James Bowman is a writer and film critic. He recently published a book called “Honor” about War World II history. Bowman has his Bachelor of Arts in English from Lebanon Valley College, and received his Master’s of Arts in English from Pembroke College, University of Cambridge.
On your website you have a section for your diary. How did you decide to keep one?
Originally, it was a forum to put down the ideas that did not coincide with other sections on the website. These were things that would not have been published otherwise. It was a miscellaneous catchall.
About four or five years ago, I began to write for the New Criterion website called Arma Virumque. Those are the first words of the “Aeneid.” Now most of what I write for the New Criterion go in that section.
What is your favorite movie?
I usually answer this question with “Jules and Jim.” It is a story about friendship between Frenchman and German who meet before World War I.
Their friendship is formed over a bond for the arts. The relationship is tested with World War I as both men fight for their respective countries, and they fall in love with the same woman. The friendship manages to survive.
The movie captures so well the sense of revolutionary possibility that was around in the early decade of the last century. The idea of creating a new world and a new man, which had terrible results, it shows that modernist thinking is not all that it was cracked up to be.
If you could give any advice to writers, what would it be?
Learn all you can about the language. Your trade is words, and you should know all that you can about words— how they are used and what they mean.
Writers should be reading the dictionary, especially a historical one which will not only tell the meaning of the words but what they used to mean. It will look into how the word has developed over time. Also, this will help to understand not only how the language is now, but also how it used to be. This will expand a writer’s range and ability to make use of each word.
With your love of French films, do you see a value for a journalist or writer to know another language?
Yes, I see it very valuable to know as many languages as possible.
There is a special value in knowing French because English is intertwined with it. Our English developed because of the influence of French when it came over in the 1600s.
It is always good to know other languages in looking at the world. Languages like Chinese and Swahili are of great value for this reason.
Is there a specific topic about World War II you prefer?
I wrote a book about World War II called “Honor” and try to describe how the war was a pivotal moment. I look at the cultural effects and how people readjust their prejudices.
Would you say there has been a shift between World War II and now in Hollywood?
There has been a huge shift. People practicing film studies have become very Marxist and caught up in creating a utopia.
War movies, to me, have taken on more of a pacifist view. Basically, since World War II, it is near impossible to find a war movie that portrays war other than a mindless purpose. This came about in the 1970s.
It is an idolization where they want to show examples of American wickedness and imperialism. Those who make war movies now want to show that the ones who go to war are crazy.
I notice that you have a ranking system for movies. How did you come up with the two-star system?
It is my little dig at the film studies crowd in a way, whom I loathe and despise. To me, there are only two things you need to know about a movie. First, is it a complete waste of time? And two, if it is not a complete waste, is it OK or great? Reason for the two-star rankings or in some cases no stars.
What is one you have given a poor ranking that most would say you’re wrong?
I would have to say the “Passion of the Christ.” Among conservatives, most strongly disagreed with me.
I thought it was torture porn and full of movie-ish touches that did not ring true. I did not see the point of it, and it was a distraction from what is important in salvation history.
What movie do you think is important for every young American to see?
“A Better World,” a Danish film that I saw a few years ago and really like. The Danish title is “Heaven.” The film dealt with the utopianism of the left.
For war movies, I would say “Black Hawk Down.” The movie gives a good understanding to what a more traditional military mind is like.
A good understanding for the late 20th century is “Goodbye Lennon,” a German film about the end of the Cold War and the failure of the utopian promise.
Who is your favorite director?
My favorite director— and to branch out on a different path from I have been talking about— I would say Eric Rohmer. That was his pseudonym. He was French and thought to be part of the new wave of French directors.
He made over two dozen movies, but was not well known. He was a real preserver of modern manners. He made wonderful observations on the way we live now.
– Compiled by Sarah-Anne Voyles
