MovieChat Forums > Fear and Desire (1953) Discussion > Startling and Surprising for 1953

Startling and Surprising for 1953

posted 12 years ago by JonBruno
5 replies | jump to latest

I just watched this broadcast on TCM, and its most startling and surprising aspect is the delineation of its characters -- Nothing one might expect from an American film of the early 1950's. It resembles more, I would say, something European, or possibly something American of a later time frame, after the post-war European influence in America would have had its impact on our popular culture -- One can clearly see the philosophical basis for something like "Full Metal Jacket".

[–] edaz 12 years ago

I just watched it too. Gives you a lot to think about in regards to Kubrick.

[–] JonasEB 12 years ago

"Nothing one might expect from an American film of the early 1950's."

Please, watch more films.

[–] fletchers_paradox 12 years ago

^ Haha, word up.

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[–] sampafelipe 9 years ago

I felt the same way; sure there were some dark early 50s films, but not so many as anti-war...considering how soon the McCarthy hearings would happen, it seems bold.

[–] Errington_92 9 years ago

"Nothing one might expect from an American film of the early 1950's."

Please, watch more films.

There is a valid argument about the rarity of Fear and Desire in terms of its anti-war context. The Korean War was still ongoing which intensified American politics regarding threats of Communism. It was only from the late 1960s on-wards did American Cinema regularly being to question contemporary American politics i.e Easy Rider (1969) or Little Big Man (1970)

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.