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by Dr. John Ruhland#16Race and the Tarzan GenreThe movies on this list are well suited to watching as a group tostimulate political discussions. All can be found on DVD throughindependent video stores. In Seattle, try Scarecrow Video. A few arealso available at Seattle Public Library. *highly recommended ** must see The following films are a wide ideological mix. Although recommendedand good for generating discussions, most are condescending orpaternalistic to varying degrees towards people of color. Typically inthe Tarzan genre, a white man comes to the rescue to ÒsaveÓ people ofcolor, sometimes from themselves. People of color are sometimes evenportrayed allegorically as non-human or alien species. In some suchmovies, the hero makes a profound transition: instead of Òsaving thenativesÓ, he or she is saved by another culture. The movies on this list may be found through independent video stores.In Seattle, try Scarecrow Video. Many are also available throughpublic libraries. A DRY WHITE SEASON. 1989. An Afrikaaner finds his humanity under anunhuman regime. Marlon Brando is a lawyer. A MAN CALLED HORSE. Elliot Silverstein. BAD DAY AT BLACK ROCK. 1954. Western suspense. Spencer Tracy. BLACK LIKE ME. Carl Lerner, 1964. White writer disguises himself asblack man in order to try to understand life for blacks in America. **BULWORTH. Warren Beatty, 1998. Examines America from a non-standardperspective. CABEZA DE VACA. Nicolas Echevarria, 1993. Conquistador is acceptedinto native culture as a healer. CHOCOLAT. Claire Denis 1989 A view of colonial Africa as seen by achild of a European official in a small town in Cameroon. CRY FREEDOM. 1987 Native South AfricansÕ struggle for justice.Highlights include quotes by Steve Biko. DANCES WITH WOLVES. (1990) Lt. John Dunbar is dubbed a hero after heaccidentally leads Union troops to a victory during the Civil War. Herequests a position on the western frontier, but finds it deserted. Hesoon finds out he is not alone, but meets a wolf he dubs ÒTwo-socksÓand a curious Indian tribe. Dunbar quickly makes friends with thetribe, and discovers a white woman who was raised by the Indians. Hegradually earns the respect these native people, and sheds hiswhite-manÕs ways. THE EDUCATION OF LITTLE TREE. Relatives of Native American child boytry to raise him according to Native traditions. EMERALD FOREST. John Boorman, 1985. Rainforest ÒdeveloperÓ searchesfor his son, who disappeared into the Amazon rainforest and wasadopted by a tribe. Liberal white perspective, with an interesting albeit predictableending. GREY OWL. Richard Attenborough, 1999. Does not adequately touch on thelife of Native Americans, rather focuses on living in harmony with theenvironment. THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS. LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. 1962. Blacklisted writer wrote this moving film. LITTLE BIG MAN 1970. Caucasian boy is kidnapped and raised by Indians,returns to Òcivilization, then becomes an Indian scout for GeneralCuster. Dustin Hoffman. *THE MISSION. Roland Joffe, 1986. A mercenary turned priest dedicateshis life to the Native South Americans he had previously kidnapped forslaves. THE PATRIOT (Brazilian) 1998. An honest (!) politician working for thepeople. THE POWER OF ONE. John G. Avildsen. Young white boy learns to stand upfor oppressed black Africans. QUIGLEY DOWN UNDER. Simon Wincer, 1990. American takes a job inAustralia, unaware that he is being hired to kill off Aborigines froma wealthy cattle baronÕs land. RAGTIME. Milos Forman 1981. A view of various aspects of classism andracism in the US in the early 1900Õs. *ROSEWOOD. John Singleton, 1997. Based on a true story of a town ownedby African Americans which is razed by ignorant whites in 1923Florida. *SIRENS. White American woman takes on the Cleveland Police who killedher ex-husband, a Black American man, in cold blood in front of her. *TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. Small town racism. TONGTANA. 1990 Story of a young Swiss Man who joins the Penan Indiansin Borneo to confront logging companies. Conservative or reactionary films of the Tarzan genre are more typicalof Hollywood. Here are some obvious examples: BOWFINGER. COLORS. Cops vs. gangs. GREEN DRAGON. Marine ÒrescuesÓ Vietnamese refugees. KING OF NEW YORK. MEDICINE MAN. OMEGA MAN. OUTBREAK. OUT OF AFRICA. PLANET OF THE APES. Series of five movies. (There is a revolt in thefinal BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES). SERPENT AND THE RAINBOW. STARGATE. STAR TREK. and of course TARZAN.  |
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