Pc Version Of 'The Dambusters'

[sddsddean]

Watched the Dambusters again last night on Ch5 (I think!). This is the first time I've noticed that Guy Gibson's black labrador has had his name changed. For those that don't know, his name was N*gg*r, but in this version it was overdubbed to Trigger. Now, I know the N word is abhorrent and totally agree with that, but if we start changing historical facts, just to suit current 'sentiments', is that wrong? Surely history teaches us why things should change, but if you remove them in the first place, you have no benchmark. Is this the thin end of the wedge and the start of us all being duped and influenced by re-written history as envisaged in '1984'? or am I just making a mountain out of a molehill?

[bhg481]

I completely agree with you. Back in the day it was just a word (also used to describe the colour of Great Western railway stock and the Pullman carriages.

[goodgoalie]

I think the N-word has now become just about the only word that cannot be written or uttered in any circumstances, even on serious history programmes or in school or university teaching.
I've occasionally heard the C-word recently on TV, but never the N-word.

[choux]

I think this subject has come up before, and yes, I agree with you. You are not making a mountain of it, imo.
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1185344.html
It was Ch 5 and I thoroughly enjoyed it again, great performance by Redgrave, who showed humility against the loss of life, and Todd.

[choux]

and again:
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Phrases-and-Sayings/Question251224.html

[bhg481]

To me there is no logical difference between using "N-word" and the word itself; when anyone sees "N-word" they translate it for themselves.

[sddsddean]

Hadn't seen those 2 threads before choux.
Have to agree with you bhg...you just translate it, but I can't imagine going up to someone and saying 'hey you N word'...I think you'd still get a stiff talking to though!! ;)

[Gromit]

Now they have made it horseist.

[bednobs]

i recall plenty of discussions on this before if you dont get many answers and want to see what people think:
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1026461.html
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1714974.html
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Media-and-TV/Question1464395.html
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1185344.html
Personally i think it's a whole load of fuss over not very much (both from your POV and those who want the name dubbed out)

[davebro]

Seems it's OK for a N to call another N a N.

Wokeism?

[bednobs]

sorry choux, you answered as i was answering!

[choux]

In generations to come will it be described as the "n word, rhymes with bigger" if at all?

[Paigntonian]

I also agree. Lots of black people in The States use the word anyway. We shouldn't corrupt our past by distorting the language.

[New Judge]

//To me there is no logical difference between using "N-word" and the word itself;//

Absolutely correct. It is totally pointless to print or say "the 'N' word" when everybody knows what it means.

It is clearly a hugely insulting word when used to describe a black person. But it was used and when it occurs as part of a historical portrayal, as in the Dam Busters, I see absolutely no reason why it should not be replicated properly. There is no reason to blank out history.

//I think the N-word has now become just about the only word that cannot be written or uttered in any circumstances,..//

Many black people use it abundantly when talking between themselves.

[davebro]

(not so funny) story - a friend had been on a long & boring night shift at the computer centre & amused himself by reading the dambusters book. Come morning he had to set the 6-letter password to be used nationwide for the following day and (without thinking) set it to the N-word.
He narrowly avoided being sacked but was given a stern written warning!

[goodgoalie]

//Many black people use it abundantly when talking between themselves.//

But not on TV

[bhg481]

Back in the day I had a good friend who just didn't swear but, if really upset by someone, ho would call them a "woman's thing". We all knew what he meant.

[bednobs]

ha! i prefer see you next tuesday, and was delighted (inside) when someone at work i hated had the monday off, and i could call to him "bye, see you next tuesday"

[New Judge]

//But not on TV//

Possibly not, gg. But I'm talking about real life, of which "The Dambusters" was a fairly accurate historical portrayal. The film depicts a considerable amount of suffering, both physical and emotional, endured by many people. Perfectly OK to show a Lancaster bomber with seven souls on board, crippled and plunging into the German countryside. But utter the real name of Guy Gibson's black Labrador and you're up before The Beak. Funny old world.

[ToraToraTora]

"For those that don't know, his name was N*gg*r, but in this version it was overdubbed to Trigger. " - Does he sweep the roads too?

[barry1010]

There is not one swear word in the film, as I recall. Bet there was plenty in real life so it was 'pc for tv' when it was filmed.