movies and worldview

Hi all,

Here is another paper that I wrote. I thought that y'all might enjoy it. I have a challenge. Try to answer the same questions with one of your favorite movies! Let me know how it goes. The goal is to look at films in a Christian perspective and what worldview is behind the film.

Film Analysis of Pocahontas and Star Wars

Andrew Higginbotham

Pocahontas

1. Who is the Producer/Director?

Mike Gabriel and Eric Goldberg
2. What other projects have they done?

Mike Gabriel: (Director and Artist): The Rescuers Down Under (1990), Oliver and Company (1988), (Director): Lorenzo (2004), (Artist): The Black Cauldron (1985), The Great Mouse Detective (1986), Fun with Mr. Future (1982).

Eric Goldberg: (Artist): Aladdin (1992), Hercules (1997), Tom and Jerry (2006), Fat Albert (2004), Son of the Mask (2005), The Princess and the Cobbler (1993), Rupert and the Frog (1985), Raggedy Ann and Andy (1977), (TV Artist): Ziggy’s Gift (1982), Dino-sores (2006), (Director): Pirates of the Caribbean, Fantasia 2000, The Emperor’s New Groove, Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003), The Pink Panther (2006), A Monkey’s Tail (2006), The Magic Lamp (2000).
3. Who is the intended audience for this film?

It is rated G (a children’s movie).
4. What is the Struggle (Man v. Man; Man v. Nature; Man v. Self)?

Man v. Man: the Englishmen “invade” America and fight the Indians who fight back.
5. Who is the Protagonist (The main character engaged in the Struggle)? Pocahontas, The film is centered around her meeting with the Englishmen and getting to know (and falling in love with) John Smyth (according to the film).
6. Who is the Antagonist (The main character(s) opposing the Protagonist)? Governor Ratcliffe: Who commands the Englishmen to “kill every native” and destroys the natural recourses of the New World (according to the film).
7. What is the Plot (How is the Struggle played out)?

The Englishmen land in the New World to look for gold and meet Indians with whom they begin hostilities. Meanwhile John Smyth scouts the country and meets Pocahontas. After getting to know her (and falling in love with her) both of them attempt to prevent further hostilities between the two peoples. Smith is captured and sentenced to death. Just in time Pocahontas arrives and saves his life. Then the governor attempts to continue hostilities by shooting Powhatan but Smyth takes the bullet and is sent back to England to receive medical treatment, at which time he and Pocahontas must part.
8. What is the principle Worldview promoted in the film (Theism, atheism, pragmatism, secular humanism, etc)?

Pantheism is the worldview because it shows nature as god.
9. How is the Worldview promoted?

It is promoted through Pocahontas consulting “Grandmother Willow” and other “spirits” in nature who guide her in what to do. Also the song “Colors of the Wind” because it promotes nature worship.
10. Critique
a. Was the film well made? Yes, from a technical standard.
b. Was the film praiseworthy?

No, it did not even give the true history of Jamestown. For example, John Smyth and Pocahontas never fell in love, she in actuality looked at him as a father figure.
c. Did the film honor God?

No, because He was rejected in favor of “spirits” and other demonic apparitions. Also, when the Englishmen landed, the cross was excluded from the ceremony and the God-honoring speech given at that time. In fact, the only mention of God (in any form including Providence) was at the end of the movie when Thomas says to John Smyth, “God’s speed”.
d. Did the film promote morality/immorality?

By the world’s standards, no. Because there were no inappropriate scenes or any other content which the world considers inappropriate for children. But by biblical standards yes, because of the film’s inclusion of John Smyth and Pocahontas rolling around in each other’s arms and kissing outside of marriage.
e. Did the film use inappropriate language/content? No
f. Was the inappropriate language/content challenged or rebuked?

There was none.
g. Did the film succeed in promoting its worldview?

It depends by what one means by successful. By secular standards it did because the worldview was consistent throughout the whole movie. Also it helped to promote the falsehood of the noble savage and presenting a completely false history of Jamestown.

Star wars Episode IV

1. Who is the Producer/Director? George Lucas
2. What other projects have they done?

THX 1138 (1971) • American Graffiti (1973) • Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977) • Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999) • Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002) • Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005) Look at Life (1965) • Herbie (1966) • Freiheit (1966) • 1:42:08 (1966) • The Emperor (1967) • Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB (1967) • Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town (1967) • 6-18-67 (1967) • Filmmaker (1968) • The Making of 'The Rain People' (1969) • Bald: The Making of 'THX 1138' (1971)
3. Who is the intended audience for this film? P.G. Teenagers through adults.
4. What is the Struggle (Man v. Man; Man v. Nature; Man v. Self)?

Man v. Man: thus the one side (represented by Luke) is fighting against the other (Darth Vader).
5. Who is the Protagonist (The main character engaged in the Struggle)?

Luke Skywalker, who is the hope of the republic.

6. Who is the Antagonist (The main character(s) opposing the Protagonist)?

Darth Vader who is the main leader of the empire.
7. What is the Plot (How is the Struggle played out)?

The Film follows the life of Luke Skywalker as he learns how to use the “force” and helps in the struggle against the Empire. The film opens with secret plans being stolen from the Empire. They are transported by Princess Leia onboard a starship, which is attacked. The Plans are then hidden in a droid (R2D2) who escapes and with the help of his new master (Luke) gives a message to Obi-Wan Kenobi who responds by going to the planet Alderaan. When he arrives, the planet has been destroyed and they are taken on board the Empire’s space station. After rescuing Princess Leia, they (without Obi-wan) leave the star station and arrive at the Rebel base. Then a battle ensues that ends in the destruction of the “Death Star” and reward for Hon and Luke.
8. What is the principle Worldview promoted in the film (Theism, atheism, pragmatism, secular humanism, etc)?

It is a form of Theism called Eastern Pantheism because the film demonstrates that there is not one God but rather an impersonal force which has a light and dark side (like yin and yang). Obi-wan said this is an energy field that is created by all living beings that surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together.
9. How is the Worldview promoted?

Through: showing aliens which presupposes evolution, and the “force” which is an eastern yin/yang idea.
10. Critique
a. Was the film well made? Yes, actually it was on the cutting edge for its time.
b. Was the film praiseworthy?

Yes, from a secular perspective because it was exciting and well done. No, from a biblical perspective because it denies the existence of the personal God.
c. Did the film honor God?

No. Instead it honored the eastern yin/yang perception of life
d. Did the film promote morality/immorality?

Morality because there was no immorality in the film.
e. Did the film use inappropriate language/content?

Yes. A couple of four letter words were used frequently.
f. Was the inappropriate language/content challenged or rebuked? No
g. Did the film succeed in promoting its worldview?

Yes, just look at the way it opened the door for eastern religion in the west. Today yoga, eastern meditation, and other similar practices are prevalent even in the church. The film unlocked the door to this and made people curious about eastern religion.