Starship Troopers Censorship

So I'm surfing Wikipedia a little bit, looking at the synopsis for the 1997 movie Starship Troopers. As I get to the bottom, I see this-

"In 1999, the video release was banned in Germany for teenagers under the age of 18 due to excessive brutality, glorifying militarism, xenophobic tendencies and an overall nationalistic attitude. However, a version cut by 16 minutes is still shown on German television."

In my opinion, I think this is getting a little bit overboard. I don't know how many of you all have seen this movie, but in my mind it's more of a joke than anything else. The xenophobic tendencies in this movie are against semi-intelligent bugs (does that even count as xenophobia?). Also, with regard to the nationalistic attitude, I think Germans should be proud to be German. I'm proud to be American, Canadians are proud to be Canadian, why is it that Germans can't be proud of their country as well? The problem with Germany was not nationalism, my friends, but Nazi-ism and fascism. The country is now part of the EU, an international community, and has been on "our side" for 60 years. Cut your people some slack and let them watch Starship Troopers.

Discuss.

Originally Posted by Aemilianus

So I'm surfing Wikipedia a little bit, looking at the synopsis for the 1997 movie Starship Troopers. As I get to the bottom, I see this-

"In 1999, the video release was banned in Germany for teenagers under the age of 18 due to excessive brutality, glorifying militarism, xenophobic tendencies and an overall nationalistic attitude. However, a version cut by 16 minutes is still shown on German television."

Without that, the movie would be crap

banning of a video is linked with nationalism of germany
i guess its too much streched
and i bet germans are also proud to be germans

Originally Posted by vikrant1986

and i bet germans are also proud to be germans

I'm sure they are. The problem I have with it is that it seems to be frowned upon, with the government censoring the national identity. This in my mind is incompatible with a free society.

I did'nt like the movie as much as the book, the movie seems to sort of make fun of the style of government in place, whereas the book explains the reasons for it being that way. I think the world should be the way it is in Starship troopers, sure some may call it nationalist or facsist, but there is no discrimination or racism, everyone is equal. Non-citizens are not looked down upon, and are free to conduct business and get educated. Great book, the movie did not do it justice. And making all the main characters who are in the book hispanic, clearly caucasian... wtf.

as far as i know
germany is one of the most free countries in the world where prostitution is even legal.

re violence
i feel some parts are not appropriate
in trainning camp
seargent puts knife in the hand of a trainee {sure they have a tech and all that }
then the incident when richo gets a subbordinate killed {helmate malufunctioning}


and re xenophobic
may be they dont {germany} want their new generation to become a natzi thats why they are taking precautions

Originally Posted by vikrant1986

as far as i know
germany is one of the most free countries in the world where prostitution is even legal.

Funny priority system, then.

Originally Posted by vikrant1986

re violence
i feel some parts are not appropriate
in trainning camp
seargent puts knife in the hand of a trainee {sure they have a tech and all that }
then the incident when richo gets a subbordinate killed {helmate malufunctioning}

The knife part I guess is inappropriate, it doesn't really show much to the plot, but that alone is one scene, and apparently they can patch that right up. With regard to the killing of the trainee, that was huge for the plot development of the character and meant a lot more than just a gratuitous killing.

Originally Posted by vikrant1986

and re xenophobic
may be they dont {germany} want their new generation to become a natzi thats why they are taking precautions

Taking precautions? In America, if you wanted to, you could say "I'm a bloody murdering nazi, and everyone else should be bloody murdering nazis" while wearing a white hood and holding up burning crosses and pictures of Satan himself. You know how many years in jail you'd spend? Zero. The German situation was the result of a terrible economic problem resulting from their loss in a war and the Great Depression combined. France was showing xenophobic tendencies as well during that period, but they were a bit more well off due to their victory. Germany is fine now, and shouldn't be worried about their children being corrupted by what is basically a joke film.

The problem with Germany was not nationalism, my friends, but Nazi-ism and fascism

Thats rather contradicting my friend.

Starship trooppers should put people off the idea of joining the army if anything. Their idea of warfare in the future was run at an army of giant insects, equipped with only a rubber vest and rifle.. i mean come on, not a single mech suit or future-tank to be seen.

Wasnt the whole point of the film that in media controlled world with a single all powerfull government, an endless war with a mysterious enemy of unknown origin, the soldiers will be treated no better than the insects they fight?

i kinda liked the ifrst one tbh do yourself a favour avoid the seocond one like the plague

Originally Posted by mac89

Thats rather contradicting my friend.

By far not the case. Nazis were not interested in preserving the German nation, only a part of it (Aryans). When I say German Nationalism, I say all Germans (Jews, Gypsies, gays, everyone). It definitely doesn't mean that you're repudiating Germany if you repudiate Nazi-ism.

Edit- Rob, I agree with you. I read that the first movie cost $100 million, while the second costed 7. The guns had flashy lights at the tip. It was that bad.

Originally Posted by Aemilianus

By far not the case. Nazis were not interested in preserving the German nation, only a part of it (Aryans). When I say German Nationalism, I say all Germans (Jews, Gypsies, gays, everyone). It definitely doesn't mean that you're repudiating Germany if you repudiate Nazi-ism.

Edit- Rob, I agree with you. I read that the first movie cost $100 million, while the second costed 7. The guns had flashy lights at the tip. It was that bad.

You do know that Nazi-ism and Nationalism is the same dont you? Its just a mockingterm.

Yes, the Germans are pretty retarded when it comes to censorship - I have wondered exactly what kind of flaccid decaying soggy effluvia coats the brain-tissue of the encrusted, weak-minded old men given charge of censorship, in any country.

I mean - seriously - what exactly would motivate someone to decide: I know - I want to become a film censor and devote my life's work to committing cultural-arson and deciding what it is right for grown adults to see and not see.

Actually, scratch that - the origin of the motivation is obvious: It's the exact same motive that drove people to become Nazis 70 years ago...domination, control of others, forcing culture into one unified mould.

Such people should be imprisoned.

As for Starship Troopers - it's pretty incredibly gormless of them not to be able to see that the movie is a SATIRE of pumped-up xenophobic ideals and their representation in action movies...and a good spoof of Heinlein's contemptible, perverted philosopy in the book.

The movie wasn't only given the 'R' rating in Germany. Here in Canada, it was also rated R, 18+ only. Under 18 couldnt even go see it with a parent. I remember this (and you guys may not, having been over 18 at the time) because at the time I was what, 12? 13? I wanted to see it with a few friends for a birthday party, but couldnt.

I think some may be reading a little too deeply into it... Quite simply, the movie is filled with gore (people being ripped apart and such). Now, times have changed, and the 'R' rating does not even exist anymore. The highest a movie can go is 18A, which is 18+ or with an adult.

The krauts arent missing anything, that movie was crap.

Can I say kraut? I guess we'll find out.

Starship Troopers is the best movie ever. It should be required viewing for all third graders the world over.

I liked Starship Troopers. And yes, it was a comedy. All those ads "KILL ALL BUGS" etc.

I have the book - it is brilliant, and different. Better than the movie, a great analysis of society.

The 18+ thing would be reasonable because of all the mutilated bodies, severed heads etc. Plus didn't it show 'boobs' and 'pubes' in the shower scene?

The Germans are a little too paranoid about neo-Nazis if you ask me. It takes more than a sci-fi comedy to have a nation go insane and commence a war for world domination.

starship troopers was wicked, havent seen it in ages.

the second one i havent seen, but i hear its an extremely low budget incredibly poor movie with little to do with starships or troopers.