Most racist film of all time?

[Beware the Beast Man]

I don't know why I thought of this one, but what movie, in your opinion, was the most racist of all time? It doesn't matter if is overt or implied racism.
I'll go with the most obvious: Birth of a Nation. Basically a recruiting film for the Ku Klux Klan.
Anyone else?

[Snow]

1. Sure. "Gone with the Wind"

everybody, especially the slaves, happy in the ante-bellum south. The evil north tramping over it all, destroying as they go.

[noonwitch]

17. I've got to agree with you, despite liking aspects of the movie

I like the acting performances and the love/hate story between Rhett and Scarlett. I also like Olivia de Haviland's portrayal of Melanie.
The black characters are stereotypes, which is not true in the book.

I don't consider the novel racist. Margeret Mitchell was not a racist, she was telling a story from the point of view of a shallow, racist woman(Scarlett). The book shows interactions between black and white, and portrays Rhett as a person who sees through the idiocy of slavery and racism. Ashley tells Scarlett that he always thought slavery was wrong and was going to set all his family's slaves free when his father died. There are actually a lot of different positions on race and slavery presented by several characters, if one reads the book without getting all emotional about Scarlett's shallow view of the world and thinking that that is the author's view.

[MsUnderstood]

26. I'm in the middle of reading the book

Haven't seen the movie but I totally agree the book is about the viewpoint of Scarlett and her racist mindset.

In addition the time period of the book has to be considered--those in the 1930s have a different view of slavery than us. Mindsets change over time.

[catzies]

38. Pls. tell me more about Scarlett's racist mindset.

Because I have read the book maybe 40 times (no exaggeration) and if she has one it was because it was prevalent in her time.

I got a lot more out of it about how her society treated women in that time, the inherent institutionalized racism notwithstanding.

[MsUnderstood]

48. Well maybe more of narcissist than a racist

I think I see scarlet as more of a racist than some other characters because of the ease with which she discards her education from her mother. On several occassions she goes outside of her role and thinks about how negatively her mother would react--for example the first time she used the word nigger. Her mother had a respect for the slaves and did not use that vulgarity.

However, she is not alone. Mammy, Scarlets Black maid, is also a racist--she is talking about those "free issue niggers" roaming the street.

I think that in someways you have to say it is the culture but I have seen several examples such as the ones above where Scarlett forgets her role as caretaker to the slaves/blacks as well as owner/boss.

[sniffa]

2. hmmm

i'm thinking 'bLazing saddLes' and 'souL man'... but i see it more making fun of racists.

it's been a whiLe since i've seen either.

[maveric]

39. Blazing Saddles was meant to offend every race. Mostly whites.

Who were the dumbshits in that masterpiece.

[No2W2004]

45. Well,

Lets see...Richard Pryor helped write it, in the movie EVERY white person is a complete idiot except for the Waco Kid, there is a tribe of Hebrew Indians, a seduction scene that backfires on the "Tutonic Titwillow", one of the funniest (and sickest) scenes of flatuence, a horse gets punched out, and the imortal line "Screw you, I'm working for Mel Brooks!"

Other than that, what's to offend?

[C_eh_N_eh_D_eh]

58. Don't forget the gay stereotypes at the end.

[corporatewhore]

3. present day :any popcorn hollywood block buster

I swear i havent seen one mainstream movie where an arab wasnt a crazy evil terrorist trying to take down the us or blow up a school bus of children

[papau]

4. Birth of a Nation brought back the Klan -

It was a classic "Control the non-rich" by having them fear each other - rather than notice the rich ripping them off.

[mopaul]

15. ditto.......d.w. griffith.............n/t

[non sociopath skin]

49. When I was at Uni in the late 60s-early 70s....

... Birth of a Nation was still being hailed without reservation as a movie classic.

Glad we've wised up. Griffiths is now regarded as a flawed human being, just as Leni Riefenstahl always was.

The Skin

[skypilot]

5. 1975 (?) remake of King Kong...

...starring Jessica Lange. A typical scene: The natives on Kong's island sacrifice woman to Kong to appease him. When they see Lange's character and the men she's with the natives offer the men FIVE of their black women in exchange for Lange. It gets worse from there.

[Servo300]

55. maybe not racist

but King Kong ('76) has to be rated as one of the dumbest movies of all time!

[bif]

6. I agree

I saw "Birth of a Nation" in a high school film class and couldn't believe my eyes.

[Beware the Beast Man]

12. Oddly enough,

A professor of mine in college told our class once that Spike Lee considered it to be one of the best films ever made, in terms of cinematography and the power of its message, despite the negative portrayals in the film.

[stinkeefresh]

18. Spike knows his shit

NYU is one of the best film schools in the world.

Birth of a Nation is, after all, the very first full-length film.

Evil, of course, but significant. Not unlike the work of Leni Reifensthal (sp?)

[corporatewhore]

7. its weird looking at old movies that have blackface numbers

i have seen judy garland and mickey roony do several and the first time i saw one was with bing crosby and his real black cook was like "god bless abe lincoln he set us darkies free!!" in Holiday Inn

[wryter2000]

20. Something I learned about old movies recently

If you remember the sort of Martha Rae, Abbott and Costello movies with musical numbers. There would be a scene where a bunch of black folk showed up out of nowhere, did a big song and dance routine, and disappeared again. They were inserted in that way so that scene could be cut for the version that would be shown in the South.

[m-jean03]

46. A lot of old movies had white people made-up to look "Oriental" too.

Those are funny, the Caucasion folks look so silly! Why they didn't hire Asian actors, I don't understand. :shrug:

[On the Road]

8. It's GOT to be Brith of a Nation

of course, DW Gtriffith made a bunch of other films I haven't seen, including one about the Alamo. I'm sure some of them would give BoaN a run for its money.

[ProfessorGAC]

14. I'd Go With Your Pick

The glamorizing of the Klan in that movie is a little wretching when viewed through our historical prism.

I've seen Intolerance, twice. It's not in that vein at all. As a matter of fact, i think it's the best silent film ever made. Better even that Lang's Metropolis.

It scale and scope are grand, and the cinematography is terrific given the state of the art at that time. Like most silents, the action is a little stilted, and the pace is slow, but there are some spectacular moments and i don't remember any hint of racism in it.

BOAN is indeed, racist. But, i don't think Griffith ever outdid himself in that regard. He hit a dubious high with that film.
The Professor

[GregW]

9. American History X ... or Blazing Saddles

[AspenRose]

22. I love Blazing Saddles

and I'm a woman of color. Depends on your sense of humor, I guess. It shines light about racist tendencies and stereotypes in a way that people can handle it (using humor). If it were really racist, I think Clevon Little wouldn't have come out the hero of the film.

:shrug: Long ago I read an article (don't remember where, so I can't quote or link it) about Holly Robinson-Peete and she said her "screening" method for finding the right guy was to show him Blazing Saddles. If he found it as funny as she did, she got the green light to go to the next level. So I guess (allegedly) Rodney doesn't have a problem with it either.

That said: Birth of a Nation, hands down.

[guitar man]

29. I always thought...

...Blazing Saddles was taking a jab at racists rather than being a racist film itself. :shrug:

[tjwash]

31. Not only was it an excellent jab at racism...

...all the jokes in it were written by Richard Pryor.

[BigMcLargehuge]

32. I wish I knew of the Holly Robinson-Blazing Saddles test

I have that damn movie memorized... and have for years... I would have been a perfect match.

Oh cruel fate!

[President Jesus]

25. ???

American History X was ABOUT a racist Nazi...but the film itself was anything but racist. By that standard, why not suggest Schindler's List?

Blazing Saddles??? For chrissake, it's a Mel Brooks film. He's poking fun at racism, not reinforcing it.

[rinsd]

61. Huh?

Blazing Saddles satiring racists and American History X showed the creation and destruction of a neo nazi skinhead.

[Beware the Beast Man]

10. Conquest of the Planet of the Apes

Total civil rights allegory, from what I've heard, with the ape "servants" uniting to overthrow their human "masters". Poor choice of symbolism, if you ask me.

[No2W2004]

43. Everytime I watch that

I try to catch passing shot of two women chatting in a sidewalk bistro, and I swear one of them says something like "It's not that great once you realize they won't kill you."

[qb]

54. Also, aren't the darkest apes (the gorillas) the dumbest?

And the smartest ape is blond?

[ET Awful]

11. Two come to mind . . .

You didn't mention what country the movie had to be from, so. . .

Triumph of the Will
The Eternal Jew

Both infamous Nazi propaganda films.

[Tummler]

16. Definitely "The Eternal Jew"

I'm sure I've never seen the whole thing, but I think I watched excerpts from it in a class once--if so, it was truly repugnant. It is a movie whose sole purpose is to depict Jews as dangerous vermin who deserve to be wiped out. More:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0156524/

I watched "Triumph of the Will" recently (with the academic commentary soundtrack on the DVD) and don't recall that it had much to do with Jews. (But I could be wrong.) It's mainly a propaganda piece that showcases the 1934 Nuremberg Party Rally and shows a lot of Nazi pageantry:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0025913/

[BigMcLargehuge]

13. The Battle for China installment of the "Why We Fight" series

directed by Frank Capra. Mind you, I understand the propaganda use of the film during WW2, but today it's amazingly hard to watch.

"Every can you save kills a Jap" etc... Staged reinactments of Japanese war attrocities (and footage of actual Japanese war attrocities from The Rape of Nanking).

The Japanese voiceover for some of the film is really, really, bad too, so much so it makes the old Mr. Moto films look absolutely glowing in their portrayal of Japanese mannerisms and speech patterns. Plus it also pushes the idea of Japanese westward expansion based on the absolute truth of a particular book allegedly containing the plans for Japanese world domination. The book was later exposed to be a forgery, probably Russian, but "The Battle for China" treats it as gospel.

Thus is my nomination for most racist film ever.

[No2W2004]

19. The Eternal Jew

Absolutely the most revolting racist piece of crap ever committed to film. The entire length of the film beats you over the head that the Jewish people are vermin and should be exterminated like vermin.

The other films I've seen mentioned should be taken in the context of the time period they were made. They are embarrassing, but are a microcosm of the time period. (Except for Birth of a Nation, which was a retelling of the civil war & the rise of the Klan from a "southern" prospective.)

As far a Blazing Saddles, IT'S SATIRE!!!!

EDIT: Special mention goes to the WW II films from Hollywood that were ment to whip up anti-axis resentment.

[bobbieinok]

21. any movie with Step 'n Fetchit in it

[madrchsod]

23. there was a drive in movie in the late 50-early 60`s

that at the end the audience got to "vote" by honking their horns. it was whether a black man killed a white girl..
the 80`s movie about the white kid posing as a black to get into college.

[President Jesus]

24. "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was a real gem for Asians

Mickey Rooney played some Japanese cat WAAAAY over the top.

If you take note, it was totally acceptable to play Asians as complete dorks up until the late 80s. Long Duk Dong, anyone?

[BigMcLargehuge]

30. yeah, he was AWFUL as her Japanese Landlord

HORRY GO RIGHTRY!!!

Ugh.

[KamaAina]

27. Triumph of the Will

pro-Hitler propaganda = muy, muy racist

[Bertha Venation]

28. You rang?

;)

When I first joined DU someone (who'll remain nameless because it would be tantamount to calling him/her out) jumped all over me, assuming I was a freeper because of my user name. :eyes:

[Misunderestimator]

34. Your username is PRICELESS!

I should have been more creative with mine... maybe Ms. Underestimator at the very least. Oh well, was the best I could come up with in my impatience to post something :)

[Bertha Venation]

35. don't misunderestimate your name dear...

;)

We've Harvey Fierstein to thank for mine.

[Misunderestimator]

36. Torch Song Trilogy! AHA....

Can't believe it took me that long. :think:

[Bertha Venation]

37. Marsha Dimes! Virginia Hamm! Fonda Boyz!

:7

[LSdemocrat]

33. In recent times "Executive Decision"

The main villians are a group of Islamic terrorists. During the movie the main villian starts to "justify" his actions by saying. "In the Quran it says," and at that moment he is called by one of his subordinates to deal with some other problem, never returning to the alleged Quranic justification.

[TexasMexican]

40. True Lies

I've heard of various arab groups or whatever saying that the movie "True Lies" is racist because it stereotypes them as terrorists and whatever.

That being said I dont particularily care about thier complaints, I like the movie.

[TrogL]

41. Anything with Will Smith in it

[LynneSin]

42. I thought "Troy" was one of the most sexist movies I've seen

Pretty much they made the women out to be objects for men especially when Hector, played by Eric Bana, made a quote where he said "All of my life I have lived by a code and the code is simple: honor the gods, love your woman and defend your country. Troy is mother to us all. Fight for her!". It was just one of many scenes that I thought the movie over-objectivified women.

But that's just me

[corporatewhore]

47. and homophobic as well

my friend said they turned patrocales (sp?) into achilles cousin instead of his lover

[Angelus]

50. Um, not to burst your bubble or anything...

but that's what life was like way back when.

[Spider Jerusalem]

51. What the hell does that have to do with racism?

And do you really expect a movie set in Ancient Greece to reflect the view of gender roles in a modern, relatively enlightened, and most importantly wealthy and post-industrialist society? There is such a thing as appropriate historical context...

[Loonman]

59. Good point

:yourock:

[argyl]

44. "Delta Force" with Chuck Norris.All Arabs are wild eyed terrorists.

xx

[Angelus]

52. The Wizard of Oz...

those poor flying monkeys had to do the dirty work for the wicked witch of the west. :grr:

[sundog]

53. Agree, Birth of a Nation

DW Griffith -- klan propoganda -- your jaw will be on the floor... pretty sick

[scottcsmith]

56. Mel Gibson's "The Passion"

It's the most racist film I've ever seen. Runner-up would be the horrible, horrible 80's flick Soul Man with C. Thomas Howell as a rich white kid who, after learning his parents are not going to pay for him to go to law school, instead turns himself black (although he looks sorta yellow) with tanning lotion and gets a scholarship to Harvard Law School where he pretends to be black. Hilarious!

[Cursive_Knives512]

57. The Passion of the Christ

Not that I'm trying to incite a flame war, but what I've heard of it.... :shrug:

[RoyGBiv]

60. Birth of a Nation/The Eternal Jew

If anyone has the stomach for it and wants to get a full dose of the white supremacist ideology driving this film, read the trilogy of books by Thomas Dixon it is based on.

The Leopard's Spots
The Clansman (roughly the BoaN story)
The Traitor

DW Griffith collaborated with Dixon while making the film.

I agree with someone else who mentioned The Eternal Jew. Its sole purpose was to entrench racist views and provide a rationalization for genocide.

BoaN is undoubtedly the most racist American film, but it differs from Nazi propaganda in its scope. BoaN has many levels to it, some of which also reflect certain elements of the very real class struggle taking place at the time in the South, or at least the books do; I've only seen the film once and tend to confuse which elements were unique to the books. Of course this doesn't excuse the racist theme and I in no way am implying that.