R-Rated Videos

["Shelia N. Demetriadis" <sdemetri@PEN.K12.VA.US>]

A few years ago, the film "Glory" came out.  It dealt with the
establishment of the 54th Massachusetts regiment of Black
soldiers during the Civil War.  It dealt with the relationship
between the ex-slaves and their commander, and how they
achieved dignity by becoming instrumental in the liberation of
their people. This was an outstanding film starring Morgan
Freeman, but R-rated due to raw soldier-type language and
scenes of death and dismemberment on the battlefield.

I believe it is possible for an R-rated film to be quite
valueble for education purposes, but the teachermust have a
definite objective in mind and it cannot be just any R-rated
film (Schindler's List is another that comes to mind).  The
problem is, however, that educators may not have the right to
show an R-rated film to the children of parents who may object
on principle to R-rated films.  I think more needs to be done
to develop guidelines, procedures, perhaps permission forms,
etc., including a statement to parents as to why it is felt
that the value of a film overrides any concern about an
R-rating.  Administrators, of courses, must be part of this.
It is good this discussion has come up, since there are
wonderful films out there that are valuable enough that the
R-rating shouldn't exclude them, especially if they are
previewed and evaluated carefully and students/parents/etc. are
prepared.  Sorry I don't have a great solution to offer.  Hope
this goes through OK, this is the first time I am posting to
the whole list.
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Shelia N. Demetriadis, Library-Media Specialist
Mosby Middle School
1000 Mosby St., Richmond, Va.   23223
Phone:  780-8011     Fax: 780-5590    e-mail: sdemetri@pen.k12.va.us
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