MovieChat Forums > The Vanishing American (1926) Discussion > Social Darwinism

Social Darwinism

posted 13 years ago by shoot-to-miss
3 replies | jump to latest

A spectacularly ridiculous rendering of the noble savage, who is doomed to be crushed underfoot by the "march of civilization." (Civilization really does march in this one.) Lest the relentless social darwinisnist theme be lost on anyone, the film quotes Herbert Spencer directly.

The emphasis on the certain demise of the unfit Indian Race had commercial appeal; on the one hand, it absolved white audiences of guilt for the wrongs white settlers inflicted on Indians, on the other, it freed them to feel as much pity and regret as they desired.

While the film in its entirety may require more patience than most modern viewers possess, the quasi-documentary prologue is worth toughing out: it's so bad, it's good. (Still, it helps to throw back a few drinks first.)

[–] creightonhale 12 years ago

Boy! That's a lot of generalizing with no specifics to back it up. Did you see the same film I did? Or are you just mouthing a bunch of psueudo-intellectual stuff you learn in some college class?

"The answers to all of life's riddles can be found in the movies."

[–] grumpyoldguy1 11 years ago

Seems to me like shoot-to-miss's comments were spot on. I see comments posted on many a discussion forum even now stating that the plight of Native Americans is their own fault, or the equally prevalent notion of "we won, you lost, get over it." And I would concur as well that a few drinks are helpful to get one through this film.

[–] creightonhale 11 years ago

Oh, like the government edict that forced them from their homelands? And when they tried to fight it legally, they were lied to and misled. Or maybe you're thinking that sending them intentionally diseased blankets was a good idea?

I could care less whether you like the film, but don' t bury your head in the sand. And my main point is that if you're going to make any comment - positive, negative, or indifferent - back it up with some explanation and specifics. Don' t hit and run.

"The answers to all of life's riddles can be found in the movies."