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A friend and a p.r. guy who works in midtown Manhattan offered an interesting Milk post earlier today:

"After recently seeing Milk last weekend i was struck by its thematic/plot similarities to Braveheart, to wit: (a) both are about a revolutionary figure who finds his calling mid-life; (b) this figure unites a previously persecuted group to fight for change (gays and Scots; (c) in so doing, said figure naturally upsets certain status quo political place-holders (Anita Bryant and John Briggs in Milk, the monarchy in Braveheart); (d) said figure is a great motivator and public speaker, leads troops into battle/marches and protests; (e) said figure is ultimately killed but his legacy lives on and inspires a new generation to challenge ruling authority

"I realize that these themes are common to a lot of Hollywood biopic inspirational pics," he concluded, "but this comparison really leapt out at me."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 31, 2008 at 11:28 PM

comment #1

Bilge says ...

Did William Wallace find his revolutionary calling mid-life? Wasn't his bride killed like right after they got secretly married? Just because Mel Gibson *looked* middle-aged doesn't mean he was supposed to be middle-aged.

Also: What?

Posted by Bilge at December 31, 2008 11:38 PM

comment #2

NDH says ...

These themes are common to a lot of biopics (GANDHI is another one that comes to mind). Any historical figure who is persecuted and ultimately martyred for his beliefs, politics or lifestyle automatically becomes the subject of a movie. You can add any film on Christ to that list as well.

Posted by NDH at January 1, 2009 1:01 AM

comment #3

D.Z. says ...

http://www.darkhorizons.com/news09/090101f.php
http://www.darkhorizons.com/news09/090101d.php

Posted by D.Z. at January 1, 2009 3:18 AM

comment #4

mutinyco says ...

I must've missed the scene where Harvey Milk was publicly disemboweled and castrated...

Posted by mutinyco at January 1, 2009 5:55 AM

comment #5

byanyother says ...

Yeah, no.

Posted by byanyother at January 1, 2009 8:07 AM

comment #6

mutinyco says ...

Though, I must say, it certainly would've been funny if Milk and his followers had lifted their skirts and taunted their enemies by shaking their dicks and asses...

Posted by mutinyco at January 1, 2009 9:29 AM

comment #7