12 - Conclusion

Here is my conclusion with an example of each of the four strategies for leaving an impression (in parenthesis at the beginning of each sentence; each example corresponds to the strategy outlined in the Conclusion handout):

Within the short history of cinema, there is a longstanding trend to attempt to represent historical events; some accurate and some manipulated. In the Movie “The Green Berets” about a U.S. special operations unit in the Vietnam War there are many historical inaccuracies in areas such as the soldiers and Vietnamese opinions about each other and the war, the Vietnamese opinion about U.S. troops, The events at Mai-Lai, and the portrayal of the media exist to a large degree which distort the reality of that war and create a false sense of righteousness about the United States. By researching the background of events and primary accounts of soldiers and citizens who took part in the Vietnam war and cross-referencing them with the film, an overall assessment of the inaccuracy of “The Green Berets” was reached. (1) In historical Context, “The Green Berets” was a popular film starring a western and conservative icon, John Wayne. Its impact upon the war movement, regardless of its accuracy, is an ethical dilemma that the public must be able to notice and view with scrutiny in order to maintain historical truth about the Vietnam War. (2) As a generation who has been raised on and impacted by cinema, hopefully the youth will work to notice such manipulation and questions its accuracy. (3) As we move into an era where special effects, technology, and funding increase exponentially, it is vital that we consider and question this behavior by Hollywood and see film for what it is; entertainment. (4) As a previous generation gathered around the radio to listen to (and in most cases become duped by) Orson Well’s infamous broadcast of H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds,” it is imperative that we draw similarities to concepts such as the inaccuracies in cinema today and not allow them to shape our view of history.