From Yahoo:
The Kingdom starts with a montage sweeping through the dustry sands of Saudi Arabia, briefly detailing the kingdom, the US, and its long history with oil, from 1932 to 2001. While that may sound boring, or even yawn-worthy, the music and editing on this sequence breeds more anticipation than some action movies. Historical video and audio clips are laid out on a clear timeline, and while no brief mention of an event can do it justice, it’s a quick and excellent short primer for the movie. There’s nothing quite as distracting as trying to follow along with everything in a film, especially a documentary, when you don’t know the background.
It’s definitely done it’s job. I was interested before the clip, and after seeing the opening, it’s on my short list. Playing similarly to a trailer, it’s educational and interesting, and it’s got so much information packed into a few minutes that it won’t hurt to see it again when you go to check out the film. And, if you’re wondering if the rest of the film matches up, you can check out James Rocchi’s review tomorrow.
This is definitely 4 minutes worth watching from the anticipated new movie from director Peter Berg. The history is accurate and the context is vastly important. Will the movie be yet another soft-shoe dance by its end, trying to culminate in a politically correct equivalence hunt much like Ridley Scott created in ‘Kingdom of Heaven‘, much to my disappointment? I suppose we’ll have to watch and see.
View the Opening Sequence to ‘The Kingdom’
This opening sequence serves another very good purpose in putting into undeniable terms the tragic relationship between the events of 9-11 and Osama bin Laden, Kuwait, Saddam Hussein and Saudi Arabia. 9-11 most likely would not have occurred when it did (I do not believe such attacks were ever going to be prevented, only delayed), if it were not for our putting ‘infidel’ feet onto the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This was the beginning of the direst hatred from Al Qaeda for the United States. It should serve as a grim warning to us all: we will constantly be the victims of violent, hateful attacks as long as Islamists continue to ceaselessly and unapologetically bring the teachings of Muhammad and the Qur’an to the world. Muslims are taught that they are the only true religion and that they have a duty to spread Islam by any means necessary. Because Islam itself is a political ideology, there is then little hope of getting beyond this continual militant outlook without a ‘Clash of Civilizations’.
One more thing that this movie helps show: Not only war will have any chance of stopping this enemy. Cut of the thirst for oil and we free ourselves of our Muslim oppressors. Boycott Islam.
We might continue to appease the Arab Muslim world and still allow our own fat, rich oil barons to dictate national policy for the United States -OR- we might actually get smart and shift the status quo. The upcoming U.S. Presidential Election is critical to fomenting such urgently needed change in the national and international political landscape. Do NOT elect another Bush-ite.
‘The Kingdom’ as propaganda: Read what Debbie Schlussel has to say.
Wow, that’s intense. Thanks for posting.
Ironically this movie is made in a partnership with an entity identified as “Relativity Media”. To put this into perspective, read Debbie Schlussel’s preview of this Saudi funded propaganda film . . .
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It is good to be reminded that no film dealing with the Middle East is “just a movie” right now, especially when our troops are on the ground and we’re at war….
About that timeline FH . . .although I’m familiar with the upset our presense in the Saudi kingdom created with OBL . . .this is the first I’ve read about OBL competing with the USA to free Kuwait.
heroyalwhyness wrote:
It is not the first time for me, although not in so many words. I read years ago that bin Laden wanted to be the one to defend Saudi Arabia. This might also logically have entailed an operation by Muslim armies to retake Kuwait. However, that detail might be propaganda. I am not sure.
I was definitely wondering if the Saudis were backing this new movie and now that D. Schlussel has put out an article to that effect, I can’t say I’m surprised. I should fully expect this movie to be yet another attempt to blind Americans to the truth about Islam. More moral equivalence bullsh*t.
I want to see the Saudi Kingdom evaporate. The bastards are our worst enemies on this planet.
I want to see the Saudi Kingdom evaporate. The bastards are our worst enemies on this planet.
Hugh Fitzgerald frequently proposes we do everything within our power to weaken the camp of islam. In one particular comment, he offered an alternative which would suit this desire. (I’d provide a link but I can’t seem to locate it - a recent comment by HF at JW/DW). The basic jist is this . . . The Wahabs hold current domain over the shiny stone of the kabah as a result of a not too distant coo. In addition to leaving Iraq, IIRC, it was suggested that an alliance with the leaders of the prior rival Arabian tribe be encouraged to further foment ultimate civil war within the middle east.
Back in Jeffersonian times, the US did just that when William Eaton was sent on a covert mission to overthrow the government of Tripoli - greatly weakening the camp of islam through the power struggle of brothers Yusef and Hamet. A worthy story told in the “Pirate Coast”. But I digress.
Mr. Fitzgerald’s usual scholarly descriptives of encouraging (if not all out instigating) intra-Muslim or intra-Arab strife explains is far better than my attempt here.