The War
A scene from the film: The War
Themes that are covered in this film clip: Understanding your Enemies
Before you view this clip
Are you familiar with the plot of the movie, The War? Here’s a bit of information to help you get started:
It is no fun to be laughed at and beaten up. So when this happens to a young boy at the county fair, he watches very carefully to see what his father will do to the kids who humiliated and hurt him.
This 1994 film from Universal Studios is directed by Jon Avnet, written by Kathy McWorter, and stars Kevin Costner, Elijah Wood, Mare Winningham, and Lexi Randall.
This might be a disturbing film clip for some members of your group. Perhaps, you might want to make a guideline that everyone can “agree to disagree” in a respectful way.
- Do people in your discussion group feel comfortable sharing ideas and opinions?
- Make sure that you establish ground rules that ensure that everyone can speak without the fear of judgment or ridicule.
Some Questions for Discussion After Viewing the Film Clip
- Will kindness work with bullies?
- Why is it so hard to be nice to someone who has been so mean toward you?
- What happens if we choose to be mean to them?
- What do you think of the statement: “An eye for an eye, leaves the whole world blind”?
Moving to Take Action
Is there anyone in your group who has tried to confront someone with kindness? Try to find a role model or an adult to let you know how this worked out for them.
