Nowadays, many filmmakers seek to tell stories from different perspectives and cultures — many of which weren’t properly portrayed before. And it’s about time new voices and experiences come to the big screen. There was once a time when it was impossible for these stories to be told. But with all of these amazing changes and the benefit of hindsight, many people have begun hating on classic movies. How should people view films with outdated morals?
Hating on Badly-Aged Classic Films
To be clear, some films age like fine wine, with themes that are more relevant than ever. Think of the Iron Giant message about war or Twelve Angry Men’s themes about bigotry (although the film is criticized today for its all-white male cast.) Meanwhile, some films aged terribly, to the point that they are uncomfortable for a modern viewer to watch.
One easy example of this is the Walt Disney produced “The Song of the South” from 1946. The film glorifies slavery and depicts stereotypical black characters. The film is not being distributed, and for good reason. When people hate on classic movies, almost no one defends stories as gratuitously problematic such as this one. However, what about more dubiously problematic moments in older films?
Speaking of Disney, they have added content warnings to films like Dumbo, Peter Pan, The Aristocats, and Lady and the Tramp. These movies portray negative and outdated stereotypes of different cultures. Remember the “What Makes the Red Man Red” song from Peter Pan and that solo in Aristocats where a caricature of a “Chinese cat” plays the piano with chopsticks? Now, these movies begin with an advisory, which includes: “This program includes negative depictions and/or mistreatment of people or cultures. These stereotypes were wrong then and are wrong now. Rather than remove this content, we want to acknowledge its harmful impact, learn from it, and spark conversation to create a more inclusive future together.” [1]
Recently, it was shortened to “This program is presented as originally created. It may contain outdated cultural depictions.” Additionally, these films can no longer be watched from children’s profiles. However, adult accounts could watch them, including the content warning.
READ MORE: Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Did Not Age Well and is Super Offensive. Here’s Why.
Using Films To Open Discussions
A similar controversy stirred up with Disneyland’s new ride, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish. It depicts the iconic “true love’s kiss” scene at the end. By today’s lens, many view it as a problematic, non-consensual kiss. [2] Sleepy Beauty faces similar backlash. However, unlike the caricatures of different races and cultures, there is some debate on this topic. Many people defend the kisses because of the context. Both princesses had already fallen in love with the prince before the finale. Plus, they would have slept forever if not for the kiss.
Because of this back and forth, some parents choose to show these films to their kids and use them to open discussions of consent and other issues. Other parents prefer their kids not to watch films with problematic elements. Disney+’s choice to keep the films as is but remove them from children’s accounts seems like a good compromise for both fields of thinking.
Of course, the ideal solution is for inaccurate and detrimental characters and scenes is that they never existed. But they did, and no one could deny that. As Warner Bros said in their content warning: “While these cartoons do not represent today’s society, they are being presented as they were originally created because to do otherwise would be the same as claiming these prejudices never existed.” [3]
READ MORE: Calls to ban Grease after people deem it ‘misogynistic and sexist’
The Debate on Hating Classic Movies
It’s unrealistic to hope that all classic films will hold up today, but that doesn’t mean we have to start hating them. With all of their flaws, there may be something to learn about ourselves from them.
According to filmmaker and programmer Briony Kidd, “I’m a big fan of people continuing to watch films from all eras because I think it’s really important to understand the history of film and to understand the culture that we’re living in and come from.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t be critical of any texts from the past, but you have to look at it through the lens of what was appropriate at the time, what people believed at the time. You’re going to encounter problems with ideologies or standards that might be out of date.”
Take Breakfast at Tiffany’s, for instance, and its jarring portrayal of a Japanese man played by a white actor. Many people may avoid the film because of the uncomfortable caricature. However, some may enjoy Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal as a “liberated woman” of the 1960s while still acknowledging the racism in the film.
Similarly, Dr. Carroll Harris believes there is value to questionable movies. She takes the example of Clint Eastwood, who has contributed to “deeply problematic” movies and characters. Such as his character of Earl Stone in the 2018 film The Mule. “I completely disagree with this film’s politics, but that’s why I value it because it’s getting me out of my echo chamber,” she said. “It’s exposing me to ideas and a particular subset of American culture which I would otherwise have no exposure to. I don’t come into contact with Clint Eastwood-types on a daily basis.“
“Culture is actually not just meant to reflect yourself back at you.” [4]
Up to Debate
There’s no end-all answer to this quandary. Many people continue hating and boycotting classic movies, and that’s a respectable and understandable choice. However, many may find value in movies that make them uncomfortable and question themselves. Plus, there’s a lot of artistry and entertainment in the old movies to be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. People could enjoy a story and still be critical of it. Take Grease, for example.
As said by Sam Shpall, a senior lecturer in philosophy at The University of Sydney, “There’s a difference between ignoring the problem and ignoring the work altogether. You can’t actually contribute to that conversation if you haven’t watched the film … [and] I think it would be a shame if you couldn’t contribute.“
Keep Reading: 6 Dr. Seuss Books Will No Longer Be Published Due To Racist Imagery
Sources
- “Disney+ pulls ‘Dumbo,’ ‘Peter Pan’ other films from children’s profiles over negative depictions.” KTLA.
- “Disneyland’s new Snow White ride adds magic, but also a new problem.” SFGate. Julie Tremaine, Katie Dowd.
- “Disney updates content warning for racism in classic films.” BBC.
- “Realising your favourite childhood films are problematic.” ABC. Siobhan Hegarty.