The Dambusters

In trying to avoid offending one group of people it is so easy to offend another group. It also makes me wonder what else they are going to change and distort historical accuracy in the name of political correctness.

Shakesbear said:

It also makes me wonder what else they are going to change and distort historical accuracy in the name of political correctness.

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From what I've read, this version is likely to be more historically accurate than the original. If nothing else, a lot of information was still classified at the time; Gibson's own book, for example, was cut by the censors and the full version was only released a few years ago.

I'm one of those who gets upset when people try to make Huckleberry Finn more "polite." But this instance disturbs me not at all. The use of that word is in no way intrinsic to the story or themes. If anything it reminds me of the original title of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None.

So I say--let it go. Lets not get distracted.

Just to be clear, are we talking about the 1955 movie The Dam Busters?

I had that on my Netflix queue, but it suddenly was moved to the "Saved" queue, with "Availability Date Unknown". Maybe that means somebody stepped on the only disc they had in circulation.

So I've never actually seen the picture; but I know it was very influential. (Including being one of the influences for Star Wars. I've seen the Japanese movie The Hidden Fortress, which was also an inspiration for Lucas' movie.)

If the past were the same as now, it'd be the present. Anybody who's read stuff from the time knows that "nigger", for 1940's Brits, didn't have anything like the same effect it has for 21st century Americans. I'd leave it the way it is. But it's not important; no big deal if they do change it.

Just hope I get to see the original movie before the remake comes out!

movieman said:

From what I've read, this version is likely to be more historically accurate than the original. If nothing else, a lot of information was still classified at the time; Gibson's own book, for example, was cut by the censors and the full version was only released a few years ago.

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The uncensored edition was published in 2003 - 59 years after Gibson died.

Using Gibson’s original draft, the reprint restored elements originally omitted – such as Gibson’s views on fellow pilots and staff, air tactics and the deployment of Bomber Command.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enemy_Coast_Ahead

Film makers do not always keep to the 'script' and they do take liberties with facts to suit the film to the box office.

DavidZahir said:

I'm one of those who gets upset when people try to make Huckleberry Finn more "polite." But this instance disturbs me not at all. The use of that word is in no way intrinsic to the story or themes. If anything it reminds me of the original title of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None.

So I say--let it go. Lets not get distracted.

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Possible not to the story but does it not give some insight into Wind Commander Gibson's mind set/personality/charecter which are, I would have thought, intrinsic to the film as a whole?

Possible not to the story but does it not give some insight into Wind Commander Gibson's mind set/personality/charecter which are, I would have thought, intrinsic to the film as a whole?

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No, not as much it would now. If someone gave that name to their dog today, they would be blatantly racist. But back then, not so much. It didn't have the resonance here that it did in America. Mainly because we don't have the same history of immigration, slavery, civil rights etc as America.

But yeah, I think they should change it to Digger. The N-word carries far too much baggage for it not to be distracting in the new film.