Socialism?
I don't see it. Can anyone explain why this movie gets tagged with that term? Good verses evil is not an extreme political position, imo.
"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.
Director Robert Rossen and screenwriter Abraham Polonsky were both blacklisted in Hollywood for their Leftist leanings, so that's one reason the movie is tagged as having Socialist tendencies.
I don't think "Body and Soul" is an overtly political movie. It wouldn't be such a good film if it had an obvious propaganda purpose. But it does depict Capitalism as a potentially destructive force. Charlie destroys everything in his life for money, money, and more money.
But then again, isn't the message of a lot of great American films that there's more to life than money? "Citizen Kane" and "It's a Wonderful Life" both spring to mind.
I also think it's important to remember that Communism (which America was fighting against in the Cold War) and Socialism are two very different things. It's possible to be a Socialist AND a staunch anti-Communist (like George Orwell, for example). Communism was an evil, totalitarian force that caused more deaths and misery worldwide than the Nazis.
On the other hand, Socialist and Collectivist ideas are part of nearly every functioning democracy, whether you like it or not. Social Security, Medicare, Community Chest, public transportation, hell ... even taxes.
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Thank you.
"Did you make coffee...? Make it!"--Cheyenne.
I don't think "Body and Soul" is an overtly political movie. It wouldn't be such a good film if it had an obvious propaganda purpose. But it does depict Capitalism as a potentially destructive force. Charlie destroys everything in his life for money, money, and more money.
But then again, isn't the message of a lot of great American films that there's more to life than money? "Citizen Kane" and "It's a Wonderful Life" both spring to mind.
Indeed. There are a plethora of films you could attach the tag to if that is all it takes to make a film 'socialist'. Many of those films are all time classics, and this one doesn't deserved to be looked down simply due to some perceived political stance. Like you say, it's not overly political, they don't go hammering home any kind of stance on anything other than general human behaviour.
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