MovieChat Forums > Hell in the Pacific (1968) Discussion > Comparison of the two characters

Comparison of the two characters

posted 17 years ago by Harrifer
15 replies | jump to latest

Anybody else notice that mifune's character seems to be much more resourceful?

He is the one that builds everything in the beginning, like the water sills, the bamboo fencing, fish trap etc

He also makes the zen garden, knows where the bamboo is and creates what marvin assumes to be a raft(is it?). And of course, it's him that finds the sake.

What does Lee Marvin do? He just seems intent on destroying. For example when he steals out of the fish trap, practically their ownly source of food, he also breaks it on purpose and throws it down.

Any ideas why the filmmakers chose to protray the two characters so differently?

[–] Suzume-san 17 years ago

See my post way down the board, called 'Marooned'. Nobody replied to me; sigh...
I think maybe Boorman was having a bit of fun with racial stereotypes.

Kambei of the Descending Gormful Bedafter Gumi.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Seb-15 16 years ago

It's just the usual run-of-the-mill west exploiting the east tale. How often do you see "Made in Japan" "Made in China" in your stuff? I guarantee they don't see nearly as much "Made in America" over there ;)

Sebastian

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[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] moak 16 years ago

you lose the bet, theres sh_tloads of American products here, these people are selling there culture to buy American products.

[–] Suzume-san 16 years ago

What? I'm sorry, are you living on a remote and uninhabited island in the Ogasawawa Chain?

[–] jerrythecow 16 years ago

mifune is also more impulsive. marvin plans out each action he takes.

[–] Suzume-san 16 years ago

Do you think so? He plans to destroy the water catchment and the fish traps that Mifune has impulsively made?

I think the director is showing us that the Japanese officer is more at one with this environment than the American; which is quite true and reasonable.

[–] 16 years ago

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[–] Woodyanders 16 years ago

I think the contrast between the two characters added a great deal to the overall drama and tension. If both characters had been more alike, the film would have become dull and monotonous within the first thirty minutes.

300 bios and counting.

[–] Strazdamonas 12 years ago

Well this was the 70s.
During those times a lot of film-makers developed a hate towards the military. Therefore it was usual to portray the American soldier as "destroyer" while the others were "just victims". similar fashion is developing with the latest American warmongering.

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All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for enough good men to do nothing.

[–] franzkabuki 12 years ago

Well this wasn´t the 70s.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] 12 years ago

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[–] vicky_lc2001-1 9 years ago

Lol.

Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel

[–] vicky_lc2001-1 9 years ago

Yeah I noticed that too. Lee seems content in either destroying whatever Mifune makes or taking half of what he catches/does.

Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel