<p>I’m disgusted that ESPN would pick the middle of a war to film and broadcast this movie about a cheating scandal that took place over 50 years ago. What’s the point? Why tarnish - 50 years after the fact - an institution that is today (and back then) turning out leaders of character and sending young men and women to war.</p>
<p>did you watch it?</p>
<p>i recorded it, havnt watched it yet…</p>
<p>I opted out, just in case. Probably glad I did now.</p>
<p>I watched it. A caricature of the cadets and West Point life. Particularly disturbing was the caricature of one cadet, Italian-American and from the NY area - they made him out to be a real lout.</p>
<p>They did have ONE good scene - the cadet who reports the cheating to the USMA leadership is in his room being guarded by a cadet outside his room. The “guard” cadet knocks on the door - even though he’s not supposed to talk to the other cadet. Short conversation - “guard” cadet says something to the effect of “We think you saved West Point by reporting the cheating” </p>
<p>Overall, I’m still disturbed that ESPN financed and broadcast this piece of trash. I’m also disturbed that on top of everything else it was produced by a foreign national and sponsored by Kay Jewelers, which is owned by the British. I can tell you where I won’t be doing my jewelry shopping in the future.</p>
<p>I thought the movie was good. It really did a good job of portraying the issues and conflicts that can arise with the Honor code and cadets. I think it could be used by WP as a tool — a way to encourage dialogue about the honor code —what it means and what it does not mean. I didnt see the movie as “bashing” West Point. It showed the good and the bad. The harder right vs the easier wrong.</p>
<p>One more thought…I felt that there were no winners and no villains in the movie either. Apart from the obvious “movie license” concerning character types, the movie portrayed situations and people as they probably acted and reacted, either as a part of the cheating or as watchers and judges of it. The end of the movie even went so far as to acknowledge that many of the cadets who were separated went on to successful service in the military or on to successful civilian careers. It points out that the Honor code is tough. It is unbending and it is there for a very good reason. It also illustrates that just because a cadet is at West Point, it doesn’t guarantee that he/she belongs there. It is a difficult standard to live up to. Unfortunately sometimes that isn’t discovered until it is too late. As far as this move being part of some media conspiracy against the war, I just didn’t see that at all. Maybe I wasn’t looking for it.</p>
<p>I agree. I believe I have a much different perspective than most of you, since I am neither applying to West Point nor considering a career in the military.</p>
<p>I thought it was a well-done movie. I can’t comment on its accuracy, but I didn’t feel that it portrayed West Point in a negative light. In fact, I think the fact that despite destroying the best football team in the country, the academy still expelled 90 students speaks wonders of how strictly the school follows the honor code, and how much pride each person has in their school. </p>
<p>More than anything else, I felt that the movie did a great job of addressing the honor code, regardless of the university associated to it. I really enjoyed the movie, even if it creates a caricature of West Point cadets (I don’t know if it actually does.)</p>
<p>I thought Codebreakers was an evenhanded movie that did a great job of presenting the conflicts between the Honor Code and the “Band of Brothers” bond that exists between the cadets. The movie was realistic in portraying the bond between the cadets as the stronger bond.</p>
<p>Although it frustrated me to watch, the movie deftly showed how the cadet who followed the Honor Code and turned in the cheaters was quickly labled a turncoat and ostracized by many of the cadets. It has always amazed me how quickly blame can be shifted from the guilty to the righteous. In this case, turning in your buddies (although deserved and part of an oath taken by all the cadets) is made a more egregious wrong than cheating on the exams.</p>
<p>The movie also showed showed the unfairness of life, at least in the short run, when the first class cadets who lied about their participation in the cheating were allowed to graduate while the cadets who admitted their culpability were forced to resign.</p>
<p>After the movie, I reflected on how I would have acted if confronted with the situation faced by the “honorable” cadet. Realistically, I think I would have kept quiet rather than step forward. I’m not proud of that self assessment. </p>
<p>I pray my cadet son has more courage than I if confronted with a similar situation.</p>
<p>their rooms were huge in the movie haha.</p>
<p>Taffy, when I saw my daughter’s room for the first time I thought it was big as well. It was about 30% larger than the dorm rooms I remember in college. Probably seems a bit more cramped for those with 3 to a room though, I am sure.</p>
<p>Aspen, I too wondered how I would react in similar circumstances as well and came to the same conclusion as you. Pretty tough choices to think about.</p>
<p>I guess it portrayed the conflict pretty well, but overall it was a crappy movie. </p>
<p>I loved the hazing–that was ridiculous. “How many gallons are in Lusk Reservoir?”</p>
<p>“92.2 MILLION gallons, sir!”</p>
<p>“WHEN THE WATER IS FLOWING OVER THE SPILLWAY!!!”</p>
<p>92.2 million… That’s hilarious.</p>
<p>I saw a special on TV about the football coach “Red Barron” during that time. 37 of those expelled were on the football team and one of them was his son. I didn’t see the movie, but I was wondering if it mentioned that fact. It must have been very hard on the coach to play that season.</p>
<p>yes JustinL, it covered that as well.</p>
<p>I thought it was really good. And I don’t think it tarnished the name of WP at all, in fact, the courage of some of the students (ie. to not say who one passed answers to but to take responsibility for one’s actions) seemed very impressive to me, if it was factually accurate.</p>