Why do Americans always portray themselves as heroes in war movies, despite what recent events have shown?

Question

Why do Americans always portray themselves as heroes in war movies, despite what recent events have shown?

Answer 1

Heroic things happen commonly. You tend to hear the bad things because that's what makes the news. Also, who's going to make a war movie about a supply clerk? And who would buy it?

Answer 2

Ummm...because our SOLDIERS ARE HEROS.  I am sure if Al-Queda makes movies they depict their sorry terrorists as the heros.  Wonder if they have one out yet about 9/11.  

We are lots of things and some soldiers have done things wrong, but our soldiers are HEROS, don't ever forget it.  For that matter the soldiers of most of the countries who come to the rescue of others are HEROS.

Answer 3

What events would those be, Scooter?

Answer 4

What recent events are those, Beavis?  Have our troops been caught sawing off the heads of prisoners?  Kidnapping for ransom and murder?  Suicide bombing?  Car bombing?

Answer 5

We are heroes. Thanks for asking.

Answer 6

Pure propaganda.

Answer 7

There are a number of reasons for the portrayals.

1) During war-time it is used as a "recruitment program", instilling pride into the general population. (A prime example is the movie made in 1942 of a conscientious objector during WW-1 who went onto become a Congressional Medal of Honor winner).

2)  Again, during war-time, it is to portray the governments views on the conflict, especially when people are starting to question the war. ( a prime example is "Green Berets" starring John Wayne during the Second Indochina [Vietnam] War). It is a matter of re-writing history to suit the governments agenda.

3)  Americans have a large, and excellent, movie industry and it is always good business to make "war movies" showing heroes, and it is easy for them to depict American heroes than British, Australian, French, Russian etc. Most Americans are ignorant of other nations and their history. (How many Americans can tell you about "Dam Busters", Breaker Morant, Gallipoli, "Reach for the sky" about Sir Douglas Bader or movies about war correspondents "Damien Parer" or "One crowded hour" about Neil Davis.

4)  Related to both the above two, Hollywood has always had a close relationship with the government and is used  to produce "propaganda" (I dislike that word as most people misuse the word, as I have just done -- I prefer "misinformation") movies to convey the governments ideals. (many movies produced from 1949 onwards during the "Cold War" period are such movies). Re-writing History.

I am unsure, but I think the questioner is referring to war crimes and other attrocities performed by US troops over the years.

Answer 8

The victor gets to re-write history.  Be that of one battle or a war.

Answer 9

Because the alternative wouldn't make sense. Who portrays themselves as villains ever, even if it's true? That doesn't fit self-interest.