As a couple of other teachers on this board have mentioned, it's a bit disconcerting to use
films as examples of historical blunders, or suggestions to spur further interest, and find a
general lack of both knowledge and interest. But it happens every single semester in the
7 years I've taught US History, so I don't really get surprised or worked up over it.

Just finished WWII, talked about the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan as a fairly
legitimate depiction of the events on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. Only three or four
out of a 20-student class had seen the film, so could not relate to the horror I was describing.
You can imagine the blank stares I received when I asked if anyone was familiar with
55 Days at Peking (describing the Boxer Rebellion).

Trying to work in a reference or two to beloved genre films that might generate a spark of interest
is well-nigh impossible. I get the impression that today's young adults don't watch films very much,
either on DVD or the Big Screen.

... Reed