Lions For Lambs- A Contradicting Argument

As the United States’ occupation of the Middle East seems to be easing, the results of the war will become clearer. As the famous saying goes, hindsight is always 20-20. Yet, throughout the war, opinions varied and people continually took shots at the United States government. The strong opinions and battle with the issue of war morality was expressed in the 2007 film, Lions For Lambs. Using three complimenting scenes, director Robert Redford brought together different perspectives. Looking beyond the topic of war, the film also shows the importance of passion. I agree with freedom of speech. However, I disagree the way some opinions were expressed were in the movie.  

Although I most strongly disagreed with reporter Janine’s liberal views, my least favorite character was the class professor. His views might’ve been more similar to mine, but his personality had its flaws. I respect the professor’s passion for leading others, but he came across as narrow-minded. He might have looked out for others wellbeing, but he didn’t look out for their best interest. Simply put, the safest decision isn’t always the best one. Just because his war experiences weren’t favorable doesn’t mean that the armed forces isn’t someone else’s calling. For every person that suffers from PTSD, there’s a soldier that was built by his service, such as the senator. As long as someone pursues what he or she deems as important, they’re fulfilling their life’s calling. As my blog title states, the purpose of life is to live a life of purpose.  

The Professor’s argument’s showed serious contradiction. In one scene he’s telling his lazy student, “What good is a $90,000 Benz when the streets are decaying.. If things are really as bad as you say they are, than how can you enjoy the good life. Rome is burning son.” In a future scene, he’s telling two aspiring soldiers to rethink their decision to protect “burning Rome” solely based off his less than favorable experiences.

The movie gets its title when the professor describes how a German general wrote acknowledging the bravery of the British in World War I. He recalls, “No where else have I seen such lions led by such lambs.” In other words, he’s describing how it’s not the smartest people leading the war strategy. It’s this lack of trust in the government that could tear a country apart, just as it hurt our home front during the Vietnam War. And if he truly didn’t believe in the brains behind the war, why doesn’t he try to take action in politics, just as he tells the lazy student to? The two aspiring soldiers were right when they responded, “Because it’s going so badly makes it even more important Doc.” This quote directly relates to the previous quote about Rome burning.

In conclusion, my criticism of the professor is in the fact that he tells one person a nation needs to be protected and then attempts to talk enthusiastic citizens who wish to protect us out of it. Also, he preaches to the lazy student to be the change he wishes to see in the world, but then he doesn’t pursue that change himself.

Emotion really sunk in at the end when the two soldiers died. It was a heart-wrenching scene that seemed to provide an anti- war statement by the producers to some. I took it more as a reminder that each decision has a consequence. The benefits and cons of being a soldier are both enormous. There’s a big debate about the morality of war. Everybody agrees, a young adult dying is not a part of anyone’s utopia. Unfortunately, war seems to be a necessary evil in this world we live in. Hopefully, the world continues to move towards peace, but Iran seems to be making that tough. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid of Iran and what I think may come of this clash. Just as in Lions For Lambs, I hope the people that have the passion and drive to protect this land continue to do so under any leader.