MovieChat Forums > The Dirty Dozen (1967) Discussion > Glorifying criminals?

Glorifying criminals?

posted 3 years ago by Rolltide (964)
9 replies | jump to latest

Seems a theme from Hollywood in the 1960s. If the film does not glorify these guys it at least seems to make the argument that they are no worse than anybody else. Perhaps misunderstood victims of their environment?

Seriously these are murderers and rapists. You don't get the death penalty for insubordination or beating up an officer.

While not as bad as the longest yard this always bothers me. They are not counter cultural hippies or guys who have issues with authority. They got those sentences by hurting or killing people!

[–] PaladinNJ (20310) 3 years ago

Hence in the eyes of the Army they were disposable. They got the mission done and real soldiers were not put at risk.

As for the offer to commute their sentences. They're not going to do this out of the goodness of their hearts. This gave them incentive to pull it off.

[–] Rolltide (964) 3 years ago

I get that but except for Maggott they are not portrayed or treated as expendable low lifes.

Perhaps they should have gotten criminals from the brig with less outrageous criminal histories than murder and rape.

So had Maggott survived the war he would be allowed to live in society with normal people? It's not enough he was a rapist who murders a woman he is also a racist.

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

I liked the fact that they varied so much, from decent to bone-evil, and everything in between, and that the movie didn't glorify them... it humanized them. They were just human beings, ranging from flawed to horrible like human beings everywhere, and if they earned the audience's forgiveness it was by paying a far higher price for their crimes than justice demanded (except for Maggot).

Hell of a good movie, BTW, one of the rare films that carries off the transition from comedy to hardass action.

[–] Rolltide (964) 3 years ago

Let me make myself perfectly clear. Taking some thieves and malcontents out of the brig to complete a dangerous mission is understandable. Give them a second chance to do something for their country and have their crimes pardoned.

Taking murderers and rapists off of death row was over the top.

Also to respond to what somebody else said a commutation was not guaranteed. Ernest Borgnine said if they conducted themselves honorable he would consider it.

[–] whynotwriteme (7122) 3 years ago

This is why they don't make really entertaining action, war and westerns anymore. Today's audiences don't understand the appeal of the anti-hero. All the protagonists now have to have these noble motivations for what they do. You could never have authentic equivalents of the Dollars trilogy or The Wild Bunch today. It's all gotta be about saving the orphans, delivering the medicine or avenging the murdered parents, etc. etc. Never just a bunch of ruthless sons-of-bitches out to enrich themselves anymore.

[–] liscarkat (16530) 3 years ago

Maybe Quentin Tarantino is the only director left who still gets the entertainment value of a bunch of ruthless sons-of-bitches.

[–] whynotwriteme (7122) 3 years ago

Yeah. If only he would take it just a bit more seriously, though. Less talk about hamburgers and pop songs, more hard-boiled cynicism.

[–] marktayloruk (2378) 3 years ago

Surely murderers are willing to kill by definition?

[–] kenburke (2280) 3 years ago

The major said it best - "I can't think of any better way to fight a war!"