MovieChat Forums > National Lampoon's Animal House (1978) Discussion > Racist Theme?

Racist Theme?

posted 19 years ago by fenny85
105 replies | jump to latest

I just watched this movie (not exactly for the first time either) but I thought id ask whether anyone thought this movie was racist in certain parts and whether certain jokes were taken too far.

The scene in the bar/club, where the deltas and their dates are the only white people there, we get the famous 'what are you studying? Primitive cultures' gag. Also in the parade scene at the end the giant 'Togetherness' float with the giant black and white hands holding each other, they get ripped apart as the deathmobile passes by with the words 'Eat Me' conveniently appearing between the separating hands.

Anyone think that some of these jokes went a bit too far, or am i looking into this too much? I cant imagine the people behind such a great and fun movie like Animal House would have any sort of racist agenda. I love this movie but I find that one or two of these jokes bother me a bit.

On a final note, based on this post I think Ive just become yet another victim to modern society's obssession with political correctness. Damn it.

'My advice to you, is to start drinking heavily' - John Belushi

[–] shawn_381 12 years ago

You're a rascist.

[–] rwsmith29456 12 years ago

The 'racist' parts were as funny as they could be WITHOUT being racist. The humor is that middle class suburban white boys trying to be cool and getting themselves into a social situation that is clearly beyond their ability to cope with it.

[–] alexindc108 12 years ago

Not racist at all. Are there scenes in the movie depicting racial tension? Hell yes there are. It takes place in the 50/60's...racial tensions were still pretty damn high back then. This movie is just depicting that realistically.

[–] hodie 11 years ago

The jokes were taken precisely far enough to show some balls.
You tell me where hatred was directed at black people.

I feel bad that political correctness has burrowed into your mind(or anyone's mind really), and I mean that with genuine concern. There are too many real things to worry about than whether a 35-year-old film might have been offensive to somebody somewhere at some time. I'm glad I grew up before young people were all told how to think by people who weren't very good at it.

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TMC-4 11 years ago

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2014/03/10/harold-ramis-animal- house-slammed-as-racist

Harold Ramis dies. Conservatives declare their love for him and his films. It is therefore only a matter of time before Ramis is smeared as racist. The Village Voice did the honors last week by lashing out at one of the most iconic scenes in the career-making classic comedy co-written by Ramis, 1978's "Animal House."

[–] crood 11 years ago

I think when you look at the scene in the club, it's really poking fun at the Deltas' racism. We're kind of seeing the whole scene through their eyes and they're scared, so everyone in the place seems big and scary to them.

[–] TequilaMockingbird5150 8 years ago

because the Negroes were not being very welcoming. One pulled a knife. Another ripped the table from the floor. If anything it is making fun of their naivete. The only people acting in a racist manner were the Blacks who were not accepting of Whites in their midst.

The sun shone, having no alternative, on the nothing new. Samuel Beckett

[–] bjlevine 10 years ago

This is a "take no prisoners" film, and basically takes the approach of offending everyone equally.

"Lovey-dovey. Bonk bonk on the head!"