MovieChat Forums > Quel maledetto treno blindato (1978) Discussion > Why is Fred Williamson in this?

Why is Fred Williamson in this?

posted 14 years ago by RodFtLaud
8 replies | jump to latest

The US Army was totally segregated during WWII. Totally. The armed forces' jails and brigs were too, so an African-American private wouldn't even be in the same caravan heading to a tribunal. Even blood supplies were segregated.

Don't get me wrong, I thought he added an interesting dimension to the hypocrisy of "fighting for freedom," but it was too much of a stretch.

It might have been better to have Williamson's character be one of the Rhineland Blacks in Germany trying to escape to France or something like that.

"Hot sun, cool breeze, white horse on the sea, and a big shot of vitamin B in me!"

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] RodFtLaud 14 years ago

Um...thanks. That was a very erudite response.

"Hot sun, cool breeze, white horse on the sea, and a big shot of vitamin B in me!"

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Zipper69 12 years ago

Trivia mentions that Williamson is credited as part writer, so I guess he wrote himself in!

As far as the segregated forces a number of war movies of the 50's and 60's continued to show "mixed" groups in WW2 setting, but of course this was the period when civil rights were being demonstrated for and Hollywood fudged reality to avoid problems...

Come on lads, bags of swank!

[–] RodFtLaud 12 years ago

Thanks. I guess I wasn't thinking in terms of context and timing.

"Hot sun, cool breeze, white horse on the sea, and a big shot of vitamin B in me!"

[–] bond_98 10 years ago

When you have a chance to have someone as awesome as Fred Williamson in your movie. You dont pass it up.

[–] RodFtLaud 10 years ago

Good point.

"Hot sun, cool breeze, white horse on the sea, and a big shot of vitamin B in me!"

[–] Woodyanders 10 years ago

Because he's Fred Williamson, that's why.

I'm a totally bitchin' bio writer from Mars!