Film Historian Available to Discuss Feature Film Pearl Harbor
The film "Pearl Harbor," starring Ben Affleck, is billed as a fictional action/romance tied to the surprise attack by Japan on Dec. 7, 1941. Affleck and Josh Hartnett portray best friends Rafe and Danny who both become U.S. air pilots and reunite in Pearl Harbor during the attack. The two fall in love with the same woman, a nurse stationed at Pearl Harbor (actress Kate Beckinsale).
Dr. Robert Brent Toplin, professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and author of "History by Hollywood: The Use and Abuse of the American Past," is available to comment on Hollywood's latest treatment of the Pearl Harbor story.
Interesting questions that Dr. Toplin can address include:
Does the film effectively communicate a historical understanding of the important events surrounding "a date that will live in infamy" to quote President Franklin Delano Roosevelt?
How can a movie like Pearl Harbor promote a greater interest in and a better understanding of history?
What is Hollywood's record when it comes to dealing with history?
Do filmmakers educate or deceive the public?
Does Hollywood deserve cheers or jeers for its efforts?
Dr. Toplin is a frequent commentator on the History Channel, C-SPAN and the Turner Classic Movie Channel. He is editor of film reviews for "The Journal of American History" and film and media editor for "Perspectives," the monthly publication of the American Historical Association. A prolific researcher and author, Toplin's latest work "Oliver Stone's USA: The Filmmaker and the Controversies," include Toplin's introductory essay, lengthy commentary by Stone and original essays about Stone's work by David Halberstam, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Stephen Ambrose, George McGovern and others. Toplin received his Ph.D. in history from Rutgers University. He joined the UNCW faculty in 1978.
To contact Dr. Toplin, call 910/962-3318 or e-mail [email protected].
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