This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/oct/02/kkk-link-to-clint-eastwood-film

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
KKK link to Clint Eastwood film KKK link to Clint Eastwood film
(4 months later)
Letters
Mon 2 Oct 2017 19.11 BST
Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 16.04 GMT
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
View more sharing options
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Messenger
Close
You highlight in the week’s TV films (Guide, 30 September) the Clint Eastwood western, The Outlaw Josey Wales, as did Joe Queenan last month writing about Eastwood’s career (G2, 4 August). But that this piece of nonsense derives from a novel by Earl Carter (alias “Forest Carter”), subsequently identified as a KKK activist and white supremacist. So the film’s background has considerable relevance in today’s Trumpised US, had this been pointed out instead of praising the movie. Like most films, this post-civil war effort has various themes, but its underlying message is that decent southerners were not fighting to save slavery, but to defend themselves and their families from marauding, murderous Union soldiers. Emanating from the pen of a southern racist, this tale might seem a trifle distorted in larding honour and justice upon the defeated Confederates.Dr Robert SmithHigh Littleton, SomersetYou highlight in the week’s TV films (Guide, 30 September) the Clint Eastwood western, The Outlaw Josey Wales, as did Joe Queenan last month writing about Eastwood’s career (G2, 4 August). But that this piece of nonsense derives from a novel by Earl Carter (alias “Forest Carter”), subsequently identified as a KKK activist and white supremacist. So the film’s background has considerable relevance in today’s Trumpised US, had this been pointed out instead of praising the movie. Like most films, this post-civil war effort has various themes, but its underlying message is that decent southerners were not fighting to save slavery, but to defend themselves and their families from marauding, murderous Union soldiers. Emanating from the pen of a southern racist, this tale might seem a trifle distorted in larding honour and justice upon the defeated Confederates.Dr Robert SmithHigh Littleton, Somerset
• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com• Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com
• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters• Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters
Film
The far right
Donald Trump
American civil war
letters
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Messenger
Reuse this content