japanese setting, and their alien quality in the setting reduces their ability to properly portray a role that was originally written for Japanese characters. That plus the scaled down scare factor drives the rating down another notch. If I hadn't seen 'Ju-On' first, I might have been just as scared by this remake. The effects are polished somewhat, but the order of events is still somewhat difficult to follow. Perhaps I shouldn't have purchased this one. The original is much better. I give the remake a 3 out of 5.
Psycho : The original black and white Alfred Hitchcock thriller. The novel is written by one of my favorite 'lovecraftian' authors; Robert Bloch (See my books page). His work is tense, frightening and rich with detail. This movie is masterpiece of modern horror. The genesis of many spin-offs and wannabes. Spectacular acting, a terrific script, suspenseful music, and a great set/location. It's been quite some time since I've seen this psychological thriller. I'd completely forgotten most of the movie. The beginning and ending of the movie are just as good as the shower scene. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
Shaun of the dead : (British) A spoof on zombie flicks, or is it a romantic comedy set in a Zombie movie? Hugely hilarious. Kim and I went and saw this one at the theater. It was quite humorous. Shaun and his friends are so wrapped up in their own personal little dramas, that they fail to see the bigger picture. It takes a 'Dawn of the Dead' to wake them from their suburban stupor. A comic, horror, drama, romance. Great music, a fantastic cast, and a great story. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
SLC Punk : A movie about growing up. Despite the Punk underpinnings and the Salt Lake City settings. This movie is about growing up, about rebellion, about responsibility, about life and learning what that's all about. Two punkers think they're going to teach this town a thing or two. The dynamic duo soon discovers that life has other plans for them. Great characters, outstanding music (I'm an old punker myself), and a fantastic performance by Matthew Lillard as Stevo. I really enjoyed the narrative. A fantastic coming of age movie. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
The Cooler : William H. Macy plays Bernie Lootz, a walking streak of bad luck; a cooler. Employed off-the-books by Shelly Kaplow, played by Alec Baldwin , the manager of an old-school Las Vegas casino. The casino business is changing, and Bernie's luck is about to change. A noir classic hard luck turned good luck story. This is one well directed movie. The lighting, music, costumes and settings are all fantastic. Add in a outstanding cast, some good acting by Alec Baldwin (for a change), and a role that seems to fit William H. Macy like a glove and you've got one hell of a movie. Maria Bello looks really hot as 'Lady luck', and the story unfolds like a classic mobster drama where the truth hurts more than the kneecappings dished out by the old gangster who runs the casino. I give this one a 5 out of 5.
The triplets of Belleville : (French - Les Triplettes de Belleville) Animated. You may well know that I'm no fan of animation. Thankfully this story was very well told. Full of colorful images and enticing music. The story seemed to drift effortlessly from theme to theme as the characters somba'd across the screen. A dog that daydreams about trains, a bicyclist characterized as a race horse, an un-aging grandmother with a gimp leg, and three crooning sisters help rescue the grandson from the clutches of a strange little man, his goon squad and a surreal life of gambling. Unfortunately, the I detected an anti-american slant in the artistic representation of some characters. The statue of liberty is depicted as a fat woman holding aloft an ice cream cone and a big mac. Aside from the negative depiction of Americans, the DVD also had a production defect that prevented me from viewing the subtitles. This movie gets a 4 out of 5. It's a shame really. The first animated movie that I've enjoyed in a long time has to depict Americans in such a derogatory manner. Other ethnic/national characterizations are there but they're not as blatantly offensive.
In America : Boring, but well made. Good acting, and fine directing. Sugar coated placebo. What exactly was this movie about? I watched an immigrant family (were they in America illegally?) scratching out an existence in New York. Irish immigrants running from the loss of a child. Touching, heartfelt, crap. I liked it, but it lacked substance. The characters were well formed, believable and full of vigor. A well made movie lacking in purpose. This one gets a 3 out of 5.
Straw Dogs : A very violent movie. Shot in the U.K. with Dustin Hoffman in the lead role. Directed by Sam Peckinpah this was another well directed film that was lacking in direction. Typical for movies of the 70's, this movie sort of meandered about, before settling on a violent path. Reminiscent of Clockwork Orange , this home invasion movie is a bit odd. I found the characters believable and rich, but the plot was lacking. What exactly was this movie about? Just a home invasion? Containing scenes depicting rape, a child molester, murder, and a lynch mob, this movie depicted the English countryside in an unfavorable light. The movie was even banned in the U.K. for some time. I cant give this movie more than a 3 out of 5.
Chunhyang : (Korean) As beautiful as a peach blossom. Filled with truth, love, beauty, and loyalty. This movie is as moving as it is refreshing. Filmed in two styles, a narrative traditional Korean theatrical presentation slips into a modern cinematic presentation with a fantastic cast, some wonderful acting, wondrous locations, authentic costumes and a moving tale worthy of praise. A story of love, corruption, fidelity, and perseverance. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
Audition : (Japanese - Odishon) The acting was good, the sound production and direction very good. The sets and costumes were good, the casting was good. The lighting was horrible. All the outdoor shots were well lit. The indoor scenes were all abysmally dark. The story was a bit odd. A middle-aged Japanese man starts to think about getting remarried after his son suggests it. With the help of a co-worker he holds a mock audition, where the actual goal of the audition is to pick a date. Unfortunately for the main character, he ends up selecting a psycho hose beast! The premise is a bit stretched given today's computer dating age, and the psycho hose beast part has been done to death. The women picked as a date eventually poisons, paralyzes, and impales the protagonist before cutting off one of his feet. The ending arrives rather bluntly and anti-climactically afterwards. The character development was rather well done, but the movie lacked passion. Oh yeah, I don't think there was any soundtrack. If there was, it was so subdued or uninspiring that I didn't notice it at all. This movie gets a 2 out of 5. It's unusual that a recommended movie doesn't get at least a 3...
The dirty dozen : What a classic! A great war movie. Directed by Robert Aldrich , starring Lee Marvin , Ernest Borgnine , Charles Bronson , Jim Brown , John Cassavetes , Richard Jaeckel , George Kennedy , Trini Lopez , Ralph Meeker , Robert Ryan , Telly Savalas , Donald Sutherland , Clint Walker and Robert Webber . The mission: Train twelve military convicts to go behind enemy lines and destroy a chateau filled with Nazi military leaders. Sure it's a suicide mission, but if they make it out alive they're sentence is commuted. A fantastic action flick with some terrific acting. The pacing is very good. The camera and sound work were excellent, the sets, the costumes, the locations, the supporting cast, all fitting of a top notch production. I'm sure I'll watch it over and over. Give em' hell boys! This one was on my must 'buy' list. I give it a 5 out of 5.
City of god : (Brazil - Cidade de Deus) Typically, I detest movies that glorify violence, drugs, or aberrant (read violent) sexual behavior. This movie is very violent, but it's not about behavior. It's about reality. Based on the true life story of a man who escaped the violent environment where he grew up. This is a documentary disguised as a movie. It grabbed me like a pit-bull, shook me like a rag doll, and left me reeling like I just finished ten rounds with a heavy weight champion. A realistic depiction of life in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. I completely forgot that theses were actors depicting a role. Everything in this movie felt genuine. I certainly hope no one lost their lives filming this work. If you thought an American inner city was violent, you've got another thing coming. This one gets a 5 out of 5 for its realistic depiction of life in the impoverished third world, and what it takes to claw your way out.
Open your eyes : (Spain - Abre los Ojos) This one starts off kind of slow. A very vain playboy treats women and his friends like hired help. Basking in his self-importance, his wake up call arrives in the form of a disfiguring car accident. Without giving away the 'secret' of this movie, I'll say this. It's mind blowing. I really didn't know what was coming. I thought it was going to be your typical self absorption meets introspection character based drama. Not so, there's a science fiction edge just inches away from the surface. Once you go over that edge you'll find a much more interesting movie than the pretentious first half of this movie. This one gets a 4 out of 5.
Dodgeball : Kim rented this one using Comcast's 'On Demand' service; something I've been avoiding. It's a bit expensive $4.00 for a new release, and somewhat difficult to use. The movie was in my NetFlix queue, so I decided to get my money's worth. The story is incredibly shallow. A typical hollywood underdog story. A group of stereotypical losers, led by Vince Vaughn, inhabit "Joe's average gym". The group next door is lead by Ben Stiller (playing the heavy?). When "Globo-Gym' decides to take out the competition, the only thing that can save the misfits is a $50,000 prize from a 'Dodgeball' competition. Despite the incredibly shallow premise, and lack of any depth, this movie does contain a lot of laughs. Vince Vaughn was absolutely apathetic in his role. I can't imagine anyone, not even the rejects that inhabit his run-down establishment following him into anything other than an unemployment line. Thankfully, good writing and some very funny moments make up for a typical hollywood get-cash-quick movie formula. This movie would have been better served with a cast of complete unknowns. I watched the unrated version, and the sexually charged ending really didn't make the movie any better. The bit after the credits was sad but laughable. This one gets a 3 out of 5.
Miracle : A cinderella story. The U.S. Amateur hockey team defeats the reigning Soviet team. Hard work, dedication, and team work is just what we needed in the dark days of the carter administration. The story was worthy, but I don't think this movie did it as much justice as it deserves. Kurt Russel gave a outstanding performance as Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team. Unlike some sports movies, this one doesn't rely on slow-motion or special camera angles to heighten the tension. This is a depiction of Americans overcoming the odds to come out on top. I remember following the U.S. Hockey team that winter, and there's no doubt in my mind; this was the first American 'Dream team'. This movie gets a 4 out of 5. Excellent directing and some great writing.
The experiment : (German - Das experiment) With english subtitles. This movie is based on the infamous " Stanford Prison Experiment " conducted in 1971. A makeshift prison is set up in a research lab and volunteers are divided into two groups. Prisoners and Guards. They are given uniforms, and a very simple set of instructions. Act according to your roles, but there is to be no violence. Well, things get out of hand. Way out of hand! A tense psycho drama with some excellent acting. The lead character (Prisoner 77) is played by Moritz Bleibtreu . He starred in Run Lola Run as well. Another one of my favorites. This one gets a 5 out of 5. Rent it and own it. I had no idea it was this good.
Baadasssss! : (aka - Gettin' the Man's Foot Outta Your Baadasssss!) A documentary about Melvin Van Peebles struggle to make a movie about the Black Man's struggle. A socio-political statement unlike any other. This documentary stars Mario Van Peebles , playing his father. The acting in this movie is great. The costumes are terrific, the pacing and direction were excellent. A fantastic story (worth watching) explores the treatment of African American's in hollywood cinema prior to the 70's. Sensational. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Constantine : Another comic book character brought to the big screen. Something like 'The Matrix meets Hellboy'. Unfortunately, it lacked emotion. The acting was pretty good, the costumes, sets, and locations were great, but the characters (Played by Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz ) were flat. I didn't feel anything for them. It was a great visual fest; the demons sure were popin! But this movie didn't leave much to the imagination. Everything was explained, and revealed. Everything was handed to you on a platter, there was no mystery, no passion, no compulsion, no compassion. This one gets a 3 out of 5. If they'd any hope for a sequel, they pretty much ruined that chance by concluding everything in a single movie, there's nothing left to tell about the characters in this movie.
Spellbound : Not the Alfred Hitchcock movie. (Which I added to the queue after I looked up this spellbound) This movie is a documentary. The story of eight young finalists in the National Spelling Bee. Real-life drama unlike any hollywood movie. The characters are fantastic! This documentary was very well done. Telling a story of America through the eyes of the average citizen. Immigrant, worker, inner city kid, backwater sleepy town. What makes America great? Opportunity, competition, and drive. These kids, and their parents just never give up. This movie gets a 3 out of 5.
Baraka : Man and nature. A completely non verbal emotive journey. Religious ceremonies, ethnic variation, the natural world, the man made world. A very artisitc depiction of mans relationship with the world around him. Beautifully directed and produced. Great music and video work. No acting. This one gets a 3 out of 5 for its artistic qualitiy and production value.
[ Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec ]
Jan (17/10)
Sports Illustrated - 2003 Swimsuit edition : Yes, I'm a red-blooded American man. I like to look at beautiful women, and they're easier to see when they're wearing itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikinis. This movie, documentary, presentation, is a well made piece of work. Excellent locations, costumes (ahem), beautiful women, fantastic narration, great sound production, music, and some really fine camera work. I hope that the folks who worked on this presentation are involved in full-blown movie production, because they sure know how to put together a well produced piece of entertainment. I give this entertaining documentary a 4 out of 5.
Interstate 60 : A fine movie. A bit slow, the pacing could have been a little faster, but the story was well told. Unfortunately, it was very formulaic. I was pretty close on guessing what was coming next. This movie was something of a 'Twilight Zone' meets 'Road Trip'. The protagonist gets tangled up in a little American folklore while trying to decide whether he should follow his own path, or take the path laid out before him by others. A moralistic story, told through a series of vignettes or tests, with a happy ending. Just a little bit too sweet, a little bit too sugar coated. I give it a 3 of 5 for technical production aspects.
Blood Simple : Written by Joel & Ethan Coen, directed by Joel Coen, and starring John Getz, Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya, and M. Emmet Walsh. This is a great drama. Love triangle becomes a square when a private investigator is hired. Seeking easy money, the investigator decides to cash in on his employer. What follows are some dramatic events. Believable but surprising, this crime thriller about love, revenge, murder and money kept me wondering who was next. Great acting for a junior cast, and some top notch camera work. I enjoyed this movie immensely. It gets a 4 out of 5.
Me myself & Irene : If it hadn't been for Jim Carrey , I wouldn't have watched this movie. I can't stand the Farrelly brothers. Peter and Bobby seem to think that poking fun at the handicapped is somehow funny. All their movies disgust me, they're crass, vulgar, riddled with profanity and not all that funny. I like this movie because of Carrey. He's talented and he makes me laugh. Despite the horrid stereotyping and racial overtones of this movie, Carrey, the music and the supporting cast make this movie worth watching. This one gets a 3 out of 5.
The Manchurian Candidate : A remake of the classic 1962 black & white political thriller. Is it as good as the original? Hell no! Is it fair to compare the two? Sort of, but not really. To be fair, it's a different movie. The mind control plot is intact, the sleeper in the White House is still the premise of the movie. The bad guys are different, and it's set in modern times. Post Gulf War I. The political context is fresh and dead on relevant. The acting is great, especially Meryl Streep as Eleanor Shaw. Denzel Washington plays his usual intense paranoid character, and Liev Schrieber plays his typical laconic character. The ending is very predictable, but getting there with this cast was worth the anticlimactic ending. This one gets a 4 out of 5. It was on my 'Watch' list, but I jumped the gun and bought a copy.
Primal Fear : A fantastic cast. Starring: Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney, Frances McDormand. You just can't go wrong with talent like this. This courtroom drama/thriller blends the best parts of both movies. A choir boy (Believe it or not, played by Edward Norton) is suspected of murdering a prominent Catholic Priest. Richard Gere's character defends the suspect pro-bono. An ex-flame heads up the defense, and there are skeletons in the closet. The twist at the end leaves the movie with a ending befitting of an involved and complex plot. Superbly executed. Despite my dislike for Richard Gere, I have to give this one a 5 out of 5.
Dirty Pretty Things : The underside of London. Illegal immigrants have a rough go of it in London's seedy underside. When your in the country illegally, people really take advantage of you. In this movie, a pair of illegal immigrants do their best to survive from day to day. Taking the jobs that no one else will, they look the other way until they can't take it any longer. Great acting, a fantastic story, and superb casting. This movie deserves wider acclaim. I give it a 5 out of 5.
Shattered Glass : A movie based on the true story about a writer for the New Republic (Stephan Glass) who fabricated more than half of the stories published under his name. A great movie about journalistic ethics, honesty and the pressure to be 'entertaining'. Excellent writing and acting. But more importantly, a story that had to be told. I remember reading about the events that led to this movie. I remember thinking to myself, 'How naive have we become?" Are we only interested in entertainment? The magazine industry is constantly competing with the glitzy television version of reality. A five second sound bite, a shiny perfect people snippet where the facts are less important than the graphic images that rivet viewers to their couches during the prime time news hour. Thanks for reminding me that some things are more important than the glamour. This movie gets a 5 out of 5.
Troy : As expected, this movie drew quite a bit of criticism. Why? Probably because it's based on the Iliad. Or maybe, just maybe, it's because Brad Pitt is in it? The movie is highly inaccurate; not true to the facts; etc, etc, etc. The facts? Most of the facts of the Hellenic age are based on conjecture and sparse journalism of the age. The movie was good. The characters were heroic. Visually stunning, the sets and locations were evocative. The action was mesmerizing, especially the personal combat. It was very well choreographed. The acting was excellent. The only problem was the accents. Hearing the Irish and English accents coming out of Greeks and Trojans was a bit disconcerting. A worthy summer treat. I give it a 4 out of 5.
The House of Sand and Fog : A powerful drama, filled with exceptional performances. Starring Jennifer Connelly , Ben Kingsley , Ron Eldard , Shohreh Aghdashloo and Jonathan Ahdout. This movie is a dark tragedy. Populated with people spiraling towards a less than hopeful ending, they stick to their convictions the whole way down. The locations, costumes, casting and music were perfectly suited to the atmosphere lent by the script. The best part of this movie was the acting. If the ending hadn't been such a downer, I would have enjoyed it more. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Bug : Not the cutesy animated story about a bug. This 1970's horror flick is a 'B' movie in the 1950's sense. full of preposterous plot material, poor acting, and cheesy synthesizer music. The best part about this movie was the book it was based on. I read the book ages and ages ago, and I saw the movie about as long ago. Unfortunately, I'd forgotten just how bad the movie was. While the screen play did a pretty good job of sticking with the book, it was nowhere as good as the book. I give this movie a 1 out of 5. It's been a while since something earned a 1, but this one is a definite 'must avoid' masterpiece.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre : Gruesome! Ghastly! Gratuitous! - This gore fest didn't offer much in the way of acting, but the story, costumes, and camera work were superb. Be prepared for a lot of screaming, and some truly disgusting characters. A group of young adults on a road trip stumble upon a truly twisted family of murderous misfits. This movie set the standard for thousands of knock-off gore-fest films. If it hadn't been for the horrible acting, this one would have earned a higher rating. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Battleship Potemkin : (Soviet Union/Georgian - Bronenosets Potyomkin) Produced in 1925 by one of the greatest early motion picture directors ( Sergei Einstein ), this movie was restored in 1976 by the Soviet film industry (Wouldn't it be wonderful if this movie were re-made!). Black and white and silent, this movie contains some stunning portrayals of disenfranchised workers and an aristocratic upper class. A cinematic landmark that documented some of the events that led to the Bolshevik revolution. Sailor's fed up with maggot infested meat and ill treatment rise up in mutiny which leads to an uprising in Odessa. Czarist troops are called in and a rather gruesome slaughter ensues. One scene from this movie was particularly striking, and it's been reproduced in the movie ' The Untouchables '. A mother is shot dead on the steps of the port in Odessa, she falls to the ground, and an occupied baby carriage teeters precariously before finally tilting over the edge and beginning a slow motion focused scene where the baby carriage careens down the steps. This visually stunning movie gets a 4 out of 5.
Napoleon Dynamite : Another movie where I jumped the gun. After seeing previews, and having friends recommend the movie, this selection jumped from must see (on my Netflix queue) to must buy. I bought a copy the other day, and I'm glad I did. Geeks rule! This movie chronicles one geeks journey through a week of high school hell. It brought back a lot of memories for me, the characters were full of flavor. Quirky and real, tragic and truthful. Yeah it was funny, but is was also satirical and dramatic. The pacing and directing were fantastic. The music and characters transported me back to 1982 (just like one of the characters in the movie). I graduated in 1982, and this movie was my time machine. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Road to Perdition : A classic gangster movie. Tom Hanks cranks out a terrific performance. Sam Mendes did a bang-up job directing this all star cast which included: Tom Hanks , Paul Newman , Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh . A hit man for the mob is on the run after the son of a mob boss marks him and his family for death. Technically flawless, this masterpiece is quite an accomplishment. Dark and dramatic, the story is tightly wound and perfectly paced. The tension and drama uncoil in classic mobster style. This one gets a 5 out of 5.
15 Minutes : Yes I own this movie. I'm not quite sure why I bought it. A waste of good talent. Starring Robert De Niro and Edward Burns , the writing and directing are lacking. Two 'Tourists' from Eastern Europe come to New York to collect on a debt. When their 'friend' can't pay up, one of them goes on a killing spree while the other video tapes everything. In a media inspired spin. The psycho killer thinks he can claim he was insane, pay a lawyer a big pile of money, earned from the writes to the video, and get away with the whole thing. It ends badly for the 'psycho killer'. Russian actor, Oleg Taktarov did a pretty good job as the psycho killers partner. All in all, this movie gets a 2 out of 5.
The Wicker Man : (British/Scottish) A good detective thriller. A Scottish police detective is dispatched to a remote island after a young girl is reported missing. His investigation reveals an island full of pagan's who don't appreciate his meddling. He soon uncovers the gruesome 'truth' of a murder. As his investigation progresses, he finds himself in a progressively more dangerous environment. When the May day celebration arrives, the movie climaxes in a surprising twist. The acting was pretty good. Edward Woodward did a good job as the police detective, and Christopher Lee was definitely worth watching as well. I give this movie a 3 out of 5. This movie definitely kept me watching as the original story unraveled.
Halloween : Directed by John Carpenter , the master of horror suspense ( The Fog , The Thing , They Live , In the mouth of madness ), this movie set the standard for suspense slashers. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis in her debut role, the real star of this movie was the direction and music, both by John Carpenter. The combination of these two creates a sense of suspense unlike any other. Even the most mundane scenes; teenagers walking home from school, are dripping with suspense. The acting played third string to music, mood and setting. This movie gets a 4 out of 5.
Edward Scissorhands : A magical tale. A fairy tale fable, a wondrous piece of work from Tim Burton . Written by Tim Burton and Caroline Thompson, this highly visual movie was directed by Tim Burton. The original score by Danny Elfman is evocative and soulful. Combine the writing, direction, music and acting talent of Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Vincent Price and Dianne Weist and you've got a great movie. Johnny Depp plays an unfinished outcast in a nearly perfect world. Created by a 'mad' scientist, who dies before he can affix real hands to his creation, Edward is left to fend for himself in a world that's not as non-judgmental as it claims to be. Befriended by the local Avon lady, everything starts out rosy, but quickly turns south when petty jealousies and insecurities begin to take there toll on the protagonist. The costumes, sets, and makeup are perfectly matched to the characters and milieu of this fictional suburban village. A must see for Tim Burton fans. I give it a 5 out of 5.
Prophecy 3 - The ascent : A fantastic cast in a relatively poor movie. The story wasn't that good. The pacing was good but there really wasn't any development. We're left wondering what's going on throughout the movie. Luckily, I've seen the other two movies. My wife on the other hand, was constantly asking questions regarding the characters and plot line. Starring Christopher Walken and a bunch of other actors who get overshadowed by Christopher Walken's screen presence. The only other actor of note was Kayren Butler, who played the girlfriend of a Nephalim (Half human half angel). While her acting wasn't that good, she sure looked hot! The effects were pretty good, some of the visuals/camera work was pretty good. The music was o.k. The direction was o.k. This movie was something of a let down considering the fact that it was the final part of a trilogy. The ending was anticlimactic, rushed, and abbreviated. This one gets a 3 out of 5, based primarily on Christopher Walken's performance.
The Village : Another movie written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan . One of my favorite directors. Shyamalan also did Sixth Sense , Signs and Unbreakable . I rated all of these 5 out of 5, and may come as no surprise that I'm giving 'The Village' a 5 out of 5 as well. A love story inside a story inside a story. Very well written. The cast was fantastic. With names like: Bryce Dallas Howard , Joaquin Phoenix , Adrian Brody , William Hurt , Sigourney Weaver , and Brendon Gleeson , this movie contains some top notch acting. The costumes are vivid, evocative and splendid in period. The sets and locations take you back to a simpler time. The music moves you, catching your breath, lifting your spirits and giving you hope. The direction is impeccable. This movie has more emotion and reason in it than M. Night Shyamalan's previous films. Despite the reviews of a couple of nay saying friends, I thought this was a fantastic movie. I'm glad I bought a copy and I look forward to his next film.
Richard III : (British) An alternate history adaptation of Shakespeare's play. Visually stunning, inventive and tense. This retelling contains a fantastic cast, some splendid acting, and a good piece of directing. The music wasn't all that good and the writer couldn't possibly create a movie in under three hours that would do this story justice. This one gets a three out of five.
The Killing : Black and white heist drama by Stanley Kubrick . This crime thriller is styled like a classic film noir heist film. With some innovative production, here we see a very early example of non-linear structure. You can see it's influence in movies such as Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction . If it hadn't been for the offensive and excessive use of narration, this movie would have been much better. The acting was great, even for the time. The script was great, some really good lines, and a pretty tight story. The framing and pacing were well done, and the music was exceptional. I give it a 3 out of 5.
Deliverance : One of the few great movies to make it out of the 70's. This gripping story of man against nature against man's nature is a classic tale of caution, risk, and adventure. Absolutely perfect pacing and sensational acting carry this movie forward through the rapids of an adventure based drama. Burt Reynolds , Jon Voight , and a Ned Beatty (In a debut role) all deliver unforgettable performances. The dueling banjos segment is a great introduction to the tense journey ahead. The location was as raw as it gets. This wasn't shot on a sound stage with some jury rigged rapids, this was real backwaters footage from the deep woods of Georgia. Places that no longer exist stand as the backdrop to a masterful movie, directed by Roger Boorman . This movie will make you 'squeal like a pig'. I give it a 5 out of 5. I'm glad I bought it.
The Terminal : Directed by Steven Spielberg , starring Tom Hanks. This movie is a charming comedic drama about a foreigner trapped in a U.S. airport. Stranded between countries, the protagonist is forced to live in an airport terminal. Tormented by the director of security, Tom's character has to fend for himself. He finds employment, love, and finally liberty in this light hearted comedy. The camera work in this movie was absolutely fantastic. One such detail includes a scene where the security director is using a joystick to pan a security camera, as the shot transitions from the security monitor to actors, it transitions from a jerky joystick like motion to a smooth pan & scan motion. The direction was fantastic. The only drawback was the less than satisfactory ending to the love interest. I give it a 4 out of 5.
Akira Kurosawa's Dreams : (Japanese - Yume) A series of eight vignettes by the master director, Akira Kurosawa . If you're not a fan of Kurosawa's work, I'd recommend that you watch one of his feature length movies first. This is an artistic wellspring of inspirational material. One could easily adapt any of the short stories presented here as a feature length film. Visually stunning, absolutely breathtaking locations, and masterfully composed moving picture artwork. I give this one a 4 out of 5.
The links: While reading my reviews, you may notice links to the movies, actors, or directors. I use a mix of IMDB.com and NetFlix.com for these links. NetFlix.com offers movie previews, reviews and ratings, while IMDB.com offers more information about the cast, production, and movie details.
Last years reviews: Take a trip into the Past. View the 'Movie Review' archives. Venture way back to the Distant Past. Fire up the way back machine, and study some Ancient History. In order to experience previous 'Movie Review' archives, manually enter the URL in the form 'http://www.robsworld.org/mr####.html'; substituting the year for the number (pound) signs. The 'Movie Review' archives begin in the year 2004.
| Denzel Washington |
Which element discovered by Cavendish in 1766, has a name that means 'water producing'? | Read _MaMI3_Appendices.pdf
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Movies and Mental Illness
Using Films to Understand Psychopathology
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Appendix F
Films Illustrating Psychopathology
Key to Ratings
Description provided for your information only; don't bother with the film Mildly interesting and somewhat educational; probably worth your time A good film relevant to your education as a mental health professional Highly recommended both as art and as professional education A must-see film that combines artistry with psychological relevance
Anxiety Disorders
40 Year Old Virgin, The (2005) Comedy Screwball comedy depicting issues relevant to those suffering from social phobia, such as fear of embarrassment, dating/sex fears, social inadequacy, and avoidance behavior. Adaptation (2002) Comedy/Action Multi-layered Spike Jonze film in which Nicholas Cage plays twin brothers, one of whom is a neurotic screenwriter struggling to write a story based on a book about orchids. Analyze That (2002) Comedy/Action The follow-up film to Analyze This, in which a panic-disordered mob boss (De Niro) malingers to get released from prison, tries to maintain an ordinary job, and is convinced to return while stringing along his psychiatrist (Crystal). Analyze This (1999) Comedy/Action The original Billy Crystal/Robert De Niro comedy where Deniro plays the lead thug in a New York mafia group who develops panic attacks. De Niro sees a psychiatrist (Billy Crystal) for treatment. Arachnophobia (1990) Comedy/Horror A story about a doctor with a paralyzing fear of spiders. (Actually, the spiders in this film are pretty intimidating, and fear appears to be a perfectly reasonable response.) As Good As It Gets (1997) Romance Jack Nicholson won his third Academy Award
as Best Actor for this film, in which he portrays a homophobic, racist novelist with an obsessivecompulsive disorder. Aviator, The (2004) Drama/Biography Directed by Martin Scorsese, this film depicts Howard Hughes Jr.'s (Leonardo DiCaprio) early years (19201940s) and the progression of his obsessive-compulsive disorder. Winner of five Academy Awards and a Voice Award. Batman Begins (2005) Action/Drama Sophisticated Christopher Nolan film telling the story of Bruce Wayne, a young boy with a phobia who watches his wealthy parents' murder and becomes a superhero. Wayne's phobia of bats is conquered through systematic exposure. The movie demonstrates the importance of facing up to what one fears the most. Big Parade, The (1925) Romance/War Epic film about World War I gives the viewer a sense of the stress of combat and the trauma of returning to civilian life minus a leg or an arm. Big White, The (2005) Drama/Crime Black comedy starring Robin Williams, Holly Hunter, Giovanni Ribisi, and Woody Harrelson. Margaret (Hunter) is diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, which appears to be adult onset (i.e., it doesn't match DSM-IV criteria); she has little selfcontrol over her verbal outbursts. Black Rain (1989) Drama Black-and-white film by Japanese filmmaker Shohei Imamura about the aftermath of the bomb-
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ing of Hiroshima and its long-term psychological effects.
"Who's gonna love me, Dad? Whoever's going to love me?" Ron Kovic in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Coming Home (1978) Drama/War Jon Voigt plays a paraplegic veteran who becomes Jane Fonda's lover in this sensitive antiwar film. Fonda's Marine Corps husband winds up committing suicide. Interesting analysis of the different ways different people respond to the stress of war. Copycat (1995) Suspense/Thriller Sigourney Weaver plays a criminal psychologist who struggles with agoraphobia symptoms as she helps police track down a serial killer (Harry Connick, Jr.). Coyote Ugly (2000) Comedy/Drama A young woman moves to New York City to try to make it as a songwriter. She takes a job as a "coyote" bartender at a wild, interactive bar and the experience helps her overcome her social anxiety. Creepshow (1982) Horror A man with an insect phobia winds up being eaten alive by cockroaches. Directed by George Romero, who also directed the classic film Night of the Living Dead. Stephen King wrote the screenplay, and the film is actually better than one might initially expect. Da Vinci Code, The (2006) Drama/Mystery This is a Ron Howard film about a murder inside the Louvre. Clues in Da Vinci's paintings lead to the discovery of a religious mystery protected by a secret society for two thousand years -which could shake the foundations of Christianity. Tom Hanks' character experiences somatic anxiety symptoms including shortness of breath and discomfort in social situations. Deer Hunter, The (1978) War Robert De Niro in an unforgettable film about how Vietnam affects the lives of three high school buddies. The Russian roulette sequences are among the most powerful scenes in film history. Psycho pathology themes include drug abuse, PTSD, and depression. The movie won five Academy Awards, including one for best picture, and De Niro has described it as his finest film. Departed, The (2006) Crime/Drama/Mystery Engaging Martin Scorsese film starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, and Martin Sheen portraying Irish mafia, undercover detectives, and corrupt federal agents. DiCaprio's character experiences panic attacks and anxiolytics are prescribed.
Born on the Fourth of July (1989) Drama/War/Biography Oliver Stone film about the anger, frustration, rage, and coping of paralyzed Vietnam veteran Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise). Kovic was thrown out of the 1972 Republican convention, but went on to address the Democratic convention in 1976. The film has especially memorable VA hospital scenes. Brave One, The (2007) Crime/Thriller Jodie Foster plays a radio talk show host and newlywed. She survives a brutal attack that leaves her fiancé dead. Following the attack, her fear heightens yet she forces herself to get revenge. Broken English (2007) Comedy/Drama/Romance Parker Posey portrays an organizer/secretary/event planner who is bored and passes each day searching for a lover on the Internet. She chooses men who are unavailable because of a fear of commitment. When she gets close to a genuine commitment, she has dramatic panic attacks. Bubble (2005) Crime/Drama Minimalist Steven Soderbergh project about three characters in a poor town, working at a factory. One suffers from anxiety and panic attacks. Cars that Ate Paris, The (1974, Australia) Comedy Early Peter Weir film that takes place in a secluded town in rural Paris, Australia, where the main source of income is the revenue from the instigating accidents and salvaging valuables from the wrecks. Panic attacks and exposure are depicted. Casualties of War (1989) War Brian De Palma film about five GIs who kidnap, rape, and murder a young Vietnamese girl. The film deals with themes of guilt, stress, violence, and, most of all, the dehumanizing aspects of war.
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Dirty Filthy Love (2004, UK) Drama/Comedy An outstanding movie about Mark Furness whose life falls apart as a result of his affliction with obsessive compulsive disorder and Tourette's Disorder. Treatment, support groups, and severe symptoms of OCD and Tourette's are shown in the film. Dummy (2002) Comedy/Drama A predictable film starring Adrian Brody as Steven, an aspiring ventriloquist, who is unemployed, naïve, passive, and socially awkward but finds meaning and social support through his "dummy." Interesting metaphor of the socially phobic person finding their "inner voice." All ventriloquism in the film is actually performed by Adrian Brody. The DVD features interviews and comic classes with champion ventriloquist Jeff Dunham.
Fearless (1993) Drama Jeff Bridges in an engaging film that portrays some of the symptoms of anxiety in airline crash survivors. Interesting vignettes showing group therapy for PTSD victims. Final Cut, The (2004) Drama/Thriller Some PTSD symptoms are displayed in a man (Robin Williams) who creates "rememories" for people at funerals using a microchip implanted in the people's heads while they were living. Fisher King, The (1991) Drama/Fantasy/Comedy Jeff Bridges plays a former talk show personality who unwittingly encourages a listener to go on a shooting spree. Bridges' withdrawal, cynicism, and substance use can all be interpreted and understood in the context of a post-traumatic stress disorder.
"I'm not sure there is any help for you." The dummy's comment to his ventriloquist Steven in Dummy (2002)
"If you ladies leave my island, if you survive recruit training... you will be a weapon, you will be a minister of death, praying for war. But until that day you are pukes." Drill instructor Hartman in Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Elling (2001) Drama Norwegian film about two men released from a psychiatric hospital and must prove themselves capable of coping with everyday life. Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film. Enduring Love (2004) Drama/Mystery Several men try to save a boy in a hot air balloon that is out of control. All but one let go and the one who hangs on dies; the resulting PTSD and delusional disorder are portrayed. Everything Is Illuminated (2005) Comedy/ Drama A young Jewish American travels to the Ukraine to find the woman who saved his grandfather from the Nazis. He stores everything in small plastic bags and claims to have a phobia of dogs, but ends up sitting in the backseat of a car with a dog; he and the dog wind up sleeping in the same bed. Feardotcom (2002) Thriller/Horror Various characters access a deadly website that makes their deepest fears or phobias come true (e.g., one has a phobia of beetles and soon is covered by them).
Full Metal Jacket (1987) War Stanley Kubrick's Vietnam film. The first half of the film is devoted to life in a Marine boot camp, and it is a good illustration of the stress associated with military indoctrination. One of the recruits kills his drill instructor and then commits suicide in response to the pressure of boot camp. Hamburger Hill (1987) War A graphic presentation of the stress and horror of war. High Anxiety (1977) Comedy Mel Brook's spoof of Hitchcock classics about a psychiatrist who works at "The Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous." The film is better if you've seen the Hitchcock films on which the parody builds. Home of the Brave (2006) Action/Drama Soldiers returning from the war in Iraq attempt to reintegrate back home but struggle with the memo-
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ries and ramifications of having served in war. Winner of a Voice Award. House of Games (1987) Crime Lindsay Crouse in the lead role plays a psychiatrist who has just written an important book on obsessive-compulsive disorders. She becomes obsessed with confidence games and is slowly drawn into the criminal life. In Country (1989) Drama Bruce Willis plays a Vietnam veteran with posttraumatic stress disorder who is unable to relate meaningfully to the world around him until he visits the Vietnam memorial. In the Bedroom (2001) Drama/Suspense Introspective film with a talented cast that examines grief, despair, and revenge after the murder of someone deeply loved. Marisa Tomei's character develops an Acute Stress Disorder following the trauma. The film makes good use of silence; these scenes underscore the tension, unspoken feelings, and underlying pain associated with the death of a loved one. Inside Out (1986) Drama A little known but interesting film in which Elliott Gould plays a man with agoraphobia. He sends out for food, sex, and haircuts but finds that he cannot meet all his needs without leaving home. Jacob's Ladder (1990) Drama Complex film about a Vietnam veteran who has dramatic hallucinations of indeterminate etiology (possibly the result of military exposure to experimental drugs).
Lady in a Cage (1964) Drama/Suspense Olivia de Havilland plays an upper class woman trapped inside her home elevator. The film melodramatically represents claustrophobia and panic.
"Take it all but in the name of humanity, let me out of this cage." Cornelia Hilyard in Lady in a Cage (1964)
Manchurian Candidate, The (2004) Drama/ Suspense The new version of this classic film stars Denzel Washington as a Gulf War veteran with PTSD, paranoia, and memories he cannot understand, which lead him to unravel a conspiracy involving brain washing and political maneuvering. Manchurian Candidate, The (1962) Drama/ Suspense Original version stars Frank Sinatra as the veteran who experiences flashbacks and PTSD symptoms. M*A*S*H (1970) Comedy/War Wonderfully funny Robert Altman film about military surgeons and nurses who use alcohol, sex, and humor to cope with the stress of war. The portrayal of Hawkeye Pierce, half-drunk but always ready for surgery, is troubling. Matador, The (2005) Comedy Pierce Brosnan plays a narcissistic, antisocial "hit man." He suffers from panic attacks (without agoraphobia) that affect his ability to work.
"What does your therapist think of all this?" "Oh, I would never tell my therapist." "Why not?" "Because it's private." Dialogue in Kissing Jessica Stein (2002)
"I've got things a certain way." Roy Waller in Matchstick Men (2003)
Kissing Jessica Stein (2002) Comedy Quality independent film about a neurotic, young woman who in exploring her sexuality and intrapersonal life is able to extend beyond her rigidity and generalized anxiety.
Matchstick Men (2003) Comedy Nicholas Cage plays Roy Waller, a con man with OCD, agoraphobia with panic, tics, and antisocial personality in this interesting Ridley Scott film. Upon meeting his estranged daughter things begin to change for Waller.
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Nothing (2003) Comedy A Vincenzo Natali film about two men who make things disappear by hating and wishing. The film is based on the relationship two good friends, a travel agent who works from home and suffers from agoraphobia and a self-absorbed loser who is treated with contempt. Obsession (1976) Thriller Brian De Palma version of Hitchcock's Vertigo. The De Palma film doesn't live up to the original. Open Water (2003) Suspense A young couple on a scuba diving trip is left behind to fend for themselves. Sharks circle, distant boats do not see the divers, and fish bite them. While the film depicts the terror someone would experience if abandoned in the open water, it is not a notable depiction of an anxiety disorder. Panic Room (2002) Crime/Suspense Jodie Foster plays a claustrophobic woman who becomes imprisoned in the panic room of her own house when burglars enter her newly purchased home.
controversial general who was relieved of his command after slapping a crying soldier who had been hospitalized for combat fatigue, or what we would probably now call post-traumatic stress disorder. The film won an Academy Award as best picture and George C. Scott won the Oscar for Best Actor.
"I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country." Gen. George S. Patton Jr. in Patton (1970)
Phobia (1980) Horror/Mystery Canadian film about the systematic murders of phobic psychiatric patients. Play It Again Sam (1972) Comedy/Romance Early Woody Allen film depicting social anxiety. A neurotic film critic's wife leaves him and he is crushed. His hero is a tough guy (Humphrey Bogart) whose apparition begins showing up to give him advice. He actually tries dating again and is unsuccessful until he learns to relax. Princess and the Warrior, The (2000) Drama
"Sergeant, I want you to arrange for the immediate transfer of this baby out of my regiment. I won't have any of our brave men contaminated by him." Paths of Glory (1957)
Paths of Glory (1957) War Kirk Douglas in an early Stanley Kubrick film about the horrors and stupidity of WWI. There is a memorable scene in which a general repeatedly slaps a soldier, trying without success to bring him out of his shell-shocked state. The scene was repeated in the 1970 film Patton. Pawnbroker, The (1965) Drama Rod Steiger plays a concentration camp survivor who watched his wife being raped and his children being murdered; he copes by becoming numb. Interesting flashback scenes. Steiger lost the 1965 Academy Award for best actor to Lee Marvin in Cat Ballou. Patton (1970) War/Biography George C. Scott is perfect in the role of the
A nurse at a psychiatric hospital is hit by a truck and saved by a crook who cuts a hole in her throat and breathes for her. Upon recovering, the nurse goes on a journey of purpose to find this man. A minor character has PTSD. One intensely graphic and chilling scene depicts a kind-hearted adolescent with pica; believing the nurse has rejected him, the teenager eats glass. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) Adventure Steven Spielberg film with Harrison Ford as anthropologist Indiana Jones, who is forced by the situational demands of heroism to overcome his snake phobia. Red Eye (2005) Horror/Thriller Wes Craven film portraying a character who hates to fly but finds herself on the red eye flight to Miami trapped with a villainous and charming middle-man in a plot to assassinate a Homeland Security official.
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San Francisco (1936) Romance/Disaster This is one of the greatest disaster films ever made, and the special effects give the viewer some appreciation for the acute stress one would experience in a real earthquake. Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy have unforgettable roles in this film. She's One of Us (2003, France) Drama A socially awkward and anxious woman struggles in her social interactions. Watch for echoes of Dostoyevsky's "Dream of a Ridiculous Man." Shoah (1985) Documentary Widely praised nine-hour documentary about the Holocaust. The film offers some insight into the behavior of both the German officials and their victims and illustrates antisocial personalities and post-traumatic stress disorders. Something's Gotta Give (2003) Comedy Jack Nicholson stars as a man who experiences panic attacks while grappling his interest in relationship with a woman played by Diane Keaton. Stranger the Fiction (2006) Comedy An IRS auditor (Will Ferrell) suddenly finds himself the subject of a novel being read by the author that only the auditor can hear. The narration affects his entire life his work, relationships, living situation, and livelihood including his obsessive behavior (e.g., counting toothbrush strokes and steps). Twelve O'Clock High (1949) War Gregory Peck in an interesting presentation of the stress of combat and the ways in which leaders can influence the behavior of those they lead. Unmarried Woman, An (1978) Drama/Comedy Tender, sensitive, and funny film about Jill Clay burgh learning to cope with the stress of being a single parent after her husband abandons her. Her friends, a psychiatrist, and an affair with Alan Bates all help.
Vertigo (1958) Thriller Wonderful Hitchcock film in which James Stewart plays a character whose life is dominated by his fear of heights. He attempts a self-styled behavior modification program early in the film without success. Waiting for Ronald (2003) Short Film/Drama This film about a man who leaves a supervised residence to live with a friend in the community depicts OCD with a hand-washing compulsion. Walking on Water (2002) Drama Australian film about a man who becomes haunted by intrusive memories and deteriorates into selfdestructive behavior after suffocating a gay friend who was dying of AIDS. War of the Worlds (2005) Action Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, and Tim Robbins, this film depicts the impact of an alien invasion on a blue-collar father and two children. Cruise's character responds to tragedy with shock; his daughter develops a phobia; and Robbins' character has a psychotic break. What About Bob? (1991) Comedy Bill Murray plays an anxious patient who cannot function without his psychiatrist, played by Richard Dreyfuss. Not a great film, but a fun movie that explores the doctor-patient relationship and the obsessive-compulsive personality.
"As a four limb person, I don't feel incomplete. It's more of a feeling that my body doesn't belong to me." "The relief from the 50 years of torment I had was indescribable." "I'm complete now." Comments from individuals who want or have had healthy limbs removed in Whole (2003)
"I have this acrophobia. I wake up at night and I see that man falling." John Ferguson describing his symptoms in Vertigo (1958)
Whole (2003) Documentary Fascinating documentary about individuals who have a strong desire to have one of their limbs amputated, despite being totally healthy. Presents interesting differential diagnostic questions. Is
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this OCD, Body Dysmorphic Disorder, an identity disorder, or self-mutilation? One psychiatrist, who interviewed 53 people with this condition, proposed the rubric "Body Integrity Identity Disorder." Without a Paddle (2004) Drama/Comedy Three friends go canoeing after the death of a friend. One is painfully neurotic with numerous phobias including fear of small spaces, the dark, and cellophane wrap. He copes with difficult situations by pretending he is a Star Wars character.
has a complex double identity and is uncertain about who he or she really is. Anastasia (1956) Drama Yul Brynner, Helen Hayes, and Ingrid Bergman star in this film about an amnestic woman who is believed to be the lost princess Anastasia, daughter of the last czar of Russia. Bandits (2001) Comedy Loosely based on a true story about two criminals who rob banks in a non-violent way. One of the men (Billy Bob Thornton) is hypochondriacal. In interviews, Thornton stated it was not much of a "stretch" to play this role--he has a well-documented phobia of antique furniture. Black Friday (1940) Horror Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi star in this film about transplanting a gangster's brain in a college professor's cranium. Butterfly Effect, The (2003) Drama/Suspense
Dissociative and Somatoform Disorders
3 Women (1977) Drama Strange but engaging Robert Altman film about two California women who seem to exchange personalities. Agnes of God (1985) Mystery Good performances by Anne Bancroft, Meg Tilly, and Jane Fonda. Fonda plays a court-appointed psychiatrist who must make sense out of pregnancy and apparent infanticide in a local convent. Good examples of stigmata, an example of conversion. Altered States (1980) Science Fiction Not entirely satisfying film based in part on the sensory deprivation experiments of Dr. John Lilly. The scientist (William Hurt) combines isolation tanks with psychedelic mushrooms to induce altered states of consciousness. Good special effects.
A young man (Ashton Kutcher) tries to change his traumatic past with unpredictable and increasingly problematic consequences. When he reflects on blackouts, he enters the memory and is able to change it for the long-term but must face the consequences of the change each time. The film attempts to depict chaos theory, and opens with a famous quotation. Cyrano de Bergerac (1990) Romance Gerard Depardieu stars as the inimitable Cyrano, a man obsessed with the size of his nose and convinced it makes him forever unlovable. Dark Mirror, The (1946) Thriller Olivia De Havilland plays both parts in a story of twin sisters, one of whom is a deranged killer. Dead Again (1991) Mystery/Romance Emma Thompson costars with her husband, Kenneth Branagh (who also directed the film). The movie illustrates traumatic amnesia and its treatment through hypnosis. The hypnotist, an antique dealer, is not the most professional of therapists! Despair (1979) Drama Fassbinder film based on a novel by Vladimir Nabokov. A Russian Jew émigré in Germany who runs a chocolate factory kills another man who looks like him, and tries to pass it off as his own suicide. When his plan fails, he becomes psychotic.
"This is poetry, and don't you deny it. Come back to me when you've written something really perverse, really depraved." An editor reviews Isabelle's work in Amateur (1994)
Amateur (1994) Drama/Comedy Hal Hartley film in which a man who is amnestic as a result of a traumatic head injury takes up with a nun who has left the convent to write pornographic novels. Almost every character in the film
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Devils, The (1971) Drama/Historical Ken Russell film adapted from Aldous Huxley's book The Devils of Loundun. The film traces the lives of seventeenth-century French nuns who ex perienced highly erotic dissociative states attributed to possession by the devil. Double Life of Veronique, The (1991) Fantasy/ Drama The lives of two women turn out to be linked in complex ways the viewer never fully understands. Double Life, A (1947) Crime Ronald Coleman plays an actor who is unable to sort out his theatrical life (in which he plays Othello) and his personal life. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1932) Horror Fredric March in the best adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story about the ultimate dissociative disorder. Stevenson was an alcoholic, and alcohol may be the model for the mysterious liquid that dramatically transforms Jekyll's personality. Exorcist, The (1973) Horror Linda Blair stars as a 12-year-old girl possessed by the devil in William Friedkin's film based on the William Peter Blatty novel. One of the most suspenseful films ever made.
Freud (1962) Biography Montgomery Clift in an interesting account of the early year's of Freud's life. The film illustrates paralysis, false blindness, and a false pregnancy, all examples of somatization disorders. Great Dictator, The (1940) Comedy A satire of Adolph Hitler, with Charlie Chaplin in the role of a Jewish barber who suffers amnesia and eventually finds himself assuming the personality of Adenoid Hynkel, the dictator of Tomania. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) Comedy/Drama Mickey (Woody Allen) is a hopeless hypochondriac who was formerly married to Hannah (Mia Farrow). Mickey spends his days worrying about brain tumors, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.
"Every husband should go blind for a little while." Val in Hollywood Ending (2002)
Hollywood Ending (2002) Comedy Woody Allen film about a struggling film director (Allen), Val, who develops a conversion disorder (hysterical blindness) and has to direct the film blind. Home of the Brave (1949) Drama/War A black soldier develops a conversion disorder following his return from combat. Identity (2003) Suspense/Thriller A serial killer with a dissociative identity disorder is at his final hearing before receiving the death penalty. This story juxtaposes with another tale of several people suddenly stuck at an isolated motel and living in terror as they are killed one by one. These two components are cleverly weaved together as the people represent DID alters being killed off. Last Temptation of Christ, The (1988) Religious
"It's only after we've lost everything [that] we are free to do anything." A premise of Fight Club (1999)
Fight Club (1999) Drama/Suspense A disillusioned, insomniac (Edward Norton) meets a dangerous, malcontent part of himself in the character of Brad Pitt. Norton then establishes "fight clubs" in which men can unload their aggressions onto one another. Interesting look at Norton's deterioration. Forgotten, The (2004) Drama A woman grieving over the loss of her nine-yearold son is told by her husband and her therapist that her son never existed, and that all her memories were created in response to a miscarriage. The mother isn't buying it.
Challenging and controversial Martin Scorsese film in which Jesus, while on the cross and in great pain, has a dissociative episode in which he imagines himself as an ordinary man who married Mary Magdalene and lived a normal life.
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Lizzie (1957) Drama Eleanor Parker, a woman with dissociative identity disorder is treated by psychiatrist Richard Boone. Loverboy (2004) Drama An overly protective mother illustrates the rare but fascinating phenomenon of factitious disorder by proxy. Method (2003) Suspense/Thriller An actress studying and playing the role of a past serial killer tries too hard to "feel her character" and she dissociates and takes on her model's past behavior. Mirage (1965) Drama A scientist who makes an important discovery de velops amnesia after viewing the death of a friend. My Girl (1991) Drama/Comedy The film centers on an 11-year-old girl whose mother has just died and whose grandmother has Alzheimer's disease. The child responds by developing a series of imaginary disorders. Strong performances by Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis. Nurse Betty (2000) Drama/Mystery Neil LaBute film about a woman (Renee Zellweger) who witnesses a traumatic event and develops a dissociative fugue. She travels to Los Angeles to find a character in a soap opera. Zellweger's character presents an interesting springboard for a debate about the differences between dissociative fugue and delusional disorder. Numb (2007) Drama Matthew Perry portrays a character who develops a depersonalization disorder that he overcomes by falling in love. Overboard (1987) Comedy Goldie Hawn plays a haughty millionairess who develops amnesia and is claimed by an Oregon carpenter as his wife and forced to care for his children. Pact of Silence, The (2003, France) Drama A Jesuit priest tries to make sense out of a nun's psychosomatic fits that turn out to be related to the experiences of the nun's incarcerated twin sister. Paris, Texas (1984) Drama Wim Wenders film about a man found wandering in the desert with no personal memory.
Persona (1966) Drama Complex, demanding, and absolutely fascinating Bergman film starring Liv Ullmann as an actress who suddenly stops talking after one of her performances. Ullmann is treated by a nurse, and the two women appear to exchange "personas." Highly erotic description of a beach memory.
"I have not spoken since I was six years old. Nobody knows why, least of all myself." Ada's thoughts at the beginning of The Piano (1993)
Piano, The (1993) Drama Jane Campion film about a woman who had voluntarily stopped speaking as a child. She communicates with written notes and through playing the piano, a pleasure forbidden to her by her New Zealand husband. There are scenes of extraordinary sensuality between Harvey Keitel and Holly Hunter and a dramatic suicide attempt. Poison Ivy (1992) Drama Newcomer into a pathological family plans to take over the role of wife and mother. The father is alcoholic, the mother a hypochondriac. Prelude to a Kiss (1992) Comedy/Romance The ultimate example of a dissociative disorder. A beautiful young woman and a sad old man kiss on her wedding day and exchange bodies. The film makes this extraordinary event seem almost plausible. Primal Fear (1996) Drama Richard Gere stars in this suspenseful drama about a man who commits heinous crimes, ostensibly as a result of a dissociative disorder. The film raises useful questions about the problem of malingering and differential diagnosis.
"Mother, my mother, uh, what is the phrase? She isn't qu-quite herself today." Norman Bates in Psycho (1960)
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Psycho (1960) Horror/Thriller Wonderful Hitchcock film starring Anthony Perkins as Norman Bates, who vacillates between his passive, morbid personality and his dead mother's alter ego. In the final minutes of the film, a psychiatrist offers a somewhat confused explanation for Bates' behavior. The shower scene is one of the most famous shots in film history. Queen Margot (1994) Drama Period film set in 1572 France at a time of heavy religious warfare (Catholic vs. Protestant). The king in the film is highly somatic to stress and various situations. Raising Cain (1992) Thriller/Drama Confusing De Palma film about a child psychologist with multiple personalities who begins to kill women and steal their children for experiments. Return of Martin Guerre, The (1982) Historical Gerard Depardieu as a sixteenth-century peasant who returns to his wife after a seven-year absence. His true identity is never made clear. This film, the basis for the American movie Sommersby, is based on a true story. Safe (1995) Comedy/Drama A rare film almost exclusively focusing on a woman (Julianne Moore) with a somatoform disorder, various treatment approaches, and the effects on her family. This satirical film is cleverly directed by Todd Haynes. Secret of Dr. Kildare, The (1939) Drama The good Dr. Kildare works hard to cure a patient's conversion disorder (blindness) in this dated but still interesting film. Secret Window (2004) Drama/Suspense Mort Rainey (Johnny Depp) finding his wife cheating on him in a motel; the film jumps forward six months to a scene in which Mort is an isolated writer in a house in the woods and now separated from his wife. He is visited and threatened by an odd psychopath (John Turturro). Based on the Stephen King short story, "Secret Window, Secret Garden." Identity meets The Sixth Sense. Send Me No Flowers (1964) Romance/Comedy Rock Hudson plays a hypochondriac convinced he will die soon. Hudson sets out to find a suitable replacement so his wife will be able to get along without him.
Seventh Veil, The (1945) Drama Psychological drama about a pianist who loses the ability to play. Hypnotherapy makes it possible for Ann Todd to play the piano again and sort out her complex interpersonal relationships. Sisters (1973) Thriller/Horror De Palma film about Siamese twins separated as children; one is good, the other quite evil. The use of Siamese twins is a Hitchcock-like twist on the theme of multiple personality. Something's Gotta Give (2005) Comedy Jack Nicholson plays a 63-year-old man obsessed with younger women; he has a genuine heart attack that is followed by a series of panic attacks. Sommersby (1993) Drama Richard Gere returns to wife Jodie Foster after a six-year absence during the Civil War. Gere is remarkably changed, so much so that it appears he is a different man. Sorry, Wrong Number (1948) Thriller Barbara Stanwyck and Burt Lancaster in a murder film. Stanwyck is a rich heiress who is bedridden with psychosomatic heart disease and paralysis. Spellbound (1945) Thriller Ingrid Bergman and Gregory Peck star in this Hitchcock thriller. Peck is an amnestic patient who believes he has committed a murder; Bergman is the psychiatrist who falls in love with him and helps him recall the childhood trauma responsible for his dissociative state. Steppenwolf (1974) Drama Film adaptation of Herman Hesse's remarkable novel about Harry Haller (played by Max von Sydow), a misanthropic protagonist who wrestles with the competing forces of good and evil within himself. Stigmata (1999) Suspense/Horror Beautician begins to have episodes of visions, seizures, and stigmata wounds on her body after her mother sends her a sacred rosary from Brazil. Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) Drama Adaptation of a Tennessee Williams story about an enmeshed and pathological relationship between a mother (Katharine Hepburn) and her homosexual son and a dissociative amnesia in a cousin who witnessed the son's death. Among its other virtues, the film includes a fascinating discussion of the benefits of lobotomy.
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"He-he was lying naked on the broken stones... It looked as if-as if they had devoured him!... As if they'd torn or cut parts of him away with their hands, or with knives, or those jagged tin cans they made music with. As if they'd torn bits of him away in strips!" Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)
Up in Arms (1944) Musical/Comedy/War Danny Kaye plays a hypochondriac in the Army. Voices Within: The Lives of Truddi Chase (1990) Drama Made-for-TV movie about a woman with multiple personality disorder; based on the best sellingbook When Rabbit Howls. Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) Drama Bette Davis and Joan Crawford star as two elderly sisters who were formerly movie stars. Jane (Bette Davis) had been a child star, but her fame was eclipsed by the renown of her talented sister, now confined to a wheelchair. Jane torments her sister and experiences a dramatic dissociative episode in the final scene in the movie. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) Action/Science Fiction Superheroine mutant Jean Grey is portrayed as someone with a dissociative identity disorder; the actress playing the role researched DID to make her character more realistic. Zelig (1983) Comedy Quasi-documentary about Woody Allen as Zelig, a human chameleon whose personality changes to match that of whomever he is around. He is treated by psychiatrist Mia Farrow, whom Zelig eventually marries. Watch for Susan Sontag, Saul Bellow, and Bruno Bettelheim. Psychological Stress and Physical Disorders 3 Needles (2005) Drama Brutal and disturbing film depicting the transmission of HIV and the misconceptions that arise (e.g., the belief that having sex with a virgin will cure the disease). 12 Angry Men (1957) Drama Henry Fonda stars in this fascinating courtroom drama that illustrates social pressure, the tendency toward conformity in social settings, and the stress associated with noncompliance with societal norms. 61 (2001) Biography/Drama Billy Crystal film with a subplot focused on the impact of stress on the body of Roger Maris during his quest to beat Babe Ruth's home run record. Alive (1993) Action/Adventure/Drama The survivors of a plane crash in the Andes survive
Sullivan's Travels (1941) Comedy/Drama Joel McCrea plays a movie director who goes out to experience life as it is lived outside a Hollywood studio. He winds up getting a head injury, becoming amnestic, and being sentenced to six years on a chain gang. Sybil (1976) Drama Made-for-TV movie in which Joanne Woodward, the patient in The Three Faces of Eve, plays the psychiatrist treating a woman with 16 different personalities. Thérèse: The Story of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (2004) Drama The story of Saint Thérèse, the Carmelite nun who wrote Story of a Soul, and suffered from various somatic symptoms. Three Faces of Eve, The (1957) Drama Joanne Woodward won an Academy Award for her portrayal of a woman with three personalities (Eve White, Eve Black, and Jane); based on the book by Thigpin and Cleckley. Twelve O'Clock High (1949) War Gregory Peck plays the role of General Frank Savage, an effective leader who develops a conversion disorder (psychosomatic paralysis) in response to his role in the death of several of his subordinates. The film is based on a true story. Unconscious (2004) Drama A Spanish film that satirizes psychoanalysis; the movie includes examples of hypochondriasis and conversion disorder. Unknown White Male (2005) Drama An excellent exploration of the fugue state based on a true story about a man who discovers himself on a Coney Island subway with no recollection of who he is or how he got there.
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for more than 70 days by eating the passengers who died. The film is a vivid portrayal of traumatic stress and its consequences. All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Drama This remarkable film illustrates the horror of war and celebrates pacifism as its only solution. The film poignantly documents that it is young men who fight our wars and shows the folly of jingoism and blind patriotism.
Bone Collector, The (1999) Suspense/Thriller Denzel Washington is a crime scene specialist with quadriplegia. Brief History of Time, A (1992) Biography A documentary about the life of Stephen Hawking, a theoretical physicist coping with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Bubble Boy (2001) Comedy Outlandish comedy about a boy born without immunity who must live in a bubble. Bucket List, The (2008) Comedy Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman meet as roommates in a hospital. Both are newly diagnosed with cancer and are given less than one year to live. Each makes a list of experiences they want to have before they "kick the bucket". These two very different men spend their last few months together in pursuit of their dreams. Cactus (1986) Romance Australian film about a woman who loses one eye and considers giving up sight in the other in order to more fully understand the world of her blind lover. Children of a Lesser God (1986) Romance The film examines the complications involved in a love relationship between William Hurt, a teacher in a school for the deaf, and Marlee Matlin, a young deaf woman who works at the school. Much of the conflict in the film revolves around Matlin's refusal to learn to lip-read. Matlin won an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress for her role in this film. Chinese Roulette (1976) Drama Fassbinder film about a disabled girl and the ways in which she dominates and manipulates her family. Chrystal (2004) Drama Independent film in which one subplot involves a woman suffering from significant chronic pain caused by a motor vehicle accident. Cinema Paradiso (1988) Drama A young boy is mesmerized by a movie theater in a small, post-WWII, Italian town, and befriends a crusty yet warm-hearted projectionist who goes blind after a fire accident. Classic Giuseppe Tornatore film. Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt (1989) Documentary This HBO film examines the lives of five individu-
"Oh, God! why did they do this to us? We only wanted to live, you and I. Why should they send us out to fight each other? If they threw away these rifles and these uniforms, you could be my brother, just like Kat and Albert. You'll have to forgive me, comrade. I'll do all I can. I'll write to your parents." Paul attempts to comfort a man he has killed in All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
Barbarian Invasions, The (2003) Drama/Comedy Friends and family gather to support a stubborn, outspoken man suffering from a terminal illness. The film vacillates from light to heavy, from the somber to the humorous. This Canadian film won an Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. Best Years of Our Lives, The (1946) Drama Sam Goldwyn film about servicemen adjusting to civilian life after the war. One of the sailors has lost both hands. Blue (1993) Drama British filmmaker Derek Jarman's last film; he died from AIDS shortly after the movie was completed. Jarman reviews his life and analyzes the ways in which his life has been affected by his disease. Blue Butterfly (2004) Adventure/Drama The mother of a terminally ill boy convinces an entomologist to take her son to the Costa Rican rainforest. The boy's brain cancer disappears and both lives are changed forever. The film is based on a true story.
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als linked by a common illness--AIDS. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1989. Crash of Silence (1953) Drama Mother agonizes over whether to keep a hearing impaired daughter at home or send her to a special school. Crazy Sexy Cancer (2007) Documentary Young woman faces the stress of her illness by transforming her lifestyle and attitude. Cure, The (1995) Drama Two adolescent boys become best friends. One has AIDS from a blood transfusion, leading the boys to set off in search of a miracle cure. Dance Me to My Song (1998, Australia) Drama A woman with debilitating cerebral palsy competes with her caretaker for a love interest. Dancer in the Dark (2000, Denmark) Drama Björk portrays Selma, an immigrant, factory worker and single mother with limited intelligence whose vision is deteriorating. Her impending blindness affects her work, her relationships, and her personal life. Her son Gene will probably suffer the same fate unless she can pay for an operation. Darius Goes West (2007) Documentary Depiction of a man with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy and his journey with friends to get his wheelchair customized by MTV's "Pimp My Ride." Deaf Smith and Johnnie Ears (1973) Western A deaf Anthony Quinn teams up with Franco Nero to cope with the challenges of life in rural Texas. Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The (2007, France) Drama, Biography Jean-Dominique Bauby, editor of Elle, emerges completely paralyzed from a 3-week coma following a stroke. He cannot speak or move his body except for his left eye. Bauby responds to his situation with creativity and bravery. Much of the film is presented in the first person to help the viewer identify with his experience. Doctor, The (1991) Drama William Hurt plays a cold and indifferent physician
whose approach to treatment changes dramatically after he is diagnosed with throat cancer. Dreamland (2006) Drama Coming of age story of a young woman in a remote desert trailer park who makes many sacrifices supporting her family and a friend who has multiple sclerosis and chronic pain.
"Why don't you ask me probing questions about my childhood?" Stephanie Anderson queries her therapist in Duet for One (1986)
Duet for One (1986) Drama Julie Andrews plays a world class violinist who learns to cope with multiple sclerosis. Good illustration of the effects of chronic illness on psychological health. Max von Sydow plays the role of Andrews' therapist. Dummy (1979) Drama Made-for-TV movie about a hearing impaired and mute teenager who is charged with murder and defended by a deaf attorney. Early Frost, An (1985) Drama Excellent made-for-TV movie (available on videocassette) that explores the pain and anguish involved as a young man explains to his family and friends that he is gay and has AIDS. Eating (1990) Comedy An extended conversation that examines the relationship among life, love, and food.
"I am NOT an animal! I am a human being!" John Merrick in The Elephant Man (1980)
Elephant Man, The (1980) Drama David Lynch film about the life of John Merrick, a hideously deformed man who is befriended by a London physician. The film is effective in forcing the viewer to examine his or her prejudices about appearance.
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Emmanuel's Gift (2005) Documentary Emmanuel was born in Ghana in 1977 with a deformed leg and was destined to become a beggar. However, his mother instilled confidence and hope. This is an inspirational film that challenges negative stereotypes of people with disabilities. Eye, The (2002) Suspense/Thriller A young, blind woman regains her sight through a cornea transplant. She immediately begins to see ghosts which she identifies as the souls of the dead. Pang Brothers film in the tradition of The Sixth Sense and The Ring. Falling Down (1994) Drama Good presentation by Michael Douglas of the cumulative effects of stress on a marginal personality. The film does not give us enough information to clearly diagnose the character played by Douglas, but he displays enough symptoms to justify an Axis II diagnosis of paranoid personality disorder. Gabby--A True Story (1987) Biography A true story about a woman with cerebral palsy who goes on to become a respected author. Contrast this story with the life of Christy Brown told in My Left Foot. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) Drama A hard-hitting and powerful presentation of jobrelated stress and interpersonal conflict in the real estate business. Wonderful cast, with Jack Lemmon playing a figure whose despair with his job is reminiscent of Willy Lomax in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. Heart Is a Lonely Hunter, The (1968) Drama Alan Arkin stars in this adaptation of Carson McCuller's sad, poignant novel about a simple friendship between two men. One of the men is deaf; the other is mentally retarded. If you have to choose between the film and the novel, read the novel. Honkytonk Man (1982) Drama Clint Eastwood produced, directed, and starred in this film about a country and western singer with leukemia who hopes to make it to Nashville before he dies. Hunchback of Notre Dame, The (1939) Horror
Ikiru (To Live, 1952, Japan) Drama A city bureaucrat learns that he is dying of cancer and wants to find some meaning in his life. He becomes assertive in promoting projects for the public good. Until this time, he had lived a very mundane life. Peers reflect on his change in behavior. In America (2003) Drama Irish family immigrates to the United States to Hell's Kitchen. They befriend a Nigerian painter who is suffering with AIDS. In for Treatment (1979) Drama Dutch film about the indignities suffered by a cancer patient who has to deal with an impersonal health care system. I Sent a Letter to My Love (1981) Drama French film about a sister caring for her paralyzed brother. They each seek romance by writing to a newspaper personals column; without realizing what is happening, each winds up corresponding with the other. Italian for Beginners (2002) Comedy/Drama In a hodge-podge of interrelated stories, one character has pancreatic cancer and suffers extraordinary pain. It's My Party (1996) Drama Sensitive film about a man with AIDS who throws one last party before killing himself. Much of the film centers on the issue of voluntary suicide and the ethics of euthanasia. Jacquot (1993) Biography Moving film about the life of French director Jacques Demy, who died from a brain tumor shortly after the film was released. Johnnie Belinda (1948) Drama Jane Wyman (who was Ronald Reagan's wife at the time) earned an Academy Award for her performance as a deaf-mute woman who is stigmatized and raped. The film is dated but still offers insights into the ways in which people who are hearing impaired are perceived. Kurt Cobain About a Son (2006) Documentary
Charles Laughton plays Quasimodo in this film adaptation of the Victor Hugo novel. The film is a classic in the genre examining the relationship between body image and self-concept.
Sensitive portrayal of the infamous grunge rock star using only interviewed audio recordings. Documents Cobain's suffering with severe sto-
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mach problems and the stress associated with his illness. La Symphonie Pastorale (1946) Drama French adaptation of André Gide novel about a Swiss minister who falls in love with his blind protégée and abandons his wife to be with her. When the blind girl later regains her sight, she is tormented by the decisions he has made because of her. Leap of Faith (1992) Drama Steve Martin plays itinerant evangelist Jonas Nightengale, whose faith healing stunts require technological support from backstage assistant Debra Winger. Contrast Martin's role with that of Burt Lancaster in Elmer Gantry (1960) and the documentary Marjoe (1972). Life on a String (1991) Drama Lyrical movie about a blind Chinese musician who believes his sight will be restored when he breaks his thousandth banjo string. He grows old and wise while he waits. Light That Failed, The (1939) Drama Adaptation of Kipling novel about a great artist who goes blind as a result of an injury while in Africa. Living End, The (1992) Comedy Two HIV positive men hit the road and explore what it means to live purposively with their disease.
Marvin's Room (1996) Drama A compelling examination of the way in which chronic illness affects caregivers and families. Mask (1985) Drama Cher stars in this film about her character's son, Rocky Dennis, a spunky teenager whose life has been dramatically affected by craniodiaphyseal dysplasia, a disorder that distorts the shape of his skull and face. This is a feel good movie that succeeds. The thwarted love relationship between Rocky and a blind girlfriend underscores our tendency to judge people by their appearance. Men, The (1950) Drama Marlon Brando in his first film role plays a paralyzed WWII veteran full of rage about his injury and his limitations. Miracle Worker, The (1962) Biography Patty Duke and Anne Bancroft star in this wellknown film about the childhood of Helen Keller and the influence of a gifted teacher. Motorcycle Diaries (2004, Argentina) Drama Based on the true coming of age story of "Che" Guevara. Two men travel the countryside of South America seeing indigenous cultures while logging observations and experiences in a diary. They help out in communities and at a hospital in Peru with leprosy patients. One of the young men struggles with asthma. Music Within (2007) Drama/Comedy The true story of Richard Pimentel, a brilliant public speaker, who returned from Vietnam disabled by a severe hearing impairment. He became a passionate advocate for the disabled and is responsible for the creation of the 1990 American with Disabilities Act. My Flesh and Blood (2004) Documentary Moving documentary about Susan Tom, who adopted 11 special needs children and raised them on her own. The children suffer in a variety of ways; their problems include cystic fibrosis, severe burns, developmental disabilities, the absence of legs, and a genetic skin disorder that causes severe pain. My Left Foot (1989, Ireland/UK) Drama/Biography Based on the true story of Christy Brown, a successful artist/author who triumphed over cerebral
"Let go. It's all right. You can let go now." Bruce Davison comforts his dying lover in Longtime Companion (1990)
Longtime Companion (1990) Drama This film explores the ways in which AIDS has affected a group of gay friends and traces the love and loss that is shared between two men as one of them dies from the disease. Man Without a Face, The (1993) Drama Mel Gibson directs and stars in this film about a man whose face becomes terribly disfigured after an automobile accident. He becomes reclusive but finds redemption in his relationship with the 12-year-old boy he tutors.
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palsy. Brown grew up as part of a large, poor, working class Irish family. At that time, the world was ill equipped to understand or care for people with cerebral palsy. A prisoner in his own body, Brown never gave up. He painted and wrote several novels and books of poetry. My Life (1993) Drama Michael Keaton learns he is dying from cancer and makes a series of videotapes for his still-unborn son, including one in which he teaches his son how to shave. My Life Without Me (2003) Drama A 23-year-old woman is diagnosed with ovarian cancer and decides not to tell her family but instead live her life more fully and prepare them for when she is gone. Niagara, Niagara (1998) Drama Two teenagers on the lam encounter multiple problems en route. Reminiscent of Bonnie and Clyde, the film is chiefly memorable because it is one of the few films in which Tourette's syndrome is sympathetically and realistically portrayed. Noise (2007) Comedy Street noise is a stress stimulus for David Owen (Tim Robbins) who becomes the Rectifier, a vigilante who takes noise personally. He damages noisy cars and destroys car alarms. He also seriously damages his relationships and loses his job and family. Oasis (Korea) (2002) Drama A quirky young man is released from prison after serving 2.5 years for accidentally killing someone while driving. He becomes curious and interested in the victim's daughter who has cerebral palsy. Both individuals are isolated and outcast from their families, and they find friendship and comfort in one another. One Last Thing (2005) Comedy A boy with terminal cancer gets a last wish from the Wish Givers Foundation. He gets to spend a week alone with a supermodel.
Open Hearts (2003) Drama Danish film about a random car accident that leaves a man paralyzed from the neck down. He lashes out in anger unable to accept the reality ofhis losses. His girlfriend begins an affair with the driver's husband. Passion Fish (1992) Drama The stress of disability and the demands a disabled person can make on caregivers are nicely chronicled in this film about a querulous paraplegic actress and her caretaker/companion. Patch Adams (1998) Comedy Robin Williams plays a medical student, nicknamed Patch, who defies the medical institution and crosses boundaries in using humor and holistic medical practices with various patients throughout a hospital. Some humorous and touching scenes occur on the children's cancer ward and with other suffering patients. Phantom of the Opera, The (1925) Horror A disfigured music lover, played by Lon Chaney, lives in the bowels of the Paris opera house, unable to achieve romantic love because of his hideous face. He is eventually hunted down and killed by an angry mob. Philadelphia (1993) Drama Tom Hanks won an Academy Award for his portrayal of an AIDS-afflicted attorney who is fired from a prestigious law firm once his illness becomes known to the partners. There is a particularly moving scene in which Hanks plays an opera and explains to Denzel Washington why he loves the music so passionately.
Joe Miller: "What do you love about the law, Andrew?" Andrew Beckett: "I... many things... uh... uh... What I love the most about the law?" Joe Miller: "Yeah." Andrew Beckett: "It's that every now and again not often, but occasionally you get to be a part of justice being done. That really is quite a thrill when that happens." Philadelphia (1993)
"My whole life disappeared with you that morning" Grieving in Open Hearts (2003) Pieces of April (2003) Drama/Comedy A young woman, estranged from her family, is
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determined to impress them with a Thanksgiving dinner. She has a particularly tenuous relationship with her cynical mother who is dying of cancer. Places in the Heart (1984) Drama Sally Field won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in this film about a widowed woman struggling to keep her farm and her family in a small Texas town during the Depression. The film is memorable for bringing together John Malkovich as a blind World War I veteran and Danny Glover as a hapless drifter. The standoff between a blind Malkovich and the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan is especially memorable. Promises in the Dark (1979) Drama Melodrama about a young woman dying from cancer. Proof (1992) Drama Australian drama about a blind man who takes photographs to document his life and its meaning. Rails and Ties (2007) Drama Engineer Tom Stark (Kevin Bacon) cannot avoid crashing his train into a parked car occupied by a suicidal mother and her 11-year-old son who escapes the car unscathed. Stark's wife Megan (Marcia Gay Harden) is dying of cancer. The film depicts the relationship between the Starks and the young boy who help one another cope with life and death. Rory O'Shea Was Here (2005) Comedy/Drama Depicts the quest for independence and friendship between two young men, one coping with muscular dystrophy, the other with cerebral palsy. Savage Nights (1993) French Drama /Biography This controversial film was directed by French filmmaker Cyril Collard, who died from AIDS three days before Savage Nights was selected as the Best French Film of the Year. The movie deals with the existential decisions made by a bisexual antihero who continues to have unprotected sex even after learning he has AIDS. Shadowlands (1993) Biography Wonderful Richard Attenborough film about the late-life romance of C. S. Lewis (Anthony Hopkins) and Joy Gresham (Debra Winger). Lewis must come to grips with the meaning of pain, suffering, and loss when Joy develops cancer.
Shootist, The (1976) Western John Wayne's last film, about an aging gunfighter dying from cancer. Also stars Jimmy Stewart, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, Harry Morgan, John Carradine, Hugh O'Brian, and Richard Boone. John Wayne, a heavy smoker, died from lung cancer after making this film.
"You aim to do to me what they did with John Wesley Hardin. Lay me out and parade every damn fool in the state past me at a dollar a head, half price for children, and then stuff me in a gunny sack and shovel me under." John Bernard Books confronts the undertaker in The Shootist (1976)
Shop on Main Street, The (1965) Drama Czechoslovakian film about a man appointed as the "Aryan controller" of a button shop in World War II. He befriends and hides the Jewish owner of the shop, who does not understand the situation because she is deaf. She assumes the new arrival has been sent as her assistant; when he later hides her to avoid deportation to the death camps, she smothers. Overcome with remorse, he kills himself. Selected as the Best Foreign Film of 1965. Simple Men (1992) Comedy Deadpan comedy from auteur director, Hal Hartley, that depicts a character suffering with epilepsy. Smile (2005) Drama Well-intentioned film depicting the suffering experienced by those with physical deformities such as cleft palates. Storytelling (2001) Comedy/Drama Two separate stories explore issues of race, sex, and exploitation. In first story, a teenager allows herself to be exploited by her teacher after getting bored with her boyfriend who has cerebral palsy. In the second story, a shoe-store worker dreams of being a documentary filmmaker and uses a disillusioned teenager and his family as his subjects. Tell Me That You Love Me, Junie Moon (1970) Comedy Otto Preminger film in which three unusual roommates come together as a family. Liza Minnelli
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is disfigured; another has epilepsy; the third is wheelchair-bound. Terms of Endearment (1983) Comedy Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, and Jack Nicholson star in this poignant but funny movie about relationships, caring, and cancer. Test of Love, A (1984) Drama An Australian film based on a true story of a teacher's successful attempt to reach out to a disabled girl. Unbreakable (2000) Drama/Suspense Samuel L. Jackson plays Elijah, a comic book collector, who was born with a rare genetic bone disease which makes him highly susceptible to injury. Bruce Willis, on the other hand, plays a security officer who is in a train wreck and is the one survivor and does not have even a scratch on him. Second mainstream film by master story-teller, M. Night Shyamalan. Unfinished Life, An (2005) Drama A physically abused woman escapes her abuser with her daughter and moves in with her father -inlaw (Robert Redford) and a man (Morgan Freeman) he is taking care of. The latter was mauled by a bear, needs daily injections, walks with crutches, and cannot take care of himself. Vanilla Sky (2001) Drama/Suspense Cameron Crowe film in which Tom Cruise plays a wealthy businessman in NYC who has a car accident and must re-establish his life with a severe facial deformity. This changes his interactions especially with a woman he is falling in love with (Penelope Cruz). He begins to break down further as his dead friend (Cameron Diaz) reappears.
Whales of August, The (1987) Drama Vincent Price and Ann Sothern support Lillian Gish and Bette Davis in a remarkable film about what it means to grow old. Davis plays the blind and embittered sister who is still loved by Gish. Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) Drama Bette Davis and Joan Crawford portray two elderly sisters. Crawford is wheelchair-bound as a result of an automobile accident possibly caused by her sister. Davis is obviously demented and terrorizes her younger sister. Surprise ending. White Heat (1949) Crime James Cagney plays a ruthless gangster who has debilitating migraine headaches that only his mother can cure. The film ties into the psychoanalytic ideas of the day and features a famous ending in which Cagney blows up an oil tank.
"Cody Jarrett. He finally made it to the top of the world. And it blew up in his face." White Heat (1949)
Wind Will Carry Us, The (1999, France/Iran) Drama A man and his film crew travel to a remote Iranian village to film the special ceremony that occurs after an old woman dies. Directed by Abbas Kiarostami. Whose Life Is It Anyway? (1981) Drama Richard Dreyfuss plays a sculptor paralyzed from the neck down after a car crash. He argues convincingly for the right to die. Woman's Tale, A (1991) Drama An Australian film directed by Paul Cox about the final days in the life of a 78-year-old woman dying of cancer. World's Fastest Indian, The (2005, New Zealand) Drama Heart disease threatens the life of New Zealander Burt Munro, who spent years building a 1920 Indian motorcycle. Despite the stress of physical illness, Munro pushes forward in an attempt to break a land speed record at the Bonneville Salt Flats.
"Got you in a halo, huh. I call that thing a crown of thorns. I thought they was gonna screw it into my brain." A paralyzed patient describes his rehabilitation in The Waterdance (1992)
Waterdance, The (1992) Drama Realistic film about the way spinal cord injuries have changed the lives of three men who meet in a rehabilitation hospital.
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Wrestler, The (2008) Drama Randy "the Ram" is a professional wrestler who is forced to retire due to multiple physical problems following use of steroids and body enhancers. He breaks down (vomits and faints) with a heart attack after a challenging match fighting with glass, a staple gun, and barbs. He attempts a comeback in both his personal life and in wrestling. Directed by Darren Aronofsky. Yesterday (2004, South Africa) Drama A woman named Yesterday focuses largely on the present and future as she takes care of her daughter, her dying husband, and her own HIV.
Sylvia Plath's autobiographical novel The Bell Jar. Plath eventually committed suicide by putting her head into an oven and turning on the gas. Blue Sky (1994) Drama Jessica Lange won an Academy Award for her role as a military wife with a bipolar disorder. Broken Flowers (2005) Drama Bill Murray is a depressed Lothario who moves from one casual affair to the next until he gets a letter telling him that he has a 19-year-son and he begins a quest to find the anonymous former girlfriend who wrote the letter. Cache (2005, France), Mystery/Thriller A married couple begins to receive videotapes at their doorstep that depict surveillance of their house. The film provides an interesting commentary on the psychology of guilt. Cooler, The (2003) Drama Unlucky, depressed man (William H. Macy) walks around the casino as "the cooler," someone paid to bring bad luck to successful gamers by appearing near their gambling tables. He is paying off his enormous gambling debts owed to the casino owner Alec Baldwin. Crossover (1983) Drama A male nurse is plagued by self-doubts after one of the psychiatric patients commits suicide. Devil and Daniel Johnston, The (2005) Documentary/Biography Portrait of a musical genius who vacillates between madness and brilliant creativity. Eye of God (1997) Drama Some of the scenes in this film address a boy who witnesses his mother's suicide, experiences acute stress disorder, and kills himself at age 14. Faithless (2000) Drama Liv Ullmann directed this film about a woman who has an affair with a deeply depressed man. Field, The (1990) Drama Dramatic presentation of the suicide by drowning of a young man who finds he cannot live up to his father's expectations. Flying Scotsman, The (2006, Germany/UK) Drama Champion cyclist who constructed his bike out of
Mood Disorders and Suicide
American Splendor (2003) Comedy/Drama/ Documentary/Animation Small time comic book writer and curmudgeon, Harvey Pekar, reaches cult status including several appearances on the David Letterman show. This film integrates a narrative about a depressed couple trying to get along and manage life's stressors, comic book animation, and documentary of the real Harvey Pekar.
"Right now I'd be glad to spare some growth for some happiness." Harvey Pekar in American Splendor (2003)
Anna Karenina (1935) Drama Greta Garbo leaves her husband (Basil Rathbone) and son to follow a new love (Fredric March); when she sees him kissing another woman, she commits suicide by stepping into the path of an oncoming train. Based on a Tolstoy novel. Art of Failure: Chuck Connelly, The (2008) Documentary Quirky, neo-expressionist painter of the 1980s, inspired by Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollack. The film depicts an agitated depression but it also presents a caricature of the "troubled artist." Bell Jar, The (1979) Biography An unsuccessful attempt to capture the spirit of
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pieces of washing machines suffers with depression and suicidal thoughts. This film received an "Honorable Mention" at the Voice Awards. Fox and His Friends (1975) Drama Werner Fassbinder's scathing indictment of capitalism revolves around the life of a poor gay circus performer who wins money, only to lose it through the exploitation of those he assumes are his friends. He responds by committing suicide. Garden State (2004) Drama/Comedy A young man flies to his hometown in New Jersey for his mother's funeral. He has been estranged from his family for several years. Without his "bipolar" medication for the first time, he begins to experiment with life and find love. Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) Comedy/Drama/War Robin Williams as an Air Force radio announcer in Vietnam. Williams has a funny, frenetic style that could be described as hypomanic. Hairdresser's Husband, The (1992) Comedy/Drama A woman chooses to commit suicide rather than face the incremental loss of love that she believes will accompany aging. This is a beautiful movie, despite the somewhat grim ending. Harold and Maude (1971) Comedy An acting-out teenager and an iconoclastic old woman bond and support one another's eccentricities, including Harold's repeated feigned suicide attempts. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The (2005) Comedy One of the major characters, a robot, exhibits a number of symptoms of depression. Horse Feathers (1932) Comedy Groucho Marx plays a manic college president who displays flight of ideation and pressured speech. Hospital, The (1971) Comedy/Drama George C. Scott is first rate as a disillusioned and suicidal physician despondent in part because of the ineptitude he sees everywhere about him. There is an especially memorable scene in which Scott is interrupted as he is about to commit suicide by injecting potassium into a vein.
House of Sand and Fog (2003) Drama Jennifer Connelly and Sir Ben Kingsley play opposite one another in a gripping and deeply poignant story about two seemingly very different people, each with a legitimate claim to ownership of the same house. The film accurately portrays depression, alcohol abuse, suicide attempts, and suicide. Hours, The (2002) Drama Well-acted and well-crafted tapestry integrating three stories from different times--Nicole Kidman as the renowned novelist, Virginia Woolf, struggling to write her novel Mrs. Dalloway; Julianne Moore, who is reading the novel decades later; and Meryl Streep who embodies many of Mrs. Dalloway's characteristics. Each of the four main characters (the three aforementioned and Ed Harris) struggles with some form of mood disorder.
"You cannot find peace by avoiding life." Virginia Woolf in The Hours (2002)
Imaginary Heroes (2004) Drama A young boy commits suicide by shooting himself, and each member of the family responds to the tragedy in their own way. Inside Moves (1980) Drama A man who has failed in a suicide attempt makes new friends in a bar and regains the will to live. Mainly notable as the comeback film for Harold Russell, the double amputee from The Best Years of Our Lives (1946). Into the Wild (2007) Biography Sean Penn directed this film that is based on a true story about an Emory student who graduates, gives away the money he had saved for law school, and moves to Alaska. It is a useful pedagogical exercise to speculate about potential diagnoses for this young man. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) Drama A Christmas tradition. The film actually presents Jimmy Stewart as a complex character who responds to the stress of life in Bedford Falls by attempting suicide. Jellysmoke (2005) Drama/Romance A young man with bipolar disorder is released
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from a psychiatric institution and struggles to adapt to his new life. Winner of a Voice Award.
Lonesome Jim (2006) Drama Steve Buscemi directed this engaging film about a depressed and discouraged writer who returns to his childhood home in Indiana after failing to make his mark in New York City. Maboroshi No Hikari (1995) Drama A Japanese film about the effects of a man's seemingly irrational suicide on the wife who is left behind to care for their 3-month-old infant. Melinda and Melinda (2004/5) Comedy/Drama
"You see, George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to throw it away?" Clarence in It's A Wonderful Life (1946)
Juliet of the Spirits (1965) Drama Frederico Fellini film about a bored, lonely, depressed, and menopausal homemaker who hallucinates about the life of the exotic woman next door. Last Days (2005) Drama Slow moving Gus van Sant film depicting the final days of Nirvana singer/guitarist, Kurt Cobain. Various manic and depressive symptoms are displayed. Last Days of Disco, The (1998) Drama One of the characters has bipolar disorder and is stereotyped as "looney" and "crazy"; however, he is depicted as compliant with Lithium, and his life is stable and balanced. Interesting contrast to the frequently portrayed stereotypes of bipolar disorder. Last Picture Show, The (1971) Drama Peter Bogdanovich adaptation of Larry McMurtry's novel describing the events--and personalities-- involved in the closing of the town's only movie theater. There is a striking presentation of the symptoms of depression in the coach's wife. Life Upside Down (1965) Drama French film about an ordinary young man who be comes increasingly detached from the world. He is eventually hospitalized and treated, but with little success. Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Comedy Steve Carrell plays a renowned gay Proust scholar who has just been released from the hospital after a suicide attempt. Lonely Guy, The (1984) Comedy Steve Martin plays a depressed and suicidal New Yorker.
This Woody Allen film alternates between two versions of a story, one tragic, one comic. In the tragic version, we find a depressed and suicidal Melinda. Michael Clayton (2007) Drama Tom Wilkinson plays the role of a brilliant attorney whose bipolar-manic episodes make it almost impossible for him to function as an attorney. Mind the Gap (2004) Drama The lives of five isolated, lonely and desperate people are intertwined in complex ways: eventually each live intersects with the other four. One poignant segment portrays a suicidal African American man who gets life-saving advice from a priest. Mishima (1985) Biography A fascinating film about one of the most interesting figures in contemporary literature, Yukio Mishima. Mishima, a homosexual, traditionalist, and militarist, committed ritual suicide (seppuku) before being beheaded by a companion. Mommie Dearest (1981) Biography Biographical film based on the book by Joan Crawford's adopted daughter. Faye Dunaway plays Crawford. The film suggests the great star was tyrannical, narcissistic, and probably bipolar. Monsieur Ibrahim (2003) Drama/Comedy An elderly widower and troubled teen form a unique friendship while living in Paris in the 1960s. A secondary character, the boy's father, suffers from agitated, masked depression, and eventually abandons his son (who had already been abandoned by his mother) and commits suicide. Monster's Ball (2002) Drama Emotionally jarring film about two lost, self-hating people who begin to experience emotion and face
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their pain through their relationship. Stars Billy Bob Thornton and Halle Berry, the latter who won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in this film.
Ordinary People (1980) Drama This film was Robert Redford's debut as a director. It deals with depression, suicide, and family pathology and presents a sympathetic portrayal of a psychiatrist, played by Judd Hirsch. Conrad, the protagonist, would probably meet DSM-IV criteria for PTSD as well as depression. Outcry, The (1957) Drama Antonioni film about a man who becomes depressed and confused when he is rejected by his lover. Pollock (2000) Drama Ed Harris portrays the troubled painter, Jackson Pollack, who struggles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder. Prozac Nation (2001) Drama A dramatic and realistic portrayal of depression and borderline personality disorder in a Harvard undergraduate. Rain (2001) Drama Coming-of-age New Zealand film about a young girl whose mother is a depressed alcoholic. Respiro (2002) Drama An Italian film about a woman with a serious bipolar disorder who has to flee and hide in a cave to avoid coerced psychiatric treatment. Running with Scissors (2006) Biography Annette Bening plays the role of a bipolar mother who turns over her son's life to her psychiatrist. Scent of a Woman (1992) Drama Al Pacino plays Colonel Slade, a depressed blind veteran who seems to have lost all meaning in his life until he is challenged by a younger man. September (1987) Drama A Woody Allen film in which Mia Farrow plays a depressed woman recovering from a suicide attempt.
"It takes a human being to really see a human being." Monster's Ball (2002)
Mosquito Coast, The (1986) Adventure Harrison Ford is an eccentric American inventor who flees the U.S. for Central America because of his paranoia. His diagnosis is never clearly stated, but Ford appears to be bipolar (although almost continually manic in the film). My First Wife (1984) Drama A moving and well-directed Australian film about a man who falls apart after his wife decides to leave him. Network (1976) Drama A veteran anchorman who has just been told he is being fired announces on national TV that he will commit suicide on the air in two weeks. Ratings soar. He eventually reneges on his promise but becomes the leader of a national protest movement.
"... I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!" Newscaster Howard Beale in Network (1976)
Nightmare Alley (1947) Crime Tyrone Power's favorite film. Power plays a carnival huckster who teams up with an unethical psychologist to dupe the public. Memorable carnival "geek" scenes include biting the heads off chickens. Nine Lives (2005) Vignettes This film is directed by Rodrigo Garcia, the son of the novelist Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It consists of nine relatively brief vignettes about the lives of nine women, one of whom is suicidal.
Seven Pounds (2008) Drama Will Smith plays a character who attempts to use his suicide to gain redemption for an accident he caused that resulted in the deaths of seven people. Seventh Veil, The (1945) Drama Psychological drama about a gifted musician who loses the ability to play the piano and becomes depressed and suicidal. Hypnotherapy makes it possible for Ann Todd to play again, as well as to sort out her complex interpersonal relationships.
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Shawshank Redemption, The (1994) Drama An outstanding film, memorable in part because of the suicide of one character who finds himself unable to adjust to life outside an institution. Shopgirl (2005) Drama A depressed salesgirl learns about the meaning of love through an affair with a much older man (played by Steve Martin, who also wrote the screenplay and the novella upon which the film was based). Spanglish (2004) Comedy An offbeat comedy about a talented cook and his manic wife who hire a Latina housekeeper. Station Agent, The (2003) Drama/Comedy Heartwarming, honest story of three lonely and disparate characters who form a unique friendship with one another. The three characters are a schizoid dwarf whose only desire is isolation, a woman who has repeated conflicts with her husband and attempts suicide, and a talkative man from New Jersey. Good mix of both healthy and unhealthy coping approaches to loneliness and depression. Suicide Club (2002) Drama/Suspense Fifty-four young girls collectively jump in front of an oncoming subway train, which triggers individual and group suicides around the country. This mysterious Japanese film raises questions of cause, documenting links between suicide and adolescence, violence, and consumerism. Summer Wishes, Winter Dreams (1973) Drama Joanne Woodward is a bored, depressed housewife searching for meaning and purpose in her life. The film includes dreams that may be hallucinations, and a possible somatoform disorder. Sylvia (2003) Drama Gwenyth Paltrow portrays the life of respected American poet, Sylvia Plath, who committed suicide in 1963. Taste of Cherry (1997) Drama An Iranian film about a man who wants to commit suicide but who can't find anyone to help him. Tenant, The (1976) Horror Roman Polanski film in which a man rents an apartment previously owned by a woman who committed suicide. The man begins to assume the
personality of the woman and becomes suicidal himself. Tout de Suite, À (2004) Drama A naive teenager runs away from home with her Moroccan boyfriend who has just killed a man in a bank robbery. She winds up abandoned in Morocco, depressed and sexually exploited. Umberto D. (1952) Drama Classic Vittorio De Sica film about an indigent old man in Rome who is being evicted and must face the prospects of homelessness and isolation. The old man fails a suicide attempt and finds a reason for living to continue to care for his dog. Vincent (1987) Biography/Documentary An interesting examination of the life of Vincent van Gogh. The focus is on the artist's work rather than his mental illness. Vincent & Theo (1990) Biography This Robert Altman film deals sensitively with van Gogh's troubled relationships with Gauguin and Theo, the incident with the prostitute and his ear, van Gogh's hospitalization, and finally his suicide. Virgin Suicides, The (1999) Drama Sofia Coppola's directorial debut about a re pressed family with five daughters, who in response to their mother's control, repression, and forced group isolation, decide to commit suicide. Visitor, The (2007) Drama This film illustrates the apathy and indifference that can sometimes accompany depression. Richard Jenkins plays the role of Professor Walter Vale, a man coping unsuccessfully with the death of his wife. War Within, The (2005) Drama An examination of the motives behind the behavior of a suicide bomber. Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself (2002) Drama/Comedy Disappointing and highly stereotypic movie of both suicide and boundary-crossing psychotherapists. Perpetrates the misconception that love can conquer mental illness (in this case, multiple, severe suicide attempts). Winter Passing (2005) Drama A depressed young woman living in New York City uses alcohol, drugs and casual sex to cope.
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She travels to the upper peninsula of Michigan to visit her father, an alcoholic novelist, to see if she can obtain copies of the letters he wrote to her recently deceased mother years earlier. Woman Under the Influence, A (1974) Drama A John Cassavetes film in which Gena Rowlands plays a homemaker who has to be hospitalized because of a mental illness that appears to be bipolar disorder. Peter Falk plays her mystified husband. Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006) Fantasy A man commits suicide and then finds himself in purgatory, surrounded by other individuals who have all committed suicide in one way or another. Wrong Man, The (1956) Crime Hitchcock film in which a man and his wife (Henry Fonda and Vera Miles) become depressed in response to an unjust accusation of murder.
Amelie (2001) Comedy/Romance Audrey Tautou stars as Amelie, an avoidant woman who wants an intimate relationships with others but is unable to be direct. Upon deciding to change her life by making a difference in others' lives, she adopts extreme and creative measures to bring joy to others and make connections. Brilliantly directed by the Frenchman Jean Pierre-Jeunet. American Beauty (1999) Comedy/Drama
Kevin Spacey has the lead role in this remarkable film about a very dysfunctional family and the ennui that accompanies life in suburbia. Annette Bening plays a woman with a classic Histrionic Personality Disorder. Almost every character ex hibits some degree of psychopathology. The film is a compelling examination of what Freud called the psychopathology of everyday life. American Gangster (2007) Crime/Drama An honest detective (Russell Crowe) tries to bring down a heroin kingpin (Denzel Washington) in this Ridley Scott film. American History X (1998) Drama/Suspense
Personality Disorders
25th Hour (2002) Drama A Spike Lee film about a young man (Edward Norton) about to go away to prison for 7 years for marijuana trafficking. In making the most of his final hours, he meets with his "recovering alcoholic" father, girlfriend, friends, and an "underground" boss and his henchmen. Look for tributes to 9/11 throughout the film (it was the first film to use Ground Zero as a film scene). Accidental Tourist, The (1988) Comedy William Hurt plays a withdrawn, unemotional writer whose isolation is compounded when his 12-yearson is senselessly murdered in a fast-food restaurant. Aguirre: The Wrath of God (1972) Historical/ Drama Klaus Kinski stars in this Werner Herzog film about the growing delusion of a grandiose Spanish conquistador obsessed with finding the lost cities of gold in the South American Amazon. Alfie (2004) Comedy Jude Law stars as a man with a narcissistic personality who prides himself in being a womanizer and not committing in relationships. Law's asides to the audience provide insight into his narcissistic thinking. By the end of the film, Alfie begins to face the impact of his behavior on others.
Edward Norton plays an antisocial, white supremacist who decides to change his life when he sees his younger brother is following his example. American Psycho (1999) Drama/Suspense Christian Bale is Patrick Bateman, a narcissistic Wall Street executive, who emphasizes excess and style over substance in everything from business cards and facial cleansers to restaurant selection and conversation. He is depicted as a serial killer who saves the victim's heads in his refrigerator. However, there is enough cinematic evidence to suggest that there were no murders at all, and everything in the film simply reflects the fantasies of an antisocial mind. Anatomy of a Murder (1959) Drama Jimmy Stewart as an attorney defending a man accused of murder. His case rests on the contention that the defendant could not help behaving as he did because the man he murdered had allegedly raped his wife. The film raises interesting questions about the irresistible impulse defense. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) Comedy A narcissistic anchorman (Will Ferrell) competes with an ambitious female journalist.
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Anything Else (2003) Comedy Woody Allen film about a young man with dependent personality who falls for an erratic young woman (Christina Ricci).
Santa Claus at a department store. The female costar has a "Santa fetish." Bad Seed, The (1956) Drama Interesting examination of whether or not evil is congenital. Bartleby (2001) Comedy This dark comedy brilliantly casts Crispin Glover as the aloof, quirky clerk, Bartleby, who repeats the same phrase "I would prefer not to" when asked to work. Ironically colorful set design and a hodge-podge of quirky personalities as supporting cast. This is clearly a "love it or hate it" film, based on a short story by Herman Melville. Bartleby's character is a classic depiction of a person with a schizoid personality. Bartleby (1970) Comedy Original, black and white, version of the Herman Melville short story, Bartleby the Scrivener. More slow, dark, and dreary than its recent counterpart, yet still an excellent depiction of schizoid personality. Basic Instinct (1992; 2006) Thriller/Drama Sharon Stone as Catherine Tramell, a seductive and manipulative woman with many borderline traits. Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007) Drama/Crime Sidney Lumet directs Philip Seymour Hoffman, Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei, and Albert Finney in a heist (of one's own family) gone terribly wrong and the antisocial behaviors that result. Being Julia (2004) Drama/Comedy Annette Bening portrays an actress with qualities of each of the Cluster B personality disorders, in addition to a work addiction. Believer, The (2001) Drama Fascinating character study of Danny Burrows who is living his life in an impossible contradiction as a Jewish Nazi. As he faces his true self, his ruthless antisocial characteristics begin to crumble. Based on a true story of events that occurred in Burrows' life in the Fall of 1965. Bitter Moon (1992) Drama Roman Polanski film in which a couple becomes entangled with a woman who meets several criteria for borderline personality. Black Snake Moan (2006) Drama Samuel L. Jackson plays a broken man who res-
"See where I'm standing? That's where I'm from." Sonny in The Apostle (1997)
Apostle, The (1997) Drama Robert Duvall directs, writes, and stars as a philandering but dedicated minister who flees his hometown after committing a violent act. His redemptive journey takes him to a small town where he builds a ministry until his past catches up with him. Apt Pupil (1998) Drama/Suspense A high school student becomes fascinated with his discovery of a man (Ian McKellen) who was formerly a Nazi henchman. KurtDussander is living (and hiding out) in a local town. The student manipulates him to tell him detailed stories of his previous work.
"To the whole world I am a monster." An escaped Nazi in Apt Pupil (1998)
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) Comedy Frank Capra film about Cary Grant's two aunts who practice mercy killing by giving their gentlemen guests poisoned elderberry wine. Grant worries about the fact that mental illness not only runs in his family, it gallops! Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, The (2007) Crime The humanization and glorification of infamous outlaw, Jesse James (Brad Pitt) is depicted, along with the young, timid Robert Ford who shot him. James was an antisocial personality who was (understandably) paranoid. Bad Santa (2003) Comedy This Terry Zwigoff film stars Billy Bob Thornton as a rule breaking, crass alcoholic who works as
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cues a promiscuous, erratic woman (Christina Ricci) left for dead on the road. Both characters face and share their dark sides. Box of Moonlight (1996) Drama A rigid, orderly, rule-obsessed man, played by John Turturro, takes extra time off from his bluecollar, managerial position and from his family to re-discover his lost adolescence. The title becomes a beautiful, transformational metaphor in the film. Breach (2007) Thriller/Drama A pathological, manipulative CIA official (Chris Cooper) leads a double life in this intriguing thriller. Based on the true story of the worst FBI spy in U.S. history, someone who eventually cost the U.S. government billions of dollars. Breathless (1960, France) Drama/Crime Classic antisocial hoodlum in a classic film by French New Wave director, Jean-Luc Godard. The pacing of the film justifies the title, as does the lead performance of the anti-hero. Bruce Almighty (2002) Comedy Whimsical comedy about a man (Jim Carrey) given the opportunity to "be God" for a day. Butley (1974) Drama Alan Bates in a Harold Pinter film adaptation of a London play about the life of a British university professor. Bates' wife and lover are both leaving him, and his colleagues are estranged. Bates seems to fail in every interpersonal encounter. Caine Mutiny, The (1954) Drama Humphrey Bogart is the ship's paranoid captain, who decompensates under the pressure of testimony when he is called to the witness stand. Humphrey Bogart plays the role of Captain Queeg. Catch Me If You Can (2002) Drama Steven Spielberg directs Leonardo Dicaprio who plays the role of a manipulative con man with an antisocial personality. He repeatedly changes his identity while defrauding banks and keeping FBI agent (Tom Hanks) one step behind him. Based on the true story of Frank Abagnal, Jr. Character (1998) Drama Best Foreign Film winner (Dutch) about a young man's personal and financial struggle to be free of his antisocial father. His mother appears to have a schizoid personality disorder.
"That boy, I'll strangle him for nine tenths and the last tenth will make him strong." Dreverhaven describing his son in Character (1998)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) Drama/Comedy Tim Burton remake of the classic story is wellcasted with beautiful set designs. Johnny Depp's portrayal of an eccentric, isolated, and perceptually disturbed Willy Wonka is one of the best depictions of schizotypal personalities captured on film. Child, The (2005, France) Drama/Crime Bruno, who leads a gang of petty thieves, decides to sell his newborn for money. Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982) Drama A Robert Altman film in which Sandy Dennis plays a local woman in a small Texas town who is convinced she bore a son by James Dean when he was in town filming Giant. Compulsion (1959) Drama/Crime Two young fraternity brothers believe their perfect crime of murder is "the true test of the superior intellect." Their defense attorney (Orson Welles) gives a memorable speech in an attempt to save their lives. Conspiracy Theory (1997) Drama Mel Gibson plays a cab driver with virtually no personal life, who is obsessed with a woman, and who writes a newsletter on conspiracies. His paranoia takes him to every possible place and situation, including one conspiracy that turns out true. Conversation, The (1974) Drama A Francis Ford Coppola film in which Gene Hackman plays a surveillance expert with a paranoid personality. Corporation, The (2004) Documentary Interesting, albeit one-sided, review of corporations that documents the similarities between them and the characteristics of a psychopathic personality disorder. Criminal (2004) Drama/Crime John C. Reilly portrays an antisocial con-artist who
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takes an apprentice. The film suffers from a contrived ending, standard fare for "con" films. Crush, The (1993) Drama/Suspense Alicia Silverstone plays a 14-year-old temptress who is obsessed with a 28-year-old man who is simply not interested in her. This is an interesting portrayal of a character who is likely to qualify for a diagnosis of Antisocial Personality Disorder (as soon as she turns 18). Dark Knight, The (2008) Action/Crime Christopher Nolan's follow-up to Batman Begins stars Heath Ledger in incredible form as "the Joker," a clever and fearless psychopath who battles Batman (Christian Bale). Decalogue, The (1989, Poland) Drama Ten, 1-hour films loosely based on the ten commandments, originally made for Polish television by director Krzysztof Kieslowski. This set of films was hailed as one of the most significant productions in recent , and the late Stanley Kubrick once said it is the only film masterpiece he knows. Multiple psychological disorders are portrayed in various characters living in an apartment complex. Dementia 13 (1963) Horror Third rate film about an ax murderer; interesting primarily because it is Francis Ford Coppola's first "serious" film. Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002) Drama/Comedy A group of friends teach a young woman (Sandra Bullock) about her troubled mother. Ellen Burstyn and Ashley Judd play the erratic, labile, and abusive mother. Dogville (2003) Drama Nicole Kidman stars as a woman on the run who finds refuge in a small, isolated town. If a town could be diagnosed, this one would clearly be "antisocial" as group contagion results in manipulation, deceit, and abuse. Unique set design of a town without any houses or doors and is set as if on a theater stage. Dot the I (2003, UK/Spain/US) Drama/Romance A love triangle set in London with various twists of deceit and sabotage that leave the viewer wondering who is manipulating whom. Dream Lover (1994) Drama A sociopathic woman plots to marry a man and then have him committed to an insane asylum.
Employee of the Month (2004) Comedy/Drama Dark comedy with Matt Dillon experiencing a day when everything in his "perfect" life goes wrong. Watch for numerous Buddhist references to the fact that "everything is an illusion." End of Violence, The (1997) Drama Wim Wenders film about a paranoid personality played by Bill Pullman. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005) Documentary Depicts the antisocial personalities of the Enron corporation leaders and the back-story of their rise to power and eventual downfall. Equilibrium (2002) Action This film depicts a futuristic society in which all must take a drug to block the disease called "human emotion." Eulogy (2003) Comedy Dark comedy about a dysfunctional family of selfserving, self-absorbed, hypocrites. Evita (1997) Drama/Musical Madonna portrays Argentina's first lady, Eva Peron, and depicts her rise from poverty and scandal to fame, fortune, and the adulation of a nation. Eva (Evita) does what it takes to climb the ladder of success, eventually marrying military leader Juan Peron. She speaks out on his behalf, mobilizes the people of Argentina, frees him from jail, and helps him get elected. Antonio Banderas plays her alter ego with running commentary, warnings, criticism, and song. Family Man, The (2000) Family/Comedy Corporate executive (Nicholas Cage) obsessed with money, fame, and power gets an opportunity to see how his life would have turned out if he had married his college sweetheart. The film includes obvious parallels with It's a Wonderful Life. Fatal Attraction (1987) Thriller/Romance Glenn Close displays classic characteristics of borderline personality disorder, including fears of abandonment, unstable interpersonal relationships, impulsivity, suicidal gestures, inappropriate and intense anger, and affective instability. This remarkable film is flawed by a contrived and artificial ending. Fargo (1996) Comedy Dark comedy from the Coen brothers about a car salesman (William H. Macy) whose plot to
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kidnap his wife has gone horribly awry. Frances McDormand has a memorable role as police chief Marge Gunderson. Finding Forrester (2000) Drama A high school student befriends an aloof, retired professor and writer who has avoided people for years. Their relationship is "rocky," taking many turns, yet each individual has a profound impact on the other. Five Easy Pieces (1970) Drama Jack Nicholson, raised in an upper class and gifted family, is a talented pianist who left his affluent life to work in the oil fields. The plot is thin, but the character Nicholson plays is complex and fascinating. Fracture (2007) Thriller/Drama Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling star in this courtroom suspense film in which Hopkins kills his wife and gets away with it. Freaks (1932) Horror Fascinating film about a "normal" trapeze artist who marries a midget and then tries to poison him. When his friends find out, they kill her strong-man lover and turn her into one of them. From Dusk Till Dawn (1995) Horror Quentin Tarantino and George Clooney portray psychopaths who rendezvous at a biker bar that turns out to be run by vampires. The film is actually two very different movies combined--the first is Tarantino-like in character interaction and dialogue, and the second half is a horror show. Robert Rodriguez directs the films. From the Life of the Marionettes (1980) Drama Bergman film in which an executive rapes and kills a prostitute. Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) Crime/Drama Jim Jarmusch film about a reclusive man who lives with pigeons and believes he is indebted to a mob boss who once saved his life. Girl, Interrupted (1999) Drama A depressed, young woman (Winona Ryder), sent to a psychiatric hospital and labeled with Border line Personality Disorder, encounters a dangerous patient (Angelina Jolie) with an Antisocial Personality Disorder.
Godfather, The (1972; 1974; 1990) Crime/Drama The classic trilogy directed by Francis Ford Coppola about a New York Mafia family who are kind and generous to those who support the family and ruthless to those who oppose it. God Is Great and I Am Not (2003) Comedy Audrey Tautou plays a dependent woman who obsessively conforms to the religion of any man she is dating. Gone with the Wind (1939) Romance/Drama In the classic love story, Scarlett O'Hara meets full criteria for histrionic personality disorder; however, some have argued that these surface features are the result of the social forces of her culture & time and that her deeper character structure would not be considered histrionic. Grey Gardens (2009) Drama/Biography Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange portray the infamous mother and daughter, Edie and Edith Beales. Lange's character was a first cousin to Jackie Onassis-Kennedy, and displays dependent personality and extreme symptoms of what might be agoraphobia. The extreme avoidance and pathology of the characters results in a deteriorating mansion that is nothing but a cesspool of filth, cat urine, and dilapidation. Grifters, The (1990) Crime Anjelica Huston stars in this fascinating introduction to the world of the con. Contrast this film with a movie almost as good, David Mamet's House of Games (see Treatment section). Guy (1997) Drama Fascinating story about a documentary filmmaker (Hope Davis) who chooses one person (Vincent D'Onofrio) at random and relentlessly follows him, filming his daily life for several days despite the victim's resistance and threats. Her obsession of filming him becomes his obsession with being filmed. The movie addresses narcissism and suggests that obsessions are a core part of human nature. Heavy (1995) Drama An obese, schizoid man loses his mother (whom he has lived with) and becomes even more withdrawn as he grieves. I, Robot (2004) Action/Suspense Surprisingly high quality action film about an
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agent who battles robots threatening to take over the world. Will Smith's role illustrates paranoid personality traits.
from an oblivious, good-hearted, elderly woman. Good portrayal of how people with antisocial personalities can use language to manipulate. Directed by the Coen Brothers. Land of Plenty (2004, US/Germany) Drama
"I did it because I could." In the Company of Men (1997) Wim Wenders film about misguided patriotism and paranoia in post-911 times in America; the protagonist is a classic paranoid personality disorder; this condition has rarely been portrayed so well. Last King of Scotland, The (2006) Drama/ Documentary/Biography Forest Whitaker in an unforgettable, terrifying role as Idi Amin, the charming, charismatic, and paranoid ruler of Uganda who killed over 300,000 people during his reign. Last Supper, The (1996) Comedy Dark comedy of five liberal graduate students seeking revenge against reactionary and conservative dinner guests. The film depicts elements of antisocial and compulsive behavior. Le Boucher (1969) Thriller Claude Chabrol film in which a butcher who is also a murderer commits suicide when the woman he loves realizes he is a criminal. Leave Her to Heaven (1945) Romance/Crime Protagonist commits multiple murders, watches her brother-in-law drown, and terminates her pregnancy by throwing herself down a flight of stairs with no sense of shame or remorse. Dated but interesting portrayal of an antisocial personality. Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004) Comedy/Drama Jim Carrey plays a comical psychopath who adopts multiple disguises in an attempt to inherit a family fortune that rightfully belongs to three orphans whose parents have died in a fire. Levity (2003) Drama Billy Bob Thornton plays a "recovered antisocial," who, after his release from prison, tries to make amends with a family member (Holly Hunter) of a boy he killed decades ago. Morgan Freeman plays an antisocial preacher. Lord of War (2005) Action/Drama Nicholas Cage portrays Uri, an antisocial man who sells illegal arms to various countries. Based on actual events.
In the Company of Men (1997) Comedy Misogynistic satire of two men (with varying levels of narcissism) who deliberately seduce the same vulnerable girl, lead her on, and then abandon her. Directed by Neil LaBute. Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006) Documentary/Biography Discussion and explanation of the events that led up to the largest mass suicide in modern history, brought about by the manipulative tactics of the antisocial preacher Jim Jones. Kalifornia (1993) Thriller Early Brad Pitt performance as a quirky, ruthless, psychopathic killer who teams up with his naïve sweetheart (Juliette Lewis), a woman with a borderline IQ. There is not a hint of remorse or empathy in Pitt's character. Knife in the Water (1962) Drama One of Roman Polanski's earliest films. A man and his wife on a sailing holiday pick up a hitchhiker. There is mounting sexual tension between the older man and his younger rival. The younger man eventually makes love to the wife after a complex turn of events that occur when the couple becomes convinced the young man has drowned. La Cage aux Folles (1978) Comedy Zaza (Albin), the transvestite nightclub performer, is a wonderful example of a histrionic personality. He is dramatic and flamboyant and threatens suicide when things do not go his way. Ladies Man, The (2000) Comedy Tim Meadows plays a narcissistic talk-show host and "player." Spin-off of a successful Saturday Night Live skit. Ladykillers, The (2004) Comedy Tom Hanks leads a group of thieves in a caper to steal money from a casino by digging underground
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Lovelife (1997) Comedy Film about a group of friends and their struggles in relationships, many with symptoms of disorders that prevent them from connecting--the depressed intellectual, the dependant woman, and the neurotic voyeur--but the standout is the narcissist professor. Mad Love (2002) Spanish film about a princess who marries and later becomes queen and is nicknamed "Joan the Mad" because of her worries about her philandering husband. Man from Elysian Fields, The (2001) Drama Married man (Andy Garcia) becomes an escort and his life falls apart. Man Who Cried, The (2000) Drama Slow-moving film of a young woman (Christina Ricci) who left a very poor Russian family years ago to make it as a dancer in the theater. Sub-par film with an all-star cast including Johnny Depp (in another vagrant role), Cate Blanchett, and John Turturro as a grandiose opera singer. Man Who Wasn't There, The (2001) Drama This Coen Brothers' film noir is a fascinating character analysis of Ed Crane (Billy Bob Thornton) who is an aloof, taciturn, and unemotional barber struggling to find purpose. Margot at the Wedding (2007) Comedy/Drama Nicole Kidman portrays Margot, a woman with a borderline personality disorder who displays loose boundaries, lability, anger, impulsivity, inappropriate affect, and fears of abandonment during a short visit to her sister's house. Marriage of Maria Braun, The (1978) Drama/ War This Fassbinder film, an allegory about postwar Germany, portrays the dehumanizing effects of war and its aftermath as we watch the commercial success and personal failures of Maria Braun. There is an explosive finale. Match Point (2005) Drama/Crime Very engaging and dark Woody Allen film about a young man who responds to a bad situation with murder inadvertently murders someone and then demonstrates significant antisocial abilities to keep from getting caught.
Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005) Comedy A number of odd and quirky characters exhibit subclinical syndromes and features of personality disorders. Minus Man (1999) Drama Owen Wilson stars as a charming, kind, drifting serial killer. The film does not explain his behavior, which he claims is spontaneous. Monster (2004) Docudrama Graphic, disturbing film based on the life of Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute and drifter turned serial killer. Charlize Theron won an Oscar for her powerful performance as Wuornos. My Summer of Love (2004) Drama/Romance Coming-of-age tale of a girl who falls in love with a girl her age who turns out to have an antisocial personality disorder (compare this film with Neil Labute's The Shape of Things). My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006) Comedy/ Romance Uma Thurman portrays G-Girl, a superheroine with great powers but one who also exhibits borderline traits, fear of abandonment, hostility, all-ornone thinking, and revengeful behavior. Naked (1993) Drama Fascinating story about an "existential antisocial," Johnny, wandering the streets of London exchanging philosophical beliefs with various quirky characters. Comedy, love, drama, and violence flow throughout this film. Written and directed by renowned British director Mike Leigh. No Country For Old Men (2007) Drama/Crime Javier Bardem gives one of the most chilling portrayals of psychopathology in cinema history in the role of Anton Chigurh, an evil man who plays with the destiny in everyone he encounters. Notes on a Scandal (2006) Drama Judi Dench and Cate Blanchett engage in battle of manipulation and deceit in a movie that depicts ephebophilia, emptiness, objectification, obsession, and borderline traits. Odd Couple, The (1968) Comedy Jack Lemmon is magnificent as the obsessivecompulsive Felix Unger, who uses air freshener
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and leaves notes on the pillow of housemate Walter Matthau. One Hour Photo (2002) Robin Williams in a quirky, dramatic, and disturbing role as the personality disordered, Sy the Photo Guy. Sy collects photographs from a customer's family and finds meaning through their lives until he discovers they are not the perfect family.
ous plumber seems to be manipulating a woman as he repeatedly returns to her house to check pipes and fix the plumbing. The film raises important questions about trust and class. Pumpkin Eater, The (1964) Drama Most memorable for the scene in which Anne Bancroft, responding to the stress of eight children and an unfaithful husband, breaks down in Harrods. Rampage (1992) Drama/Thriller A film that explores the insanity defense, sociopathy, and mass murder. Directed by William Friedkin, who was also the director for The Exorcist. Reign Over Me (2007) Drama Adam Sandler portrays a man with a schizotypal personality who is lost in pathological grief. An old friend (Don Cheadle) works hard to re-orient him back to the world around him. Winner of a Voice Award. Remains of the Day (1994) Romance/Drama Anthony Hopkins plays a butler whose rigid personality will not allow him to experience intimacy or genuine love. Few films have been more effective in presenting this reserved, over-controlled, and limiting personality type. Rick (2003) Comedy/Drama Satirical comedy starring Bill Pullman as Rick, a narcissistic corporate executive who is self-serving, misanthropic, and cruel. The film has strong independent cinema elements. Roger Dodger (2002) Comedy Manhattan executive teaches his 16-year-old nephew about women in one night by taking him to the streets of New York. Great portrayal of narcissism. Royal Tenenbaums, The (2001) Comedy Dark comedy classic about highly dysfunctional Tenenbaum family where the parents (Gene Hackman and Angelica Huston) raise three genius children (Ben Stiller, Gwenyth Paltrow, and Luke Wilson) who develop significant problems (paranoia/anger, depression/incest, dependency/suicidal thoughts/incest, respectively). The family is reunited when the narcissistic father returns home stating he is dying of stomach cancer. We are left to see the dysfunctional dynamics of the family take place in comical form. Schizotypal personality is also portrayed (Owen Wilson)--a cinematic rarity.
"The things we fear the most have already happened to us." Sy, the Photo Guy, in One Hour Photo (2002)
Overnight (2003) Documentary/Drama A rags to riches to rags story about a narcissistic bartender, Troy Duffy, who is offered an attractive deal by Miramax for his screenplay only to have his pathology eventually sabotage this opportunity. Paper Moon (1973) Comedy/Drama Fun Peter Bogdanovich film, with Ryan O'Neal and daughter Tatum working together as a pair of con artists in the early 1930s. Pacific Heights (1990) Drama/Suspense Michael Keaton plays a classic antisocial personality who becomes a tenant of a Victorian home and refuses to leave or pay rent, reaping significant havoc. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006, Germany) Drama/Crime A young man with a phenomenal sense of smell becomes obsessed with capturing the perfect scent, but he takes his obsession too far. Directed by Tom Tykwer. Phone Booth (2003) Action/Suspense A one-dimensional, narcissistic New Yorker begins to unravel as he is manipulated and forced to stay on the phone on the busy streets of Manhattan with a serial killer (Kiefer Sutherland). Worth seeing for the ending which cinematically shows the deep wounds underlying many narcissistic personality disorders. Plumber, The (1979, Australia) Mystery/Drama In this early Peter Weir film, a strange and mysteri-
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Saw (2004) Horror Jigsaw, a serial killer and torturer, manipulates people whom he believes are ungrateful to test of how far they will go to save themselves, such as cutting through one's own foot with a rickety saw in order to set oneself free. Séance on a Wet Afternoon (1964) Crime A British film in which Kim Stanley plays a medium who persuades her husband (Richard Atten borough) to kidnap a child so they can then use her power of clairvoyance to "find" the missing child. Servant, The (1963) Drama Joseph Losey film in which a wealthy British gentleman and his manservant wind up switching roles. There are strong homosexual overtones in the relationship between the two men, and a complex relationship develops with two women. The film is an interesting examination of dominance and submission. Sexy Beast (2001) Drama Ben Kingsley portrays a brutal antisocial personality who is anything but sexy. Shadow of Fear (2004) Drama/Suspense Disappointing film about a young businessman who is blackmailed after he accidentally kills a man with his car and tries to cover it up. James Spader's character displays strong antisocial characteristics. Shape of Things, The (2003) Comedy Disturbing comedy of a woman who helps transform an anxious, insecure man through physical alteration and love only to later reveal it was all a manipulative, self-serving project. Another film by director Neil LaBute who has been appropriately nicknamed by some film critics as Neil La-Brute because of his often brutal character portrayal of people or society. Shattered Glass (2003) Drama Based on a true story of a young journalist for the popular New Republic magazine, Stephen Glass (well acted by Hayden Christensen), who in 1998 made up several of his published stories. He was fraudulent with people, places, and events, making up fake business cards, notes, websites, numbers, and voice mails. Great depiction of "the antisocial in trouble," where the person becomes neurotic and remorseful. The "real" Glass, a self-proclaimed "pathological liar" in reference to the events in the film, admits that 27 of his 41
published magazine stories were partially or completely made up.
"I wanted every story to be a home run." The real Stephen Glass in a 60 Minutes interview, speaking of being out of control and doing anything to please the readers
Silence of the Lambs, The (1991) Personality Disorders Anthony Hopkins plays one of film history's greatest antisocial personalities, psychiatrist and cannibal Hannibal Lector. Jodi Foster is the FBI agent.
"A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti." The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) Suspense Julia Roberts plays the battered wife of a possessive and sadistic husband played by Patrick Bergin. Roberts fakes her death and assumes a new identity in a desperate attempt to escape. Small Time Crooks (2000) Comedy Woody Allen plays a "foolish antisocial" who devises a plan to rob a bank with his not-so-bright pals. Hugh Grant plays a manipulative, charming, self-serving narcissist. Sneakers (1992) Drama/Comedy This film has a star cast that includes Dan Akroyd, who plays an ex-convict with paranoid traits who sees conspiracy in almost every situation. Speed (1994) Drama Dennis Hopper plays a deranged sociopath who programs a bomb to explode if a city bus slows to less than 50 miles per hour. Stagecoach (1939) Western Classic John Ford movie, with Thomas Mitchell playing a drunken physician. Mitchell won an
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Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role. Strangers on a Train (1951) Thriller Classic Hitchcock film in which Farley Granger is unable to extricate himself from his involvement with sociopath Robert Walker. Streetcar Named Desire, A (1951) Drama Elia Kazan film starring Marlon Brando and Vivian Leigh. Blanche DuBois offers a striking example of a histrionic personality. Brando is unforgettable in the role of Stanley Kowalski.
and inspiration at her publisher's secluded home in a French village. She overcomes her writer's block by writing about the adventures of a seductive, provo cative young woman, the publisher's daughter, who has spontaneously moved in.
"I always thought it would be better to be a fake somebody than a real nobody." Tom Ripley describing his secretive double life in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)
"They're dead, they're finished! There was a time in this business when they had the eyes of the whole wide world. But that wasn't good enough for them. Oh, no. They had to have the ears of the world, too. So they opened their big mouths, and out came talk. Talk! Talk!" Sunset Blvd. (1950)
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) Drama Matt Damon is the deceitful, charming, clever, im personator, Tom Ripley, who manipulates anyone in his path until he sees enough of his "shadow" that he can no longer turn away. Breakthrough film for supporting actor Jude Law. Tao of Steve, The (2000) Comedy Self-serving, amateur philosopher uses some ideas from Buddhist philosophy to pursue and sleep with women. Tape (2001) Drama Creative, engaging, and honest story of how people manipulate other to meet their own desires and how they react when their secrets are exposed. It also shows what can happen when someone has unresolved psychological issues. The entire film takes place in one motel room with only three characters--all young veterans--Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard, and Uma Thurmond. Taxi Driver (1976) Drama The premorbid personality of Travis Bickle illustrates delusional paranoid thinking. Bickle would probably meet the criteria for a diagnosis of schizotypal personality disorder.
Sunset Blvd. (1950) Drama Billy Wilder film in which a narcissistic, histrionic, and delusional Gloria Swanson clings to the memories of her former greatness as a silent screen star. William Holden plays a young man who exchanges attention and sexual favors for security. Suspect Zero (2004) Thriller/Crime Ben Kingsley plays a serial killer who tries to catch a serial killer by attempting to tune into the killer's thoughts, intentions, and feelings. Swimfan (2002) Drama/Suspense Girl's one-night-stand with a fellow classmate shifts from infatuation to the "If I can't have you, no one will" belief. Swimming With Sharks (1994) Comedy Dark comedy with Kevin Spacey as a nasty, heartless, business executive who is held hostage and tortured by an employee he has verbally abused over the years. Swimming Pool (2002) Drama/Mystery Mystery writer leaves London to find peace, quiet,
"You talkin' to me? [slower] You talking to me? You talking to me? Well, then, who the hell else are you talking-- you talking to me? Well, I'm the only one here." Travis Bickle rehearsing in Taxi Driver (1976)
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Thin Blue Line, The (1988) Documentary Gripping documentary examining the unjust incarceration of a man accused of the murder of a Texas policeman. Toto le Heros (1991) Drama/Comedy An old man in a nursing home reviews his life and his lifelong hatred for his next-door neighbor, who appeared to have every advantage. Wonderful example of a paranoid personality disorder. Tsotsi (2005, UK, South Africa) Crime/Drama An African gangster accidentally kidnaps an infant and in learning to care for child makes some changes in himself. Unfaithful (2002) Drama/Suspense Married man (Richard Gere) finds out his wife (Diane Lane) is having an affair and he seeks revenge. Very Bad Things (1999) Comedy Dark comedy about a bachelor party gone horribly wrong. As the five men try to cover up an accidental murder, more problems arise. Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) Drama High quality, Woody Allen film about two young women touring Barcelona for the summer who encounter a handsome man and his erratic, labile ex-wife (Penelope Cruz). Violette Noziere (1978) Biography/Crime Claude Chabrol film based on the true story about a teenage girl who poisoned her parents, eventually killing her father, whom she claimed had raped and abused her. Wannsee Conference, The (1984) Historical/ War Recreation of the Berlin meeting in which Nazi officers first outlined the "final solution" for dealing with the "Jewish problem." Whisperers, The (1966) Drama Dame Edith Evans stars as a lonely old woman, divorced from her husband and estranged from her son, who devotes her days to worry and paranoid ramblings. White Oleander (2002) Drama Young girl is tossed around from home to home when her mother is incarcerated. Range of mother figures played by Michelle Pfeiffer (antisocial),
Renee Zellweger (dependent), and Robin WrightPenn (histrionic). Fascinating dynamics of a young girl's resilience with each personality disordered mother-figure.
"Loneliness is the human condition. Love humiliates you. Hatred cradles you." A mother teaching her philosophy to her teenage daughter in White Oleander (2002)
Wild at Heart (1990) Comedy/Drama/Romance David Lynch film with ex-con Nicolas Cage and his lover, Laura Dern, as two antisocial personalities (despite their apparent commitment to each other). Won the Palme d'Ore at Cannes, but not all critics were impressed. Too violent for some tastes. Willard (2003) Drama Crispin Glover plays a schizoid man whose only contact is his critical mother and numerous rats living in his basement. He uses the rats for revenge until they turn on him. Wise Blood (1979) Drama John Huston's adaptation of Flannery O'Connor's gothic Southern novel about an obsessed preacher. Zoolander (2001) Comedy Absurd, over-the-top depiction of a narcissistic model who is brainwashed to become an assassin. Ben Stiller directed, co-wrote, and starred in this film.
Substance Use Disorders
Alcoholism
16 Blocks (2006) Drama A corrupt, burnt out, alcoholic cop risks his job and life by confronting authority in order to save a criminal from being killed. He drinks on the job, is unshaven, overly fatigued, exhausted, has poor stamina, slowed movement, and colleagues repeatedly comment about his alcohol abuse.
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16 Years of Alcohol (2003, UK) Drama The impact of parental alcoholism on a boy who eventually becomes an alcoholic. A transformation occurs when he becomes a member of AA and works at letting go of his anger and violent patterns. 28 Days (2000) Drama A writer (Sandra Bullock) is court-ordered into a drug/alcohol rehabilitation center after a drinking and driving accident. The film depicts symptoms of alcoholism and its impact on a family. Arthur (1981) Comedy Dudley Moore as a drunken millionaire who falls in love with Liza Minnelli. A genuinely funny film, but upsetting in its cavalier approach to alcoholism and drunken driving.
veteran Ron Kovic in Oliver Stone's film. Stone won an Oscar as best director for this film.
"You're a T6--paralyzed from the midchest down... you'll be in a wheelchair for the rest of your life." Ron Kovic's grim prognosis in Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Susan: "A real woman could stop you from drinking." Arthur: "It'd have to be a real BIG woman." Arthur (1981)
Capote (2005) Drama/Biography Philip Seymour Hoffman portrays the writer Truman Capote, and a segment of his life in which Capote gets material from a man who killed a family of four in Kansas for a new non-fiction book. Capote becomes depressed when he is unable to prevent the man from being hanged. He abuses alcohol and never writes again. Cat Ballou (1965) Comedy/Western Light-hearted film, with Jane Fonda playing a schoolteacher turned outlaw. Lee Marvin got an Oscar for his role as an alcoholic gunman. The film perpetuates the myth of the down-and-out drunk whose shooting skills return after he has had a few drinks. Marvin won an Oscar as Best Actor for his role in this film.
Bad News Bears (2005) Comedy Richard Linklater remake portraying a despicable alcoholic (Billy Bob Thornton) who attempts to coach a little league baseball team that has minimal talent. Barfly (1987) Comedy/Romance/Drama Faye Dunaway and Mickey Rourke play two alcoholics whose lives briefly touch. Good examination of skid row alcoholism; based on a story by cult poet Charles Bukowski. Basketball Diaries, The (1995) Drama Adolescent basketball stars succumb to drug abuse in this film that stars Leonardo Dicaprio and Mark Wahlberg. Adapted from a Jim Carroll novel. Beloved Infidel (1959) Biography Gregory Peck plays F. Scott Fitzgerald and Deborah Kerr is columnist Sheila Graham, who tries to save Fitzgerald from his alcoholism. Born on the Fourth of July (1989) Drama/War/ Biography Tom Cruise plays paralyzed and alcoholic Vietnam
"Big Daddy! Now what makes him so big? His big heart? His big belly? Or his big money?" Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) Drama Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, and Burl Ives in a subdued adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play about "mendacity." Alcohol plays a prominent role in the life of almost all the character's lives. Changing Lanes (2002) Drama A successful lawyer from a corrupt firm collides with an alcoholic insurance salesman who is on his way to court for a custody hearing and misses the court appearance. The role of Alcoholic Anonymous and the ongoing struggle associated with recovery are depicted.
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Charlie Wilson's War (2007) Drama/Biography Mike Nichols film about a legendary congressman who's also an alcoholic. Children of Men (2006) Thriller/Drama Alcohol abuse and marijuana abuse are depicted in this film about saving the human race. Come Back, Little Sheba (1952) Drama Burt Lancaster and Shirley Booth in a film about alcoholism and marriage. Booth won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role. Come Fill the Cup (1951) Drama James Cagney and Jackie Gleason star in this serious examination of the problems of alcoholism in an ex-newspaperman. Dark Obsession (1989) Drama/Mystery Five drunken British military officers are involved in a hit-and-run accident in which the victim dies. The five men take a vow of silence; one is troubled by the decision. Interesting analysis of responsibility for one's behavior while intoxicated. Days of Wine and Roses (1962) Drama Blake Edwards film starring Jack Lemmon and Lee Remick. Lemmon teaches Remick how to drink. Lemmon is saved by AA; Remick is unable to stop drinking, despite the consequences.
Factotum (2005) Comedy A struggling writer works multiple odd jobs and sleeps with multiple partners. He consistently drinks on the job and while writing, He loses several jobs, but is unable to stop drinking. The film accurately portrays alcohol dependence. Fire Within, The (1963) Drama French filmmaker Louis Malle's remarkable account of alcoholism, suicide, and the existential choices that confront us all. For One More Day (2007) Drama A child of divorced parents grows up feeling guilty about his mother's death. As an adult, he becomes depressed and an alcoholic. His suicide attempt is interrupted by his deceased mother who gives him one last day to spend with her. Based on Mitch Album's novel. Gervaise (1956) Drama French film based on Emile Zola's story about a young Parisian woman with an alcoholic husband.
"Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me. Aren't you?" The Graduate (1967)
"You see, the world looks so dirty to me when I'm not drinking. Joe, remember Fisherman's Wharf? The water when you looked too close? That's the way the world looks to me when I'm not drinking." Kristen describes why she continues to drink in Days of Wine and Roses (1962)
Graduate, The (1967) Drama/Comedy A telling indictment of the shallow values of the time (e.g., "plastics"). Mrs. Robinson's alcoholism impairs her judgment and ruins her life. Great Man Votes, The (1939) Drama John Barrymore plays an alcoholic college professor fighting to maintain custody of his children. Harvey (1950) Comedy/Drama Elwood P. Dowd's (Jimmy Stewart) imaginary friend is a six foot white rabbit named Harvey with whom he has a good relationship. Dowd drinks daily, goes to taverns, and has hidden bottles behind books. He always gets two drinks, one for himself and one for Harvey, and therefore has two drinks at a time. Henry Fool (1997) Comedy/Drama Hal Hartley film about a taciturn garbage man who befriends a roguish alcoholic.
Drunks (1995) Drama This film is the best available introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous. It is highly recommended for any student who will be working with substance abuse issues. Educating Rita (1983) Drama Michael Caine as an alcoholic college professor who takes on the task of educating a working-class woman.
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Iceman Cometh, The (1973) Drama Lee Marvin in an adaptation of Eugene O'Neill's play about alcoholism and the pathos of dreams unfulfilled. I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955) Biography Singer Lillian Roth (Susan Hayward) attempts suicide as a way of coping with her alcoholism before AA support helps her find her way. Ironman (2008) Action/Adventure Robert Downey, Jr. portrays a weapon-specialist and superhero who's also an alcoholic. Ironweed (1987) Drama Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep in compelling roles as homeless alcoholics. The film, a very realistic portrayal of life on skid row, should be contrasted with another excellent film made the same year, Barfly. Key Largo (1948) Crime Claire Trevor won Best Supporting Actress for her role as an alcoholic singer forced to beg gangster Edward G. Robinson for a drink during a hurricane in Key West. Last Night at the Alamo (1983) Drama Fascinating examination of bar culture in a small Texas town. Unforgettable characters, most of whom are coping with alcoholism and adultery. Leaving Las Vegas (1995) Drama Nicholas Cage delivers a stunning performance as an alcoholic who has no interest in quitting. He develops a relationship with a prostitute (Elisabeth Shue) who is the first to truly understand him. Gripping alcohol dependence portrayal with painful delirium tremens on screen.
ily, and plays cards all night. He returns to golf in a promotional event against the top two golfers in the game with the help of an inspirational caddy and mentor, Bagger Vance (Will Smith). Libertine, The (2004) Drama John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester in 17th century Europe, a poet and author and close friends of Charles II (John Malkovich), desperately uses alcohol to cope with banishment. He drinks constantly for 5 years and the long-term consequences of alcohol use are shown. Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne, The (1987) Romance Maggie Smith plays a lonely alcoholic who mistakenly believes she has a last chance to find love and meaning in her life. Long Day's Journey into Night (1962) Drama Alcohol is a part of daily life for this deeply troubled family. Numerous examples of family pathology, conflict between father and sons, and denial. Lost Weekend, The (1945) Drama Billy Wilder classic starring Ray Milland as a writer struggling to overcome his alcoholism. Some scenes were filmed at Bellevue, and the examples of delirium tremens are very convincing. Polanski borrowed scenes from The Lost Weekend as models for his film Repulsion.
"You can never, never ask me to stop drinking. Do you understand?" An alcoholic giving instructions in Leaving Las Vegas (1995)
"It shrinks my liver, doesn't it, Nat? It pickles my kidneys, yeah. But what it does to the mind? It tosses the sandbags overboard so the balloon can soar. Suddenly I'm above the ordinary. I'm competent. I'm walking a tightrope over Niagara Falls. I'm one of the great ones." Don Birnam talking to his bartender about what it feels like to be drunk in The Lost Weekend (1945)
Legend of Bagger Vance, The (2000) Drama/ Inspiration Matt Damon plays Rannulph Junuh, a talented golfer whose game has deteriorated because of his war experiences. He isolates himself, drinks heav-
Love and Diane (2002) Documentary A mother recovers from an addiction to crack as she attempts to start a new life and connect with the children she had abandoned. [should this really be in the Alcohol section?]
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Love Song for Bobby Long, A (2004) Drama A young woman returns to her hometown, New Orleans, for a funeral and finds two drunken dwellers living in her deceased mother's home. Bobby Long (John Travolta), an English professor, and his former assistant have no intentions of moving. Maria, Full of Grace (2004) Drama Fascinating, independent film depicting the realities and dangers young girls from Colombia face as they take jobs as "mules," smuggling drugs into the United States by swallowing them in large latex packages. While this film is not about substance abuse, it depicts the drug trade and problems related to ingesting drugs for illegal purposes. [should this really be in the Alcohol section?] My Favorite Year (1982) Comedy A great actor (modeled after John Barrymore and Errol Flynn) who has become a pathetic drunk must confront one of the greatest challenges of his career a live television performance. My Name Is Bill W. (1989) Made-for-TV movie about the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) Comedy One of the best of a hundred or so college films that portray fraternity life as a series of beer busts interspersed with an occasional class. At one point, John Belushi, not the brightest of the fraternity brothers, chugs a fifth of Jack Daniels. Night of the Iguana, The (1964) Drama Richard Burton and Ava Gardner star in John Huston's adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play. Burton plays a very convincing alcoholic and erstwhile clergyman. No Such Thing (2001, Iceland/US) Hal Hartley film about a belligerent, foul-mouthed monster who is also an alcoholic.
Pay It Forward (2000) Drama/Inspiration Haley Joel Osment plays a seventh grader implementing a class assignment that has profound effects on the people around him. His mother (Helen Hunt) is a struggling alcoholic. Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio, The (2005) Drama A stay-at-home mother (Julianne Moore) in the 1950-60s, confronts her alcoholic and dependent husband (Woody Harrelson) with unswerving optimism. The film shows the social expectations of women who stay in relationships with abusive husbands. Proud and the Beautiful, The (1953) Romance A film about a woman who helps an alcoholic physician overcome his problems and regain some sense of dignity. Filmed in France and Mexico. Ray (2004) Drama/Biography Story of Ray Charles' rise to fame and the numerous obstacles he faced after witnessing his brother's death and the subsequent loss of his sight. As an adult, Ray Charles struggled with addictions to heroin and sex, and he lived several different lives (e.g., family man with wife and children, lover with his mistress, a secret life as a drug abuser, a life as a famous singer and musician). Stellar performance by Jamie Foxx. Sideways (2004) Comedy Two men tour California's wine country. One is a depressed alcoholic craving a relationship; the other is going to be married later that week, but he begins an affair with a woman he meets on the trip. Skin Deep (1989) Comedy A funny Blake Edwards film about an alcoholic writer who continues to deny his alcoholism long after it has become apparent to everyone else. Smash-Up, the Story of a Woman (1947) Drama Melodramatic Susan Hayward film about a movie star who must come to grips with her alcoholism.
"Think of an idea to change our world... and put it into action." A student assignment in Pay It Forward (2000)
Some Like It Hot (1959) Crime/Comedy Marilyn Monroe portrays a performer constantly sneaking drinks; she is nearly fired for alcohol abuse. Streamers (1983) Drama Robert Altman film about three soldiers waiting
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to go to Vietnam. The film deals with themes of homosexuality, violence, and racism, but also illustrates the alcohol abuse that is pervasive in military life. Sweet Bird of Youth (1962) Drama Paul Newman in an adaptation of Tennessee Williams' play about a has-been actress (played by Geraldine Page) addicted to alcohol and drugs who takes up with a young, vital Newman. Taxi Blues (1990) Drama Alcoholic jazz musician becomes friends with an anti-Semitic taxi driver. This Russian film won the prize for Best Director at Cannes. Fascinating examination of the role of alcohol in the daily lives of the protagonists in Moscow society. Tender Mercies (1983) Drama Sensitive and optimistic film in which Robert Duvall plays a successfully recovering alcoholic songwriter. Duvall won an Oscar for this almost perfect performance. Trees Lounge (1996) Comedy Steve Buscemi wrote and directed this compelling film, and he plays the lead character, a 31-year-old unemployed auto mechanic. Few contemporary films present a more vivid picture of the problems associated with alcoholism. Under Capricorn (1949) Drama A little-known Hitchcock film starring Joseph Cotton and Ingrid Bergman. Bergman is a wealthy socialite whose life is ruined by her alcoholism. Under the Volcano (1984) Drama John Huston directing Albert Finney; excellent portrayal of chronic alcoholism.
Verdict, The (1982) Drama Paul Newman in a wonderful role as a disillusioned alcoholic lawyer who becomes genuinely involved with a brain-injured client who is the victim of medical malpractice. He wins the case but continues to drink. Interesting analysis of codependency. Vital Signs (1986) Drama Ed Asner in a surpassingly good made-for-TV movie about a father and son, both surgeons, fighting the twin problems of alcoholism and drug abuse. Vodka Lemon (2003, France/Armenia) Comedy Minimalist film about grieving widows who befriend one another in a culture where everyone seems to drinks vodka. What Price Hollywood? (1932) Drama Alcoholic director helps Hollywood waitress become a star. The figure of the alcoholic director may have been modeled after John Barrymore. When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) Drama Meg Ryan as a middle-class alcoholic. This is a melodramatic and somewhat predictable film, but an interesting introduction to AA and Al-Anon. The film explores the role of codependency and a husband's role in his wife's alcoholism.
Drug Abuse
21 Grams (2003) Drama/Mystery Complicated, well-integrated stories of an ex-con and recovering alcoholic (Benicio Del Toro), a cocaine addict (Naomi Watts), and a terminal man awaiting a transplant (Sean Penn), all brought together by an accidental death.
Edward J. Concannon: "Why wasn't she getting oxygen...?" Dr. Robert Towler: "Well, many reasons, actually..." Edward J. Concannon: "Tell me one?" Dr. Robert Towler: "She'd aspirated vomitus into her mask..." Edward J. Concannon: "She threw up in her mask. Let's cut the bullshit. Say it: She threw up in her mask." The Verdict (1982)
"They say we all lose 21 grams at the exact moment of death... everyone. The weight of a stack of nickels. The weight of a chocolate bar. The weight of a hummingbird." 21 Grams (2003)
Bad Lieutenant (1992) Drama Harvey Keitel stars in one of his most powerful roles
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as a police lieutenant addicted to cocaine, alcohol, and prostitutes. The film illustrates stark abuse of power and the deterioration of family life that accompanies addiction. Keitel's character at one point has a hallucination in which Jesus Christ comes to him. Big Lebowski, The (1998) Comedy Coen Brothers film portraying The Dude (Jeff Bridges), a cannabis-smoking, unemployed drifter in this entertaining, film noir comedy. Bird (1988) Biography Clint Eastwood directed this biographical film of the life of jazz great and drug addict Charlie "Bird" Parker. Parker was an addict for all of his adult life, and his addiction killed him at the age of 34. Blow (2001) Drama Johnny Depp stars as George Jung, a man who claimed to have imported about 85% of all cocaine in America in the late 1970s. Born on the Fourth of July (1989) Drama/War/ Biography Antiwar film by Oliver Stone starring Tom Cruise as Ron Kovic, who uses alcohol and drugs to cope with the frustration of paralysis. One of the best of its genre. Chappaqua (1966) Drama Heroin addict checks in for treatment. The film is most notable for short roles by William Burroughs, Ravi Shankar, and Allen Ginsburg. Christiane F. (1981) Drama Powerful and frightening examination of the life of a teenage drug addict in West Berlin. Based on a true story, the film is still gripping almost two decades after it was made. Clean and Sober (1988) Drama Good portrayal of AA, cocaine addiction, and alcoholism.
the dangers of cocaine. Made in the same year as Reefer Madness. The message in this film is exaggerated and histrionic but somewhat more realistic in its estimate of the dangers of the drug. Coffee and Cigarettes (2003) Comedy Various conversational skits (starring a variety of talents, including Bill Murray, Roberto Benigni, Cate Blanchett, Iggy Pop, and Steve Buscemi) linked through the characters' use of coffee, tea and smoking. Portrayals of compulsive use of each, side effects, and the desire to quit or avoid the substance. Connection, The (1961) Drama Heroin addicts in New York wait for their pusher. Dopamine (2003) Drama/Comedy Independent film explores the chemistry behind male-female relationships. One character uses amphetamine pills and large quantities of caffeine. Interesting debate on how physical attraction emerges.
"Most people don't know how they're gonna feel from one moment to the next. But a dope fiend has a pretty good idea. All you gotta do is look at the labels on the little bottles." Addict reflecting on the pleasures of drugs in Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
Drugstore Cowboy (1989) Drama Matt Dillon leads a group of junkies who rob pharmacies to support their habit. William Burroughs plays a junkie priest.
"The best way to break old habits is to make new ones." Clean and Sober (1988)
"The governor of Louisiana gave me this. Madame Tinkertoy's House of Blue Lights, corner of Bourbon and Toulouse, New Orleans, Louisiana. Now, this is supposed to be the finest whorehouse in the south. These ain't no pork chops! These are U.S. Prime!" Jack Nicholson plans for his trip to New Orleans in Easy Rider (1969)
Cocaine Fiends, The (1936) Drama Another "word of warning" film that portrays
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Easy Rider (1969) Drama Classic film of the late 1960s with Jack Nicholson as an alcoholic lawyer and Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper as marijuana-smoking, LSD-using free spirits. The film is dated but still worth seeing. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) Fantasy Terry Gilliam's adaptation of Hunter S. Thompson's Gonzo journalism classic. The book is better than the film; although the movie does not glorify drug use, it clearly models the behavior and tacitly condones the practice of driving while intoxicated. Half Baked (1998) Comedy Exaggerated comedy about smoking "weed." Interesting for its classification of different types of marijuana smokers: "you should have been there smoker," the "scavenger," the "enhancer," the "medicinal," the "after school special," the "father, I'm 40 and still cool," the "MacGyver smoker," the "straight-up potheads," and the "I'm only creative if I smoke" smoker. Half Nelson (2006) Drama A drug-addicted teacher/coach (Ryan Gosling) at an inner city school uses cocaine regularly and smokes crack in the girl's locker room after a game. He has a history of failed rehabilitation, and tries to rebuild relations but struggles with anger and is disengaged from his family. Hatful of Rain, A (1957) Drama Melodramatic film about the life and problems of a drug addict. This was one of the earliest films to honestly examine the problem of drug addiction. High Art (1998) Drama/Comedy Realistic, well-acted independent film about several people who's lives intersect for drugs, support, and conversation in a New York City apartment. Hustle and Flow (2005) Drama In this Sundance Audience Choice Award film, an aspiring Memphis disc jockey works to get his first record made as he approaches mid-life. He is a pimp, drug user, and dealer who questions his life's purpose and the decisions he has made along the way. I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore (1992) Comedy/ Romance Lightweight but entertaining film about an obese male who falls in love with a woman using him as a subject for her master's thesis.
I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can (1982) Drama Jill Clayburgh plays the role of a high-powered documentary filmmaker who becomes addicted to Valium and requires hospitalization in a special program for addicts. Based on a true story. Jungle Fever (1991) Drama/Romance Interesting film about race relations and sexual stereotypes, with a subplot involving Gator, the crackhead brother of the protagonist, who is destroying his middle-class family. La Femme Nikita (1990) Action/Drama Sociopathic and drug-addicted woman is sentenced to die for murder and then is transformed into a government agent. Most memorable for the drugstore robbery that opens the film. Lady Sings the Blues (1972) Biography/Musical Diana Ross plays heroin addict Billie Holiday. Long Day's Journey into Night (1962) Drama Katharine Hepburn plays a morphine-addicted, histrionic mother with an alcoholic son (Jason Robards). One of O'Neill's greatest plays; one of Hepburn's greatest roles. Hepburn's character is a good illustration of a histrionic personality disorder. Love Liza (2002) Drama/Comedy Philip Seymour Hoffman skillfully plays a man who huffs gasoline in response to his wife's suicide. A rare and tremendous depiction of inhalant abuse and intoxication. Luna (1979) Drama Disappointing Bernardo Bertolucci film, with Jill Clayburgh playing the mother of a drug addict son. The film hints at an incestuous relationship between mother and son.
"What the fuck do I need to be sober for so I can see how fucked up shit really is, please. High is how I am gonna be. I'm high till I die" A crack addict in MacArthur Park (2001)
MacArthur Park (2001) Drama A crack addict struggles to leave drug dependence
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and his home in the park to live with his estranged son. A quality independent film. Man with the Golden Arm, The (1955) Drama Frank Sinatra and Kim Novak in a dated but interesting portrayal of drug addiction. Good example of the challenge of "cold turkey" withdrawal. Mask (1985) Biography Bogdanovich film with Cher as the mother of deformed but spunky teenager Rocky Dennis. Sympathetic portrayal of motorcycle gangs. Cher struggles with her angry father and her compulsive use of alcohol and drugs as she works hard to be a good mother. Mighty Wind, A (2003) Comedy Hilarious Christopher Guest parody of folk music. One character displays significant remnants of years of drug abuse. Naked Lunch (1991) Drama/Science Fiction/ Fantasy This film is based on the novel by William Burroughs and deals with drug abuse, paranoia, and homicide. New Jack City (1991) Action/Crime Wesley Snipes and Ice-T in a realistic movie about the business of drugs. Good introduction to cocaine addiction and Narcotics Anonymous.
one of the most realistic of dozens of war movies. There is an interesting juxtaposition of "boozers" (those who use alcohol to escape) and "heads" (those who take refuge in marijuana and other illegal drugs). Postcards from the Edge (1990) Comedy/Drama Mike Nichols' adaptation of a Carrie Fisher story about life as the daughter of a famous actress. The mother is alcoholic; the daughter abuses multiple drugs, including cocaine and sedatives. There are brief scenes of therapy and a terrific cast. Pulp Fiction (1994) Drama Quentin Tarantino film about drugs, crime, depravity, the underworld, and life in urban America. One especially memorable scene involves Vincent Vega (John Travolta) smashing an adrenaline-filled needle into Mia Wallace's (Uma Thurman) chest to revive her after she inadvertently overdoses on heroin.
"What now? Let me tell you what now. I'ma call a coupla hard, pipe-hittin' niggers, who'll go to work on this soonto-be-dead hillbilly rapist here with a pair of pliers and a blow torch. You hear me talkin', hillbilly boy? I ain't through with you by a damn sight. I'ma get medieval on your ass." Planning revenge in Pulp Fiction (1994)
"If the First Amendment will protect a scumbag like me, it will protect all of you." Larry Flint on free speech in The People vs. Larry Flint (1996) Quitting (2001) Drama Slow-moving but interesting Chinese film about a one-time famous actor who deteriorates due to a heroin addiction. The emotional and psychological withdrawals depicted are memorable. This is an important film on addiction and withdrawal. Ray (2004) Drama This award winning film depicts 20 years in the life of Ray Charles when he was addicted to heroin. Physical disability (blindness) and childhood psychological traumas shape the personal life of this renowned artist. Reefer Madness (1936) Drama Camp film depicting the dangers of marijuana. Ironically, several thousand college students have
People vs. Larry Flynt, The (1996) Biography/ Drama A good movie about a controversial figure, the film forces the viewer to examine his or her views on pornography and free speech. The film is included in this section because of the effects of drugs on the lives of Flynt and his wife, Althea (Courtney Love), after he is shot and becomes addicted to narcotics. Platoon (1986) War Vietnam veteran Oliver Stone directed Platoon,
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gone to see this film high on the very drug the film condemns. Requiem for a Dream (2000) Drama Greatly disturbing film about four drug addicts whose lives deteriorate. Unforgettable performances and critically acclaimed. Cinematically crafted with excellence by Darren Aronofsky.
Pistols; offers insight into the worlds of drugs and rock and roll.
"I'm somebody now, everybody likes me." Requiem for a Dream (2000)
"Dog had a litter of about 8, and my Mother was bending over killing each one of these little puppies in the bathtub. I remember I said `why?'... She said `I'm just killing what I can't take care of.' Then my momma said to me, she looked at me and she said, `I wish I could do that to you.'" A recollection by the cook in Spun (2002)
Rose, The (1979) Musical Bette Midler portrays Janis Joplin and her problems with Southern Comfort and drugs. Rush (1991) Crime/Drama Two undercover narcotics agents find addiction to be an occupational hazard. Scarface (1983) Crime Brian De Palma movie starring Al Pacino as a Cuban immigrant mobster who becomes addicted to the cocaine he is marketing. This long film, which tends to be loved or hated, is based on a 1932 Howard Hawks classic with the same name. Seven Percent Solution, The (1976) Mystery Sigmund Freud treats Sherlock Holmes' cocaine addiction. Creative idea and historically accurate in documenting Freud's early enthusiasm for cocaine. Shadow Hours (2000) Drama Wealthy man manipulates a young gas station attendant into drug relapse and fraternizing with three types of "night owls": (1) those who find their prince charming or princess and end at midnight, (2) vampires--prostitutes, drug dealers, (3) and Mr. Hydes--those that can't sleep. SherryBaby (2006) Drama A woman leaves prison following a 6 year history of heroin addiction and neglect of her daughter; despite the history of abuse, she eagerly wants to re-unite with her daughter and attempt to start anew. Sid and Nancy (1986) Biography Compelling biography of Sid Vicious of the Sex
Spun (2002) Drama/Comedy A well-done, intense film about methamphetamine addiction. Stardust (1975) Drama British film about a rock star whose success is tarnished by drug addiction and mental illness. Sweet Nothing (1996) Drama An effective examination of the futility, desperation, and violence associated with crack addiction. This is a true story based on diaries found in a Bronx apartment in March of 1991. Synanon (1965) Drama Interesting only insofar as the film documents the treatment methods practiced in this highly praised treatment program. Traffic (2000) Drama Steven Soderbergh film thematically intersects the lives of a newly hired government drug czar (Michael Douglas), his daughter who experiments with crack, police officers struggling with drug cartels, and a suburban wife of a drug lord.
"I've been known to sniff it, smoke it, swallow it, stick it up my arse and inject it into my veins. I've been trying to combat this addiction, but unless you count social security scams and shoplifting, I haven't had a regular job in years." Trainspotting (1996)
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Trainspotting (1996) Drama/Comedy A realistic and disturbing film about the heroin scene in Edinburgh. The film presents accurate depictions of cold turkey withdrawal. There is one memorable scene in which a young mother's baby dies while she is high, and she immediately needs a fix to cope with her grief. Several scatological scenes seem gratuitous and unnecessary. Veronika Voss (1982) Drama Rainer Werner Fassbinder film about a German movie star who becomes addicted to morphine. Fassbinder himself died from abuse of alcohol and heroin. Wasted (2002) Drama Teens, covering up inner pain, fear, and loneliness, battle their heroin addiction. What's Love Got to Do with It? (1993) Musical/Biography Excellent film biography of singer Tina Turner includes some memorable scenes of husband Ike strung out on cocaine. Who'll Stop the Rain? (1978) Crime/Drama Also known as Dog Soldiers, this film explores the world of drug smuggling and addiction.
joins with two friends to travel from Sidney to Alice Springs in the Australian outback to perform a lip-synching routine. Much of the film revolves around the prejudice and homophobic hostility the three transsexuals encounter. AKA (2002) Drama Fascinating artistry where most of the screen is split into three where the viewer is simultaneously shown past & present, different character reactions, different camera angles, and even the internal thoughts & behaviors of a character. The lead character, sexually abused by his father, escapes on a journey exploring his sexual and psychological identity. As in Memento, the viewer must pay close attention throughout the film. All About My Mother (1999) Drama/Comedy Pedro Almodovar film about a nurse who tragically loses her beloved son and in her grief and travels meets a transvestite prostitute and a pregnant nun (Penelope Cruz). Winner of an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Angels and Insects (1995) Drama Complex drama about social class, passion, and hidden sexual secrets in a wealthy Victorian household. Another Time, Another Place (1983) Drama Sensitive film in which a Scottish woman in an unhappy marriage has a brief affair with an Italian prisoner of war working as a laborer on the farm. The man is accused of a rape he did not commit; his lover can save him, but only at the cost of revealing her adultery. Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession (1980) Drama Art Garfunkel (playing a psychology professor), Harvey Keitel, and Theresa Russell star in a provocative and explicit film about a psychiatrist who becomes sexually obsessed with a young woman after she makes a suicide attempt. Basic Instinct (1992) Suspense/Thriller Psychological thriller about a novelist (Sharon Stone) who is a sex addict that entangles an investigator (Michael Douglas) into a complex mystery of murder, sex, and fascination. Beautiful Boxer (2003, Thailand) Action/Drama
Sexual and Gender Identity Disorders
8mm (1999) Mystery/Thriller Joel Schumacher film about the underground world of "snuff" films. Depicts the worst kind of sadism. Adjuster, The (1991) Drama This interesting Canadian film explores voyeurism and exhibitionism.
"Being a man one day and a woman the next isn't an easy thing." Bernadette complaining about life as a transsexual in Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) Comedy Terence Stamp plays an aging transsexual who
Male to female transsexual makes use of kickboxing skills to pay for a sex change operation.
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Psychologist: "Nick, when you recollect your childhood, are your recollections pleasing to you?" Nick: "Number 1, I don't remember how often I used to jerk off, but it was a lot. Number 2, I wasn't pissed off at my dad, even when I was old enough to know what he and mom were doing in the bedroom. Number 3, I don't look in the toilet before I flush it. Number 4, I haven't wet my bed for a long time. Number 5, why don't the two of you go fuck yourselves; I'm outta here." Feeling threatened by a psychological interview in Basic Instinct (1992)
Blame It on Rio (1984) Comedy Two men take their teenage daughters to Rio's topless beaches, and one of the men, 43 years old, has an affair with the 15-year-old daughter of the other. The film has a vaguely incestuous theme and is modeled after the French film One Wild Moment. Bliss (1997) Drama Very fragile woman with a borderline personality disorder goes to a charming sex therapist who sleeps with his patients. The husband finds out; when he confronts the therapist, the husband converts and becomes his disciple. The film illustrates numerous ethical violations, and it demeans sacred Hindu tantric practices. Blue Angel, The (1930) Drama Classic film about a phlegmatic professor who loses everything because of his obsession with a cabaret singer. Blue Car (2002) Drama Independent film about an adolescent girl who is tutored by her teacher. Good depiction of the disturbing, subtle aspects of seduction and sexual exploitation. Blue Velvet (1986) Mystery A powerful and engrossing David Lynch film about drugs, sexual violence, and sadomasochism. Dennis Hopper portrays Frank Booth, one of the most sociopathic and sadistic villains in film history. Bound (1996) Suspense/Drama A tough female ex-con and her new female lover concoct a scheme to steal mob money. This film noir is The Wachowski Brothers' directorial debut. Boys Don't Cry (1999) Drama One of the best films to ever depict the pain and problems that can emerge from gender identity disorder. A brutal, powerful film.
Beginner's Luck (1983) Comedy Lightweight comedy about a law student who becomes involved in a ménage à trois. Belle de Jour (1967) Drama " Luis Buñuel film with Catherine Deneuve playing a bored housewife who amuses herself by working in a brothel from two until five every afternoon, at least until her sexual obsessions begin to complicate her life. Buñuel may be filming what is just an erotic dream. Birdcage, The (1996) Comedy Mike Nichols and Elaine May's remake of La Cage aux Folles. This film is almost as good as the original, thanks to strong performances by Robin Williams and Gene Hackman.
"Al, you old son of a bitch! How ya doin'? How do you feel about that call today? I mean the Dolphins! Fourth-and-three play on their 30 yard line with only 34 seconds to go!" A transvestite trying to act masculine in The Birdcage (1996)
"Are you sleeping with other men just to feed his sick fantasies?" A question put to Bess in Breaking the Waves (1996)
Breakfast on Pluto (2005) Comedy Neil Jordan's film about an Irish Catholic abandoned child who is raised by a parish priest but later becomes a flamboyant transsexual.
Breaking the Waves (1996) Drama A Danish film in which a devout Catholic wife
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submits to sexual degradation to satisfy the voyeuristic demands of her paralyzed husband. Burn After Reading (2008) Comedy Clever, dark comedy by the Coen brothers in which George Clooney's character has a sexual addiction. Cabaret (1972) Musical/Drama/Dance Liza Minnelli in a film about sadomasochism, bisexuality, and the relationship between sex and power. Cabaret won Oscars for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Director. One scene in the film is as unforgettable as the classic confession of incest in Chinatown. Caesar and Rosalie (1972) Comedy/Romance Lighthearted and amusing examination of a ménage à trois.
Chinatown (1974) Claire's Knee (1971) Drama An intelligent film in which a middle-aged man becomes obsessed with a young girl's knee. Close My Eyes (1991) Drama A British film about brother-sister incest. Closer (2004) Comedy/Drama A quality film with good dialogue and superb acting by Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, and Clive Owen. Important issues related to sexuality are portrayed, including deceit, infidelity, the failure to self-disclose, dependency, the impact of guilt and shame, and relationship testing. One scene depicts an amusing online conversation between two men sending erotic instant messages. Collector, The (1965) Drama Terence Stamp stars as a young man who collects butterflies. He becomes obsessed with Samantha Eggar, kidnaps her, and winds up inadvertently killing her. Comfort of Strangers, The (1990) Drama Sexual conflict and disorders abound as two couples find themselves entangled with one another in Venice. Crash (1996) Drama A David Cronenberg film about people who become sexually aroused by automobile accidents. The film presents a plausible hypothesis; people have developed fetishes for stranger things, and there are erotic overtones to both cars and speed.
"Don't worry, you've got everything under control." A therapist's comments to a pedophile who was worried he might molest his own children; he later molests numerous children in a class he teaches out of his home in Capturing the Friedmans (2003)
Capturing the Friedmans (2003) Documentary Extraordinarily disturbing and emotional documentary about a father and son accused of pedophilia. Important film to see regarding sex addiction, pedophilia, and the importance of not casting judgment too quickly. Carnal Knowledge (1971) Drama This Mike Nichols film traces the sexual lives of two college roommates, played by Jack Nicholson and Art Garfunkel, as they age and become increasingly disenchanted with sex, love, and the possibilities inherent in relationships. Chinatown (1974) Mystery A film about power, incest, and the complexity of human relationships. Actors includes Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston. "You see, Mr. Gettes, most people never have to face the fact that, at the right time and in the right place, they are capable of anything."
"You couldn't wait for me? You did the Jane Mansfield crash without me!" One of many strange interactions in David Cronenberg's Crash (1996)
Crime of Father Amaro, The (2002) Drama A young priest, newly ordained, goes to a small, Mexican town to serve a parish. He witnesses his pastor having sex with women and he falls for a woman whom he secretively uses for sex until she becomes pregnant.
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Cruising (1980) Crime Controversial William Friedkin film starring Al Pacino as an undercover police officer who infiltrates gay bars and bathhouses. Gay activists condemned the film because it perpetuates stigma and stereotypes. Crying Game, The (1992) Drama This Neil Jordan film explores homosexuality, transsexualism, interracial sexuality, and the ability of two human beings to love one another deeply in an asexual relationship. Too complex to explain simply, the film must be seen to be fully appreciated. Damage (1992) Drama A Louis Malle film starring Jeremy Irons as a man who develops a sexual obsession for his son's fiancée. Both the father and the son's girlfriend seem powerless to control their erotic attachment despite its inevitable consequences. Day in the Country, A (1936) Romance Jean Renoir's adaptation of a short story by Guy de Maupassant that describes the seductions of a man's wife and daughter. De-Lovely (2004) Musical/Comedy/Biography The story of the life of Cole Porter and his sexual addiction. Diary of a Sex Addict, The (2001) Drama Depiction of a classic sex addict who denies, rationalizes and continues a series of affairs until he finally can deceive no longer. He continues his compulsive behavior, even after the consequences of this behavior are almost fatal. The film offers a realistic portrayal of a sex addict.
sons. The catalyst for the breakup is Eddie, a 16 year old who takes a job as Jeff Bridges' assistant. Eddie is infatuated by Kim Bassinger and masturbates using her photos and undergarments to become aroused. Bassinger eventually seduces Eddie, who reminds her of her dead sons. Based on a novel by John Irving. Dreamers, The (2003) Drama Fraternal twins take in a roommate in this Bernardo Bertolucci exploration of politics, the cinema, and sexuality. The dynamics become complicated when the new roommate falls in love with the female twin, taking her virginity and challenging her enmeshment with her brother.
"A filmmaker is like a peeping Tom, a voyeur. It's as if the camera is the key to your parent's bedroom and you spy on them and you're disgusted and you feel guilty but you can't... you can't look away." The Dreamers (2003)
Eros (2004) Drama Three noted directors (Michelangelo Antonioni, Steven Soderbergh and Wong Kar Wai) each contribute a short film dealing with some aspect of sexuality (e.g., a menage-a-trois, voyeurism, and prostitution). Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex *But Were Afraid to Ask (1972) Comedy Woody Allen classic includes vignettes on crossing-dressing, bestiality, sex in public, and the inner workings of the brain during sexual excitement. Evil Alien Conquerors (2002) Comedy Painfully bad film in which Saturday Night Live star, Chris Parnell, has a foot fetish. Eyes Wide Shut (1999) Drama The final Stanley Kubrick film about a man (Tom Cruise) who discovers a sexual underworld after his wife (Nicole Kidman) tells him of her fantasies and previous sexual encounters. Depiction of ephebophilia (sexual attraction of adults to adolescents), orgies, sexual rituals, exhibitionism, prostitution, infidelity, sexual fantasy, seduction,
Therapist: "Which one is really you? The family man or the other guy?" Patient: "Both" The Diary of a Sex Addict (2001)
Dirty Shame, A (2004) Comedy A woman becomes promiscuous after a head injury. Door in the Floor, The (2003) Drama A couple separates after the death of their twin
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and betrayal. Mythological and Jungian psychology themes are omnipresent. Far From Heaven (2002) Drama Julianne Moore, living in a conservative area in a conservative time, finds out her husband is a homosexual. Interesting film that explores racism, stereotypes, and secrets. Fellini Satyricon (1970) Historical Controversial Fellini film about the decadence of ancient Rome. The film is visually stunning and explores human vices ranging from homosexual pedophilia to cannibalism. The film can be a springboard for a discussion of hedonism. Female Perversions (1996) Drama Confused and often confusing examination of the relationship between women, power, sexuality, and psychopathology. Based on a scholarly book with the same title by psychoanalyst Louise J. Kaplan. Fetishes (1996) Documentary True examination of the clients of Pandora's Box, an elite club catering to the sexual fetishes of New York City. Fist in His Pocket (1966) Drama Italian film about a dysfunctional family with multiple examples of psychopathology including epilepsy, murder, and incest. Flawless (1999) Drama/Comedy Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a drag queen named Rusty who is saving money for a gender modification operation; Robert DeNiro is the homophobic neighbor who takes voice lessons from Rusty following a stroke. Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) Comedy/Drama Presents a positive, healthy, loving view of an (assumed) lesbian relationship. We are quickly caught up in the complex and intertwined story of these two women. Girl 6 (1996) Drama/Comedy Spike Lee film about a woman who takes a job as a phone sex operator for the money. God's Little Acre (1958) Drama Buddy Hackett and Michael Landon star in this adaptation of Erskine Caldwell's tale of depravity and Georgia farm life.
Good Mother, The (1988) Drama A provocative film in which Diane Keaton plays the divorced mother of a six-year-old daughter. Keaton falls in love with an iconoclastic artist, who allows the daughter to touch his penis when she sees him in the bath and expresses normal childhood curiosity. Keaton is eventually forced to denounce her new lover in order to maintain a relationship with her daughter.
Joe: "What do you think would happen if I got him a professional... you know..." Bill: "A professional?" Joe: "Hooker. You know, the kind that can teach things... first-timers, you know... break him in." Bill: "But Joe, he's 11." Joe: "You're right, you're right. It's too late." Cultures clash in Happiness (1998)
Happiness (1998) Comedy/Drama Disturbing dark comedy portraying a variety of quirky characters. The most striking are the pedophiliac psychiatrist who rapes his son's best friend and Philip Seymour Hoffman as a man who is obsessed with telephone scatalogia. Director Todd Solondz has a cameo as a doorman. Hard Candy (2005) Drama A pedophile arranges to meet a 14-year-old girl who turns things around and winds up being the aggressor. Harold and Maude (1972) Comedy A cult film that examines sexual and romantic attraction across generations; this movie will force you to reexamine your feelings about age and death. Henry & June (1990) Drama Adaptation of Anais Nin diary detailing her ménage à trois with novelist Henry Miller and his wife June. Holy Smoke (1999) Drama Jane Campion film about a family who believes their daughter (Kate Winslet) is under the power of a cult leader. They hire a renowned "cult exiter" (Harvey Keitel) whose role is to isolate the subject,
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provoke them, and then reintegrate them into the family. His power role reverses and he finds himself developing a sexual obsession. Human Nature (2001) Comedy Fascinating study on instinct and desire about a man raised in the wild and the scientists he encounters. I am a Sex Addict (2005) Biography/Comedy A recovering sex addict describes how his life and marriages have been changed by his addiction to prostitutes. In the Realm of the Senses (1977) Drama A sadomasochistic relationship intensifies into highly graphic and unforgettable scenes of autoerotic asphyxiation and the severing of an adult penis. Intimacy (2000) Drama Depressed man and woman meet for anonymous sex in a dilapidated apartment once a week. The man becomes curious about the woman and follows her to learn more about her. Slow, dark film that depicts the double life of the addict. Ju Dou (1990) Drama/Historical/Romance Wonderful, visually stunning film examining the complex links that bind a husband, his wife, her lover, and the son of the illicit union. Good illustrations of sexual passion and sexual torment. Jules and Jim (1961) Drama Beautiful and engaging Truffaut film about a complex ménage à trois and an ultimate suicide. The film deals with far more than sexuality; it explores fundamental dimensions of human relationships and the boundaries of friendship and love.
nect in deep way, and the failure to set boundaries for his own (and his research team's) sexual practices. Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985) Prison A homosexual and a political activist share a prison cell and grow to understand and appreciate each other. William Hurt won an Academy Award for his performance. Kissed (1996) Drama A controversial but sensitive film dealing seriously with necrophilia. Molly Parker is the protagonist, a young woman obsessed from childhood with death. She gets a job in a mortuary and has ritualistic sex ("crossing over") with the bodies she embalms. Her boyfriend commits suicide in an attempt to compete for her affection and attention.
"I told them my father was a Cultural attaché. What will they think when they find out he lives with a drag queen?" Renato's son in La Cage aux Folles (1978)
La Cage aux Folles (1978) Comedy A gay man and his transvestite lover manage a popular St. Tropez nightclub. Much of the humor revolves around sex roles and the folly of trying very hard to be something you're not. Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989) Drama A film based on a controversial book about life in a sordid Brooklyn neighborhood. The film deals with rape, prostitution, homosexuality, and transvestism, but mostly with the sad and bleak reality of the lives of its characters. Last Tango in Paris (1973) Drama Marlon Brando stars in a classic Bernardo Bertolucci film about a man who begins a casual sexual liaison on the day his wife commits suicide. The two lovers never exchange names. The film includes themes of depression, sexuality, loneliness, and cynicism. Lianna (1983) Drama Sensitive film portraying the emotional life of a woman who leaves her husband and two children after she becomes romantically involved with a
"Love is the answer, isn't it? But, sex raises a lot of very interesting questions." Kinsey (2004)
Kinsey (2004) Drama/Biography Examination of the life of Alfred Kinsey, a sex researcher who revolutionized the way Americans viewed sexuality. The film depicts Kinsey's obsessive-compulsive personality, his inability to con-
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lesbian professor teaching a night course in child psychology. Little Children (2007) Drama This film portrays a number of sexually troubled characters, but is especially memorable for the roles of Jackie Earle Haley playing a pedophile and Kate Winslet playing the role of a parent who overcomes her repugnance to befriend him. Lolita (1962) Drama James Mason and Sue Lyons star in a loose adaptation of Vladimir Nabokov's novel about pedophilia and murder. Laurence Olivier turned down the role of Humbert Humbert. Directed by Stanley Kubrick; watch for Peter Sellers as Dr. Zempf, the Beardsley High School psychologist.
However, a journalist who reveals the man's past hampers his rehabilitation. Interesting film in light of recent court decisions about sex offenders. Matador (1986) Comedy/Drama Almodovar film about a bullfighter who acts in snuff films. Menage (1986) Comedy A French film that examines sex roles, sexual stereotypes, and the need for novelty and excitement in sexual relationships. Midnight Cowboy (1969) Drama Jon Voight leaves Texas to make his fortune in New York City working as a stud; instead, he winds up hanging out with Ratso Rizzo, who dies before the two can escape to Florida. This film is a fascinating and complex character study.
"What drives me insane is the twofold nature of this nymphet... this mixture in my Lolita of tender, dreamy childishness and a kind of eerie vulgarity." Humbert Humbert in Lolita (1962)
"Well, I'll tell you the truth now. I ain't a real cowboy, but I am one helluva stud." Joe Buck in Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Luna (1979) Drama A Bertolucci film that explores mother-son incest and addiction. The film is not Bertolucci's best effort. Magenta (1996) Drama Happily married physician crosses boundaries sexually with his sister-in-law, creating havoc in his family. Manhattan (1979) Comedy/Romance Classic Woody Allen film in which his former wife, played by Meryl Streep, has taken a lover, found happiness, and written a book to tell the world about Allen's kinky habits. Allen's character (in an example of art imitating life) is consumed with guilt over the fact that he is living with a teenage girl. Marie Antoinette (2006) Drama/Biography The Queen finds herself in a loveless and asexual relationship with her husband, Louis XVI. Mark, The (1961) Drama A British film about a pedophile who serves his sentence and is released, supposedly cured.
Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy, A (1982) Excellent Woody Allen film about friends and acquaintances who gather at a country house in the woods at the turn of the century. Sexual boundaries blur in this homage to Shakespeare, Renoir, and others. Mona Lisa (1986) Crime Interesting Neil Jordan film about prostitution, exploitation, drug addiction, and love. Filmed in Soho, the film gives some insight into the two different worlds of prostitution: that of the call girl and that of the streetwalker. Montenegro (1981) Drama A Dusan Makavejev film about a bored housewife slowly becoming psychotic. She becomes sexually liberated and then murders her lover. Despite its psychopathological theme, the film is really about politics and social class. Mrs. Doubtfire (1994) Comedy Robin Williams cross-dresses as an English nanny to have time with his children.
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"Well, I hope you're up for a little competition. She's got a power tool in the bedroom, dear. It's her own personal jackhammer. She could break sidewalks with that thing. She uses it and the lights dim, it's like a prison movie. Amazed she hasn't chipped her teeth." Daniel Hillard disguised as Mrs. Doubfire tries to discourage Stu, his ex-wife's new lover, in Mrs. Doubtfire (1994)
Nos Amours, A (1984) Drama A French film exploring the sexuality of a 15-yearold girl and the way it affects her family. Of Human Bondage (1934) Drama Bette Davis stars in this film about the sexual obsession of a club-footed physician for a cruel, vulgar, and manipulative waitress. Based on a novel by Somerset Maugham. This film is far superior to the two adaptations that followed it.
Murmur of the Heart (1971) Comedy A sensitive, intelligent, and funny French film about an incestuous relationship between a young mother and her adolescent son. My Beautiful Laundrette (1985) Drama The two lead characters are homosexuals, although this fact is almost incidental to the story about alcoholism, street gangs, race relations, and social class. My Favorite Season (1993) Drama A French film dealing with adolescent sexuality, family dynamics, and love between a brother and sister. My Life to Live/Vivre sa Vie (1963) Jean-Luc Godard's 12-part examination of the life of a prostitute, starring Anna Karina. My Own Private Idaho (1991) Drama River Phoenix, who subsequently died of a drug overdose, plays a homosexual prostitute. Mystery of Alexina, The (1985) Drama A story about the psychological sequelae of the decision to raise a male child as a female. Nine and ½ Weeks (1986) Drama/Suspense Excellent character portrayals by Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger who meet at a grocery store and later engage in sensual sexual exploration and mild sadomasochism. Normal (2003) Drama A man (Tom Wilkinson) after 25 years of marriage tells his wife (Jessica Lange) he is a woman trapped in a man's body and he wants gender modification surgery.
"You dirty swine! I never cared for you... It made me sick when you kissed me. I only did it because you drove me crazy. And after you kissed me I always used to wipe my mouth wipe my mouth!" Of Human Bondage (1934)
OH in Ohio, The (2006) Comedy A married couple become open to new sexual experiences with different partners after a decade of insipid sex. Sexual desire and sexual disorders are depicted. Old Boy (2003) Drama This is an unforgettable Korean film directed by Chan-Wook Park about a man kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years who becomes involved in an unwitting incestuous relationship with the daughter he had not seen for 15 years. On-line (2002) Drama A film about internet addiction. Emphasis on the lack of connection and relational intimacy of the addict. Depicts an obsession with fantasy that becomes confused as reality. Oscar Wilde (1960) Biography Robert Morley plays Oscar Wilde, the wit and playwright who was convicted of sodomy. Peeping Tom (1960) Thriller Controversial film about a sexual psychopath who photographs his victims as they are dying. Look for the full-length version of the film, which was released in 1979. Personal Best (1982) Sports Fascinating film that explores the sexual relation-
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ship that develops between two women competing for a position on an Olympic team.
Psychopathia Sexualis (2006) Drama Based directly on the classic Krafft-Ebing text, the film depicts a variety of fetishes and other paraphilias.
"It's being aware of what it means to lose oneself before being completely abandoned." The Piano Teacher (2001)
Piano Teacher, The (2001) Drama This is a powerful French film about a prominent, masochistic piano teacher who becomes sexually involved with one of her pupils. The film makes sexual obsession understandable and plausible. Pillow Book (1997) Drama Complex Peter Greenaway film about a woman who becomes sexually obsessed with calligraphy. This film is a meditation on love, art and imagination, eroticism, order, and decay. Pretty Baby (1978) Drama This Louis Malle film about pedophilia introduces Brooke Shields as a 12-year-old New Orleans prostitute. Pretty When You Cry (2001) Drama/Suspense Mostly flashbacks as detectives follow up a murder investigation with a young man who tells the story of his infatuation and love for a beautiful woman who was in an abusive relationship. The masochistic-sadistic relationship is portrayed, as well as physical, verbal and emotional abuse. Princesa (2001) Drama Brazilian transvestite moves to Italy and earns money as a prostitute in order to get money for his sex change operation. Priest (1994) Drama A priest struggles to deal with the sanctity of confession after a young girl tells him she is being molested by her father. Private Lessons (1981) "Drama A French maid seduces a 15-year-old boy and betrays his trust. Private Parts (1997) Comedy Inside look at radio personality Howard Stern and his obsession with sex and outlandish comedy.
"Look, maybe your method of massage differs from mine, but touchin' his lady's feet, and stickin' your tongue in her holiest of holies, ain't the same ballpark, ain't the same league, ain't even the same fuckin' sport. Foot massages don't mean shit." A discussion of foot massage in Pulp Fiction (1994)
Pulp Fiction (1994) Drama Quentin Tarantino film depicts an underworld sadomasochistic den of iniquity run by two sexual sadists in the basement of an Army surplus store. A masochistic slave dressed totally in leather lives in a box in the back of the room. Quills (2000) Drama Depiction of the last years of the Marquis de Sade (well played by Geoffrey Rush) who was sent to the Charenton Asylum for the Insane as punishment for his erotic writings. Interesting portrayal of various paraphilias. Reader, The (2008) Drama Kate Winslet plays Hanna Schmitz, a Nazi concentration camp guard who seduces a young boy who later grows up and becomes a prominent attorney. Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967) Drama A John Huston film in which Richard Burton plays the role of a repressed homosexual Army officer serving on a small Georgia military base. Elizabeth Taylor is his sadistic and sexually liberated wife. The film was banned by the Catholic Film Board. Rita, Sue and Bob Too (1986) Comedy British film about a married man who winds up in a sexual relationship with the two workingclass teenage girls who baby sit for his children. Interesting examination of the appropriate age for consent and issues of sexual exploitation.
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Rocky Horror Picture Show, The (1975) Comedy/Horror/Musical/Dance A fun film about a Transylvanian transsexual. From a psychological perspective, the film is not nearly as interesting as those fans who have turned it into a cult classic. Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea, The (1976) Drama Interesting story of adult romance and child psychopathology; based on a Mishima novel. Salo or The 120 Days of Sodom (1975) Horror Pasolini's adaptation of de Sade's famous novel. Set in the fascist Italy of World War II, this violent film is an interesting introduction to the practice of sadism. Secretary (2002) Drama A self-injurious, depressed woman is hired as a secretary after leaving a mental hospital; she takes a new job and begins to enjoy the criticism and punishment of her boss. They develop a sadomasochistic relationship in the work setting and eventually fall in love and marry.
sex, lies, and videotape (1989) Drama The film revolves around an impotent young man who can achieve orgasm only when masturbating while watching videotapes of women whom he has persuaded to share the most intimate details of their sexual lives. This film won the top award at the Cannes Film Festival. Short Cuts (1993) Drama Most memorable for a scene in which a bored woman talks dirty on the phone to earn a few dollars while she changes her baby's diapers. Her husband wonders why she never talks to him like that. Short Eyes (1977) Prison A powerful film about life in "The Tombs," New York City's Men's House of Detention. Short Eyes is prison slang for a child molester. Short Film About Love, A (1988) Drama This Krzysztof Kieslowski film deals with themes of voyeurism, exhibitionism, humiliation and suicide. Sliver (1993) Drama William Baldwin plays a voyeur who is the landlord of an apartment complex with high tech cameras set up in the tenants' rooms.
"In one way or another I've always suffered. I didn't know why exactly. But I do know that I'm not so scared of suffering now. I feel more than I've ever felt and I've found someone to feel with. To play with. To love in a way that feels right for me." Reflections on masochism in Secretary (2002)
"The imagination is the most powerful force known to mankind. And it is my imagined self, the one who is beautiful and loving and worthy of being loved, that has been my guiding force. My inspiration. I can only hope to become the person Barry imagined me to be. I pray for the courage it will take to become a real, live soldier's girl." Soldier's Girl (2003)
Sergeant, The (1968) Drama Rod Steiger plays an Army sergeant sexually obsessed with a young private in his outfit. Filmed in France. Sex and Zen (1993) Comedy Second rate film about a Buddhist who leaves his master and new wife to seek out a life of debauchery and erotic pleasures. Sex is Zero (2002) Comedy A Korean Animal House, but not as clever. The film involves lots of teens sexually acting out in lots of different ways.
Soldier's Girl (2003) Drama/Biography Based on the true story of Barry Winchell who entered the military and fell in love with a transsexual dancer at a club. Military peers find out about the secret relationship and the situation ends tragically. Something About Amelia (1984) Drama Popular made-for-TV movie about father-daughter incest.
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Southern Comfort (2001) Documentary Female to male transgender faces hate and prejudice in this award-winning film. Strange One, The (1957) Drama Ben Gazzara stars in this film about homosexuality and sadism in a Southern military academy. Swept Away (1975) Drama/Comedy Lina Wertmuller's examination of sex roles. A rich woman and a poor deckhand are marooned on an island and find sexual excitement and satisfaction in the new roles each assumes. That Obscure Object of Desire (1977) Drama Surrealistic film by Luis Buñuel about violence, love, and sexual obsession in a middle-aged man. The film is complex, intriguing, and full of symbolism. This Girl's Life (2003) Drama A female porn star starts a business by getting women concerned about their husbands' fidelity to pay her to attempt to seduce them. This World, Then the Fireworks (1997) Drama This film traces the development of incestuous twins who eventually become con artists. Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990) Comedy/ Romance A Pedro Almodovar film about a former mental patient, kidnapping, masochism, and sex roles. Some critics have maintained that the film trivializes the problem of sexual violence and denigrates women.
ence learns some important lessons about gender, sex roles, and human relationships. Torch Song Trilogy (1988) Drama Anne Bancroft and Matthew Broderick in a film adaptation of Harvey Fierstein's play about a homosexual drag queen and his lovers, enemies, and mother. Towelhead (2007) Drama A naïve, 13-year-old, Arab-American girl moves from Syracuse to Houston and encounters a number of challenges associated with her emerging sexuality, including being the victim of ephebophilia. Transamerica (2005) Comedy A presurgical male to female transsexual takes a cross country journey with the son she just met for the first time. Two Women (1961) Drama/War Classic Vittorio De Sica film starring Sophia Loren. The film is about love, war, rape, and a mother's love for her teenage daughter. Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988) Romance A highly sensual film about a Prague neurosurgeon and his inability to separate sex and love. The film is based on the novel of the same name by Milan Kundera. Unfaithful (2002) Drama/Suspense Richard Gere finds his wife (Diane Lane) is cheating on him and plots revenge. Venus (2006) Drama Peter O'Toole plays an aging actor with prostate cancer who falls in love with a teenage girl. Victor/Victoria (1982) Musical/Comedy Blake Edwards film with Julie Andrews as a downon-her-luck singer who becomes a sensation when she pretends to be a male-female impersonator. Viridiana (1961) Drama This complex Luis Buñuel film tells the story of a young woman who returns home to visit her uncle just before taking vows as a nun. She resembles her dead aunt, and her uncle drugs her while she is wearing her aunt's wedding dress. He plans to rape her but is unable to commit the act. He commits suicide; she inherits his estate and devotes her life to serving the poor.
Director: "I'd like to make her look a little more attractive, How far can you pull back?" Cameraman: "How do you feel about Cleveland?" Tootsie (1982)
Tootsie (1982) Comedy/Romance Funny Dustin Hoffman film in which an unsuccessful actor finds success when he impersonates a woman. He learns from the process, and the audi-
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Visiting Desire (1996) Documentary Twelve strangers are brought together to act out their sexual fantasies.
and she has the lead role as a young woman in Eastern Europe who has to pass herself off as a man in order to get an education. Interesting examination of sex roles; terrific performance by Streisand. Young Adam (2003) Drama Ewan Macgregor as a sexual addict who acts out sexually with his boss' wife, her sister, and a woman he meets at a ship's port. Zerophilia (2005) Comedy/Romance A young man discovers that he has "zerophilia," which means he can switch sexual identities and experience pleasure as either a man or a woman. The film is a less than satisfying exploration of sex roles.
"Stealing images from life is my life." A voyeur describes himself in Voyeur Confessions (2001)
Voyeur Confessions (2001) Drama This film captures the pain associated with the life of the voyeur. The movie touches on the etiology of voyeurism, and helps serious students better understand the paraphilias. Warm Water Under a Red Bridge (2001, Japan) Drama Shohei Imamura film about a businessman who encounters a woman with a peculiar problem fluids build up in her and she can only release them by stealing or having an orgasm. We Don't Live Here Anymore (2004) Drama Two couples (played by Peter Krause, Naomi Watts, Mark Ruffalo, and Laura Dern) find both their marriages failing, in part due to adultery. The movie includes themes of deceit, manipulation, lack of integrity, and the excitement of secrecy. Each couple battles against boredom and idleness, using sex to escape the emptiness of their lives. Wild Orchid 2: Two Shades of Blue (1991) Drama Disappointing film about the daughter of a heroin addict who becomes a prostitute to support her father's habit while maintaining a double identity. Woodsman, The (2004) Drama Kevin Bacon plays a pedophile recently released from prison struggling to establish a satisfying sexual relationship with a mature coworker. World According to Garp, The (1982) Comedy/ Drama John Lithgow plays transsexual Roberta Muldoon in a film in which troubled sexuality is commonplace. Yentl (1983) Musical Barbra Streisand directed and produced this film,
Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders
11'09''01 September 11 (2002) Drama Eleven renowned directors from around the world look to their own cultures to create a short film in tribute to the tragedy of September 11, 2001. This fascinating collection of films includes an allegory from Japan's Shohei Imamura about a man who returns from war believing he is now a snake. 13 Moons (2002) Drama Three priests, a bail bondsman, a musician, and two clowns cross paths on night-time city streets. One character, a drug addict needed for an organ transplant, is blatantly psychotic throughout the film. Aguirre, the Wrath of God (1972, West Germany/ Peru/Mexico) Adventure Werner Herzog film about Spanish conquistadors searching for the mythic treasure of El Dorado deep into the Amazon of Peru. The narcissistic leader deteriorates into psychosis. Alone in the Dark (1982) Suspense A psychiatrist's family is besieged by a psychotic patient during a citywide blackout. Amadeus (1984) Biography/Musical The film opens with the court composer Salieri, now old, mad, and suicidal, wondering if he murdered Mozart. Salieri is obsessed with the genius of Mozart and can never forgive his rival for his talent or himself for his mediocrity.
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Angel at My Table, An (1990) Biography/Drama Jean Campion's biography of New Zealand novelist Janet Frame, who was misdiagnosed with schizophrenia and mistreated with electroconvulsive therapy. Angel Baby, An (1995) Drama Australian film about two mentally ill people who meet in an outpatient clinic, fall in love, and try to face life together. Unfortunately, their lives fall apart as a consequence of an ill-fated decision to mutually discontinue their medication. Angel in Red (1991) Suspense A psychotic pimp goes gunning for his former employee after she turns to a rival pimp for protection. Assassination of Richard Nixon, The (2004) Biography/Drama Sean Penn portrays Sam Bicke, an aloof, taciturn, delusional furniture salesman who attempted to kill President Nixon. The film promotes the misconception that people with mental illness are violent. Asylum (2005) Thriller/Drama A husband takes a job at a psychiatric institution and his wife begins to have an affair with a dangerous patient. The film perpetrates the misconception that people with mental illness are violent and dangerous. Bee Season (2005) Drama A father (Richard Gere) becomes over involved in his daughter's spelling bee competitions and looks to Jewish mysticism for support. Benny & Joon (1993) Comedy A generally sympathetic portrayal of schizophrenia, with a vivid example of decompensation on a city bus; the film trivializes the problem of schizophrenia by suggesting love alone is enough to conquer the problem. Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980) Drama This film, a 15-hour Fassbinder masterpiece, traces the gradual moral and mental disintegration of a man who leaves prison resolved to live a good life. The film explores exploitation of women, violence, homosexuality, and mental illness. Betrayed (1988) Political/Thriller Debra Winger plays an undercover agent who falls
in love with a seemingly simple farmer, actually a right-wing, paranoid fanatic. Betty Blue (1986) Drama Artistic, erotic French film about two young lovers and their passions that lead from poverty to violence and destruction. One particularly shocking scene depicts self-mutilation resulting from psychosis. Bill of Divorcement, A (1932) Comedy A mentally ill man is discharged from a psychiatric hospital and returns home to his wife and daughter. Katharine Hepburn's debut as a film actress. Birdy (1984) Drama/War Nicolas Cage tries to help his friend, Matthew Modine, who is a catatonic inpatient in a military hospital. Both men are Vietnam veterans, but Modine's problems seem to predate the war. Birth (2004) Drama/Mystery A rare depiction of shared psychotic disorder (folie a deux) featuring Nicole Kidman. Boxing Helena (1994) Drama Eminent surgeon is rebuffed by a beautiful woman. His obsessions of her turn delusional as he captures her and eventually amputates her arms and legs while paradoxically fawning over her. Interesting dynamic of his forcing the woman to be physically dependent upon him emerging from his psycho logical dependence on her. Directorial debut of Jennifer Chambers Lynch, daughter of distinguished filmmaker, David Lynch.
"I am still haunted by my love for her... those dreams." A character in Boxing Helena (1994) leaves the viewer to ponder how much of the film is delusion, reality, or a dream
Bubba Ho-tep (2002) Comedy/Thriller Two rest home residents who believe they are Elvis Presley and John F. Kennedy team up to fight evil. Camille Claudel (1988) Biography Biographical film of the mistress of Rodin, who spent the last 30 years of her life in an asylum.
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Canvas (2006) Drama A remarkable portrayal of schizophrenia and its impact on the family, starring Marcia Gay Harden. Winner of a Voice Award for its outstanding depiction of mental illness. Caveman's Valentine, The (2001) Crime/Drama Depicts a homeless composer with schizophrenia living in a cave in New York City. Crimson Gold (2003, Iran) Crime/Drama A taciturn pizza delivery man becomes explosive after being mistreated. Dead Man on Campus (1998) Comedy Two roommates try to find a roommate who is likely to commit suicide so that they can have their flailing grades excused. The film perpetrates misconceptions that people with mental illness are violent, that people with mental illness are always psychotic, and that those who are paranoid are the most likely to commit suicide. Dead of Night (1945) Horror Five short episodes loosely linked together. The last of these, "The Ventriloquist's Dummy," stars Michael Redgrave, who has to be hospitalized after he becomes convinced that he and his dummy are exchanging personalities (and, in fact, they are). Delusions of Grandeur (1973) Comedy In seventeenth-century Spain, a wily servant saves his king from the intrigues of a tax collector. Derailroaded (2005) Documentary/Biography Portrays the music and life of cult-rock icon "Wild Man Fischer," a man with schizophrenia; the film is both funny and informative, and it is not exploitative. Don Juan DeMarco (1995) Drama Marlon Brando plays a compassionate psychiatrist to Johnny Depp who plays a delusional man who thinks he is the legendary Don Juan.
Donnie Darko (2001) Drama Although this film is about a delusional college student who frequently hallucinates a "demon bunny" instructing him that the end of the world is near, the film is fairly complex with important comments on fear, the pain of mental illness, and the nature of reality. Don't Say A Word (2001) Suspense/Mystery Michael Douglas plays a psychiatrist whose daughter is kidnapped for the ransom of a 6-digit code locked in the brain of a very disturbed psychiatric patient (Brittany Murphy). Dressed to Kill (1980) Thriller Popular film in which Michael Caine plays Angie Dickinson's psychiatrist. The film confuses transsexuality and schizophrenia, but it is exciting, if not always accurate. Edmond (2005) Thriller Interesting and memorable story about a man (William H. Macy) who slowly loses touch with reality and never fully returns. Entertainer, The (1960) Drama This film, starring Laurence Olivier and Albert Finney, portrays Olivier as a third-rate vaudevillian whose delusions of grandeur alienate people around him. Fan, The (1982) Horror A Broadway star played by Lauren Bacall is terrorized by an embittered fan. Fan, The (1996) Drama Robert De Niro and Wesley Snipes are wasted in this tired film about a baseball fan who is obsessed with a Giants center fielder. Final (2001) Drama Well-acted performance by Denis Leary who plays "Bill" in this Campbell Scott film. Bill awakens from a coma in an isolated, bright room of a psychiatric hospital. He has frequent paranoid delusions, anger outbursts, and hallucinations as his therapist helps him remember flashbacks of his car accident and his father's death. Interesting portrayal of the "doctor-patient" relationship, presenting many questions about boundaries, ethics, and relational dynamics. Fisher King, The (1991) Drama/Fantasy/Comedy Terry Gilliam film in which Robin Williams plays
"I am the world's greatest lover!" Don Juan DeMarco (1995)
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a homeless, mentally ill man who is befriended by a disillusioned former disc jockey. The movie is funny but confusing, and it misleads the public with its suggestion of a traumatic etiology for schizophrenia. Flightplan (2005) Suspense/Drama While on a long flight, a woman (Jodie Foster) frantically claims she has lost her child, however, other passengers do not remember a child traveling with her. For much of the film, the viewer is left questioning whether Jodie Foster has a psychotic disorder. The film suggests that individuals referred to as delusional or psychotic are actually telling the truth and their delusions may well be reality-based. Frailty (2001) Drama/Suspense Bill Paxton plays a serial killing, religious zealot with a delusional disorder who believes he's on a mission from God to fight off demons (his human victims).
Happy Accidents (2001) Romance/Sci-Fi A man states he is from the future of 2470. He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (2002) Drama A must-see film for depiction of delusional disorders that is so unique that it could only be done cinematically. First, the viewer sees reality from the young woman's perception and flashes back to the beginning giving the viewer the vantage point of the man she loves. This French film stars Amelie's Audrey Tautou. House of Fools (2002) Drama Based on a true story: the staff in a mental institution flee due to conflicts in Chechnya, leaving the patients to fend for themselves. Soon soldiers occupy the hospital and the viewer is left with various questions of war, politics, mental health treatment and which is most "crazy." Loaded with psychopathology examples, including a fire-starter, all the schizophrenia subtypes, and a woman who believes she is the fiancé of singer, Bryan Adams (who appears in the film). Housekeeping (1987) Drama An eccentric aunt comes to care for two sisters in the Pacific Northwest after the suicide of their mother. The girls can't decide if their aunt is simply odd or seriously mentally ill. The viewer confronts a similar dilemma. I'm a Cyborg, But That's OK (2006, South Korea) Drama/Romance Despite the odd title, this is a fascinating film about a psychotic woman who believes she is a cyborg and is admitted to psychiatric institution. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1977) Drama Accurate rendition of the popular book by the same name. The patient has command hallucinations that tell her to kill herself. There is a sympathetic portrayal of psychiatry and treatment; a breakthrough occurs when the protagonist first realizes she is able to feel pain. Images (1972) Drama Robert Altman's examination of the confused life of a woman with schizophrenia. A difficult film, but interesting, with a heuristic presentation of hallucinations. Julien Donkey-Boy (1999) Drama Director Harmony Korine breaks the narrative
"Now you stay down here until you see the truth. Pray to god, Fenton. Pray for a vision. Only he can help you now!" Frailty (2001)
Gothika (2004) Suspense Halle Berry plays Dr. Miranda Grey who works to unravel the mystery of her patient's (Penelope Cruz) psychopathology and is confronted by disturbing secrets and the supernatural. Goya in Bordeaux (1999) Drama/Biography Spanish film, depicting the famous painter, Francisco de Goya on his deathbed, who recalls major events of his life, hallucinates, and experiences severe migraines. Addresses themes of psychosis and creativity, integrity vs. despair, and the interrelationship of life and death. Grizzly Man (2005) Documentary Werner Herzog film about Timothy Treadwell, a well-known naturalist who lived with grizzly bears for 13 summers. The viewer wonders if Treadwell had a psychotic or bipolar disorder as he became increasingly wild, and his behavior increasingly bizarre.
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flow in this film about the horrors of schizophrenia, based on and dedicated to his uncle whom he wanted to take out of a psychiatric institution to be in the film. The film is sometimes shocking and insightful and at other times comedic. Keane (2004) Mystery/Thriller An engaging depiction of a man who begins to mentally deteriorate because he believes his daughter is missing. The film leaves the viewer wondering what is real and what is psychosis. Unfortunately, a powerful scene in which the protagonist randomly chases and attacks another man will stick out in the viewer's mind as a terrifying link between violence and mental illness. Killing of John Lennon, The (2006, UK) Biography/Drama Inside-look within the delusional Mark Chapman leading up to the day he murdered John Lennon. Chapman was obsessed with Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye and believed he was the protagonist; he read from the book at the murder scene and trial. Promotes the misconception that people with mental illness are violent and that Salinger's classic work somehow had something to do with Lennon's murder. K-Pax (2001) Drama Multi-layered film in which Kevin Spacey plays Prot, a man claiming he's from a far away planet who is able to give convincing evidence for his case to astrophysicists. The viewer is left to hypothesize whether the character has schizophrenia, dissociative fugue, or is an enlightened spiritual being; whichever the case, the portrayal and diagnostic criteria are convincing for each. La Dolce Vita (1960) Drama Vintage Fellini film with an interesting vignette in which hundreds of Roman citizens develop a mass delusion following reports of a sighting of the Virgin Mary. Lars and the Real Girl (2007) Drama/Romance/ Comedy A man's (Ryan Gosling) delusional disorder becomes apparent when he purchases an internetdoll that he believes to be his girlfriend. Sensitive, meaningful film with a quality portrayal of a physician acting as a psychotherapist implementing exposure therapy. Love Object (2004) Thriller A young man dealing with work stress copes by
purchasing a $10,600 lifelike, silicone doll that he begins to believe is subtly torturing him as he deteriorates into psychosis. Lunatics: A Love Story (1992) Comedy A former mental patient spends six months hidden away in his apartment. The lead character has been described in reviews as agoraphobic, but a more serious diagnosis seems appropriate, especially in light of the patient's delusions and hallucinations. Lust for Life (1956) Biography Kirk Douglas as Vincent van Gogh and Anthony Quinn as Paul Gauguin. The film portrays the stormy relationship of the two men and van Gogh's hospitalization and eventual suicide. Contrast with Vincent (1987) and Robert Altman's Vincent and Theo (1990). Madness of King George, The (1994) Historical Biography Nigel Hawthorne as King George III in an adaptation of a stage play examining the reactions of the court and family as the king becomes increasingly demented (due to porphyria, a genetic metabolic disorder).
"One may produce a copious, regular evacuation every day of the week and still be a stranger to reason." An observation by a court doctor in The Madness of King George (1994)
Magic (1978) Thriller Anthony Hopkins' talents are largely wasted in this Richard Attenborough film about a ventriloquist obsessed with his dummy. Not nearly as good a film as the 1945 movie Dead of Night. Man From Earth, The (2007) Drama/Sci-Fi A mysterious, successful professor attempts to convince his friends he can live forever and that he has met a variety of history figures (e.g., Buddha). May (2002) Thriller Macabre psychological study of an isolated, socially awkward girl who sinks into psychosis as she tries to make a "best friend" by assembling the
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best parts of other people's bodies. Promotes the misconception that people with mental illness are violent. Misery (1990) Horror Kathy Bates plays an apparently delusional woman who becomes convinced she is justified in capturing a novelist and forcing him to rewrite his latest novel to meet her tastes. The movie, like Wagner's music, is better than it sounds. Out of the Shadow (2004) Documentary Realistic and moving depiction of schizophrenia and its impact on the family. Outrageous! (1977) Comedy Canadian film about a gay hairdresser and a woman with schizophrenia who is pregnant. People Say I'm Crazy (2003) Documentary Cinema verite styled documentary of the daily life of a man with paranoid schizophrenia. Interesting for discussions on differentiation of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and mood disorders. Deeply honest, enlightening, and inspiring.
Proof (2005) Drama Gwyneth Paltrow portrays the daughter of a famous mathematician (Anthony Hopkins). She begins to develop similar symptoms of schizophrenia similar to those shown by her father as she attempts to solve a rare proof that has baffled other mathematicians. Rampo Noir (2005, Japan) Horror Four short, surreal horror films that are adaptations and tributes to the Japanese poet, Rampo. Portrayals of hell, mental illness, and psychosis. Red Dragon (2002) Thriller/Drama Ralph Fiennes, as the serial killer in this prequel to Silence of the Lambs, deepens in his delusional framework as he becomes convinces he is a dragon. In one scene, he eats a painting of a dragon in order to internalize it. Repulsion (1965) Horror Powerful, unforgettable film about sexual repression and psychotic decompensation. Memorable examples of hallucinations (e.g., arms reaching out from walls); the film culminates in an unforgettable murder scene. This was Roman Polanski's first English language film. Ruling Class, The (1972) Comedy Brilliant British black comedy in which a member of the House of Lords inadvertently commits suicide and leaves his fortune and title to his son who is delusional and has schizophrenia (Peter O'Toole), who believes he is Jesus (at first) and later Jack the Ripper. Saint of Fort Washington, The (1993) Drama A man with schizophrenia is evicted from his home winds up in a shelter, where he is befriended by a street-wise Vietnam veteran. Good portrayal of the life of people who are both mentally ill and homeless. Santa Sangre (1989) Horror/Thriller A disturbing film about a young man forced to witness the mutilation of his mother and the suicide of his father. We never know if these events are real or simply delusions of a patient. The film is complex and visually stunning. Save the Green Planet (2003, Korea) Drama/ Thriller A young man pursues individuals he perceives are aliens from Andromeda to keep them from destroying the planet.
"I cannot trust my own perceptions." John Cadigan, who directs and plays himself in People Say I'm Crazy (2003)
Perfect Strangers (2003) Drama/Suspense A mysterious man (Sam Neill) invites a woman he has just met to his private island home and then kidnaps her. The two become romantically involved, and she nurses him back to health after he is injured. His obsessions transfer to the woman who frequently hallucinates after her lover dies. Possessed (1947) Drama Joan Crawford stars in a suspenseful film depicting catatonic schizophrenia with examples of waxy flexibility and numerous other symptoms of severe mental illness. Promise (1986) Drama A made-for-TV movie, starring James Garner, about a man who honors a commitment made to his mother to care for his brother with schizophrenia. Excellent illustrations of the symptoms of schizophrenia.
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Scissors (1991) Suspense The paranoid delusions of a traumatized young woman take on a frightening reality when she finds her assailant dead. Scotland, PA (2001) Comedy Dark comedy that's a subtle parody of Macbeth, about greed, power, love, and "going crazy." A young couple who take over the work at a restaurant after killing the owner, begin to deteriorate with rumination, guilt, and poor coping as police detective (Christopher Walken) investigates the murder case.
Something Like Happiness (2005, Czech Republic) Comedy/Drama Three adult friends from childhood support one another as they try to find happiness along different paths; one is admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Sophie's Choice (1982) Drama Meryl Streep won an Academy Award for her portrayal of a concentration camp survivor infatuated with Nathan, who is described as having paranoid schizophrenia but who may suffer from a bipolar disorder. Based on William Styron's novel. Special (2006) Drama/Mystery A man obsessed with comic books decides to take an experimental drug. The medication suppresses self-doubt and the man quickly believes he has superpowers including telepathy, the ability to go through walls, and superhuman crime fighting. Spider (2002) Drama Ralph Fiennes, a patient with schizophrenia, disorganized type, is released from the hospital to a group home. It's a dark, bleak, psychologically complex film and a brilliant portrayal of the isolation and inner world of schizophrenia. Directed by David Cronenberg. The DVD cover reads: "The only thing worse than losing your mind, is finding it again." Spiderman (2002) Fantasy/Drama Sam Raimi classic based on the Marvel comic book series. The Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) hears voices and seems to be mentally ill. The film perpetuates the myth that people who are mentally ill are also violent. Stateside (2004) Drama A young, spoiled, rich man turns his life around after he joins the Marines and falls in love with a woman with schizophrenia. Winner of a Voice Award. Stay (2005) Mystery/Suspense Ewan McGregor portrays a psychiatrist who tries to prevent one of his patients (Ryan Gosling) from committing suicide. Story of Adèle H., The (1975) Biography François Truffaut story about the sexual obsession of the daughter of Victor Hugo for a young soldier she can never marry. Stroszek (1977) Comedy Offbeat Werner Herzog comedy about three Germans who come to America in search of the
"David, if you go you will never come back to this house again. You will never be anybody's son. The girls will lose their brother. Is that what you want?... You want to destroy the family... if you love me you will stop this nonsense." David Helfgott's father admonishes him about leaving home in Shine (1996)
Shine (1996) Biography/Drama True story of David Helfgott, an Australian prodigy whose brilliant career is interrupted by the development of an unspecified mental illness that is probably schizophrenia. The film not so subtly suggests that David's domineering father was directly responsible for his mental illness and conveys the misleading but endearing message that love and hope can conquer mental illness. Shock Corridor (1963) Drama Journalist feigns insanity in order to get a story from a man admitted to a psychiatric hospital; later the journalist begins to lose touch with reality. Snake Pit, The (1948) Drama One of the first films to document the treatment of patients in a mental hospital. Soloist, The (2009) Drama/Biography Outstanding portrayal of schizophrenia in which Jamie Foxx portrays a brilliant, isolated musician, Nathaniel Ayers and the development of his friendship with an L.A. Times reporter (Robert Downey, Jr.).
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American dream. They fail to find it in Railroad Flats, Wisconsin. One of the three has schizophrenia. Summer of Sam (1999) Drama/Documentary This Spike Lee film succeeds artistically and presents interesting insights into ethnic dynamics and the process of scapegoating; however, it provides little insight into the motives or the mental illness that drove serial killer David Berkowitz, the highly publicized "Son of Sam," to commit multiple murders. The emphasis is on the fear and psychological trauma of people living in New York City who know a serial killer is still loose. Sweetie (1989) Comedy Director Jane Campion paints a memorable and realistic picture of a woman with schizophrenia and the difficulties her illness presents for her and her family. Sylvia and the Phantom (1945) Drama French film about a young woman who must distinguish between reality and fantasy, hallucination and phantom, love and illusion. Her many seducers include a narcissist, a lover, a criminal, and a phantom. Synecdoche, New York (2008) Comedy/Drama Interesting mix of delusion, physical illness, and existential angst in Charlie Kaufman's surrealistic film starring Philip Seymour Hoffman. Tarnation (2003) Documentary Poignant, disturbing, dramatic, and realistic film chronicles the life of a family plagued by mental illness. Tarnation illustrates schizophrenia and depersonalization disorder as well as the effects of brain damage and traumatic abuse. The film integrates home movies, photographs, short videos, diaries, and pop culture artifacts into a striking visceral experience. If you can find this independent film, you should watch it. Taxi Driver (1976) Drama Robert De Niro becomes obsessed with Jodi Foster and determines to rescue her from prostitution. Tenant, The (1976) Horror Roman Polanski film about an ordinary clerk who moves into an apartment in which the previous owner committed suicide. The new owner assumes the personality of the old owner, becomes para-
noid, and commits suicide in the same way as the previous owner.
"Someday a real rain will come and wash all the scum off the streets." Taxi Driver (1976)
Through a Glass Darkly (1962) Drama Powerful and memorable Bergman film about a recently released mental patient who spends the summer on an island with her husband, father, and younger brother. Truman Show, The (1998) Drama This Peter Weir film stars Jim Carrey as Truman Burbank, who unbeknownst to him, has had his entire life broadcasted on a popular television show where all the people in his life are actors and his home and town are part of an elaborate production studio. This film provides a fascinating setup for a discussion of delusional disorders. Virgin (2003) Drama A 17-year-old is raped by a man she is infatuated with and subsequently is ostracized, engages in kleptomania, and experiences delusions. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966) Drama A Mike Nichols film, with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who appear to have a shared psychotic disorder involving a son who never really existed; the film also portrays alcoholism and interpersonal cruelty. Elizabeth Taylor and Sandy Dennis both won Academy Awards for their performances in this film. World Traveler (2001) Drama Julianne Moore has a supporting role as an alcoholic with a delusional disorder.
"Now that we're through with Humiliate the Host... and we don't want to play Hump the Hostess yet... how about a little round of Get the Guests?" Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
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Zebraman (2004, Japan) Drama/Crime A passive teaching supervisor becomes the superhero, Zebraman, to escape his miserable, mundane life. The more he accepts his character, the stronger his powers become.
regularly despite discovering that she has fallen in love with another man. Ballad of Narayama, The (1983) Drama This Japanese film tells the story of a small village where by tradition all old people are taken up to the top of a mountain and left to die. City of No Limits, The (2002) Drama A family patriarch becomes paranoid and delusional because of a brain tumor; as a result, he shares long hidden family secrets.
Neuropsychological Disorders
50 First Dates (2004) Comedy Adam Sandler plays a veterinarian and womanizer who falls in love with a woman (Drew Barrymore) with a fictional cognitive disorder in that she has no long-term memory as she awakens each morning forgetting everything from the day before (so she repeats the same activities each day, enabled by her family). A flawed Memento. Accidental Hero, The (2002, France) Drama A boy comes to more fully appreciate his mother after she is involved in a serious car accident and experiences a profound retrograde amnesia. Alzheimer's Project, The (The Memory Loss Tapes) (2009) Documentary Poignant and important HBO series integrated into a deeply meaningful film revealing seven vignettes of individuals at various stages of Alzheimer's Disease and their families. The film addresses both the suffering caused by the disease and the challenges of the caregiver, such as themes of the adult-child role reversal, wandering, loss of independence, and the emotional grieving process. To watch the film online, see http://www.hbo.com/ alzheimers/memory-loss-tapes.html Assisted Living (2003) Comedy/Drama Watching this film will give you some sense for what life is like on a day to day basis in a nursing home. Awakenings (1990) Drama Robin Williams as neurologist Oliver Sacks treats patient Robert De Niro in a Bronx hospital. The film documents the use of L-Dopa in the treatment of patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. Good portrayal of the daily life of a mental hospital. Away from Her (2006, Canada) Drama Sarah Polley's directorial debut about a woman (Julie Christie) who realizes she has Alzheimer's disease and convinces her husband (Gordon Pinsent) to take her to a care facility. He visits her
"This is not a hospital. They are not doctors or nurses. Didn't they tell you? They all believe that the city has got no limits." A dying character's confusion and paranoia in The City of No Limits (2002)
Dark Victory (1939) Drama Bette Davis, George Brent, and Humphrey Bogart star, but watch for Ronald Reagan. Davis has a fatal brain tumor. She spends what little time she has left with her brain surgeon husband. The "dark victory" refers to living life well, even when facing death. Remade (not very effectively) with Susan Hayward in Stolen Hours (1963). Death Be Not Proud (1975) Biography A made-for-TV film based on John Gunther's moving account of his son's struggle with a brain tumor, which killed the boy at the age of 17. The book provides considerable insight into the neurology of brain lesions. Do You Remember Love? (1985) Drama Joanne Woodward won an Emmy for her portrayal of a middle-aged college professor who develops Alzheimer's Disease. Harder They Fall, The (1956) Sports Humphrey Bogart in his last film, made the year before his death. The movie is very critical of the sport of boxing and the exploitation of fighters by promoters. A slow-witted boxer has a brain clot and is almost killed in his last fight. Iris (2001) Drama/Biography Based on the life of the famous British novelist
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and philosophical writer, Iris Murdoch (played by Judi Dench), who deteriorates because of her Alzheimer's Disease. Oscar-winner, Jim Broadbent plays John Bayley, Iris' extraordinarily loving husband. A powerfully realistic and emotional film. Jacket, The (2005) Drama/Thriller Adrien Brody portrays a man with retrograde amnesia who is mistreated in a psychiatric hospital in this avant-garde film. Lookout, The (2007) Drama A high school student suffers a brain injury, and his life is changed forever. The film is a good introduction to many of the symptoms experienced by someone with a traumatic brain injury. Lorenzo's Oil (1992) Drama True story of the Odone family and their desperate struggle to save their son's life. The boy has a rare neurological disease that they are told is ultimately fatal. Good illustration of the effects of chronic illness on family functioning. Majestic, The (2001) Drama Jim Carrey plays a disenfranchised screenwriter who develops amnesia after his car topples over a bridge. He washes on the shore of a small town whose citizens take him in as a lost war hero. Man Without a Past, The (2002) Drama A man is severely beaten while sleeping outside and is proclaimed dead. He awakens with amnesia and begins to create a new life for himself before eventually discovering parts of his old life. Memento (2001) Suspense/Mystery Christopher Nolan directs this one-of-a-kind, exquisitely crafted masterpiece about a man suffering from anterograde amnesia. The film demands the viewer have very good short-term memory as the major plot progresses backwards scene by scene while juxtaposing past events (going forward) in black-and-white. This is a film not to be missed.
Memories of Me (1988) Comedy Henry Winkler directs Billy Crystal, a high-powered surgeon who has just had a heart attack, and Alan King, his actor father who may have Alzheimer's. It turns out that an aneurysm is present, and father and son eventually learn to care for one another. Memory of a Killer, The (2003) Drama A hit man in the early stages of dementia attempts to do one last job before retiring. Mercy or Murder? (1987) Drama Made-for-TV movie about a Florida man who went to prison after killing his wife because she had advanced Alzheimer's Disease. The film raises interesting questions that society will increasingly be forced to confront. Million Dollar Baby (2004) Drama A female prize fighter (Hilary Swank) is paralyzed from the neck down after being sucker punched by an angry opponent between rounds; she pleads with her trainer (Clint Eastwood) to end her life before she loses the memory of the crowd's applause. Mulholland Drive (2001) Mystery/Drama/Suspense David Lynch film about a woman who experiences a head injury from a car accident, becomes amnestic, and finds refuge in an aspiring Hollywood actress' condominium. This is characteristic Lynch in its non-linearity and themes of reality vs. illusion, identity confusion, and nightmarish dream sequences. My Girl (1991) Comedy Eleven-year-old girl is a hypochondriac with a mortician for a father and a grandmother who has Alzheimer's disease. Notebook, The (2004) Drama Gena Rowlands and James Garner play a couple coping with her ever worsening Alzheimer's disease. Based on the best-selling novel by Nicholas Sparks. On Golden Pond (1981) Drama Sensitive portrayal of an aging couple (Henry Fonda and Katharine Hepburn) cherishing and struggling with his increasingly apparent dementia. On the Waterfront (1954) Drama Classic Elia Kazan film starring Marlon Brando as Terry Malloy, a prizefighter of limited intelligence
"How am I supposed to heal if I can't feel time?" Memento (2001)
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who is exploited by almost everyone around him. Brando won an Oscar as Best Actor for his performance as Terry Malloy, who took a dive and spent the rest of his life regretting it.
Savages, The (2007) Drama A brother and sister find themselves becoming closer as they attempt to cope with the challenges associated with caring for their father who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Sea Inside, The (2004) Biography/Drama
"You was my brother, Charley, you should've looked out for me just a little bit so I wouldn't have to take them dives for the short-end money." On the Waterfront (1954)
A sensitive and moving story about a Spanish citizen's quest to end his life. Shattered (1991) Mystery/Suspense A man in a near-fatal car accident experiences amnesia and undergoes reconstructive facial surgery. He begins to find inconsistencies in stories from loved ones about his past and his own memories, only to face a shocking truth. Song for Martin, A (2002) Drama An interesting portrayal of the ways in which a married couple deeply in love is affected by his Alzheimer's disease. Son of the Bride (2002) Drama/Comedy/Romance
Pride of the Yankees, The (1942) Biography Gary Cooper stars in this Samuel Goldwyn film about legendary Yankees' first baseman Lou Gehrig, who had to give up baseball due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which came to be known more widely by the eponym "Lou Gehrig's disease."
"Some people say I've had a bad break, but I consider myself to be the luckiest man on the face of the earth." Lou Gehrig giving up baseball in The Pride of the Yankees (1942)
Moving drama from Argentina with many inspirational and comic moments about a man too busy for his families who reevaluates his life after he has a heart attack. A major sub-story is the man's aging father, who steadfastly expresses unconditional love to his wife who is deteriorating with Alzheimer's Disease. Tuesdays with Morrie (1999) Drama/Inspiration
Private Matter, A (1992) Biography Provocative made-for-TV movie starring Sissy Spacek as a TV personality who gets national attention after her decision to abort a child likely to be affected by the drug thalidomide. Raging Bull (1980) Biography/Sports Powerful film depicting the psychological, moral, and mental decline of a prizefighter. Robert De Niro won an Oscar for his portrayal of Jake LaMotta. Regarding Henry (1993) Drama Attorney has his life permanently altered following a head injury; his values change as well as his personality. Safe House (1998) Thriller An ex-intelligence operative begins to develop Alzheimer's Disease.
Made-for-TV movie based on the best-selling Mitch Albom book about a journalist who befriends and finds inspiration from a man dying of ALS. Waltz with Bashir (2008, Israel) Animation/ Biography An exploration on the construction and shifting nature of memory. Ari Folman served in the Israeli army during the Lebanon War of 1982 but has no recollection of the events and he attempts to reconstruct them in this film.
Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence
Ali Zaoua: Prince of the Streets (2000) Drama Four young homeless boys, living in poverty on
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the streets of Morocco, rebel against their gang leader's oppressive rule. Beautiful Ohio (2006) Drama Independent film about two brothers growing up in the Midwest, one is gifted but also has severe oppositional tendencies. Best Little Girl in the World, The (1981) Drama Good made-for-TV movie in which a psychiatrist treats a girl who is suffering from anorexia nervosa. Butcher Boy, The (1997) Comedy Dark comedy about a schizophrenic boy, Francie Brady, living in Ireland in the 1960s. Francie's behavior ranges from absurd and humorous to delusional and dangerous.
grow up in an environment in which guns and murder are commonplace. City of Lost Children, The (1995) Fantasy/ Comedy A mad scientist is aging prematurely so he tries to capture children to steal their dreams. Implicit in the film is the use and abuse of children; film critics have commented that this kind of film could not have been made in the United States. The movie is a black comedy that has been praised for its cinematic craft, creative set design, and the use of quirky, unique characters. Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, The (2002) Drama/Comedy High school outcasts express rebellion in a variety of ways, including abuse of an authoritarian nun (played by Jodie Foster). Don't Come Knocking (2005) Drama A former Western movie star drowns his sorrow in alcohol and self-pity until he discovers he has a son and sets out to find him. Elephant (2003) Drama Well-crafted, foreboding, eerie Gus van Sant film addressing the tragedy of recent school shootings. Powerful parallels with Columbine. Winner of the Palm award at Cannes for Best Picture and Best Director.
"He took me, with the stink of filthy roadhouse whiskey on his breath, and I liked it. I liked it! With all that dirty touching of his hands all over me. I should've given you to God when you were born, but I was weak and backsliding, and now the devil has come home." A psychotic Francie Brady in The Butcher Boy (1997)
"And most importantly, have fun, man!" Carrie (1976) Horror This Brian De Palma film is based on a Stephen King novel and depicts the cruelty of adolescents and some of the stresses associated with caring for a mentally ill mother. Sissy Spacek's performance is remarkable. Chorus, The (2004) Drama A newly hired boarding school teacher tries to transform troubled kids into positive problem solvers through music and positive rewards. The headmaster, who believes in restriction and punishment, reluctantly agrees to let the new teacher try more positive approaches. City of God (2003) Drama/Foreign Painful, sobering and graphic examination of the violence associated with gang-life, drug trafficking, and poverty in Rio de Janeiro. This film depicts of young children and adolescents who Final words of an adolescent to his co-assassin preparing to enter a school building in Elephant (2003)
Equus (1977) Drama Richard Burton examines the meaning and purpose of his own life as he attempts to unravel the psychosexual roots that led an adolescent to blind six horses. Wonderful soliloquies by Burton. Every Man for Himself and God Against All (1975) Biography Werner Herzog film based on a true story about a man who spent an isolated childhood virtually devoid of stimulation. This movie should be contrasted with Truffaut's film The Wild Child and the more recent film Nell.
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Face to Face (1976) Drama Bergman film in which Liv Ullmann plays a suicidal psychiatrist estranged from her husband and 14-year-old daughter. During a coma that results from an overdose of sleeping pills, Ullmann dreams about a childhood experience in which she was punished by being locked in a closet. Fanny and Alexander (1983) Drama Bergman film about two young children and the ways in which their lives change when their father dies and their mother remarries. The film is sensitive, tender, and haunting and shows how the world looks through the eyes of a 10-year-old. Firestarter (1984) Drama/Suspense Early Stephen King film in which Drew Barrymore portrays a young girl with pyrokinetic, telekinetic, and telepathic powers. Barrymore is able to sets fires simply by staring at whatever she wants to set on fire. Forbidden Games (1951) War/Drama This beautiful French film is about two children who create and share a private fantasy world. The movie juxtaposes the innocence of childhood with the horror of war. Four Hundred Blows, The (1959) Drama Semiautobiographical film by François Truffaut about a 13-year-old boy who is caught up in a life of truancy and petty crime. His mother sleeps around; his father is preoccupied and distant. Four Hundred Blows is reported to be Truffaut's favorite film.
Gummo (1997) Independent This extremely disturbing and unforgettable film directed by Harmony Korine depicts life in a small, rural town after its destruction by a tornado. Despite the lack of a coherent plot, the film gets high marks for its honesty and realism. Various types of psychopathology are presented with an emphasis on conduct disorders. Harvie Krumpet (2003) Animation/Comedy Short film about a character who faces innumerous tragedies and challenges. Hate (1995, France) Conduct disorders abound among adolescent gangs in a French suburban ghetto in this film about racism and oppression. Holes (2002) Family One of the better non-animated Disney films about troubled youth who are sent to a work camp to dig deep holes in the middle of the desert to help three criminals find a lost treasure. Sigourney Weaver has a memorable role in this film. Innocents, The (1961) Horror Deborah Kerr plays a governess hired to care for two precocious children. Is she hallucinating or delusional, or are there really ghosts in the house? Interesting sexual tension develops between Kerr and the boy. Based on the Henry James novella Turn of the Screw. Island on Bird Street (2000) Drama Polish film about an adventurous, high-spirited boy who escapes from Nazi control; inspired by Robinson Crusoe, he creates a hide-out and waits for his father's return.
Psychiatrist: "Your parents say you're always lying." Antoine Doinel: "Oh, I lie now and then, I suppose. Sometimes I'd tell them the truth, and they still wouldn't believe me, so I prefer to lie." Strange behavior explained in The Four Hundred Blows (1959)
"If you deflower a girl... you're the man. No one can ever do that again. You're the only one. No one, no one, has the power to do that again." Telly describes his fascination with virgins in Kids (1995)
Great New Wonderful, The (2005) Drama Several stories of New Yorkers converge, including one depicting a child with a serious behavior disorder.
Kids (1995) Drama Gritty and disturbing film about urban adolescents, sex, drugs, and violence. The main character is a
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teenager with AIDS who preys on young adolescent girls, taking particular pride in seducing virgins. Leolo (1992) Comedy Leo, an adolescent boy growing up in a very dysfunctional family in Montreal, is unable to accept the reality of his genetic heritage and concocts a fantasy in which he was accidentally conceived by sperm that crossed the Atlantic in a Sicilian tomato. (The film is better than this brief synopsis suggests.) Life as a House (2001) Drama Touching film about the transformation of the relationship between a rebellious, addicted adolescent (Hayden Christensen) and his terminally ill father (Kevin Kline). Lilja 4-ever (2002) Drama Heartbreaking film about a girl, rejected by her family and society, who seems to meet with tragedy just when it appears she is headed in the right direction. Lilja is physically, emotionally, and sexually abused in the film. Little Man Tate (1991) Drama Jodi Foster directed this film about a child prodigy and the tensions that arise between his mother and the psychologist to whom the child's education is entrusted. Foster acknowledged that the film is partly autobiographical. Lord of the Flies (1963) Drama Film adaptation of William Goldman's novel about a group of schoolchildren who quickly shed the thin veneer of civilization and become savages. Both the film and book raise interesting questions about nature and nurture. Remade in 1990. Los Olvidados/The Young and the Damned (1950) Drama Luis Buñuel film about juvenile delinquency in the squalid slums of Mexico City. Magdalene Sisters, The (2002) Docudrama Troubled adolescent girls are sent to a dehumanizing boarding home where they are abused, mistreated and exploited by the nuns who run the home. One particularly abused adolescent sexually acts out with a priest and later becomes psychotic. Manic (2001) Drama A psychologist played by Don Cheadle tries to help an angry adolescent. Interesting group therapy sessions and inpatient hospital scenes with ado-
lescents who have bipolar disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, major depression, self-injurious behavior, and night terrors. Mommie Dearest (1981) Biography A film about the pathological relationship between Joan Crawford and her adopted daughter. The movie suggests that Crawford suffered from bipolar disorder.
"What are wire hangers doing in this closet? Answer me! I buy you beautiful dresses, and you treat them like they were some dishrag. You do! Three hundred dollar dress on a wire hanger!" Joan Crawford in a manic state berates her daughter in Mommie Dearest (1981)
Monsieur Ibrahim (2003) Drama Heart-warming French film about an adolescent boy raised by a critical, neglecting father; he develops a meaningful friendship with a local store-owner. My First Mister (2001) Drama Adolescent girl struggles with severe isolation, depression, self-injurious behavior, and other acting out behaviors until she befriends a 49-year-old man. The teen has a host of behavioral problems including "huffing," autoerotic asphyxiation, isolation from her family, and prostitution. My Flesh and Blood (2004) Documentary Moving story of Susan Tom, who adopted 11 special needs children and raised them on her own. One has cystic fibrosis and severe anger and oppositional behaviors directed at most people around him. Nell (1994) Drama Jodi Foster plays a feral child raised in isolation in the North Carolina woods. She is terrified of the doctor who discovers her and eventually learns her own odd language. The doctor consults an expert on child psychology. Interesting examination of Rousseau's concept of the "natural savage." Noi the Albino (2003) Drama A film about a troubled but gifted teen who strug-
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gles with conduct problems in Iceland. The movie provides a realistic evaluation of a gifted adolescent who is out of place in both school and life. Pelle the Conqueror (1986) Drama Moving film about lust, passion, dreams, aging, hope, pragmatic romance, and, most of all, the love between a father and his son. The film won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and an Academy Award as Best Foreign Film. Pieces of April (2003) Comedy Previously troubled adolescent estranged from her family tries to create a pleasant, memorable experience for her dysfunctional family's Thanksgiving dinner. Well-acted by Katie Holmes and Patricia Clarkson. Pixote (1981) Drama A powerful film about the squalid, depressing lives of street children in Sao Paulo. In the film, the child, Pixote, commits his first murder at the age of 10. Ironically, the child star actually was shot and killed by the police five years after the film was released. Ratcatcher, The (1999) Drama Young adolescent living in Glasgow has to cope with trash-covered streets, lice, and dead rats. He acts out as he tries to cope with poverty. Rebel Without a Cause (1955) Drama Dated but still interesting examination of teenage alienation, violence, and family pathology. James Dean is the rebellious protagonist. All three stars (Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo) met violent deaths (a car wreck, a drowning, and a murder).
logist treating a child who sees himself surrounded by dead people. If this child were seen at a clinic, he would probably be diagnosed with childhood schizophrenia. The film has a surprise ending and offers some insight into a troubled marriage, but it offers little to help us understand child psychopathology.
Cole Sear: "We were supposed to draw a picture, anything we wanted. I drew a man who got hurt in the neck by another man with a screwdriver." Malcolm Crowe: "You saw that on TV, Cole?" Cole Sear: "Everyone got upset. They had a meeting. Mom started crying. I don't draw like that any more." Malcolm Crowe: "How do you draw now?" Cole Sear: "Draw... people smiling, dogs running, rainbows. They don't have meetings about rainbows." A child figures out how to play the system in The Sixth Sense (1999)
Splendor in the Grass (1961) Drama A teenage girl unable to come to grips with adolescent sexuality winds up in a psychiatric hospital. Squid and the Whale, The (2005) Drama This excellent film depicts a family of four going through a divorce. The two children act out in significant ways. Thirteen (2003) Drama Important film about the rise and fall of teen friendships, sexual promiscuity, self-hate, rebellion, and the intense need adolescents fill to fit in and be accepted. Holly Hunter plays the recovered alcoholic mother struggling with the delicate balance between giving her daughter appropriate levels of freedom and setting limits. Thumbsucker (2005 ) Comedy/Drama An adolescent boy self-soothes by secretly sucking his thumb. He is unable to stop and is diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. His life is transformed after he begins treatment with stimulant medication.
"Boy, if, if I had one day when I didn't have to be all confused, and didn't have to feel that I was ashamed of everything" Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Salaam Bombay! (1988) Drama Remarkable story about the way indigent children manage to survive to adulthood on the mean streets of Bombay. Sixth Sense, The (1999) Drama Bruce Willis plays a Philadelphia child psycho
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Tin Drum, The (1979) Drama/War Political allegory about a child who decides to stop growing. Based on a Gunter Grass novel, the film won an Academy Award as Best Foreign Film. The film recently received considerable attention because a scene in which the child has oral sex with an adult was judged to be obscene under Oklahoma law.
a feral child, the "Wild Boy of Aveyron." Based on a true story and the journal of Jean Itard, the doctor who set out to educate the child. Truffaut himself plays the role of Itard. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971) Family Five lucky children win a free tour of a wonderful chocolate factory. Four of the five children (excluding the hero, Charlie) are either oppositional, obsessed, or enormously selfish. Wish You Were Here (1987) Drama A teenage girl coming of age in Great Britain in the early 1950s must come to grips with her emerging sexuality.
"She did something that in our society is unspeakable. She kissed a black man. Not an old uncle, but a strong, young Negro man. No code mattered to her before she broke it, but it came crashing down on her afterwards." To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Mental Retardation and Autism
Antonia's Line (1995) Comedy A film with unforgettable characters, including Loony Lips and Dede, two mentally challenged people who fall in love and get married. The film is a joyful celebration of life and family. Being There (1979) Comedy Peter Sellers plays the role of a gardener with mild mental retardation who finds himself caught up in a comedy of errors in which his simple platitudes are mistaken for wisdom. This film is a precursor to Forrest Gump. Best Boy (1979) Documentary Ira Wohl's moving tribute to his cousin (who has mental retardation) examines the options facing the young man when his father dies and his aging mother is no longer able to care for him. This film won an Academy Award as Best Documentary film. Best Man: "Best Boy" and All of Us Twenty Years Later (1997) Documentary A sequel to the 1979 film documenting that director Ira Wohl's cousin has a rich, full and meaningful life, despite his cognitive limitations. Bill (1981) Biography Mickey Rooney won an Emmy for playing a man with mental retardation who was forced to leave an institution after 46 years in this made-for-TV movie. Boy Who Could Fly, The (1986) Fantasy Love story about the affection that develops
To Be and To Have (2002, France) Documentary/ Drama A creative teacher finds ways to managing children with a variety of behavioral problems. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) Drama Robert Duvall makes his film debut as Boo Radley, a man with mental retardation who kills another man in order to protect two children. Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A (1945) Drama Elia Kazan film about a poor Irish family living in Brooklyn at the turn of the century. The family's problems are complicated by the father's alcoholism. United States of Leland, The (2004) Drama Interesting story about Leland P. Fitzgerald (Ryan Gosling), an adolescent who kills an autistic boy but can't explain why. His emotions are blunted, his social behavior is quirky, yet his thoughts are often insightful and perceptive. Kevin Spacey co-stars. Weather Man, The (2005) Drama A meteorologist struggles in his personal life which includes supporting his depressed daughter. Welcome to the Dollhouse (1996) Comedy Interesting examination of families, emerging sexuality, and the cruelty of adolescents. Wild Child, The (1969) Drama François Truffaut's engaging film about the life of
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between a teenage girl whose father has just committed suicide and a new neighbor who is autistic. %UHDNLQJ DQG (QWHULQJ 'UDPD A Bosnian boy robs an architect who secretly follows the young thief home and eventually becomes involved with the boy's mother. The architect and his live-in girlfriend are raising her adolescent daughter who has a pervasive developmental disorder, but the stress of caring for the child interferes with the adults' relationship. The film also depicts Seasonal Affective Disorder.
opmental disability witnesses her mother's murder by a petty thief who kidnaps the child, now a man, two decades later. Dodes'ka-den (1970) Drama Akira Kurosawa film about a boy with mental retardation living in the slums of Tokyo. This was Kurosawa's first color film. Although now regarded as a classic, this film was not well received by the public or by critics when it was released, and it's failure led to Kurosawa's attempt to commit suicide by slashing his wrists in 1971. Kurosawa died in 1998 in Tokyo. Dominick and Eugene (1988) Drama This is a coming-of-age film about two brothers. Eugene, who is finishing medical school, is the primary caregiver for his brother Dominick who has mental retardation and works as a Pittsburgh trash collector. Dominick's income supports the brothers but Eugene wants to move to California for his residency. Forrest Gump (1994) Fantasy Traces the life of Forrest Gump, who triumphs in life despite an IQ of 75 and a deformed spine. The film will make you examine your stereotypes about mental retardation.
"Why is that people who would never dream of making fun of a blind man or a cripple will make fun of a retard?" Charly wonders about the cruelty of people in Charly (1968)
Charly (1968) Drama Cliff Robertson won an Oscar for his role as man with mental retardation who is transformed into a genius, only to find himself reverting to a state of retardation. (Compare this film with Molly [1999].) Child Is Waiting, A (1963) Drama Burt Lancaster and Judy Garland star in this film about the treatment of children with mental retardation living in institutions. City of Lost Children, The (1995) Fantasy/Drama A mad scientist is aging prematurely so he tries to capture children to steal their dreams. The circus strongman named One, who has a developmental disability, teams up with a bold, bright young girl to save the children. Dangerous Woman, A (1993) Drama Debra Winger plays a woman with mild mental retardation who becomes involved with an itinerant alcoholic. Day in the Life of Joe Egg, A (1972) Comedy British black comedy that examines the issue of mercy killing. Dead Mother, The (1993, Spain) Drama/Thriller Child with characteristics of autism and a devel-
Forrest Gump: "Lieutenant Dan, what are you doing here?" Lieutenant Daniel Taylor: "I'm here to try out my sea legs." Forrest Gump: "But you ain't got no legs, Lieutenant Dan." Forrest Gump (1994)
House of Cards (1993) Drama Tommy Lee Jones is wasted in an insipid movie about a young girl who becomes autistic and withdrawn. I Am Sam (2001) Drama Sean Penn portrays a man with mild mental retardation who fights for custody rights for his daughter. Junebug (2005) Comedy/Drama An autistic painter has a minor but highly stereotypic role in an otherwise good film.
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Larry (1974) Biography Dated but still interesting film about a man discharged from a psychiatric hospital and forced to cope with the outside world. The film suggests the patient himself isn't really ill but still acts strange because he has grown up in a world where everyone acts a little odd. Mozart and the Whale (2005) Comedy/Drama Based on a true story, two people with Asperger's meet and develop a life long relationship. Molly (1999) Drama This film tries hard to be Rain Man with a female autistic character (Elisabeth Shue) but ends up being highly stereotypic, unrealistic, and unhelpful in educating the public about autism. Of Mice and Men (1992) Drama John Malkovich as Lenny, a farmhand with mental retardation. This is a wonderful film, but see the 1939 original as well.
"I know you're in there somewhere." Charlie Babbitt responds to his brother Raymond in Rain Man (1993)
Rain Man (1993) Drama Dustin Hoffman plays an autistic man who is also a savant, initially exploited by an older brother. Hoffman read widely about autism and worked with autistic people when preparing for this role. Ringer, The (2005) Comedy A man desperate for money decides to fix the Special Olympic by entering to beat the reigning champion. Silent Fall (1994) Drama A retired child psychiatrist works with a boy with autism who witnessed his parent's murder. Sling Blade (1996) Drama Billy Bob Thornton wrote the screenplay, directed the film, and played the lead in this remarkable film, which examines the life of a 37-year-old man with mental retardation who has been incarcerated in a mental hospital for the past 25 years after killing his mother and her lover. The fact that Childers winds up committing a third murder after being released perpetuates the myth that people who have mental retardation are potentially dangerous.
"He's a nice fella. Guy don't need no sense to be a nice fella." A comment on Lenny's personality in Of Mice and Men (1992)
Other Sister, The (1999) Comedy This film portrays a young woman's struggles to be an independent adult and to distance herself from an overly protective family. She is successful in her special school, enters the local community college against her father's wishes, and develops friendships. Pauline and Paulette (2000) Following the death of their older sister Martha, two sisters unwillingly become responsible for their sister Pauline who is developmentally disabled. Radio (2003) Drama Cuba Gooding Jr. plays a mentally challenged man who when given a chance by the coach (Ed Harris) of the local football team, inspires and influences many lives. With regard to the portrayal of disabilities, the pros outweigh the cons in this heartwarming, true story.
"I reckon I got no reason to kill no one. Uh, huh." Karl Childers in Sling Blade (1996)
Snow Cake (2006) Drama Sigourney Weaver portrays a woman with high functioning autism. This film received an "honorable mention" at the Voice Awards. There's Something About Mary (1998) Comedy Ted (Ben Stiller) tries to track down and rekindle love with Mary (Cameron Diaz). Mary has a brother with a developmental disability who plays a significant role in the story.
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Tim (1979) Drama In this Australian film, an older woman has an affair with a man with mild mental retardation. Unforgotten: 25 Years After Willowbrook (1996) Documentary Geraldo Rivera follows up on the original Willowbrook State School expose and contrasts the grim reality of institutional life with the current success of some survivors, including Bernard Carabello, a man abandoned by his parents at age three because he had cerebral palsy, who spent 18 years at Willowbrook. Village, The (2004) Drama/Suspense Director M. Night Shyamalan's latest "surprisegenre" film about a village surrounded by forest containing the highly feared "those we don't speak of." Adrian Brody's character is a purposefully stereotypic portrayal of a developmental disability--the "village idiot." The least powerful of Shyamalan's four films. What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993) Drama Johnny Depp stars in this interesting portrayal of the dynamics of a rural Iowa family and small town America. Depp's life revolves around the care of his brother (who has mental retardation) and his morbidly obese mother.
it's no good meeting the right person too soon or too late." Behind the Red Door (2001) Drama Keifer Sutherland plays a man dying of AIDS who exhibits explosive anger. Best Little Girl in the World, The (1981) Drama Good made-for-television movie in which a psychiatrist treats a girl who is suffering from anorexia nervosa. Best in Show (2000) Comedy A couple entering their beloved dog in a competitive dog show continuously fight, and their fights escalate in response to the tension and anxiety associated with the show. They later cure themselves of their "adjustment" problem by blaming their dog for being self-deprecating and purchasing a new dog who does not mind watching them have sex. Bookies (2003) Drama Three college roommates, obsessed with gambling, secretly launch a "bookie" operation. California Split (1974) Comedy Robert Altman movie starring George Segal and Elliott Gould as two compulsive gamblers. Not as strong a film as The Gambler. Casino (1995) Drama Martin Scorsese film explores the mafia's relationship to Las Vegas and gives an inside look at casinos and some gambling addiction. A strong cast includes Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone, and James Woods. Center Stage (2000) Drama A woman fights her way to the top role as a dancer and performs well despite encouragement to drop out. One dancer has bulimia and the portrayal is accurate and well-done; however, the film is clichéd and predictable. Control (2003, Hungary) Crime/Mystery/Comedy Themes of good vs. evil come to life in this farcical film depicting a variety of odd characters interacting in the vast, underground Budapest subway system. One character has narcolepsy. Cooler, The (2003) Drama Unlucky, depressed man (William H. Macy) walks
Sleep, Eating, Impulse Control, and Adjustment Disorders
12 Monkeys (1995) Science Fiction/Suspense Terry Gilliam film about a time traveler (Bruce Willis) trying to save the world from a deadly plague. Brad Pitt co-stars as a character with paranoid schizophrenia. At times, the film seems to take on a cinematic representation of a nightmare. 21 (2008) Drama A young man is accepted into Harvard medical school but in order to afford the tuition joins a group of card counters led by their teacher. Kevin Spacey plays the ringleader. 2046 (2004, China/Hong Kong) Fantasy/Drama One character has a compulsive gambling problem in this film that blends present and future; the movie is directed by War Kar Wai, who films without a script. "Love is all a matter of timing
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around the casino as "the cooler" carrying bad luck to successful gamblers by appearing near their gambling tables. He is paying off his own enormous gambling debts and appears to have given up the behavior. Deuce Bigalo, Male Gigolo (1999) Comedy Rob Schneider takes a job as a male escort--one of his "calls" is for a woman with Tourette's Disorder and the other is a woman with narcolepsy. The latter falls asleep in the middle of her bowling stride. Dinner Rush (2001) Drama/Comedy In New York City sits an upscale restaurant frequented by high brow customers, self-centered art critics, hoodlums from Queens, and casual customers. One of the cooks has a gambling problem. Elling (2001) Drama Norwegian film about two men released from a psychiatric hospital who must prove themselves capable of coping with everyday life. One man suffers from intermittent anger episodes. Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Film. Fever Pitch (2005) Comedy Jimmy Fallon's character has an obsession with the Boston Red Sox and struggles to adjust to a new relationship that impacts his passion. [American remake of the 1997 UK film of the same title, based on the Nick Hornby novel, in which the main character's (Colin Firth) obsession is with the Arsenal soccer team.] Gambler, The (1974) Drama James Caan plays a university professor of literature who can't control his compulsive gambling. One of the best film portrayals of pathological gambling. Godsend (2004) Suspense/Thriller Highly disappointing film starring Robert DeNiro as a genetics researcher cloning human beings. He clones a child who begins to experience night terrors, hallucinations, delusions, and murderous behavior. Good Thief, The (2002) Drama Nick Nolte plays a junkie gambler. Happy-Go-Lucky (2008, UK) Comedy Poppy, an optimistic realist, interacts with a driver education instructor with intermittent explosive disorder in this Mike Leigh film.
House of Games (1987) Drama A psychiatrist specializes in the treatment of gambling addiction. Fascinating introduction to the world of the con. Hulk (2003) Action/Drama Ang Lee converts the famous "Incredible Hulk" comic series to film and in doing so creates a wonderful representation of anger and intermittent explosiveness. Insomnia (2002) Drama/Mystery Al Pacino stars as Will Dormer, a cop tracking down a minor writer (Robin Williams) in a murder investigation. Dormer deteriorates with insomnia as he battles guilt, stress, and an Alaskan envi ronment where the sun doesn't set. Directed by Christopher Nolan.
"Guess I'm a little cranky, lack of sleep, ya know." Insomnia (2002)
I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With (2007) Comedy Portrayal of binge-eating disorder, the challenges of keeping a diet, and Overeaters Anonymous support group meetings. Klepto (2003) Drama/Comedy Rare film in which the struggles associated with kleptomania are depicted. Last Kiss, The (2006) Drama Cautionary tale, particularly for those around age 30 about midlife issues, falling in love, rites of passage, fear of commitment, and the importance of honesty. The film also portrays adjustment disorder. Life is Sweet (1990) Drama Mike Leigh film about a dysfunctional British family. One of the twin girls binges and purges on chocolate bars. Lost in Translation (2003) Drama Two Americans (Bill Murray and Scarlett Johans son) "stuck" in Japan find solace, excitement, and friendship in one another. Both characters suffer with severe insomnia symptoms.
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Machinist, The (2004, Spain) Mystery/Drama Christian Bale lost 80 pounds to play the gaunt Trevor Reznik who suffers from severe insomnia that causes what appear to be symptoms of psychosis (one year later Bale gained the weight back to play the muscular Batman in Batman Begins).
get-together between four people. They discuss religion, God, faith, ghosts, affairs, and sex. The character Melvin probably has an adjustment disorder. Mortal Transfer (2001) Mystery/Drama French film depicting one of a psychoanalyst's patients undergoing psychoanalysis and struggling with her kleptomania. Mother Ghost (2002) Drama A man (Mark Thompson) begins to have sig nificant adjustment problems after his mother's death (she died a year ago) resulting in marital conflict, increased alcohol use, and other per sonal problems. Interesting interaction and therapy with a radio psychologist (Kevin Pollack) on the air. My Own Private Idaho (1991) Drama River Phoenix stars as a young male prostitute who has narcolepsy. He is befriended by Keanu Reeves, and the two leave Portland and travel together. Interesting presentations of dreams that occur during narcoleptic episodes. Oscar and Lucinda (1997) Drama/Romance Pathological gambling and anxiety disorders are well-depicted in this film set in mid-1800s England, starring Ralph Fiennes and Cate Blanchett Owning Mahowny (2003) Drama Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of today's finest character actors, plays a pathological gambler. Great portrayal of the addictive cycle and elements of denial, deterioration, and self-destruction. The film is based on a true story. Popeye (1980) Drama The archetypal Bluto, a character with an intermittent explosive disorder, is foiled by the heroic Popeye, played by Robin Williams. Primo Amore (2004, Italy) Drama/Romance A goldsmith falls for an art-school model and becomes obsessed with controlling her diet and appearance. This film provides an interesting examination of eating disorders, and it can be viewed as a metaphorical commentary on society`s beliefs about the female body. Punch Drunk Love (2002) Drama/Comedy Adam Sandler in a serious role about a man who alternates from an awkward passivity to explosive anger. Falling in love changes him. Quirky cine-
"I'll be rejected if I meet a good person." Lyle, defending his façade of anger in Manic (2003)
Manic (2003) Drama/Action Adolescent inpatient unit has patients with in termittent explosive disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, self-injurious behavior, and night terrors. Marnie (1964) Thriller/Romance Hitchcock film about a sexually frigid kleptomaniac who dominates her new husband. As in other Hitchcock films, the protagonist's problems are found to be rooted in childhood trauma. Watch for the use of a word association test. Matrix Reloaded, The (2003) Action Keanu Reeves is Neo in this first sequel of the daring Trilogy by the Wachowski Brothers. Neo suffers from insomnia though on a more important level, his insomnia functions as a metaphor for being "awake" and "alive." He also experiences nightmares and frequently worries at night about decisions he needs to make the next day. Maverick (1994) Western/Drama Mel Gibson and Jodi Foster star as charming gamblers and cons in a game of high stakes poker. Maxed Out (2006) Documentary Interesting statistics and depiction of the struggles and realities of American credit card debt. The film depicts the consequences of "spending" addictions and impulse control disorders. Meet Bill (2007) Comedy/Drama Aaron Eckhart portrays a man whose depression worsens when he discovers his wife is having an affair. Melvin Goes to Dinner (2003) Comedy Interesting dialogue film about an unplanned
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matic elements are added by director Paul Thomas Anderson. Pushing Tin (1999) Drama/Comedy John Cusack portrays an air traffic controller with Adult-ADD Rat Race (2001) Comedy Several characters travel long distances in a competition for monetary reward. One character, played by Rowan Atkinson, has narcolepsy. Return to Oz (1985) Adventure/Family A follow up to the classic story, this film depicts Dorothy returning for more adventures in Oz after evading ECT and "dangerous psychiatric treatment" and struggling with a sleep disorder. Rounders (1998) Drama Matt Damon stars as a poker player who has gambled away his life savings to a Russian mobster, gives up gambling, and is lured back into the game by his friend (Edward Norton). Seabiscuit (2003) Drama Tobey Maguire plays a disc jockey with bulimic symptoms in order to keep his weight down and compete in horse-racing championships. Bulimic symptoms are fairly common among jockeys, though this is not an emphasis in the film. Secondhand Lions (2003) Family A young adolescent (Haley Joel Osment) is forced to live with his two rich uncles (Robert Duvall and Michael Caine), one of whom often sleepwalks. Secret Lives of Dentists, The (2002) Drama A married couple, both dentists, is unable to adjust to both living and working together. One begins an affair while the other stews in anger. Story of Us, The (1999) Comedy/Drama Bruce Willis and Michelle Pfeiffer star as a couple on the brink of separation after 15 years of marriage. Directed by Rob Reiner. Tennis, Anyone...? (2005) Comedy Two small time actors cope with life and find meaning despite the significant stressors in their lives. Thin (2006) Documentary Four women with anorexia or bulimia allow their treatment experiences the struggles, progress, relapse, and symptoms to be documented on film.
To Live (1994) Drama This epic film by Zhang Yimou follows a Chinese family through tragic and wonderful times. One of the early struggles of the lead character, Fugui, is gambling, he loses his family home and his fortune gambling with dice. Two for the Money (2005) Drama A young, savvy, football game predictor (Matthew McConaughey) gets hired by a pathological gambler (Al Pacino) to work in a fast-paced business as a gambler's advisor to gamblers betting on football games. Based on a true story. Upside of Anger, The (2005) Comedy/Drama Joan Allen portrays a woman with an adjustment disorder who discovers her husband has gone off to Sweden with another woman leaving his home and family. She befriends a jovial alcoholic to cope with her anger and the family disruption. Waking Life (2001) Drama/Animation This unique, creative film follows a character searching for answers to life's most important questions in a world that seems surreal and dreamlike. The film is a surrealistic blend of animation and drama with a heavy philosophical and existential bent. The film questions whether we are sleepwalking through our days and our lives, and whether we are more awake when we interact with others or when we dream. Wrong Man, The (1956) Drama/Crime Hitchcock film in which a man and his wife (Henry Fonda and Vera Miles) become depressed in response to an unjust accusation of murder.
Violence and Physical and Sexual Abuse
2LDK (2002) Drama/Action A little known but striking independent film about two girls rooming together temporarily as they compete in an acting audition. A simple argument turns into an outrageously violent battle between the two roommates. The methods of violence are unique and extraordinary, despite being contained in one apartment. 3-Iron (2004, South Korea) A man breaks into houses when people are away for vacation and engages in mundane activities
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while living there temporarily. He encounters a mute woman who is the victim of domestic violence and they continue his activities together. 5 x 2 (2004, France) Drama Five stages of a couple's romance are portrayed backwards from their divorce; the film depicts conflict, rape, emotional stonewalling, poor decisionsmaking, and relationship neglect. 8 Mile (2002) Drama Director Curtis Hanson depicts the struggles, racism, and abuse of rapper, Eminem. "8 mile" is a road in Detroit that represents several cinematic themes: it is the borderline and boundary between black and white, city and suburbia, and the authentic and non-authentic. 300 (2006) Action/History Leonidas, the fearless leader of Sparta, leads 300 men against the vast Persian army of well over 100,000 in the infamous 480 B.C. Battle of Thermopylae. Accused, The (1988) Drama Jodi Foster won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as a woman who is gang raped in a bar. Her character chooses to prosecute for rape rather than aggravated assault; and the film examines the legal relevance of lifestyle (alcohol, drugs, and promiscuity) to the event and the complicity of bystanders. Based on a true story. Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003) Documentary Nick Broomfield directed this documentary about serial killer Aileen Carol Wuornos, a highway prostitute who was executed in Florida in 2002 for killing seven men. The film includes the film maker's testimony at Wuornos' trial. (See also Monster.) Air I Breathe, The (2007) Crime/Drama Violent, action-filled gangster movie that takes interesting themes happiness, pleasure, sorrow, and love yet falls short in delivering something meaningful. American History X (1998) Drama/Suspense Edward Norton plays a former skinhead who has decided to leave gang-life but must also convince his younger brother. American Psycho (1999) Drama/Suspense Christian Bale plays Patrick Bateman, a narcissis-
tic Wall Street executive, who emphasizes excess and style over substance in everything from business cards and facial cleansers to restaurant selection and conversation. He also has a pathologically violent mind. Amores Perros (2000) Action/Suspense Mexican film with a non-linear plot with various hit men, murderers, and other perpetrators of highly graphic violence. Abuse and senseless killing of humans and animals are depicted. Anatomy of a Murder (1959) Drama Classic courtroom drama in which Jimmy Stewart plays a prosecuting attorney in a case involving rape and promiscuity. The film presents an interesting analysis of the "irresistible impulse" defense. Antonia's Line (1995) Comedy Remarkable film about the resiliency of the human spirit, the power of love, and the importance of families. It is included here because of its treatment of a rapist, but also because of its treatment of people with mental retardation, the suicide of a major character, the film's open acceptance of sexual differences, and its healthy attitudes about aging and death.
"Every man has got a breaking point. You and I have. Walter Kurtz has reached his. And, very obviously, he has gone insane." An Army general tries to describe the aberrant behavior of Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now (1979)
Apocalypse Now (1979) War Francis Ford Coppola produced and directed this classic war film, which stars Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, and Martin Sheen. The film is loosely based on Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness and was designed to drive home the madness of war, as well as its folly. Perhaps the best-known line in the film is "I love the smell of Napalm in the morning." Apocalypto (2006) Thriller/Drama Exceedingly violent Mel Gibson film depicting the collapse of the Mayan civilization.
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Babel (2006) Drama Stories from a variety of cultures (Morocco, Mexico, Japan) interweave around themes of communication and the tragic consequences of violence and miscommunication. Bad Lieutenant (1992) Drama Cocaine-addicted, alcoholic police officer who abuses his position and his family reexamines his life and values after investigating the case of a nun who refuses to identify the man who has raped her. Badlands (1973) Crime/Drama Film based on a true story about a sociopathic young man who takes up with a 15-year-old girl and goes on a killing spree. The film effectively portrays the lack of guilt and remorse that in part defines the antisocial personality. Blood Diamond (2006) Action/Drama Leonardo DiCaprio portrays a rough, mercenary, diamond smuggler who grapples with an American journalist (Jennifer Connelly) and must decide between money and assisting a fisherman (Djimon Hounsou) whose child has been kidnapped and turned into a terrorist. The film is a wake-up call on the topic of conflict diamonds.
in a film that attempts to portray the inner life of a serial killer.
"I ain't much of a lover boy. But that don't mean nothin' personal about you. I never saw no percentage in it. Ain't nothin' wrong with me. I don't like boys..." Clyde Barrow to Bonnie Parker in Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Bridge on the River Kwai, The (1957) Drama Alec Guinness plays an Academy Award-winning role as a British colonel who becomes so obsessed with building a bridge that he loses sight of his loyalty and allegiance to the allied forces.
"Do not speak to me of rules. This is war. This is not a game of cricket. He's mad, your Colonel. Quite mad." The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
"He kidnapped them to control her, to make her do things. Then she wanted to commit suicide so he started cutting off ears as a warning to her to stay alive. I'm not kidding. Frank loved blue. Blue velvet." Blue Velvet (1986)
Cape Fear (1991) Thriller Interesting Scorsese remake of a 1962 classic. This version includes Nick Nolte playing a sleazy attorney and Robert De Niro is a sociopathic ex-con out to get revenge by hurting Nolte and his family and seducing his teenage daughter. Casualties of War (1989) Drama Sean Penn leads a group of five soldiers who kidnap and rape a Vietnamese girl and subsequently kill her. Michael J. Fox subsequently shows the moral courage to confront the four rapists and murderers. Based on a true story. Celebration, The (1998, Denmark/Sweden) Drama A man confronts his sexually abusive father during a family gathering celebrating his father's 60th birthday. Film attempts to depict a realistic approach to abuse confrontation and its effect on a family. City of God (2003) Drama Painfully sobering and graphic look at violence
Blue Velvet (1986) Mystery A powerful and engrossing film about drugs, sexual violence, and sadomasochism. Dennis Hopper plays Frank Booth, a sociopathic and sadistic drug addict who appears to be evil personified. Bonnie and Clyde (1967) Crime " Perhaps the best of its genre, this landmark film examines the lives of five of the most fascinating characters in the history of crime. Boston Strangler, The (1968) Crime Tony Curtis, George Kennedy, and Henry Fonda
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associated with child and adolescent gang-life, drug trafficking, and poverty in a section of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Depiction of young children and adolescents walking around with no fear, guns, and only revenge on their minds. Clockwork Orange, A (1971) Science Fiction Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece about "ultraviolence," stereotypes, Beethoven, pathological youth, the future of society, the evils of aversion therapy, good vs. evil, the rehabilitation of prisoners, and free will vs. determinism is regarded by many film experts as one of the greatest films ever made. Cold Mountain (2003) Drama/Romance Amidst a dramatic love story (between characters played by Jude Law and Nicole Kidman) is a lot of antisocial behavior, violence, immoral behavior, attempted rape, and senseless tortures and killings. Compulsion (1959) Crime Two homosexual law students kidnap and kill a young boy. Based on the Leopold-Loeb case, the film examines the morality of capital punishment and features Orson Wells in the role played by Clarence Darrow in the actual case. Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, The (1989) Drama Peter Greenaway film far too complex to capture in a sentence or two. Full of psychopathology, the film deals with passion, deceit, gluttony, murder, cannibalism, and man's inhumanity to man. Copycat (1995) Drama Sigourney Weaver plays a forensic psychologist trying to understand the psyche of a serial killer who models his murders after those committed by infamous murderers, such as Son of Sam and the Boston Strangler. Crash (2004) Drama Director Paul Haggis blends several stories in this eclectic mix of races and ethnicities in Los Angeles that takes a meaningful look at racism, discrimination, corruption, and the possibility of redemption. Das Experiment (2001) Drama/Suspense Depiction of psychological research experiment in a prison setting where subjects are divided into prisoners who waive their civil rights and guards who are to maintain peace and order. While this film bears some initial structural similarity to the
famous Zimbardo Prison Experiment, it in no way portrays it accurately as the film's violence goes well beyond actual events.
"They got me on a greased rail to the Death House here." Dead Man Walking (1995)
Dead Man Walking (1995) Drama Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn star in this dramatic examination of a nun's need to understand and help a man sentenced to die for the rape and murder of two teenagers. The film skillfully examines the death penalty, family dynamics, themes of redemption, and the mitigating role of drugs without ever providing easy answers. Sarandon won an Academy Award for her performance in this film. Deliberate Stranger, The (1986) Drama Made-for-TV movie about serial killer Ted Bundy.
"Lewis, don't play games with these people." Deliverance (1972)
Deliverance (1972) Adventure Jon Voight, Ned Beatty, and Burt Reynolds on a white water rafting trip in Appalachia. Beatty winds up being sodomized, and Reynolds kills the rapist, using a bow and arrow. Based on a James Dickey novel, the film raises interesting questions about personal responsibility and social justice. Disclosure (1994) Drama A less-than-illuminating film about reverse sexual discrimination. Stars include Demi Moore and Michael Douglas; based on a novel by Michael Crichton. Dog Day Afternoon (1975) Crime Al Pacino holds up a bank to get enough money to fund a sex-change operation for his homosexual lover. Good illustration of a basically good person caught up in an stressful situation.
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Domino (2005) Action A tough, rebellious, female bounty hunter tries to fight fair. Don't Tell (2005, Italy/UK/France/Spain) Drama A young adult woman realizes she has repressed nearly all of her childhood, and following the death of her parents, begins to have nightmares of her father sexually abusing her as a young girl. She consults with her brother to put the pieces together. Down and Dirty (1976) Drama An interesting examination of the effects of poverty, squalor, and alcoholism on an Italian family. Dressed to Kill (1980) Thriller The film confuses transsexualism and schizophrenia but offers good suspense. Mimics Hitchcock. Eastern Promises (2007) Thriller/Drama David Cronenberg film about Russian gangsters. The film features an unforgettable, intense battle scene in steam room. Elephant (2003) Drama Well-crafted, foreboding, eerie Gus van Sant film that attempts to explain a tragic school shooting. Powerful parallels with Columbine. Winner of the Palm award at Cannes for Best Picture and Director. End of Violence, The (1997) Drama/Suspense Bill Pullman plays an action/violence film director who is almost murdered so he hides out from society and starts a new life. While his character both promotes and greatly fears violence, a secret government worker (Gabriel Byrne) tries to prevent violence by watching over the city with thousands of cameras. Executioner's Song, The (1982) Made for TV Drama Tommy Lee Jones plays serial killer Gary Gilmore. Based on a story by Norman Mailer. Extremities (1986) Drama Farrah Fawcett plays a victimized woman who gets revenge on the man who rapes her. Fight Club (1999) Drama/Suspense A disillusioned, insomniac (Edward Norton) meets a dangerous, malcontent part of himself in the character of Brad Pitt. Norton then establishes
"fight clubs" where men can violently release their aggressions by fighting one another.
"The great war is a spiritual war; the great depression is our lives." Fight Club (1999)
Freedomland (2006) Mystery/Drama Julianne Moore portrays a neglectful mother; her character stands in marked contrast to Samuel L. Jackson's character who is attempting to redeem himself by caring for his adult son who is in prison. Gangs of New York (2002) Crime/Drama Martin Scorsese film about the revenge perpetrated upon a gang kingpin named Bill "the Butcher" Cutting (Daniel Day-Lewis). Godfather, The (1972), The Godfather, Part II (1974), and The Godfather, Part III (1990) Drama The three-part gangster trilogy, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, examines violence, corruption, and crime in America.
"We'll make him an offer he can't refuse." The Godfather (1972)
Gone Baby Gone (2007) Crime/Drama An interesting and complex film, and Ben Affleck's directorial debut. The film is about a young girl who has been neglected by her drug-dependent mother and has gone missing. The movie raises fascinating questions about how to raise children and the role of society. Grindhouse: Death Proof (2007) and Grindhouse: Planet Terror (2007) Thriller Two feature lengths films often shown together that pay homage to gory exploitation films. Both feature significant violence the first involves a gang of women who face off with a murderous racecar driver and the second features an army of flesh-eating zombies. Not surprisingly, the Tarantino-directed film (the first one) is more
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engaging and interesting than the second one (directed by Robert Rodriguez). Halloween I-V and H2O (1978, 1981, 1982, 1988, 1989, 1998) Horror Infamous mass murderer depicted as an escaped mental patient and a deranged toy maker. These films have contributed significantly to the negative stereotypes of mental illness. Hand That Rocks the Cradle, The (1992) Thriller/Drama Sociopathic woman seeks revenge for the suicide of her husband by moving in and taking over the family of the woman she holds responsible for her husband's death. Predictable performances, but still an engrossing film. Heavenly Creatures (1994) Drama A New Zealand film directed by Peter Jackson and based on the true story of two adolescent girls who grow up sharing a fantasy world. When the mother of one of the girls decides to separate the children, they murder her. One of the girls, Ann Perry, now lives in England and writes mystery novels. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1990) Crime/ Horror A violent, controversial film about mass murderer and sociopath Henry Lee Lucas. A scene in which Lucas and his roommate videotape one of their murders is especially unnerving.
true story of a couple who lured, exploited, and then killed lonely women. Both the man and the woman were executed at Sing-Sing Prison. Hotel Rwanda (2004) Drama/Documentary Depicts the genocide of the Hutus upon the Tutsis in Rwanda and the courageous efforts of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who saved over 1200 refugees. The film illustrates courage and persistence; also it also shows how one ordinary man can be extraordinary and triumph over evil. House of 1000 Corpses (2003) Horror Musician Rob Zombie directed this film about a family of eerie serial killers that contains some comic relief. I Spit on Your Grave (1980) Horror A terrible film in which a woman systematically gets revenge on the four men who raped her.
"They all felt physically inferior or sexually inadequate. Their childhood was violent... They couldn't distinguish between fantasy and reality. They didn't hate their victims, they didn't even know them." A doctor describes serial killers in In Cold Blood (1967)
"She'd make me watch it... She'd beat me when I wouldn't watch her... She'd make me wear a dress and they would laugh." Henry Lee Lucas describing abuse by his prostitute mother in Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1990)
In Cold Blood (1967) Biography/Crime This film is based on a Truman Capote biographical novel about two sociopaths who kill a Kansas family. The film explores the family dynamics that in part lead to the senseless murders.
History of Violence, A (2005) Drama/Mystery David Cronenberg film about a quiet, unassuming family man who springs to action when the workers and customers of his café are threatened by thugs. His fighting prowess causes his family to question his past and who he really is. Honeymoon Killers, The (1970) Crime A very realistic black-and-white film based on the
"I've kept you alive for two reasons. First reason is information... But I am gonna ask you questions and every time you don't give me answers, I'm gonna cut something off. And I promise you they will be things you will miss!" The Bride in Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003)
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Kill Bill: Vol. 1 (2003) Action/Suspense Dynamic Tarantino story of a samurai bride (Uma Thurmond) betrayed by her ex-lover and boss. This first film sets up the mythology and the world of the characters. It has more extensive graphic violence than Vol. 2 and an "eastern" martial arts emphasis. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004) Action/Suspense Tarantino's conclusion to the revenge story of The Bride. This part emphasizes the unfolding of the stories and further deepening of characters amongst a more "western" style.
nuns who run the home with abuse, neglect, and humiliation. The film follows four girls in particular as they experience and respond differently to the highly abusive situation. Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004) Documentary Inside look at the heavy metal band, Metallica, and their personal and interpersonal struggles. The handling of anger is a key theme in the film. The honest expression of emotions by these "stars" is likely to have a positive impact on many fans. Midnight Express (1978) Biography True story about an American college student who is busted for trying to smuggle two kilograms of hashish out of Turkey and is treated brutally in Turkish prisons before eventually escaping. Monster (2003) Drama A powerful film based on the life of Aileen Carol Wuornos, a highway prostitute who was executed for killing seven men in the state of Florida during the 1980s. (See also Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer.) Murder in the First (1995) Drama A man imprisoned in Alcatraz for petty theft in the 1930s is put in solitary confinement for three years, becomes deranged, and then kills a guard. The film suggests the system is to blame for the crime. Based on a true story. Mysterious Skin (2004) Drama Two boys are sexually molested by their coach and their lives go in completely different directions. Intense, realistic portrayal of the ways sexual abuse affects children when they become adolescents and adults.
"I'm a killer. I'm a murdering bastard and there are consequences for breaking the heart of a murdering bastard" Bill in Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004)
Killing Fields, The (1984) Drama Gripping film about the horrors of war and the particularly gruesome and cruel practices of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia following the evacuation of American soldiers from Vietnam in 1975. Lilja 4-Ever (2002) Drama A powerful depiction of the cruelty of violence. An adolescent girl experiences neglect, abandonment, rejection, physical and sexual abuse, gang rape, exploi tation, and forced prostitution, all by the age of 16. Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) Drama Diane Keaton plays a special education teacher with a compulsive need to pick up men in bars and engage in sadomasochistic sex. There are numerous examples of family pathology in the film, and it is interesting to remember how casual sexuality was in a time before AIDS. M (1931) Crime/Drama/Horror A must-see Fritz Lang film (his first "talkie") starring Peter Lorre as a sexual psychopath who molests and murders little girls. When tried by a vigilante jury, he pleads irresistible impulse, but the jury is not impressed. Magdalene Sisters, The (2002) Docudrama Troubled adolescent girls are sent to a dehumanizing, boarding home where they are treated by
"Insane, no. Psychotic, yes. A menace to living creatures, yes. But to suggest that they're insane gives the impression that they don't know right from wrong. Mickey and Mallory know the difference between right and wrong. They just don't give a damn." A psychiatric opinion in Natural Born Killers (1994)
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Natural Born Killers (1994) Crime/Drama A violent Oliver Stone film based on a story written by Quentin Tarantino and starring Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis. The film depicts a couple who celebrate their roles as mass murderers and find their new status as cult figures a welcome reprieve from the dreariness of the life they left behind. Night Porter, The (1974) Drama/War A former Nazi officer who sexually abused a 14-year-old girl in a concentration camp has the tables turned on him when she shows up at the hotel in which he works. This is one of several films linking Nazi practices with sadomasochistic sex. No Man's Land (2001) Drama/Suspense A Bosnian escapes a firing attack and finds himself in "No Man's Land" between enemy lines. A Serb goes to ensure there were no survivors and finds himself in a standoff with the Bosnian. Another Bosnian survivor, barely alive, awakes on top of a land mine that will explode if he rises. Heated debates, murder attempts, threats, desperation, and hopelessness characterize each of the three men. North Country (2005) Drama Charlize Theron transforms herself again (following up her role as a serial killer in Monster), this time to play a woman who goes to great lengths to support her children by working in a blue-collar mine where she experiences significant sexual harassment.
Osama (2003, Afghanistan) Drama Based on a true story of the heavy discrimination, abuse, and oppression of women under Taliban rule. Passion of the Christ, The (2004) Drama/Biography Mel Gibson film depicting the violent torture and suffering of the final hours of Jesus Christ. This highly controversial film is intensely graphic and visual in its portrayal of violence. It is interesting to note that it is Mel Gibson's hand that nails Jesus to the cross. Peeping Tom (1960) Thriller Controversial film about a psychopathic murderer who photographs his victims as they die. Personal Velocity (2002) Drama Independent film about three strong women divided into three segments. One segment addresses issues of domestic violence.
"She imagined going back to him like she had done so many times before but this time her body wouldn't follow." Narration on the escape from an abusive husband in Personal Velocity (2002)
"It's the same old story. I've got to learn to keep my mouth shut." Beth blaming herself for the beating she has received from her husband in Once Were Warriors (1994)
Play Misty for Me (1971) Thriller The first film directed by Clint Eastwood. A California disc jockey becomes involved with a listener who is clinging, dependent, fanatical, and ultimately homicidal. Interesting portrayal of sexual obsession. Prick Up Your Ears (1987) Biography A film showing the homosexual relationship and eventual murder/suicide of playwright Joe Orton and his lover. Rampage (1992) Thriller This movie, directed by William Friedkin, challenges many of the assumptions educated people are likely to hold about the insanity defense. Rashomon (1950) Drama Classic Akira Kurosawa film in which a rape-murder is described from four different perspectives by
Once Were Warriors (1994) Drama Important New Zealand film about substance abuse and domestic violence among urban Maori tribes people. The film will help you understand a different culture, as well as the ways in which alcoholism interacts with spousal and child abuse in almost every society.
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the four people involved. The film makes the point that reality is subjective and that truth, like beauty, is truly in the eye of the beholder. Rendition (2007) Drama/Thriller An Egyptian man traveling in South Africa at a conference is detained without due process. The film addresses "extraordinary rendition" detaining suspected terrorists and interrogating them on foreign soil without judicial process and depicts torture (e.g., water-boarding), brainwashing/training of suicide bombers, and the various realities politicians face. Reservoir Dogs (1992) Drama Extremely violent but powerful Tarantino film with a graphic and realistic torture scene in which a sociopathic sadist derives great pleasure from using a razor to slowly torment a bound and gagged undercover police officer.
and incest. Roger Ebert called this film "a collision between Freud and Fellini." Saving Private Ryan (1998) War/Action Steven Spielberg World War II film regarded by some as the most realistic and powerful war film ever made. Series 7: The Contenders (2001) Suspense/ Comedy Highly violent, tongue-in-cheek film about a reality television show where the contestants must seek out and kill one another. Seven (1995) Drama Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt star in this engrossing film about a serial killer (Kevin Spacey) who is obsessed with the seven deadly sins (pride, envy, gluttony, lust, anger, covetousness, and sloth) and who kills his victims accordingly (e.g., a man who is gluttonous is forced to eat until he dies from overeating). Seven Beauties (1976) Comedy/Drama Lina Wertmuller film in which the protagonist (the brother of the seven sisters alluded to in the title) must perform degrading sexual acts for the female commandant of a German prison camp to survive the war. Shelter Island (2003) Drama/Suspense A lesbian couple goes to get away at an island house to relax. A stranger (Stephen Baldwin) appears on their doorstep during a storm and things are not what they seem. Simplistic psychology that is not well-applied or developed. Sin City (2005) Action/Noir Stylized graphic violence tempered by computerized graphics, based on Frank Miller's comic books, with an all-star cast. Sleepers (1996) Drama Guards at a reform school physically and sexually abuse young boys. After the boys grow up, they avenge their abuse and attempt to manipulate the courts to avoid sentencing. Many stellar actors including Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Brad Pitt, and Kevin Bacon. Slumdog Millionaire (2008) Drama The Academy Award winning rags to riches story about a young man's destiny that intersperses his performance on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" with flashbacks showing significant life experiences
"Now I'm not gonna bullshit you. I don't really care about what you know or don't know. I'm gonna torture you for a while regardless. Not to get information, but because torturing a cop amuses me. There's nothing you can say, there's nothing you can do. Except pray for death." The sadistic Mr. Blonde in Reservoir Dogs (1992)
River's Edge (1986) Drama A riveting film based on a true-life incident in which a young man kills his girlfriend and then shows the decomposing body to a series of friends. It takes days before one of his friends finally notifies authorities about the murder. Rope (1948) Experimental Hitchcock film about two young homosexual men who kill a friend for sport and then hide the body in a room in which they are hosting a cocktail party. Based on the LeopoldLoeb case. Santa Sangre (1989) Horror A controversial but unquestionably powerful Jodorowsky film about a boy growing up in bizarre circumstances. There are strong themes of violence
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that include poverty, abuse, and torture. The film is a classic underdog story with poignant themes of persistence, integrity/honesty, and self-confidence. South Central (1992) Action/Suspense A man is released from prison and tries to lead a "clean," gang-free life. Stone Boy, The (1984) Drama Robert Duvall and Glenn Close star in this slowmoving but intelligent film about a young man who accidentally shoots his brother and the effect the shooting has on the entire family. Straw Dogs (1971) Crime Provocative and violent Sam Peckinpah film, with Dustin Hoffman as a peace-loving mathematician who resorts to violence after his wife is raped. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) Musical/Thriller Extensive violence tuned to music and dance in Tim Burton's story of revenge starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. Tattoo (1981) Drama Mentally ill tattoo artist kidnaps a model and uses her body as a canvas for his art. This is the type of movie that perpetuates stigma and prejudice about mental illness. Thelma and Louise (1991) Drama/Comedy Two women friends on the road for a weekend lark wind up fleeing from the law and end their lives in a defiant suicidal act. Powerful feminist film. There Will Be Blood (2007) Drama/Thriller Daniel Day-Lewis portrays a charismatic, ruthless oil prospector in this story of greed, religion, and family. Time to Kill, A (1996) Drama Samuel Jackson plays an angry father who murders two white men who have raped his daughter. The film explores themes of racial and social injustice, temporary insanity, and justifiable homicide. Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The (1948) Drama Tremendous John Huston film starring Humphrey Bogart. The movie explores obsessive greed, the folly of avarice, and the ways in which love of money can come to be the dominant force in one's life. Bogart's character is an example of a paranoid personality disorder.
"Badges? We ain't got no badges! We don't need no badges. I don't have to show you any stinkin' badges!" The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
Triumph of the Spirit (1989) Biography Story of Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. Good introduction to the horrors and stress of concentration camp life. Twist of Faith (2004) Documentary A firefighter faces the trauma of childhood sexual abuse by a priest, speaking to the shame, horror, anger, and dissociation that occurs. He discusses the significant impact of abuse on his life. Two Women (1961) War/Drama This Vittorio de Sica film starring Sophia Loren examines war, rape, coming of age, and motherdaughter relations. Loren won an Academy Award as Best Actress for this film. Virgin Spring, The (1959) Drama An Ingmar Bergman film examining the rape and murder of a young girl by three bandits. Vulgar (2002) Drama A man working as a clown for children decides he can make more money working as a clown at bachelor parties. He is tortured, gang raped, and blackmailed by a psychopath and his two sons. The film graphically depicts trauma and violence, but there are also comic moments. Waitress (2007) Comedy/Drama Inspirational story of a young, pregnant waitress (Keri Russell) who is not enthusiastic about her pregnancy because the child's father is her psychologically abusive and controlling husband (Jeremy Sisko). Sadly, the film's director, Adrienne Shelly, was murdered before the film was widely released to critical acclaim (Shelly's young daughter appears in the final scene). War of the Roses (1989) Drama/Thriller Marital conflict slowly progresses into an incredible, destructive battle between Oliver and Barbara Rose (Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner).
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Warrior, The (2001, UK/France/Germany) Drama/Adventure A warrior, working for a cruel lord as an executioner in feudal India, takes up the practice of nonviolence. His new mission becomes particularly challenging when his son is kidnapped and killed in front of him. Zodiac (2007) Crime/Biography Jake Gyllenhaal portrays an amateur detective in San Francisco who becomes obsessed with tracking down a serial killer in this David Fincher film.
Beautiful Mind, A (2001) Drama Based on Sylvia Nasar's biography with the same name. Russell Crowe portrays John Forbes Nash, a mathematical genius and Nobel Prize laureate in Economics, who battles schizophrenia and is treated with antipsychotics and insulin-shock therapy. Beautiful Dreamers (1992) Drama/Biography True story about poet Walt Whitman's visit to an asylum in London, Ontario. Whitman is shocked by what he sees and persuades the hospital director to offer humane treatment. Eventually, the patients wind up playing the townspeople in a game of cricket. Beyond Therapy (1987) Comedy Disappointing Robert Altman film about New York yuppies and their psychiatrists. Butcher's Wife, The (1991) Romance/Fantasy Greenwich Village psychiatrist Jeff Daniels finds Demi Moore, the butcher's wife, is giving advice at least as good as his own. Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, The (1919) Horror German expressionistic film about hypnosis and the power of a hypnotist to induce others to do his bidding. One of the earliest stereotypic presentations of the madman who runs a psychiatric hospital. Captain Newman, M.D. (1963) Comedy/Drama Sympathetic story about an Army psychiatrist (Gregory Peck) taking on the military bureaucracy to provide effective treatment for Bobby Darin. Darin is clearly manic and ultimately commits suicide. Carefree (1938) Musical/Dance Fred Astaire is a psychiatrist who was talked out of being a dancer. Ginger Rogers is referred to him for treatment (hypnosis) so she can learn to love one of Astair's friends; he complies with her request, but predictably falls in love with her himself. Caretakers, The (1963) Drama Second-rate film that documents life in a West Coast psychiatric hospital and portrays some of the problems associated with introducing innovations in hospital settings.
Treatment
Antwone Fisher (2003) Drama/Biography Troubled and angry sailor gets in fights and is referred to a psychiatrist (Denzel Washington). Their relationship develops and he becomes comfortable sharing his history of childhood abuse and trauma; he makes amends with his past and healing begins. Fair and balanced portrayal of a psychiatrist. Article 99 (1992) Comedy Unsuccessful M*A*S*H*-like attempt to ridi cule the quality of care provided in Veterans Administration medical centers. Bad Timing: A Sensual Obsession (1980) Drama Interesting and provocative film in which a psychiatrist becomes sexually involved with a troubled and self-destructive woman. Badlands (1973) Crime/Drama This film is based on a true story about a sociopathic young man who takes up with a 15-year-old girl and goes on a killing spree. The film effectively portrays the lack of guilt and remorse that in part defines the antisocial personality.
"Without treatment, John, the fantasies may take over entirely." Dr. Rosen attempting to educate John Nash on the importance of continuing his treatment regimen in A Beautiful Mind (2001)
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Changeling (2008) Drama Based on a true story, Angelina Jolie portrays a desperate but persistent mother whose son is kidnapped by a serial child murderer. She battles with a corrupt Los Angeles police force and a manipulative psychiatrist who twists her words, attempts to blackmail her, uses ECT to punish his patients, and holds innocent women captive in the hospital to protect the police department. Chattahoochee (1990) Drama Korean War veteran with a post-traumatic stress disorder is hospitalized and treated. Dennis Hopper has a major role as a fellow patient. Clockwork Orange, A (1971) Science Fiction Fascinating interpretation of Anthony Burgess' novel. The portrayal of aversion therapy is somewhat heavy-handed but raises legitimate questions about the appropriate limits of behavior modification.
David and Lisa (1962) Drama A dated but still sensitive portrayal of life in a psychiatric institution. Perpetuates the myth that love will conquer mental illness. Strong and balanced portrayal of a compassionate psychiatrist. Dead Man Out (1989) Drama Superior and timely made-for-TV movie about a psychiatrist treating a convict so the man will be sane enough to be executed. The film raises meaningful questions about ethical issues and the appropriate limits of professional practice.
Jack McDermott: "What about dinner? Who's gonna get us our dinner?" Billy: "... aren't you the same guy who changed water into wine? Huh? J.C.? Ain't the son of God good for a burger in his town? You get us something!" The Dream Team (1989)
"There was me, that is Alex, and my three droogs, that is Pete, Georgie, and Dim. . . and we sat in the Korova Milkbar trying to make up our rassoodocks what to do with the evening." Alex in A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Dream Team, The (1989) Comedy Four psychiatric patients are being taken to a game in Yankee Stadium when their doctor/escort is knocked unconscious and hospitalized. The entire film appears to be based on the well-known (and better done) shipboard outing by Jack Nicholson and his friends in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Face to Face (1976) Drama Liv Ullmann plays a psychiatrist whose life is falling apart. She attempts suicide by taking an overdose and winds up in a coma. Interesting dream sequences with Bergman's usual presumption of childhood trauma as the trigger for adult unhappiness. Fear Strikes Out (1957) Biography/Sports Anthony Perkins as baseball player Jimmy Piersall, who suffers a mental breakdown as a result of his inability to please a domineering, demanding father. Piersall was successfully treated with psychotherapy and ECT and eventually staged a comeback. Final Analysis (1992) Thriller/Drama A complex film that pays homage to Hitchcock; interesting issues of childhood sexual abuse, repressed memories, professional responsibility, and the doctor-patient relationship.
Color of Night (1994) Drama Bruce Willis plays a disillusioned psychologist who gives up his practice after a patient commits suicide. Willis discovers he is no longer able to perceive the color red. Much of the plot revolves around a patient with multiple personalities who is simultaneously a group therapy patient (as a male) and, unknown to Willis, his lover (in a core personality named Rose). Couch Trip, The (1988) Comedy Dan Aykroyd plays the role of a psychiatric patient who escapes from an institution and then passes himself off as a Beverly Hills psychiatrist. The film reinforces the notion that psychiatry is mainly pretentious language and social manipulation. Dark Past, The (1948) Crime A psychologist who is taken prisoner tries to use his training to help his captor. Remake of the film Blind Alley.
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"Just repeat the last two words they say and phrase it like a question." A psychiatrist joking about his profession in Final Analysis (1992)
politics, mental health treatment and which is more crazy--the mentally ill or the politics of war. The film is loaded with examples of psychopathology. I Heart Huckabees (2005) Comedy/Mystery Dustin Hoffman and Lilly Tomlin play existential psychologists in this quirky, offbeat comedy. Although there is no formal therapy, there are plenty of therapeutic moments. Inside/Out (1997) Drama A Rob Tregenza film about life in a psychiatric hospital that was well received at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. The film documents that both patients and staff find it hard to cope with the difficult demands of life. Intimate Strangers (2004, France) Drama A woman mistakenly receives psychotherapy from an accountant in this thoughtful film. King of Hearts (1966) Comedy/Drama/War A Scotsman separated from his unit wanders into town, abandoned by all except the inmates of the local insane asylum. Must-see film for those interested in public attitudes about mental illness. Ladybird, Ladybird (1993) Drama Dramatic presentation of the clash between the rights of a parent and society's need to protect children. Lilith (1964) Drama Strong cast (Peter Fonda, Gene Hackman, Warren Beatty, and Kim Hunter) supports a weak script about a psychiatric inpatient who seduces a neophyte therapist. Lost Angels (1989) Drama Donald Sutherland plays a psychiatrist treating a Los Angeles adolescent who is angry and troubled but probably not mentally ill.
Fine Madness, A (1966) Drama Sean Connery plays Samson Shillitoe, an eccentric and unconventional poet who is hospitalized and lobotomized because of his sexual peccadilloes and the fact that he can't conform to societal expectations. The film was ahead of its time in raising important issues about the rights of people with mental illness. Flame Within, The (1935) Drama Dated and insipid film about a psychiatrist who falls in love with a patient. Frances (1982) Biography A vivid portrayal of the life of actress Frances Farmer, including her institutionalization, lobotomy, and alcoholism. Good Will Hunting (1997) Drama Robin Williams won an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor for his role as a counseling psychologist teaching at a community college and treating a troubled young man who is extraordinarily gifted mathematically. High Anxiety (1977) Comedy Mel Brooks spoofs Hitchcock films and introduces The Psycho-Neurotic Institute for the Very, Very Nervous. Home of the Brave (1949) Drama/War Black soldier suffers a mental breakdown and is treated by a sympathetic psychiatrist. One of the first films to deal honestly with racism and bigotry. House of Games (1987) Crime A David Mamet film about a psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of gambling addiction. Fascinating introduction to the world of the con. House of Fools (2002) Drama Based on a true story: the chief psychiatrist and treatment staff of a mental institution flee due to conflicts in Chechnya, leaving the patients to fend for themselves. Soon soldiers occupy the hospital and the viewer is left with various questions of war,
"When insurance paid for a year in a place like this, we said it took a year to help a kid. Now insurance pays for three months, and, presto, it takes three months to turn a kid around." Dr. Charles Loftis complaining about the system in Lost Angels (1989)
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Ludwig (1973) Biography Long and somewhat tedious film about the mad King Ludwig of Bavaria. Good costumes and scenery, but the film teaches us little about mental illness or Ludwig himself. Macbeth (1971) Drama Powerful Roman Polanski adaptation of Shakespeare's play. It is interesting to speculate about the obsessions of Lady Macbeth and to compare Polanski's version with the earlier Orson Welles' adaptation. Man Facing Southeast (1986) Drama Fascinating Argentine film about a man without identity who shows up at a psychiatric hospital claiming to be from another planet. It seems that this is not just another patient, and neither the hospital staff nor the film's audience ever figures out exactly what is happening. (In a line that is meaningful to one viewer in a thousand, Bill Murray's character in What About Bob? pays homage to this film by asking if he can arrange his bed so it faces southeast.) Man Who Loved Women, The (1983) Comedy A remake of the François Truffaut film of the same name. This film involves long sequences in which Burt Reynolds unburdens himself to his psychiatrist. Marat/Sade (1966) Drama In the early 1800s, the inmates of a French asylum put on a play directed by the Marquis de Sade (a patient) based on the bathtub assassination of Jean Paul Marat. The play incites the patients to riot. Mine Own Executioner (1947) Drama Confused and troubled psychoanalyst tries to help out a schizophrenic veteran. Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) Comedy Frank Capra film in which Gary Cooper inherits $20 million and is judged insane when he decides to give it all away to needy farmers. Mr. Jones (1993) Drama/Comedy Richard Gere portrays a bipolar patient treated by a psychiatrist who falls in love with him. This film raises interesting questions about the therapeutic relationship and boundary issues in psychotherapy. Mumford (1999) Drama A man named Mumford pretending to be a psychologist sets up shop in a small town named Mumford and begins to help the townspeople.
No Time for Sergeants (1958) Comedy Andy Griffith stars; Don Knotts plays an Army psychiatrist. No Way Out (1950) Drama This was Sidney Poitier's first film. Poitier plays a black physician treating two racist hoodlums. When one dies, his brother (Richard Widmark) incites a race riot. The film was one of the earliest serious examinations of racism in postwar America. Nobody's Child (1986) Biography Marlo Thomas won an Emmy for her role as a woman who experiences tremendous personal and professional success when she is released after spending 20 years in a mental hospital.
"Oh Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars." Charlotte Vale addressing her married lover in Now, Voyager (1942)
Now, Voyager (1942) Drama Her psychiatrist and inpatient treatment help sexually repressed Bette Davis find meaning and purpose in her life by serving as a surrogate mother for the daughter of a man she loves. The title comes from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass ("The untold want by life and land ne'er granted / Now voyager sail thou forth to seek and find.") Nuts (1987) Drama Barbra Streisand plays a prostitute who has killed a patron. She is resisting an insanity defense, and through flashbacks we learn that she was sexually abused as a child. Interesting examination of civil liberties and forensic psychiatry.
"They was giving me ten thousand watts a day, you know, and I'm hot to trot! The next woman takes me on's gonna light up like a pinball machine and pay off in silver dollars!" Randle P. McMurphy commenting on ECT in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
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Movies and Mental Illness
Office Space (1999) Comedy A hypnotherapist induces a trance in a patient but suffers a heart attack before the patient comes out of the trance. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) Drama Classic film with Jack Nicholson as Randle P. McMurphy, who takes on Nurse Ratched and the psychiatric establishment. The film offers good insight into life on an inpatient ward, although the portrayal of ECT is stereotyped and inaccurate; in addition, the suicide of Billy seems to be simplistically linked to his domineering mother. This film took all five of the top Oscars in 1975: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. Passion of Joan of Arc, The (1928) Historical Historically important silent film that portrays the burning of Joan of Arc as a heretic. The mental status of Joan of Arc remains a controversial subject for historians interested in psychopathology. President's Analyst, The (1967) Spy/Comedy James Coburn plays a psychoanalyst working for the President of the United States. Pressure Point (1962) Drama A black psychiatrist (Sidney Poitier) treats a racist patient (Bobby Darin). Based on a case from Linder's The Fifty-Minute Hour. Prime (2005) Drama A therapist discovers that her patient is having an affair with the therapist's son and fails to disclose this dual relationship. Prince of Tides, The (1991) Drama/Romance Barbra Streisand plays a psychiatrist who becomes sexually involved with the brother of one of her patients (Nick Nolte). The film raises interesting questions about the proper limits of the doctorpatient relationship. Quills (2000) Drama Geoffrey Rush stars in this Philip Kaufman film about the notorious French author who is responsible for the word sadism. The film depicts the abuses that occurred in the eighteenth century in the Charenton Insane Asylum, a mental hospital located in the suburbs of Paris. The Marquis de Sade died at Charenton in 1814.
"I write of the great, eternal truths that bind together all mankind. The whole world over, we eat, we shit, we fuck, we kill and we die." The Marquis de Sade describes his views on literature in Quills (2000)
Rampage (1992) Drama/Thriller William Friedkin film about a sociopath who is arrested and tried for murder. The film raises important questions about capital punishment, the not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) plea, and the role of the expert witness in the courtroom. See You in the Morning (1989) Drama A film about a Manhattan psychiatrist with multiple problems, including a failed first marriage. Interesting group therapy sequences and lots of speculation about motivation and purpose. Shock Corridor (1963) Drama Samuel Fuller film in which a journalist has himself admitted to an insane asylum in order to get an in side story on a murder but soon becomes psychotic himself. The film is better than it sounds.
"Good night and sweet dreams... which we'll analyze in the morning." Spellbound (1945)
Spellbound (1945) Thriller Ingrid Bergman plays a psychiatrist treating Gregory Peck's amnesia. Salvador Dali helped design the film's dream sequence. Producer David Selznick wanted the film to be based on his own experiences with psychotherapy and he used his own analyst as a technical advisor. Watch for the Hitchcock cameo. Still of the Night (1982) Thriller A psychiatrist becomes romantically involved with a woman who may have murdered one of his patients. Teresa (1951) Drama Notable only because it stars Rod Steiger in his first role. Steiger plays a psychiatrist in the film.
Appendix F: Films Illustrating Psychopathology
317
Through a Glass Darkly (1962) Drama Classic Bergman film that follows the life of a mentally ill woman after she is treated with ECT and released from a mental hospital. Tin Cup (1996) Comedy A promiscuous Texas real estate sales person becomes a psychologist and trades off psychotherapy for golf lessons, eventually winding up in bed with the golf pro. Touched (1983) Romance Two patients on a psychiatric ward fall in love and try to set up a life together after they escape. What About Bob? (1991) Comedy Bill Murray plays Bob Wiley, a patient who becomes overly dependent on his therapist, Leo Marvin, played by Bill Murray. The film is very funny, and it raises interesting questions about transference and countertransference. Note the inane discussion of potential psychotropic medications.
"I'm not a shmuck Bob, and I'm not going to let you breeze into town and steal my family away just because you're crazy enough to be fun." Dr. Leo Marvin to patient Bob Wiley in What About Bob? (1991)
Whispers in the Dark (1992) Thriller/Drama This murder mystery revolves around a psychiatrist who becomes overly involved in the lives of her patients. Mainly useful as a vehicle for discussion of professional issues and lessons on how not to behave in therapy.
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In which part of the body is the 'Talus'? | Talar Body Fracture Surgery
Talar Body Fracture Surgery
Page Content
What is a talar body fracture?
The talus bone makes up part of the ankle joint and the subtalar joint. The ankle joint gives up-and-down motion and the subtalar joint gives side-to-side motion. A fracture of the talar body is a break in the talus bone that often involves both of these important joints.
What is the goal of surgery for a talar body fracture?
The ankle and foot must be well aligned for proper function. The goal of surgery for talar body fractures is to restore the normal bone shape. The function of the ankle and subtalar joints must also be restored. It is important to reach these goals while the fracture heals without complications. The overall goal is to restore function without pain.
What signs indicate surgery may be needed?
Normal joint movement requires smooth gliding of cartilage that covers the bones. An uneven cartilage surface can cause pain and arthritis. The indication for surgery for a talar body fracture is disruption of this smooth surface in either the ankle joint or the subtalar joint. Other indications may include damage to nerves or blood vessels or fractures where a piece of the bone pokes through the skin.
When should I avoid surgery?
There are situations when it is best to treat a talar body fracture without surgery. These include when the bone pieces are not displaced. Poor overall patient health could also make surgery inappropriate. Surgery is delayed when there is swelling that could affect healing. Blisters or other skin wounds can also prohibit a safe operation.
General Details of the Procedure
Talar body fracture surgery puts the talus bone back together as best as possible. It typically requires general or regional
For this patient, two screws were used to repair a talar body fracture.
anesthesia. An overnight hospital stay may be required. Incisions are required and may be somewhat large.
Specific Techniques
Incisions are customized for each patient and fracture pattern. Incisions are usually on the front of the foot or ankle. At times they are on the back of the foot or ankle. Sometimes a cut must be created in the tibia bone to gain access to the talus. A combination of screws and plates are then used to hold the bone fragments together while they heal.
What happens after surgery?
After surgery, either a temporary cast or a boot is applied to the lower leg. The surgeon monitors the incisions and bone healing for the first several weeks after surgery. No weight is to be put on the leg until approved by your surgeon. This is can be six to 12 weeks, or longer after the operation. A cast or removable brace is typically required.
Talar body fractures are severe and often life-changing injuries. You can expect to have some degree of pain and stiffness even after appropriate treatment.
Potential Complications
There are several important complications to be aware of when undergoing surgery for talar body fractures. The first set of complications relates to surgery in general. These include the risks associated with anesthesia, infection, damage to nerves and blood vessels, and bleeding or blood clots.
The second set of risks applies specifically to talar body fractures. These include a risk that the bone does not heal or dies, or that the bone cannot be put back to its original state (malunion). There is a risk of developing arthritis in the joints over time. Severe complications, including amputation, can occur. The frequency of these complications varies with each injury.
Will I walk again?
The goal of treating talar body fractures is to get the patient as close to normal as possible. Every patient’s fracture is different but a majority of patients walk again. Most patients are left with some degree of pain, stiffness or weakness after a talar body fracture.
Does smoking affect my outcome?
Yes. Smoking affects your body’s ability to heal the broken bone as well as the surrounding tissues. Smoking also increases the risk of infection. You should quit smoking immediately in order to minimize these risks.
Talus Fracture
The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) offers information on this site as an educational service. The content of FootCareMD, including text, images and graphics, is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnoses or treatments. If you need medical advice, use the "Find an Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Surgeon" tool at the top of this page or contact your primary doctor.
| Ankle |
In the Bible, whose wife was 'Zippora'? | Talus Fracture: Diagnosis, Treatment
process
Of the talus bone.
Here we will only look into talus neck fractures as they account for 90% of all talus fracture.
Please see the page on anatomy of the foot to get a getter understanding of this fracture. (skip if you have already done so)
Mechanism of injury causing fracture of the talar neck is a sudden force that pushes the foot upwards. This can occur during
flying accidents hence it is also called aviators fracture
road traffic accidents
Classification of talar neck fractures according to Hawkins
Type 1 - undisplaced vertical fracture of the neck
Type 2 - displaced fracture with partial or total dislocation of the body of talus from the talo-calcaneal (subtalar joint)
Type 3 - displaced fracture with dislocation of the body of talus from the talo-calcaneal (subtalar joint) and ankle joint
Type 4 - displaced fracture with dislocation of the head of talus from the talo-calcaneal (subtalar joint) and talo-navicular joint
Type 1 to 4 represents an increasing degree of severity of talus fracture.
Symptoms include
deformity of the foot and ankle
skin of the foot may be ruptured
X rays will confirm the diagnosis and help in classification. Special x rays may be required to see the talus neck.
Treatment is according to the classification of the fracture.
Type 1 fractures require plaster cast immobilization for 8 to 12 weeks. Cast is applied below the knee joint.
Type 2 fractures urgent re-alignment of the fracture either by manipulation or by surgery. After re-alignment a plaster cast is applied for 8 to 12 weeks and the union of the fracture and complications are assessed at intervals.
Type 3 fractures require emergency surgery. During surgery the fracture is realigned and stabilized by putting screws across the fracture site.
Type 4 fractures may require treatment as above according to the position of the body of talus and further re-alignment of the head of talus. During surgery screws are used to stabilize the fracture.
Complications include
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the fracture take to unite?
Union usually takes 3 to 4 months. There can be a delay in union and the fracture can take upto 18 months for union. Delay in union is thought to occur because the talus has a poor and fragile blood supply.
How does mal-union occur and how can it be prevented?
Mal-union occurs when the patient comes late for treatment of a talus fracture or when the treating surgeon accepts a less than perfect position of the fracture.
It can be prevented by seeking treatment promptly and the treating surgeon should accept nothing less than perfect anatomy.
How is mal-union treated?
Mal-union frequently leads to arthritis of the ankle and subtalar joints. Treatment is by fusion of the joints.
What are the chances of avascular necrosis?
Avascular necrosis is rare in type 1 fractures (10%) but is fairly common (up to 90%) in type 3 fractures.
What is done when avascular necrosis develops?
Avascular necrosis is it's self not a big problem. The problem occurs when after avascular necrosis the body of the talus collapses. This leads to arthritis of the subtalar and ankle joints. This arthritis requires fusion of the joints.
Collapse after avascular necrosis does not always occur. Even in the presence of avascular necrosis the fracture can unite. After fracture union the avascular body of the talus is protected by using a patellar-tendon bearing brace. Use of this brace is continued till revascularization (blood supply to the talus body develops again) of the talus body occurs. This can take up to 3 to 4 years.
I hope the information provided was helpful. If you have any query you can ask me at the contact me page.
This page was last updated on 23th June 2009.
Other causes of foot pain...
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In which Shakespeare play do the characters 'Hortensia', 'Bianca',and 'Baptista' appear? | The Taming of the Shrew 1.1 - Bianca cannot wed until Katharina does
[Enter LUCENTIO and his man TRANIO]
LUCENTIO
Tranio, since for the great desire I had
To see fair Padua, nursery of arts,
I am arrived for fruitful Lombardy,
The pleasant garden of great Italy;
And by my father's love and leave am arm'd
5
With his good will and thy good company,
My trusty servant, well approved in all,
Here let us breathe and haply institute
A course of learning and ingenious studies.
Pisa renown'd for grave citizens
10
Gave me my being and my father first,
A merchant of great traffic through the world,
Vincetino come of Bentivolii.
Vincetino's son brought up in Florence
It shall become to serve all hopes conceived,
15
To deck his fortune with his virtuous deeds:
And therefore, Tranio, for the time I study,
Virtue and that part of philosophy
Will I apply that treats of happiness
By virtue specially to be achieved.
20
Tell me thy mind; for I have Pisa left
And am to Padua come, as he that leaves
A shallow plash to plunge him in the deep
And with satiety seeks to quench his thirst.
TRANIO
Mi perdonato, gentle master mine,
25
I am in all affected as yourself;
Glad that you thus continue your resolve
To suck the sweets of sweet philosophy.
Only, good master, while we do admire
This virtue and this moral discipline,
30
Let's be no stoics nor no stocks, I pray;
Or so devote to Aristotle's cheques
As Ovid be an outcast quite abjured:
Balk logic with acquaintance that you have
And practise rhetoric in your common talk;
35
Music and poesy use to quicken you;
The mathematics and the metaphysics,
Fall to them as you find your stomach serves you;
No profit grows where is no pleasure ta'en:
In brief, sir, study what you most affect.
40
Gramercies, Tranio, well dost thou advise.
If, Biondello, thou wert come ashore,
We could at once put us in readiness,
And take a lodging fit to entertain
Such friends as time in Padua shall beget.
45
But stay a while: what company is this?
TRANIO
Master, some show to welcome us to town.
[ Enter BAPTISTA, KATHARINA, BIANCA, GREMIO, and HORTENSIO. LUCENTIO and TRANIO stand by ]
BAPTISTA
Gentlemen, importune me no farther,
For how I firmly am resolved you know;
That is, not bestow my youngest daughter
50
Before I have a husband for the elder:
If either of you both love Katharina,
Because I know you well and love you well,
Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.
GREMIO
[Aside] To cart her rather: she's too rough for me.
55
There, There, Hortensio, will you any wife?
KATHARINA
I pray you, sir, is it your will
To make a stale of me amongst these mates?
HORTENSIO
Mates, maid! how mean you that? no mates for you,
Unless you were of gentler, milder mould.
60
I'faith, sir, you shall never need to fear:
I wis it is not half way to her heart;
But if it were, doubt not her care should be
To comb your noddle with a three-legg'd stool
And paint your face and use you like a fool.
65
From all such devils, good Lord deliver us!
GREMIO
And me too, good Lord!
TRANIO
Hush, master! here's some good pastime toward:
That wench is stark mad or wonderful froward.
LUCENTIO
But in the other's silence do I see
70
Maid's mild behavior and sobriety.
Peace, Tranio!
Well said, master; mum! and gaze your fill.
BAPTISTA
Gentlemen, that I may soon make good
What I have said, Bianca, get you in:
75
And let it not displease thee, good Bianca,
For I will love thee ne'er the less, my girl.
KATHARINA
A pretty peat! it is best
Put finger in the eye, an she knew why.
BIANCA
Sister, content you in my discontent.
80
Sir, to your pleasure humbly I subscribe:
My books and instruments shall be my company,
On them to took and practise by myself.
LUCENTIO
Hark, Tranio! thou may'st hear Minerva speak.
HORTENSIO
Signior Baptista, will you be so strange?
85
Sorry am I that our good will effects
Bianca's grief.
Why will you mew her up,
Signior Baptista, for this fiend of hell,
And make her bear the penance of her tongue?
90
Gentlemen, content ye; I am resolved:
Go in, Bianca:
And for I know she taketh most delight
In music, instruments and poetry,
Schoolmasters will I keep within my house,
95
Fit to instruct her youth. If you, Hortensio,
Or Signior Gremio, you, know any such,
Prefer them hither; for to cunning men
I will be very kind, and liberal
To mine own children in good bringing up:
100
And so farewell. Katharina, you may stay;
For I have more to commune with Bianca.
[Exit]
Why, and I trust I may go too, may I not? What,
shall I be appointed hours; as though, belike, I
knew not what to take and what to leave, ha?
105
You may go to the devil's dam: your gifts are so
good, here's none will hold you. Their love is not
so great, Hortensio, but we may blow our nails
together, and fast it fairly out: our cakes dough on
both sides. Farewell: yet for the love I bear my
110
sweet Bianca, if I can by any means light on a fit
man to teach her that wherein she delights, I will
wish him to her father.
HORTENSIO
So will I, Signior Gremio: but a word, I pray.
Though the nature of our quarrel yet never brooked
115
parle, know now, upon advice, it toucheth us both,
that we may yet again have access to our fair
mistress and be happy rivals in Bianco's love, to
labour and effect one thing specially.
GREMIO
I say, a devil. Thinkest thou, Hortensio, though
her father be very rich, any man is so very a fool
125
to be married to hell?
HORTENSIO
Tush, Gremio, though it pass your patience and mine
to endure her loud alarums, why, man, there be good
fellows in the world, an a man could light on them,
would take her with all faults, and money enough.
130
I cannot tell; but I had as lief take her dowry with
this condition, to be whipped at the high cross
every morning.
Faith, as you say, there's small choice in rotten
apples. But come; since this bar in law makes us
135
friends, it shall be so far forth friendly
maintained all by helping Baptista's eldest daughter
to a husband we set his youngest free for a husband,
and then have to't a fresh. Sweet Bianca! Happy man
be his dole! He that runs fastest gets the ring.
140
How say you, Signior Gremio?
GREMIO
I am agreed; and would I had given him the best
horse in Padua to begin his wooing that would
thoroughly woo her, wed her and bed her and rid the
house of her! Come on.
145
I pray, sir, tell me, is it possible
That love should of a sudden take such hold?
LUCENTIO
O Tranio, till I found it to be true,
I never thought it possible or likely;
But see, while idly I stood looking on,
150
I found the effect of love in idleness:
And now in plainness do confess to thee,
That art to me as secret and as dear
As Anna to the queen of Carthage was,
Tranio, I burn, I pine, I perish, Tranio,
155
If I achieve not this young modest girl.
Counsel me, Tranio, for I know thou canst;
Assist me, Tranio, for I know thou wilt.
TRANIO
Master, it is no time to chide you now;
Affection is not rated from the heart:
160
If love have touch'd you, nought remains but so,
'Redime te captum quam queas minimo.'
LUCENTIO
Gramercies, lad, go forward; this contents:
The rest will comfort, for thy counsel's sound.
TRANIO
Master, you look'd so longly on the maid,
165
Perhaps you mark'd not what's the pith of all.
LUCENTIO
O yes, I saw sweet beauty in her face,
Such as the daughter of Agenor had,
That made great Jove to humble him to her hand.
When with his knees he kiss'd the Cretan strand.
170
Saw you no more? mark'd you not how her sister
Began to scold and raise up such a storm
That mortal ears might hardly endure the din?
LUCENTIO
Tranio, I saw her coral lips to move
And with her breath she did perfume the air:
175
Sacred and sweet was all I saw in her.
TRANIO
Nay, then, 'tis time to stir him from his trance.
I pray, awake, sir: if you love the maid,
Bend thoughts and wits to achieve her. Thus it stands:
Her eldest sister is so curst and shrewd
180
That till the father rid his hands of her,
Master, your love must live a maid at home;
And therefore has he closely mew'd her up,
Because she will not be annoy'd with suitors.
LUCENTIO
Ah, Tranio, what a cruel father's he!
185
But art thou not advised, he took some care
To get her cunning schoolmasters to instruct her?
TRANIO
Ay, marry, am I, sir; and now 'tis plotted.
LUCENTIO
It is: may it be done?
TRANIO
Not possible; for who shall bear your part,
And be in Padua here Vincentio's son,
Keep house and ply his book, welcome his friends,
Visit his countrymen and banquet them?
200
Basta; content thee, for I have it full.
We have not yet been seen in any house,
Nor can we lie distinguish'd by our faces
For man or master; then it follows thus;
Thou shalt be master, Tranio, in my stead,
205
Keep house and port and servants as I should:
I will some other be, some Florentine,
Some Neapolitan, or meaner man of Pisa.
'Tis hatch'd and shall be so: Tranio, at once
Uncase thee; take my colour'd hat and cloak:
210
When Biondello comes, he waits on thee;
But I will charm him first to keep his tongue.
TRANIO
In brief, sir, sith it your pleasure is,
And I am tied to be obedient;
215
For so your father charged me at our parting,
'Be serviceable to my son,' quoth he,
Although I think 'twas in another sense;
I am content to be Lucentio,
Because so well I love Lucentio.
220
Tranio, be so, because Lucentio loves:
And let me be a slave, to achieve that maid
Whose sudden sight hath thrall'd my wounded eye.
Here comes the rogue.
Sirrah, where have you been?
225
Where have I been! Nay, how now! where are you?
Master, has my fellow Tranio stolen your clothes? Or
you stolen his? or both? pray, what's the news?
LUCENTIO
Sirrah, come hither: 'tis no time to jest,
And therefore frame your manners to the time.
230
Your fellow Tranio here, to save my life,
Puts my apparel and my countenance on,
And I for my escape have put on his;
For in a quarrel since I came ashore
I kill'd a man and fear I was descried:
235
Wait you on him, I charge you, as becomes,
While I make way from hence to save my life:
You understand me?
I, sir! ne'er a whit.
LUCENTIO
And not a jot of Tranio in your mouth:
240
Tranio is changed into Lucentio.
BIONDELLO
The better for him: would I were so too!
TRANIO
So could I, faith, boy, to have the next wish after,
That Lucentio indeed had Baptista's youngest daughter.
But, sirrah, not for my sake, but your master's, I advise
245
You use your manners discreetly in all kind of companies:
When I am alone, why, then I am Tranio;
But in all places else your master Lucentio.
LUCENTIO
Tranio, let's go: one thing more rests, that
thyself execute, to make one among these wooers: if
250
thou ask me why, sufficeth, my reasons are both good
and weighty.
| The Taming of the Shrew |
Which element, discovered by Nicolas Vauquelin in 1797, has the atomic number 24. Its name is derived from the Greek word for colour? | The Taming of the Shrew Characters | Study.com
The Taming of the Shrew Characters
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Instructor: Laura Foist
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In this lesson we will introduce the characters in ''The Taming of the Shrew''. We will also analyze some of these characters and what these characters mean to the play.
Baptista Minola's Household
Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew centers around Baptista Minola's household. Baptista is a wealthy man with two daughters. He refuses to let the younger daughter marry before the elder one is married.
The elder daughter Katherine has a sharp tongue and is ill-tempered. She is the 'shrew' referred to in the title of the play. She is feared and disliked by all men in the area, and she has even been known to lash out physically against those around her.
Katherine knows everyone around her dislikes her; she is fiercely independent but wants to be respected. The sad thing is that in her time period she must get married to gain this respect. However, she knows that no man will ever want to marry her. She is ultimately 'tamed' through marriage and gains this respect by the end of the play, and her independence is largely lost, which was seen as a good thing at the time. Remember, the values in this play are different than those we have today.
The younger daughter, Bianca, is sweet and patient, an ideal Elizabethan-era woman. When her father says she can not marry until Katherine is married, Bianca humbly complies. She takes the time to improve herself through study and practicing instruments. Her mild personality makes her highly desirable, and Bianca has several suitors, while Katherine has none.
Everyone expects Bianca to be the perfect wife, and it appears that Baptista favors her. However, once she is married, Bianca seems to become the more selfish and prideful of the two sisters. It leaves us wondering if Bianca was more like Katherine than we originally thought, but was simply hiding her real personality to appear more attractive.
Ultimately, we are left wondering how successful Bianca's marriage will be. When tested, Bianca is actually less willing to obey her husband than Katherine is, making Katherine appear to be a better wife in a time when women had to obey their husbands.
Petruchio, Katherine's Husband
Since Bianca's suitors have no hope until Katherine is married, they search out someone who would be willing to marry Katherine despite her faults. They find Petruchio, who agrees to woo and marry Katherine for the dowry that he will receive, making it seem that his motivations are purely financial. After Petruchio marries Katherine he begins the process of 'taming' her by being unkind, depriving her of food and sleep. He ends up being able to force Katherine into submission.
In the end of the play Katherine is the perfect wife
Petruchio is difficult to analyze because his motivations are never made perfectly clear. He could truly love Katherine and know that the only way to have a happy marriage in is to suppress her independence. Under this interpretation of the play, Katherine's shrewish tendencies can be seen as the antagonist, and the play on the whole is a humorous exploration of marriage psychology. On the other hand, Petruchio could be interpreted to be a greedy, uncaring man who simply loves the act of domination. Under this interpretation, Petruchio is the antagonist and the play is a dark view of marriage and women's place in society.
Bianca's Suitors
Bianca has three suitors: Lucentio, Hortensio and Gremio. Unlike Petruchio, Lucentio is idyllic and poetic when it comes to love. He carefully woos Bianca and ends up winning her heart.
Lucentio also has several servants and family members who play a minor role in the play. His servant, Tranio, impersonates his master during an elaborate ruse for Lucentio to earn Bianca's love.
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Jefferson City is the capital of which US state? | Welcome to City of Jefferson, Missouri
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Welcome to the City of Jefferson, Missouri
Upon arriving in Jefferson City, visitors are captivated by the majestic Missouri River and tree lined bluffs. Missouri’s capital city, Jefferson City’s beauty shines not only through its natural landscape, but also through the many historic buildings and special landmarks. The Missouri State Capitol, Supreme Court Building, Governor’s Mansion and charming Downtown are just a few of the architectural treasures that anchor this unique community, a real gem tucked away in the heart of the nation. Aside from the many museums to explore, fine cuisine, quaint boutiques and beautiful parks are just waiting to be discovered. Come see for yourself why Jefferson City was chosen as “America’s Most Beautiful Small Town!” Watch our winning video here.
IMPORTANT: SEWER BILL
Due to a printing error, multiple sewer bills were mailed. Please disregard the bill with the December 15, 2016 due date. Pay only from the bill with a due date of January 15, 2017.
Open Burning
On November 1, 2016 residents inside the City of Jefferson will be allowed to burn yard waste material which includes leaves, grass clippings, and small tree limbs. Any burning must be done on personal property and attended at all times. Burning in the street or storm water area isn’t permitted. Open burning is allowed from sunrise to sunset and fires must be extinguished. Fire officials report one of the biggest complaints the fire department receives is fires left smoldering in the evening hours. Trying to determine the location of these smoldering fires can be challenging due to the fact that the smoke will stay low to the ground travel through several neighborhoods with the evening having cooler temperatures and higher humidity.
Open burning is allowed from November 1, 2016 and will end on March 1, 2017. Fire officials urge residents to use caution at all times when burning yard waste.
| Missouri River |
In which Italian town was the World G8 Conference held in 2009? | Missouri State Museum | Missouri State Parks
Missouri State Museum
Interpretive Programs
Park Information
The Missouri State Museum is where visitors go to immerse themselves in the history of the Show-Me State. The museum, located in the State Capitol, houses an impressive collection of exhibits portraying the state's natural and cultural history. Museum staff provide tours of the Capitol. Jefferson Landing was a busy center of commerce along the Missouri River during the mid-1800s. Steamboats traveling between St. Louis and Kansas City docked in front of the Lohman Building. The nearby Union Hotel contains the Elizabeth Rozier Gallery with changing exhibits on Missouri history, art and culture.
Park Hours
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