Religious Overtones
Although this film is classified as a film about Allied soldiers during World War II, it can also be generalized to any soldier, from either side of the battlefield. In the film, Kendrick, Gunderson and Winley do not make any identifications regarding religion, but Gould says that he does not believe in an afterlife. Deacon's religion is not mentioned in the film itself, but is identified on the commentary track as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In the film it is revealed that he is from Snowflake, Arizona, served a mission in Berlin, Germany, spends every spare moment reading a small book, and the following is said of him by Gunderson:
- "Deacon's the squarest guy I know. He's from some little backwards town in Arizona. Doesn't drink. Doesn't smoke. He doesn't even like coffee. That's why they call him 'Deacon'."
Hence the reference to the church office of a Deacon. There is some antagonism between Gould and Deacon that comes to the surface several times during the film. But when it comes down to it, they protect each other, regardless of their differences. During an exchange during the film, Deacon offers Gould his Bible. Gould refuses, and Deacon responds by saying that for someone who isn't interested, Gould sure has a lot of questions. At the end of the film, Gould takes the book from Deacon's pocket.
The Excel Entertainment Group is heavily influenced by LDS Church and the film's content reflects this. "LDS people see our films as a mirror," Simpson (CEO) says of his products. "But they are also a window into the LDS culture." Thus, one can interpret Gould's taking of Deacon's book as an attempt by the filmmakers to promote a response to atheism.
Read more about this topic: Saints And Soldiers
Famous quotes containing the words religious and/or overtones:
“The question confronting the Church today is not any longer whether the man in the street can grasp a religious message, but how to employ the communications media so as to let him have the full impact of the Gospel message.”
—Pope John Paul II (b. 1920)
“Uses are always much broader than functions, and usually far less contentious. The word function carries overtones of purpose and propriety, of concern with why something was developed rather than with how it has actually been found useful. The function of automobiles is to transport people and objects, but they are used for a variety of other purposes—as homes, offices, bedrooms, henhouses, jetties, breakwaters, even offensive weapons.”
—Frank Smith (b. 1928)