American Patriotism

[teh.arkhon]

So..
Last night I watched Saving Private Ryan - and I thought it was absolutely fantastic.
The opening battle scene (the Normandy landing) was absolutely incredible and got my real hyped up for the rest of the film.
However, I found that it was so ridiculously "American" it almost put me off the movie.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-patriotism, nor am I anti-American, but I don't see why the Americans get so involved with films like these, where as other war films - IE: British films - are much less patriotic in a sense.
I come from New Zealand and I can relate with war tales, especially those where my own countrymen are concerned (I am often deeply moved by stories/ceremonies regarding the landing at ANZAC Cove in WWI etc.) but I don't see why the American versions always have that overlying American "air."

I was just wondering what all the Americans out there thought of this, and what your thoughts on patriotism are.

 

[Irridium]

Well most of these movies are made in the USA, about the USA, so its only natural really. I've noticed it as well, and it does get kind of old.

The US wasn't the only nation invading Europe after all...

 

[CCountZero]

My thoughts on patriotism can be summed up by Oscar Wilde.

"Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious."


Simply put, if you believe your country it superiour to all other countries, because you were born in it, then you are a vicious person who will, some day, end up hurting people.

 

[linkzeldi]

Americanization is kind of our thing.

 

[teh.arkhon]

My thoughts on patriotism can be summed up by Oscar Wilde.

"Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious."


Simply put, if you believe your country it superiour to all other countries, because you were born in it, then you are a vicious person who will, some day, end up hurting people.

Interesting.

It's true of course but I think a little bit of patriotism is healthy really.
It's good to be proud in your country and your countrymen.

 

[arrow_storm]

"American Patriotism"...

Should take a hike. Seriously.

 

[Vek]

However, I found that it was so ridiculously "American" it almost put me off the movie.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-patriotism, nor am I anti-American, but I don't see why the Americans get so involved with films like these, where as other war films - IE: British films - are much less patriotic in a sense.

I was just wondering what all the Americans out there thought of this, and what your thoughts on patriotism are.

I don't quite understand what the "Americanism" you're talking about is in Private Ryan.

The fact that there are only Americans as the "good guy" characters in the movie? That's kinda the way the landings worked; British/Canadian forces landed at Gold, Sword, and Juno Beaches, American forces and Utah and Omaha. The forces didn't really meet up again until late in August during the final push past Caen and the Breakout began. Given that the movie takes place over the course of 3 or 4 days after D-Day, it's not really all that surprising that the squad is only encountering Americans, as Omaha and the airborne landings behind it were American-assigned sectors.

Maybe you could explain what you're seeing as being really "American," if you would.

Also:

My thoughts on patriotism can be summed up by Oscar Wilde.

"Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious."
Simply put, if you believe your country it superiour to all other countries, because you were born in it, then you are a vicious person who will, some day, end up hurting people.

The feeling that your nation is superior isn't patriotism, that's nationalism. You're confusing two separate and distinct words and ideals.

 

[Sacman]

it's just Americas nature, you know, muscle in on other peoples territories, impose our own values and screw everything up... look at what we did to Silent Hill...

 

[Tdc2182]

So..
Last night I watched Saving Private Ryan - and I thought it was absolutely fantastic.
The opening battle scene (the Normandy landing) was absolutely incredible and got my real hyped up for the rest of the film.
However, I found that it was so ridiculously "American" it almost put me off the movie.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm not anti-patriotism, nor am I anti-American, but I don't see why the Americans get so involved with films like these, where as other war films - IE: British films - are much less patriotic in a sense.
I come from New Zealand and I can relate with war tales, especially those where my own countrymen are concerned (I am often deeply moved by stories/ceremonies regarding the landing at ANZAC Cove in WWI etc.) but I don't see why the American versions always have that overlying American "air."

I was just wondering what all the Americans out there thought of this, and what your thoughts on patriotism are.

I honestly didn't see that much "Amuricanism" in that movie.

And my theory on patriots; People who consider themselves patriots are usually the ones that are damaging our country the most. The true sons of America strive for what is right, not what is American.

 

[doodger]

It's a shame that to be a good patriot, one must become the ennemy of humanity.

After the mandatory smartass quote, I must say that I'm envious of american patriotism. I wish I lived in a country where people would say: Hey, our country is goddamn awesome!
I mean, sure, the american are really patriotic, a bit on the neurotic side, but it's something beautiful. It tells of a nation that managed to build itself around events and things.

By the way, the soviet union won the second world war, not the americans XD

 

[CCountZero]

snip

Interesting.

It's true of course but I think a little bit of patriotism is healthy really.
It's good to be proud in your country and your countrymen.

Certainly, but patriotism is defined by your opinion of yourself and your country being superiour.
What you're describing does not entail that conviction.

 

[JRCB]

It's kind of nnoying. Yes, you helped with a war. But Canada took their beach on D-Day first. So ha.

Huh, I think I might be a Canadian Patriot...

 

[ICanBreakTheseCuffs]

were's that picture I've been looking for....oh here its is.

the first definition was the real one

 

[CCountZero]

snip

The feeling that your nation is superior isn't patriotism, that's nationalism. You're confusing two separate and distinct words and ideals.

True enough, my mistake.

However, if you remove "superiour" my point is still very valid.

Patriotism is a love and devotion to a country or homeland for no other reason than being a resident there, is a related sentiment to nationalism, and quite often leads directly to it.

Often, people who describe themselves as patriots are, in fact, nationalists; willing to sacrifice the values and lives of other countries for the preservation of their own.

This is what I meant to say above.

 

[park92]

LOL french patriotism puts american patriotism to shame any day

 

[Karathos]

My thoughts on patriotism can be summed up by Oscar Wilde.

"Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious."
Simply put, if you believe your country it superiour to all other countries, because you were born in it, then you are a vicious person who will, some day, end up hurting people.

The feeling that your nation is superior isn't patriotism, that's nationalism. You're confusing two separate and distinct words and ideals.

Pretty much this. I am a very patriotic Finn (as in from Finland) because I feel proud about my heritage, my country and it's history.

I can't remember who said it, but one of my favorite quotes on this entire subject is "Men love their country not because it is great, but because it is their own". I don't care if my country is better than another on some poll or some arbitary ranking list. Sure, I won't lie - I will feel good about it obviously, but if we were lower down on that poll it would not diminish my feelings.

More on-topic, overdone patriotism can get a bit annoying in movies. Proud veterans crying while a piper plays, with an american flag waving in the wind in the background. That's the cliché that's embedded in my mind, anyway. I suppose it's put in those movies because they're made in the US, so the target audience is there...

Often, people who describe themselves as patriots are, in fact, nationalists; willing to sacrifice the values and lives of other countries for the preservation of their own.

This is what I meant to say above.

Quick edit. This is very true, and it's rather annoying since it makes people who don't know the difference between patriotism and nationalism rank us all in the same "Assholes that insult my country" lable even though patriotism has nothing to do with anyone else's homeland.

 

[neoontime]

We're Americans, therefore we love ourselves too much.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

My thoughts on patriotism can be summed up by Oscar Wilde.

"Patriotism is a virtue of the vicious."


Simply put, if you believe your country it superiour to all other countries, because you were born in it, then you are a vicious person who will, some day, end up hurting people.

Great guy And plus what other countries are patriotic 24/7. Someone has to do it so it might as well be us

 

[Vek]

True enough, my mistake.

However, if you remove "superiour" my point is still very valid.

Patriotism is a love and devotion to a country or homeland for no other reason than being a resident there, is a related sentiment to nationalism, and quite often leads directly to it.

Often, people who describe themselves as patriots are, in fact, nationalists; willing to sacrifice the values and lives of other countries for the preservation of their own.

This is what I meant to say above.

Not meaning to be a dick, just pointed it out.

Yeah, I hate the "super-patriots" here in America too. I consider myself a patriot; however, you don't see me on here all calling all my fine fellow Escapists fags or douchebags or crap simply because "Murica, fuck yeah!" There are things I like about America that make it unique, that no other country has, and things which we've achieved and done which make me proud, but I'll never, ever say that no other nation can ever achieve the status or prosperity the US has enjoyed for most of the 20th century.

 

[TheRundownRabbit]

Patriotism is a good thing but its not to be confused with supporting your government. You just have to love your country and wnat the best for it.