Violent Films?

Question

Do you think that violent films cause violent behaviour? Having watched a violent film have you noticed any changes in your behaviour or the behaviour of those who watched it with you?
Do you remember watching a violent film and being particularly repelled by it?
I am also wondering whether violent films will be put under scrutiny again following the shootings yesturday?
I am writing a dissertation on the evolution of violent movies and need the opinions of others to go in a chapter on public responses.

Just so you know, the view I am taking is that violent films are not responsible for real violence.

Wow Freak Show (that's their name I'm not being rude!) somehow my question seems to have offended you. Not sure what part of it annoyed you, but get over it.

Answer 1

No,some of my favourite films (and some of the best films of all time) are violent, eg: Platoon, Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, American History X, Godfather etc.... none of them made me want to pick up a gun, join the mafia or become a neo-Nazi! ;-)

I think when people start to blame tv and films for the violent behaviour of individuals in society, they are just looking for excuses and covering up the real problems such as segregation, poverty, religion etc. that are the real contributing factors.
Violence is nessacery in films as it happens everyday in real life and life's no fairytale...!
Maybe it's younger people who are more influenced by the media in this sense and therefore censorship for underage cinemagoers and movie renters should be more strictly enforced. It's also up to the parents.
So overall, no, I don't think that violent films cause violent behaviour!

Good luck with your dissertation ;-)

Answer 2

I don't know as some people are v easily influenced. I would not be affected in anyway after watching a violent film. But films can affect people..for example after watchin a scary film id be a little on edge, after watching a sad ending i might cry. But no film has ever mad me act in a certain way.
The new film 300 is in cinemas now and my friend went to see it he said that afterwards he felt like going out and getting into a fight (he didnt!!!) but films can bring about emotions in people.
I am a strong believer in free will and believe that everyone should know the difference between right and wrong and have a choice in which way they act.
But then alot of it has to do with the brain. Some people suggest that a chemical imbalance or some abnormality in brain functions can lead to violent behaviour and this might be further influenced by these films. People that are violent in nature may become more aggressive after a film as it might get their adrenalin rushing.
Also children are quite easily influenced so should be kept away from these films. I know a family who were recently told that their son will never be able to tell the difference of right and wrong, therefore will spend the majority of his life time in prision. If he was after watchin a film like this he could easily re-enact a scene, he'd know no difference.

Answer 3

I don't like violence in films because I can't stomach it to be honest. But I don't feel in the slightest that violent films create violent people or make them carry out violent crimes. It is pointless blaming art for this (besides video games are much more violent than films these days) - to blame them is to take away the responsibility from the person perpetrating the act.

The reason people hurt other people is because they want to - which makes them sick individuals - or because they have some mental illness - in which case watching a violent film wouldn't make any difference.

It's all just an excuse. Those students are dead because some stupid idiot went out and shot them all - he could have easily not done it.

Answer 4

I think there is something in peoples' minds that needs a trigger to let the violent tendencies out. I think the violent urges are there in only a few people, but manifest themselves strongly when triggered. In the case of yesterday's occurrence, it was because the guy got dumped by his girl friend. You can't blame violent films or even video games, I have experienced plenty and never wanted to go on a killing spree. To my mind, that is just a cop out excuse.

Answer 5

My dad likes watching a lot of action movies and he hogs the TV so I usually watch that. I think that since it seems that violence seem to be the solution in most movies, so that in reality, some people would do the same. I'm not too aggressive after watching them. Uh...I dunno, most violent movies have grenades and stuff, and I'm thinking that the gunman for yesterday's shootings wasn't exactly influenced under the action movies because he would have done something more extreme than killing 20 students.

Answer 6

Of course in this day and age, people will blame the movies, music, and television. Why must we blame the things that were meant only to entertain us. Is it because it is easier to say Marilyn Manson made them do it than it is to find the real reason? I think so. I think the pressure to do something great is what causes people to snap. You have to get good grades or I won't pay your tuition, or your scholarship goes away. Do well in everything you do now or ruin your whole life. Where are the parents accountability? Oh yeah, the pressure they pushed on the youth of the world is what makes our youth crack and do terrible things, but we blame it on the movies.

Answer 7

good question!!! My answer would be yes and no - I dont think violent films necessarily make people violent - it certainly wouldnt affect me in any way.
I do however think it can implant ideas into peoples minds - like maybe how to commit a crime or how to torture someone (these saw films should be banned!!!)
I mean if someone is satanic enough to murder somone - then I would imagine they would have no qualms about taking the ideas from these films and applying them to their victim
Again - great question!
xx

Answer 8

I think if you are already a violent person these films can give you idea`s about what other violent things to do but i don't think they can turn anyone violent
You either are violent or your not violent

Answer 9

No. Even if one person, or a few, did become violent because of it, you must take in account the thousands or millions that saw it and didnt. It means that there was something allready wrong in those few people to begin with.

Answer 10

NO....i don't believe that violent films contribute to the deliquency of a minor....the inability of the parents to guide and nurture is the problem!! Parents are just sittin their kids in front of the tube today and letting em watch anything they want without EXPLAINING to them that things on tv are fake.....YES EVEN THE SO CALLED REALITY SHOWS...VH1...behind the scene on reality shows....very interesting....