This Blog is a resource tool for the students taking the "FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES" elective at Westborough High School, Westborough, Massachusetts.
Friday, March 28, 2014
PERIOD 4: THE SWING KIDS
For several days you have been watching "The Swing Kids." What did you learn from the film that you didn't know before and what did you think was the most important message of the film?
16 comments:
Rudy Alnaal
said...
I thought that the film The Swing Kids was a very great film to watch. It goes in depth into how not all Germans bowed down to hitler, but how plenty resiliated against him. It was a very interesting and fun film to watch. The swing part was pretty cool to see and learn more about.
I remember that when the class had first started, you mentioned that we would be watching this film, so I had looked up a synopsis of it to find out what it would be about. I was surprised at how much depth this film went into about how obedient the German public had become to the reign of Hitler. It was interesting to find out that in addition to all the people that had conformed to Nazi rule, there were also a great many that did not belief in Hitler’s ideals and strove to do the right thing and not let the government influence them. They had a purpose and resisted conformity and challenged themselves to be different. It inspires me to not let others influence me into doing things that aren’t necessarily “good” and to pride myself on being who I am rather than who someone else wants me to be.
I really enjoyed watching The Swing Kids. As portrayed through Thomas, corruption was inevitable, no matter the person's initial beliefs. In the movie, Emile and Thomas both completely changed their ways from being carefree and rebellious swing kids to succumbing to the polar opposite roles of the cruel HJs that beat people like swing kids to death. Thomas joined the HJ plainly to accompany Peter, but Thomas soon became entrenched in the HJ's belief system and hatred of those who were unique in any way. I feel as if he strongly influenced Arvin's death because he really got it into his head that anybody that was different (crippled, Jewish, anything not under the category of Hitler's ideal Aryan race) wasn't just unwanted, but was a target of the Nazis. It was extremely sad and unnerving to see a suicide happen for the sole purpose of dying before the Nazis could get to him. Conclusively, before seeing this movie, I was unaware that swing kids existed but I think that the actions that they took and the events they participated in were risky as well as interesting.
I thought that this film was really interesting because it showed how easily people could be drawn into the Hitler Youth. The main character remained true to himself and stood up for what he believed in, but not everyone remained that way. Hitler's influence on all different kinds of people was so strong and overpowering. It is hard to think about what you would do in their situation. Many would like to say that they would stick to their own beliefs, but you don't really know what you would do until you are actually in the same place.
I missed the first half of the movie. However, from what i gathered, Thomas betrayed his friends and initial morals to join the Nazis. It's so strange to believe that children would turn in their own parents. The fact that Nazi propaganda was so effective and so quick is so shocking. I learned that there was such a thing as the Swing Kids movement. I believe the most important message was to stand fast to your morals judgement no matter the situation. Blindly following such a hateful movement is something I'd like to avoid.
I feel that when we have learned about the violence of the Nazis in past years it has mostly been about the harm that they did to the Jews. We never went into detail as to what people who lived in Germany who rejected the Nazis went through. I learned more about the pressure that the kids had to go through if they wanted to suppress the Nazis and even what they adults had to go through. It further magnified the danger of resisting the Nazis and the how brave the people who did resist were. They risked their lives and were tormented and suffered so much. Their families were torn apart and their friendships were ruined. It was devastating. I feel like the most important message from the film is that no matter what pressures you are under you have to find the strength to overcome them, to stay true to yourself, and to do the right thing.
Watching The Swing Kids, I learned about how much pressure was on kids to join the Hitler Youth. I also learned that kids resisted it the way The Swing Kids did. I had known that the HJ was a wide spread organization, but I hadn’t realized how large the Swing Kid movement was. To see the boys join in order to get out of trouble, but with the intent of staying swing kids was interesting. I was disappointed but not surprised when Thomas succumbed to the Nazi ways and reported on his father. It was fascinating to watch Peter struggle to remain true to what he believed throughout the film, and inspiring when he chose to stand up for what he believed in no matter the cost. I think that is the most important message of the film; to stand up against something that is terrible and wrong, even if it’s default. Because being a bystander is just as bad as being the perpetrator.
After watching "The Swing Kids", I learned about one youth group that was in resistance of the Nazis and Hitler named the swing kids. I learned some of the powers Nazis had from the movie, as well. They had the right to enter anyone's house at any minute in order to question people. They often used their power to gain sexual favors or better their place in society. Finally, I learned that the Nazis often took people from a family with no warning or reasoning and killed them or placed them in a concentration camp. I think that the most important message in the film is to never do something just because everybody else is doing it. There were many people that did not agree with the Nazis that stood as bystanders to the issues going on rather than doing something about it. If there is something important that you truly believe in, it is important that you stand up for what you believe regardless.
Though I was absent for the middle chunk of the movie, the little I saw offered insight into the lives of the rebellious youth of 1938 Germany. Their original passion and integrity was inspiring, and it was very interesting to see their degradation and eventual demise. The transformation of most of the characters seemed very realistic, due to all of the pressures they were under. The only issue I have with the film is that the ending seemed very cheesy and Hollywood to me, because Christian Bale's Nazi Youth character would never shout swing heil in a crowed street full of Nazis. It was even worse when no one but the main character seemed to notice, none of the surrounding Nazis cares that an HJ member was openly saluting rebellion.
The swing kids was actually a very good movie. I did not think I was going to like it at first but the producers left you wanting that the main characters don't "turn". It showed what kind of preassure these kids were under to join the HJ. I hope we get to watch more movies like this.
I think that the movie Swing Kids was very informative. I learned that kids chose to not join the H.J and for a time it wasn’t mandatory. I also learned that kids part of the H.J turned in their parents that they felt weren’t loyal enough to the Nazi principles. Another thing that I learned was that some Swing Kids joined the H.J just to be less suspicious as Swing Kids, and still act as a Swing Kid at night. The most important thing that I feel I learned was that the resistance was something that was very real and something that lasted throughout the Nazi regime. Overall I felt that this was a captivating movie with a lot of information to go with it.
I missed two out of the four days we watched this film so I had a tough time following it. One part that stood out to me and was very memorable was when the handicap man killed himself. Even though I didn't understand the story line this part stuck with my because it showed me that he would rather die then take part in anything Nazi related which is very brave. I want to see the whole film because the parts I saw were interesting I wish I just hadn't missed class.
I thought that the film, The Swing Kids, gave an extremely important message that most people need to be aware of. This film showed us a whole different side of the German people; people who did not support that Nazis at the time. This is important because most people do not know that people like them existed at the time. Another important aspect of this film was showing how easy it was to be brainwashed by the Nazis. The film gave us a first hand look at how the youth were brainwashed from the beginning of their lives and that even after years of not supporting the Nazis, it is still easy to be brainwashed.
I was absent for most of the swing kids but I did see a bit of the ending and got the just of the film. I realized that these kids were once a group of friends but the teachings of the Hitler Youth ruined that friendship. The boys began to become brainwashed into believing whatever the nazi leaders said. Luckily one of their friends stayed true to his self and his beliefs and that convince another. I found it surprising and agitating that a boy could turn friends AND family in a split second just because of hitlers reign. I did enjoy the ending even though I know in actual nazi germany, not many believers change their views as easily or at all. It's scary to think even today people still hold those beliefs from back then. I do see how this lim conveys the message that you need to say true to who you are and not be influenced by the masses just due to popular thought.
I thought that "The Swing Kids " was an exallent movie and showed how young people who thought differently from the Nazis were treated even though they were German citizens. It was upsetting to see the two friends go separate ways. They both held to their ideals.I felt bad for the young brother as he watched his brother get taken away. They were German who were against the Nazis but could not really make a difference as the Nazis had power and terror behind them. I didnt realize that at a young age you could be corrupted. I think one of the most important messages of the film was that you really never know who your real friends are until a situation occurs.
16 comments:
I thought that the film The Swing Kids was a very great film to watch. It goes in depth into how not all Germans bowed down to hitler, but how plenty resiliated against him. It was a very interesting and fun film to watch. The swing part was pretty cool to see and learn more about.
I remember that when the class had first started, you mentioned that we would be watching this film, so I had looked up a synopsis of it to find out what it would be about. I was surprised at how much depth this film went into about how obedient the German public had become to the reign of Hitler. It was interesting to find out that in addition to all the people that had conformed to Nazi rule, there were also a great many that did not belief in Hitler’s ideals and strove to do the right thing and not let the government influence them. They had a purpose and resisted conformity and challenged themselves to be different. It inspires me to not let others influence me into doing things that aren’t necessarily “good” and to pride myself on being who I am rather than who someone else wants me to be.
I really enjoyed watching The Swing Kids. As portrayed through Thomas, corruption was inevitable, no matter the person's initial beliefs. In the movie, Emile and Thomas both completely changed their ways from being carefree and rebellious swing kids to succumbing to the polar opposite roles of the cruel HJs that beat people like swing kids to death. Thomas joined the HJ plainly to accompany Peter, but Thomas soon became entrenched in the HJ's belief system and hatred of those who were unique in any way. I feel as if he strongly influenced Arvin's death because he really got it into his head that anybody that was different (crippled, Jewish, anything not under the category of Hitler's ideal Aryan race) wasn't just unwanted, but was a target of the Nazis. It was extremely sad and unnerving to see a suicide happen for the sole purpose of dying before the Nazis could get to him. Conclusively, before seeing this movie, I was unaware that swing kids existed but I think that the actions that they took and the events they participated in were risky as well as interesting.
I wasnt here today
I thought that this film was really interesting because it showed how easily people could be drawn into the Hitler Youth. The main character remained true to himself and stood up for what he believed in, but not everyone remained that way. Hitler's influence on all different kinds of people was so strong and overpowering. It is hard to think about what you would do in their situation. Many would like to say that they would stick to their own beliefs, but you don't really know what you would do until you are actually in the same place.
I missed the first half of the movie. However, from what i gathered, Thomas betrayed his friends and initial morals to join the Nazis. It's so strange to believe that children would turn in their own parents. The fact that Nazi propaganda was so effective and so quick is so shocking. I learned that there was such a thing as the Swing Kids movement. I believe the most important message was to stand fast to your morals judgement no matter the situation. Blindly following such a hateful movement is something I'd like to avoid.
I feel that when we have learned about the violence of the Nazis in past years it has mostly been about the harm that they did to the Jews. We never went into detail as to what people who lived in Germany who rejected the Nazis went through. I learned more about the pressure that the kids had to go through if they wanted to suppress the Nazis and even what they adults had to go through. It further magnified the danger of resisting the Nazis and the how brave the people who did resist were. They risked their lives and were tormented and suffered so much. Their families were torn apart and their friendships were ruined. It was devastating. I feel like the most important message from the film is that no matter what pressures you are under you have to find the strength to overcome them, to stay true to yourself, and to do the right thing.
Watching The Swing Kids, I learned about how much pressure was on kids to join the Hitler Youth. I also learned that kids resisted it the way The Swing Kids did. I had known that the HJ was a wide spread organization, but I hadn’t realized how large the Swing Kid movement was. To see the boys join in order to get out of trouble, but with the intent of staying swing kids was interesting. I was disappointed but not surprised when Thomas succumbed to the Nazi ways and reported on his father. It was fascinating to watch Peter struggle to remain true to what he believed throughout the film, and inspiring when he chose to stand up for what he believed in no matter the cost. I think that is the most important message of the film; to stand up against something that is terrible and wrong, even if it’s default. Because being a bystander is just as bad as being the perpetrator.
After watching "The Swing Kids", I learned about one youth group that was in resistance of the Nazis and Hitler named the swing kids. I learned some of the powers Nazis had from the movie, as well. They had the right to enter anyone's house at any minute in order to question people. They often used their power to gain sexual favors or better their place in society. Finally, I learned that the Nazis often took people from a family with no warning or reasoning and killed them or placed them in a concentration camp. I think that the most important message in the film is to never do something just because everybody else is doing it. There were many people that did not agree with the Nazis that stood as bystanders to the issues going on rather than doing something about it. If there is something important that you truly believe in, it is important that you stand up for what you believe regardless.
Though I was absent for the middle chunk of the movie, the little I saw offered insight into the lives of the rebellious youth of 1938 Germany. Their original passion and integrity was inspiring, and it was very interesting to see their degradation and eventual demise. The transformation of most of the characters seemed very realistic, due to all of the pressures they were under. The only issue I have with the film is that the ending seemed very cheesy and Hollywood to me, because Christian Bale's Nazi Youth character would never shout swing heil in a crowed street full of Nazis. It was even worse when no one but the main character seemed to notice, none of the surrounding Nazis cares that an HJ member was openly saluting rebellion.
The swing kids was actually a very good movie. I did not think I was going to like it at first but the producers left you wanting that the main characters don't "turn". It showed what kind of preassure these kids were under to join the HJ. I hope we get to watch more movies like this.
I think that the movie Swing Kids was very informative. I learned that kids chose to not join the H.J and for a time it wasn’t mandatory. I also learned that kids part of the H.J turned in their parents that they felt weren’t loyal enough to the Nazi principles. Another thing that I learned was that some Swing Kids joined the H.J just to be less suspicious as Swing Kids, and still act as a Swing Kid at night. The most important thing that I feel I learned was that the resistance was something that was very real and something that lasted throughout the Nazi regime. Overall I felt that this was a captivating movie with a lot of information to go with it.
I missed two out of the four days we watched this film so I had a tough time following it. One part that stood out to me and was very memorable was when the handicap man killed himself. Even though I didn't understand the story line this part stuck with my because it showed me that he would rather die then take part in anything Nazi related which is very brave. I want to see the whole film because the parts I saw were interesting I wish I just hadn't missed class.
I thought that the film, The Swing Kids, gave an extremely important message that most people need to be aware of. This film showed us a whole different side of the German people; people who did not support that Nazis at the time. This is important because most people do not know that people like them existed at the time. Another important aspect of this film was showing how easy it was to be brainwashed by the Nazis. The film gave us a first hand look at how the youth were brainwashed from the beginning of their lives and that even after years of not supporting the Nazis, it is still easy to be brainwashed.
I was absent for most of the swing kids but I did see a bit of the ending and got the just of the film. I realized that these kids were once a group of friends but the teachings of the Hitler Youth ruined that friendship. The boys began to become brainwashed into believing whatever the nazi leaders said. Luckily one of their friends stayed true to his self and his beliefs and that convince another. I found it surprising and agitating that a boy could turn friends AND family in a split second just because of hitlers reign. I did enjoy the ending even though I know in actual nazi germany, not many believers change their views as easily or at all. It's scary to think even today people still hold those beliefs from back then. I do see how this lim conveys the message that you need to say true to who you are and not be influenced by the masses just due to popular thought.
I thought that "The Swing Kids " was an exallent movie and showed how young people who thought differently from the Nazis were treated even though they were German citizens. It was upsetting to see the two friends go separate ways. They both held to their ideals.I felt bad for the young brother as he watched his brother get taken away. They were German who were against the Nazis but could not really make a difference as the Nazis had power and terror behind them. I didnt realize that at a young age you could be corrupted. I think one of the most important messages of the film was that you really never know who your real friends are until a situation occurs.
Post a Comment