Well, I know it wasn't the most pleasant movie to watch. I do hope that you found Andersonville interesting and informative.
The Andersonville National Historic site is just a few hours north of us in Georgia. It's hard to imagine that such horrific war crimes took place so close by. Some of the scenes in the movie reminded me of scenes from the concentration camps of the Holocaust - albeit on a smaller scale. But nearly 14,000 dead in one prison over the course of about two years is still a staggering figure.
The movie raised several important questions. Is it possible for humans, when put into those kind of circumstances, to maintain the basic laws of human decency (not to mention actual laws)? Is it understandable that some would go into a "survival of the fittest" mode, like the raiders in the movie? Is that behavior excusable, at least at some level?
On a more general note, do you think that the History Film Festival (our after school movies) has been worthwhile? Have you enjoyed the films? Understanding that we have to keep the films related to our class, what would you change about the Festival? Were the movies too graphic (violent, harsh language, etc.)?
My goal with the History Fil
m Festival has been to show you movies that you might not go out and rent on your own. I hope that you've enjoyed it.Andersonville Links:
Andersonville National Historic Site
Andersonville on Wikipedia
From the Civil War Home website
Make sure you comment by Wednesday, June 1 for extra credit.
As the person in the movie was saying, since no laws are being practiced in the camp, it's ok to break them because of "survival of the fittest." I have enjoyed all of the history films I have been to this year and wouldn't change a thing about them.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed all of the movies so far as well. I think that eventually "survival of the fittest" would come into play but you could at least start by trying to trade like the man in the movie tried to trade a shirt for some whiskey. If it got bad enough (and we can all see it did) I think that "survival of the fittest" would be necessary.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie some people of the camp tried to enforce the laws. Some people in the camp, got a little too greedy, and killed others for their food. They were showing "survival of the fittest" but people told the camp leaders that they saw the murderers kill those poor people for their food. The murderers were eventually hanged. I have enjoyed all of the movies I have been to this year and wouldn't change a thing about them.
ReplyDeletelaw should be kept in situations such as in the movie. but survival of the fittest could be, at first, a way to success and then building off of that to law and government.
ReplyDeleteI pretty much agree with Reagan there were no laws in the camp so I don't think that the raiders should have been hung because they are fighting and killing other for money and food to live off of for "Survival of the fittest." Every video i have attended i have enjoyed but I do have the say Andersonville was the best one that I have seen and I would definitely keep everything the same.
ReplyDeleteI think the movie was very sad in the fact of only about 1,000 people DIDN'T die at Andersonville. I really liked the movie and would advise you to play it again. It showed what exactly happen out there and what people did to trick them. It was astonishing and I never would've realized what people did without the movie.
ReplyDeleteIn places and situations like that I believe it is every man for himself. Of course if your friend is considering the cross the dead line you are going to say something to him but you must think of yourself first if you want to live. All the Americans have rights therefore there is some type of law everywhere restricted what people can do, it is just if those human rights were in affect at Andersonville. I have enjoyed all the movies that we have seen this year.
ReplyDeleteI think it is understandable that some people would go in to "survival of the fittest" because there was really nothing they could have done to stay alive. But I think there should have been atleast some sort of stopping point on what they could and couldn't do in the prisons. Yes, this years History Film Festivals have been very worthwhile. I have learned many new topics and it really helps learning by watching it in a movie like we have done. I think you should keep showing the movies you have been showing because they are good and educational the way they are.
ReplyDeleteI think that even though there weren't any "real laws" in the camp, the raiders got what they asked for because if they would've mugged people and murdered them in the world outside of the prison they would've gotten in some major trouble for doing what they did. But the "survival of the fittest" was understandable at certain levels like the trading stuff with other people in the camp.
ReplyDeleteStatements such as "survival of the fittest" can be a understatement in some situations in this movie because it is just plain out murder and theft not out of desperation. This is my main argument because the line of between desperation and greed is a matter of perseption.
ReplyDeleteWhat Nicolas said was probably the most intelligent thing I have heard a person say. And I completely agree. These man in some cases did things that were more about there greed then actually surviving.
ReplyDeleteI believe, under the circumstances of Andersonville, that it is possible to maintain human decency, albeit not easily. It is very understandable about the "survival of the fittest" impact on the prisoners’ lives. It seems likely to happen, and although not acceptable, it is understandable. I think the History Film Festival is a great idea and should be continued. I have enjoyed the films I have seen. I would try to have more films, and the films shown were of a great quality. The Film Festival is a good addition to Mr. Veliz's class.
ReplyDeleteI think that the "survival of the fittest" behavior is partly excusable, but to to the extent that the raiders took it. I think that the History Film Festival is a good idea and a fun way to get extra credit, and so is definitly worthwhile. I only went to two movies,(Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee & Andersonville) I did not think that they were exedingly or overly graphic, maybe a scene or to but definitly not the enire movie. I really enjoyed Mr. Veliz's Film Festivals.
ReplyDeleteI think that laws should still be enforced throughout the United States even if you ae a prisoner of war. But on that note it is hard when the opposing force refuses to give you the necessary items to survive, so you can understand the Raiders position. Even though the Raiders fought for "survival" you are murdering and stealing from your own brothers in arms. All that were in there were Union troops and they were stealing and killing Union troops for there own personal gain, which is pitiful. Over all I enjoyed the movies that I got to see in your class. I probably learned more from those then I did in your class (just kidding there about the same hahaha) but these are important in teaching the next generation of students what hardships people had to go through in life. I enjoyed the movies, thank you for showing them.
ReplyDeleteWert one of the movies played this year were fantastic and helped me to understand what we wre talking about in the classroom at that tome. The most recent movie, Andersonville, was very graphic and scary but in order to succeed in the future we must learn from our past. This just shows a viewer how extreme we went upon our own people only a century and a half ago. (what doesn't kill you makes you stronger). Stealing from one another is horrible enough to begin with, but stealing from your own people, even in a life or death situation, is beyond excusable. It is, in a way, the same thing as stealing someones lunch money; but with a fatal circumstance.
ReplyDeleteThe buttons on this computer are broken. Sorry for the misspells.
ReplyDeleteAndersville was my favorite movie of the year for me but i think that the Raiders should not have been hanged because as said there were no laws in the camp so they coudn't have broken any laws even though they did kill many people in the camp
ReplyDeleteThough 14,000 out of 40,000 is about a forth of the population, that's still 6 times as much as 9/11 and these men were killed or starved by their fellow men; their fellow Americans. I don't think the movie's language or effects were too graphic, I think it wouldn't have had the same effect otherwise. The Raiders were not above the law and even if there was none. If the Raiders had been found not guilty, it would have been unjust. Just because you are in a strange, foreign place doesn't mean that you don't fallow the law that you were under before you arrived. The Raiders were rightfully hanged for their crimes. I really enjoy history film festival and I think it has been worth it. Though I enjoyed Andersonville, Glory was still my favorite.
ReplyDeleteEven though many people died... I think the movie was not to graphic. I also dont think the raiders should have been hung because there are no laws inside the camp. These guys were killing people and taking their stuff. They killed for food most of the time and they did go "Survival of the fittest."
ReplyDeleteThe movies shown this year were not bad at all I would recommend these movies for next year.
I believe that the six raiders should not have been hung because although they did murder people, there where no laws in the camp. They killed for supplies to survive and I believe they had to get supplies some how.
ReplyDeleteI think the movies have been very interesting and I also think that the movies have NOT been to graphic this year. you should show these movies next year. :) :)
Robert
ReplyDeleteI honestly think that tthose six raiders got what the deserved becuase the led the organization and they were stealing and murdering their fellow priosoners and taking their goods. It dosent Matter whether the establishment they are is is lawless its still wrong.
But overall I like all of the movies (bur none of them were as awesome as the Patriot) but if I could make a suggestion replace Bury my heart at wounded knee with Comacnhe Moon
Like Reagan said since they wern't practicing laws in the camp they arn't really under the law. Also it was really just "survival of the fittest" to get the supplies they needed so they shouldn't of been hung for that.
ReplyDeleteI feel it is possible for people to maintain the decency, but to a certain degree. I can understand fights, but not killing and terrorizing. "Survival of the Fitest" in this movie was shown in the Raiders. Though I feel this was not neccesary at all. Yes this place was a living hell but that is no reason to decrease everyone down. The raiders got what they deserve. On the other note, I have very much enjoyed the movies. I saw nothing wrong witht movies. Honestly if you are watching a war/ history movie you are going to have some explict things!
ReplyDeleteI believe that maintaining decency is possible,even in Andersonville. I don't think it is understandable that the Raiders would kill and steal from their fellow soldiers when they are better of in the first place. This type of behavior is completely inexcusable. I do think the film festival was worthwhile. I enjoyed the films very much. I wouldn't change a thing about the festival. The ovies were sometime a little graphic but not to much.
ReplyDeleteI think that the fimls have neen worth while. I did like most of the movies. they gave me an oppurtunity to picture what life was like for the soldiers. I wouldnt change anything about the film festival and it wasnt to harsh or violent.
ReplyDeleteI think that it's a little understandable for them to do "survival of the fittest" behavior. Because if you long to survive, you'd do those tactics. Although if everyone did that, it would be complete chaos. The history film festival are worth while, because you are learning history,while watching a movie.
ReplyDeleteI think even though the 6 men did murder others, they shouldn't be hung, since there were no laws put in place. Also, I've liked all the movies I've gone to, and the movies are worth it because you learn history easily and more visually.
ReplyDeleteFirst off, I think the "survival of the fittest" is acceptable to some degree. However, in the raiders case, they took it to far. "Survival of the fittest" doesn't mean luring newcomers in and killing or maiming them just for equipment. The raiders were already trading with the Reb's for supplies, they didn't have to kill all the others.
ReplyDeleteI liked the film, and the basic idea of HFF overall. It is easier to learn visually then any other way. If it's in the form of a good movie, then it is enjoyable to learn to.
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