You have been watching the film,
The Swing Kids. From 1933 to 1939, Nazi Germany declared war on indvidual freedom and demanded total obedience and conformity from all young Germans. What did you feel was the main message of the film and what did you learn that you did not know before watching the film?
35 comments:
I believe the main message in the film "Swing Kids" is to not to conform to ideas or actions you don't believe in. Both Peter and Thomas pretend to follow the rules of the Nazis, but Peter maintains his beliefs while Thomas forgets his. One thing I learned from the film is that if people listened to music or read books created by African Americans or Jewish people they'd be penalized.
The main message of the film was you should not agree with ideas that you do not think are right. While the film goes Thomas loses himself and starts to take part of the Nazis while Peter, though in the Nazis' school, he remains faithful to all the swing kids. One thing that I learned from this film is that the Nazis even banned music made by Jewish people or African Americans. In my eyes I think that is ridiculous but to the Nazis it was not. So the Swing Kids tried to keep listening to the music so they would not have to take orders from the Nazis because they wanted to do want they wanted.
The main message that I received from the film was that faith in one's beliefs can overpower opposing forces. Although Peter had moments of uncertainty, he maintained faith in the swing kids throughout the film. It was his unwavering faith that gave him the courage to stand up to the Nazis. Even though he was not powerful enough to defeat them in the end, he resisted conformity, thus making a difference in his own life as well as strengthening the influence of the swing kids in general. From this film, I learned of the influences that the swing music had on the German community and the divisions it caused between the Nazis and the swing kids.
I think that the most important message of the film was to always stick up for what you believe in, even if that means giving up your rights and goingthrough pain. In the end, Peter decided it was better to be sent away by nazis for being a swing kid than to serve the nazi party and turn against even his closest friends, which is what Thomas did. Peter was an inspiration to his little brother and to all the swing kids of that time and even made Thomas feel bad at the end. I learned that Nazis had enough power at that time to pretty much do whatever they wanted, to whoever they wanted, and it was totally OK because people were afraid or "just obeying the rules."
I think that the main message of this film was to stay true to yourself and to not easily get absorbed by the pressures around you. In the beginning of the film, Thomas and Peter both agree that they'll just be HJ by day, and Swing kids by night, but towards the end of the film, Thomas, tempted by the power and perks eventually buys into the Nazi philosophy, while Peter still maintains his beliefs. At the very end of the film, Peter says to Thomas, "You thought they'd never be able to separate us," which shows how easy it is to fall under pressure and popular belief. From this film, I learned about the Swing Kids Movement, which I had no previous knowledge on before. I gained a better understanding of why people gave in to the Nazis because it was easier to go along with them than fight against them.
I think the main message of the film was that you should never be told to do something that you are uncomfortable with. Peter and Thomas both join the Nazis, but while Thomas becomes corrupted by the power he is given, Peter stays true to himself and does not get corrupted. One thing I learned from this film is that Nazis forced citizens to listen to German music and German music only. Also, that there was a group of people called the "swing kids" that decided to rebel against this law.
What I learned from this film is that even though no one stood up for the Jews and the Swing kids were standing up for themselves at least they realized that what the Nazi's were doing was wrong. They had the courage to stick up for what they believed in and it was impressive to me. They knew that it was stupid to outlaw music because the composer was either Jewish or African-American. The very thought of it is just ludicrous and these kids were able to recognize that and pursue the hope of freedom. For me, the main message of the film is to not conform to society, but rather go along with your own beliefs. This film emphasizes that your identity is just as important as being free.
I beleive that the main message of the film was to question everything that you are told. Thomas and Peter were at one point the best of friends, and were on equal standing. But, after joining the HJ, Thomas (and Peter, to a lesser extent) started to beleive the things that he was being told in the program unquestioningly. As such, he began to change, and view the world from the Nazi point of view, rather than his own independent awareness.
I agree with David, that it is important not to believe everything that people tell you. Kids like Thomas were being brainwashed to turn against their own friends and become something they're not. Swing kids like Peter stuck to his beliefs and this is what made him a better person, because he didn't fall for the Nazis tricks and end up like a murderer.
I agree with Kate M. that it's important not to conform into ideas or actions that you don't believe in. Thomas was easily brainwashed and turned against his best friend, which shows that anyone can unexpectedly turn under the influence of corruption.
I believe the main message of the film was, through all odds, to stay true to yourself. How far could you go without losing yourself.Being right in the middle of the country that started it all is rough, and to get the courage to use that still believe in what you think is right is very courageous. Something new I learned is that they banned all things that were Jewish. I knew the Jews weren't like but even Jewish or African American music wasn't allowed.
I think the main message from "Swing Kids" is that you need to stick up for your personal beliefs, even if it puts you in the minority or you are being forced to change your mind. Peter walked a dangerous line when joining the HJ by day, but continuing to be a swing kid by night, and was able to keep his mind separate from his actions in the HJ. Thomas, however, was not so lucky. Because of the power he felt and the benefits he received as an HJ, he could not keep his mind straight and succumbed to another person's way of thinking, to the point where he would almost kill Peter in the line of duty. From the movie, I learned that teens in the HJ played a much more prominent role in a city than I thought. Before the movie, I had seen the HJ as a blown-up version of Boy Scouts, but it wasn't until I watched "Swing Kids" that I saw them being completely brainwashed into accepting the Nazi manifesto and patrolling the streets.
I think that the main message of Swing Kids was to not give up in what you believe in. You should always stick to what you love and do what you love. Peter stayed loyal to swing music and swing dancing while Thomas followed into the path of the Nazi's. What I learned from this film was that you could not listen to any other type of music in Germany except if it was German or else you would be punished.
I think the main message of the film is to stand up for what you believe in and stay true to yourself. The Nazis showed how easily it was to get people to conform to society. Peter and Thomas both agreed to join the HJ but still be swing kids at night. Thomas was easily brainwashed into conforming to the Nazis, while Peter stayed true to his promise and everything he believed in. By watching this film, I learned about the Swing Kids in general and also how power Hitler’s Youth was.
I believe the main message that the film "Swing Kids" presented was that always stay true to yourself and to those whom you love and love you. This is shown by Peter who has to join the HJ and struggles with the conflicting emotions and problems that being a Nazi and Swing Kid bring. Peter despite these struggles showed his resilency and stuck true to his original beliefs and did not give into the Nazi ways like his friend Thomas. Something new that i learned was that there actually was such a large rebellious population against the Nazi regime.
I really like David T's point about how you have to question everything youre told because with out attempt to do so, at times like these you be able to fail to keep your individuality.
I think that the main message of "Swing Kids" is that you shouldn't just blindly follow something, even if it's being forced at you. Always believe in what you want to and don't let others easily sway your opinion. After watching this movie I learned that people would secretly have parties where they danced to music that was illegal and that they could get into serious trouble for doing that.
I was absent for most of this film. While I can't comment on the main message, I did find it interesting to see the end of the movie after only seeing the beginning. In the start there was a fairly tight knit group of friends who shared their love of music. Then in the end one was dead and another had joined rank with the nazis and only one had kept with his passion of being a Swing Kid. Before watching the film I wasn't aware what Swing Kids were.
I think that the main message of "Swing Kids" was that everyone reacts differently in times of controversy. Many people do not have the will to stand up to the authorities regardless of whether or not it is in their best interest. I think it is very important to come away feeling that it is always important to stick true to yourself and loyal to those who care about you.
I like Marks comment, I find it astonishing that people know that what they are doing is wrong, yet have no will to stand up for it. It is hard to watch at points when people can betray their closest friends.
The message of this film is to never forget who you and your friends are. Peter never forgets who he or his friends are but Thomas is manipulated by the Nazis. The film showed me what kind of rebellions were taking place inside Germany during the war.
I agree with lubsen's comment that you should know what your in for before you agree to it.
I feel that the main message of the film is that no one should compromise their own beliefs in order to be associated with a particular group, no matter their influence. Without individuals bending to their will, the Nazi Party would not have gained the support and momentum necessary to seize control of Germany.
Before watching this film, I had no knowledge of the Swing Kids movement.
I believe the main message of the film is to stick to the beliefs and ideas that you believe to be true. And do not go along and conform to what everyone else believes. Compromising to other people's thoughts or beliefs means that you are letting other people control what you. I did not know that the Nazis banned certain types of art (music, etc).
I agree with Mike that it's important for people to do what is right, no matter how unpopular those beliefs are.
I agree with Griffin, that not forgetting who your friends are is very important. Staying true to your values and beliefs is key in life.
I felt the message of the film was essentially about standing up for what you believe in. That’s just what the swing kids did during Nazi Germany when they were getting punished and pursued for their love of swing music and dance. I learned a lot during this movie not just about the culture of swing, but it gave me an idea about the environment that people lived in as German citizens during Hitler’s rise. Jewish people were terribly persecuted and it was just kind of accepted by everyone which really shocked me. Also I saw how even someone like Thomas could be conditioned into Nazi thinking because of the intense training and brainwashing that happened to young boys. Although the movie depicted the majority of Germans as not caring about the Jews or the state of their country in Hitler’s hands, there were some people like Arvin, Fraulina, Peter’s dad and even Peter himself who represented the minority that didn’t follow step with Hitler and the Nazis. I’m glad that they included some of those characters in the movie because in reality there were also people who opposed Hitler and wanted to help the Jews, no matter how few those people were.
I like how Mike L. emphasized the contrast between Thomas and Peter through HJ school. Even though they were best friends, they reacted to the Nazi teachings very differently which just goes to show that you can be bombarded by different ideas and opinions but in the end you yourself have to make the decision what to believe, and you should always think about what is right versus wrong.
I think the main message in the film, "Swing Kids", was to do what is right, rather than confroming to what the rest of society is doing. While Peter was able to keep his head straight about his own belifs, the powerful Nazi propaganda twisted his mind.
I think the main message of this film was to not conform to the ways of society if you believe it is detrimental to you and those around you. The reason Peter's story held so much impact was because he stayed true to his beliefs even though the world seemed to be against him. This film shows that one person's actions can cause a ripple affect and inspire others to defend what they believe in.
I learned that all teenage boys in Nazi Germany that wanted to go to school were required to enlist in the Nazi program. This gave Germany several entire generations who would give their all for their country in WWII. While it may have been hard for kids like Peter to just go along with the pressure from their family and friends, it's clear that you need to stick to your gut feeling and go with what is right.
I like the point Joy made about the people that totally opposed Hitler and wanted to help the Jews. While they were a minority, they still did whatever they could to speak their cause. Sometimes this ended them up in prison.
I feel as though there are two main messages in the film. The first one is to be like Peter and stand up for what you believe in, no matter what the consequences may be. Though I feel like the second message is the much more important one, that humans are corrupt. Thomas was a swing kid, he was the rebel of the group, and he was also Peter's best friend. After joining the HJ and doing all of that work he began to acquire the Nazi mindset and act on those beliefs, which were the complete opposite of what his original beliefs were. Humans can be easily persuaded and controlled, it just takes the right method. Something I learned was the fact that Swing Kids were a group that was hunted by the Nazi's. I didn't think they would hunt people based on a music choice.
I really enjoyed this movie and beleive thtat it portrayed messages that were relatable to us. The main one being not to conform and stay true to who you are, not who others want you to be. Peter was agaisnt becoming a Nazi, so he still listened to Swing, and tried to stay true to who he was in that aspect of his life. While his ideas were starting to conform into what others wanted him to think, he soon saw this change in his character and knew for his wellbeing, his families and his close friends, he had to stay true to who he was and not confrom.
I agree with what Chris said in how it was hard to stay true to himself because of the Nazi influences.
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