To think a lot of American films (especially Disney) are quite racist?

[lollypoplady]

(Okay, not sure if 'English' is a race, or whether it would come under 'caucasian'. I know that people get accused of racism against 'Irish' so I am assuming 'English' can also be a race - or would that be ethnic origin?!) Anyway, so many of the villans in American films are English, I notice this especially watching Disney films with the kids, if all the villans had for example Indian accents or even Irish accents wouldn't more of a fuss be made? Just curious!

I don't mind if they want their villians to be Engliah, it's making them sound like Dick Van Dyke that makes my teeth itch!

English is your nationality. I am English but I am not the same race as you.

It goes in phases. Used to be the villains were vaguely East European/Russian. Then it swung around to English. Expect we're in for a crop of sinister Middle-Eastern types shortly.

If it comes to a choice, I'd much rather we were stereotyped as cool, sinister and ruthless with voices like Vincent Price.... then cheery, cheeky, "Gor Blimey Meery Pawpins", chimney-sweeps.

I guess they're made for the American market so they don't really care, prob think think they sound fine - saying that I thought Gwyneth Paltrow & Rene Zelleweger were both English for ages

surely all villans are english

Yes! I was thinking Russian & Eastern European accents too, although it's been firmly in the 'English baddy' camp for the last few years

som of them are I suppose, the worst ones are the older ones, now they wouldnt get away with some of the stuff they put in them.

Maybe the English accent just sounds evil & sneaky to other accents?!

that post sounded awkward but you get what I mean!

On a slightly different tack.... I do wish they'd pay attention to other country-specific things. In 101 Dalmations, why are there bloody raccoons running around London?! It would be like a film about New York showing a kangaroo skipping through Central Park.

wow I've never noticed that Chil thanks for bringing that to my attention.

I think also some of the best charachter actors are english ie Alan Rickman, who can play the most wonderful baddy.

It's a particular accent (or perhaps way of speaking) they are choosing not the nationality.

There are many different accents in England and I don't recall too many Brummie or West Country villains.

Chil, you should have married my DP.

We saw the film, and in the end he said the raccoons annoyed him as it was really unrealistic.

I laughed and laughed saying "Yes, the REST of the film is all VERY realistic" It is all so life like, and just like real life, apart from those raccoons. Hahahahahahahahaha

you two should marry, really

...nutters

I was a bit watching one of the later series of 'Friends' the other day.

Monica's hilarious comedy Afro in the Barbados one.

Ross' hilarious dark skin after overdoing fake tan.

sorry for random above comment- I really should read the whole thread.

Pink - how on earth is that racist?

I agree bruffin Gary Oldman is another good baddie.

The villains in True Lies were Middle Eastern.

Raccoons and skunks!!!.... quite willing to suspend disbelief for the sake of artistic licence and not the type that freeze-frames movies so I can watch the stormtrooper hitting his head or WWII pilot sporting a digital watch. But the 'wrong animal' thing was just bone-idle.

I think it's cultural stereotyping rather than racism, but agree it exists.

pinkchaffinch - I love the episode where Ross f*cks up his tanning. It's one of the best!

Chilli-101 Dalmations is just a cartoon!!Most things that happen in Disney films would never happen in real life!!