Exploring iconic war films, this study shows how they both heal and perpetuate violence, nationalism, and masculinity in American culture.
The War Films Episode 4 - Into the Jungle, 1976 - 2000
Exploring the evolution of war films from the Vietnam era through the Reagan years to the Gulf War and beyond, this documentary scrutinizes how films like "First Blood," "Platoon," and "Top Gun" have played a dual role in American culture.
By delving into these cinematic works, the film reveals their potential to both mend the nation's wounds and propagate enduring myths of violence, nationalism, and a skewed sense of masculinity. It offers a critical look at how the reemergence of the Civil War and World War Two stories reflects and shapes America's collective memory and identity.