Discuss M*A*S*H
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Kim II Sung started the Korean War --no mention of him in this film on the Korean WAr
posted by Benton12STAFFMOD on May 18, 2017 at 4:17 PM
Old Soviet documents (many of them) show he began the Korean War in 1950.
Reply by Patrick E. Abe
on May 2, 2018 at 9:41 PM
As "Hawkeye" Pierce and "Trapper" John might have said: "Kim Ill Who?" The Koreans on the front lines might know who turned their land into a killing zone, but not the average UN soldier.
Reply by Benton12
on May 3, 2018 at 9:06 PM
False, Patrick. Kim II Sung was a terrible monster. starter of the Korean War and he was mentioned all around bases and Mash units in South Korea plus in many US newspapers (even in the state of Oklahoma).
Reply by Benton12
on May 3, 2018 at 11:21 PM
Wrong also Mech. Syngman Rhee (of South Korea) was mentioned in the film.
Reply by Jacinto Cupboard
on August 2, 2018 at 11:20 PM
Of course not. The book on which the movie (and later TV show) was based was set in Korea. GIYF if you are not well read.
Ftr, the author was not happy (an understatement) with the movie. Imo the movie is garbage.
Reply by Jacinto Cupboard
on August 5, 2018 at 7:56 PM
I haven't read the book(s) either mechajutaro. Nor do I intend to. But not knowing MASH is set in Korea is a bit like not knowing Santa Claus lives at the North Pole. MASH wasn't just a book series, but was a hit movie and a long running TV series. The TV series itself is considered a cultural icon, lasting longer than the Korean War itself, and generating widespread media discussion and criticism.
Fair enough that millennials are often oblivious to what came before them, but they at least have the advantage of the world's greatest search resource. Hence the advice.
That Altman 'delocates' MASH from its Korean setting is interesting. It is one of the reasons I don't like the movie. Clearly Altman wanted the movie to look like 1970 so it could serve as a surrogate for an anti Vietnam War message. It doesn't work for numerous reasons, not the least because it makes the war about Americans and not about Koreans.
Reply by Benton12
on August 6, 2018 at 12:56 PM
I heard South Korean leader Syngmann Rhee is actually mentioned in the movie. I read that I do not recall them ever mentioning Rhee.
Reply by manfromatlantis
on May 11, 2020 at 8:31 PM
series lasted then the actual Korean war!!
Reply by Benton12
on May 13, 2020 at 9:36 AM
That is not important. Sung's lack of mention on the show is.