US. History In Film

[bi11y-mays.livejournal.com]

I am preparing a syllabus for US. History 2111, which is a survey course covering all US history from colonization to current, for a university I am applying to teach at (a large liberal Arts college in the Southeast US), and I plan for the students to watch a film that is historically based (or at least reflects the time they are filmed in) and write a review and response to the film. Here are some movies I have personally seen, and plan to include:
Thirteen Days (2000)
Born on the Fourth of July (1989)
Reds (1981)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
Birth of a Nation (1915)
The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956)
All the President's Men (1976)
Do the Right Thing (1989)
The Graduate (1967)
Malcom X (1992)
1776 (1972)
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
Gangs of New York (2002)
Modern Times (1936)
Saturday Night Fever (1977)

I am interested in 1) hearing what everyone here thinks of my list, and 2) give me suggestions in case I missed a few and ones I might need to watch and see if they are applicable. Thanks!

For my foreign friends, what are some films of American history that appeal to you?

Comments

[pastorlenny.livejournal.com]

Dog Day Afternoon.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

At least with Thirteen Days, it's becoming increasingly clear that, as I suspected, the concept behind the traditional narrative is incorrect (http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/01/the-real-cuban-missile-crisis/309190/?single_page=true).

[devil-ad-vocate.livejournal.com]

It's a good list, except maybe for Bonnie and Clyde - which was neither historically accurate or reflective of the times - not to say it wasn't a good movie.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

I would replace SNF with Harold and Maude.

[underlankers.livejournal.com]

I have a question here. Is this intended to be a reflection of popular culture here or historical accuracy? If the latter, I'd skip films altogether as Hollywood and historical accuracy have never meshed.

[devil-ad-vocate.livejournal.com]

American Graffiti was square on target with small town America in 1962.

[telemann.livejournal.com]

Absolutely needs Citizen Kane.

[the-rukh.livejournal.com]

SLC Punk.

[strivingtoohard.livejournal.com]

How the West Was Won
The Right Stuff
To Kill A Mockingbird

[rimpala.livejournal.com]

lol you can show Apocalypto for something loosely based on early, early American history.

I also remember seeing a film on The Crucible in high school, has that typical Daniel Day Lewis... volume?

[american-geist.livejournal.com]

The Passion of The Christ. The only history you need!

[musicpsych.livejournal.com]

There may be some war movies featuring Americans but that take place in other countries that you could consider.

Otherwise, I thought of the following. Some have a historical basis (whether or not they are accurate) or reflect the times they were made, but some more just reflect the zeitgeist (not exactly sure what you are looking for): Gone with the Wind, On the Waterfront, Driving Miss Daisy, Dances with Wolves, Forrest Gump, American Beauty, The Social Network, Reality Bites, American Psycho, The Breakfast Club (or other John Hughes movies), Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Fight Club, Clueless, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, The Blues Brothers.

[vlad-pulov.livejournal.com]

Platoon, Full metal jacket, Dancing with wolves.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

So, is this teaching or just killing time with popular movies?

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

Rambo, obviously. And American Ninja. It says all we need to know about Amurkka.

Of the more recent ones: Cowboys & Aliens.

(frozen comment)

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Hi, 404. Now that you've created this second LJ account of yours, I invite you to take a pick between bi11y_mays and 404, and inform us by which alias you'd like to appear on T_P from now on. While creating sockpuppets is not exactly a violation of T_P rules, we at least need to know who's who, in order to avoid cheating. The fact you've done this without notifying the audience about this, can be interpreted as an attempt of hiding malicious intentions, namely to bypass prior moderation.

Therefore, I'm now asking you to inform us which of the two aliases you're choosing for your further interactions on the community, and the other one will be duly removed from the community.

I think 8 hours is a sensible deadline. If by 6 pm GMT I have no results, BOTH 404 and bi11y_mays, with all subsequent potential sockpuppets you may create, will be permanently removed from the community, with no further review of the decision. In case we do get a response within that deadline, once you've given it to us, you'll be informed about our further decision.

The bottom-line is this: we really don't like cheaters.

It's up to you.

...You may respond either by pm to any of the mods, or at the Mod thread (second option is preferable, as it grants you instant review).

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

So, is the whole story about you being a teacher at a Liberal Arts college a fiction, or shall we entertain it for the sake of discussion? And did you intend to start on clear sheet with this new username?

[malasadas.livejournal.com]

"Hester Street" is the best film on the Ashkenazi immigrant experience in the late 1800s.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073107/

[aviv-b.livejournal.com]

Frankly, I don't think most students need more edutainment. There are numerous well written and interesting non-fiction works (including biographies) where your students might actually learn something about American History.

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

Wow. Gee. You do sound familiar, kindasorta...

[notmrgarrison.livejournal.com]

Seven Days in May and Failsafe, but they're black and white with no action, so maybe not. But Failsafe definitely comes after Dr Strangelove, so they know which movie ripped off which.

[paft.livejournal.com]

Birth of a Nation (1915)

Uhhh... What context would you offer for that film, which portrays white southerners as the innocent victims of vicious, maiden-raping black men in the wake of the civil war?

[vlad-pulov.livejournal.com]

American history - it's all about running thiefs and gangsters, which killing other peoples together.

[brother-dour.livejournal.com]

Flag of Our Fathers is a must. Also Glory and Apollo 13

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

Tell them about these posts and your multiple accounts. That would be a cool contemporary culture class. Teach what you know.