Media Reflects Culture

     
                   Watching the two war movies "Platoon" and "Twelve O'clock High" highlighted how cultural differences of various eras in history are reflected in the media. Especially in use and portrayal of violence, language, and explicit content, works of cinematography prove to be very characteristic of their respective eras.
          When "Twelve O'clock High" was made, a male-dominated society of gentlemanliness and respect was the norm. Profanity, nonconservative dress, and certain behaviors were not widely accepted; this is well reflected in the movie. The men are finely groomed and dressed in the style of the times, and carry themselves with dignity. There is one woman in the movie, a stereotypically beautiful and caring nurse. Bad language in the movie is kept to a minimum, and almost all violent scenes are avoided.
          "Platoon" was created in the post-Vietnam war era about a subject which influenced the culture much, the war itself. Approaching the turn of the century, the culture had progressed to the point where more explicit content was more accepted. The counter-culture was well under way, and as such, clothing and grooming style, as well as choice of language and behavior, are reflected in the movie as of the times. Additionally, the sheer amount and gruesomeness of violence portrayed is indicative of the culture of this time period.
          Both the war movies we watched, and other movies from all ranges of time periods, subtly reflect the times in which they created and, are therefore different. As the culture has changed so much from post WWII to post Vietnam war, so have the portrayal of characters in movies, and what is acceptable to show in movies.