September 30, 2004

"Michael Moore actually used footage of the Pentagon in flames as a sight gag," said Ms. Burlingame, a founder of a group of relatives of Sept. 11 victims who are supporting Mr. Bush. "It was really hard to sit there in the theater listening to people laugh at that scene knowing my brother was on that plane. I wish more people would see this film instead." Am I the only one that doesn't remember this scene? The Pentagon, in flames, as a sight gag? I call BS on Ms. Burlingame!

So I went through this script of Fahrenheit 9/11 for mentions of the Pentagon, and there's nothing about a shot of the Pentagon in flames. Does anyone have a copy they can scan real quick? Or an idea where I can find an intimidatingly detailed scene list?

posted by jimbecile 20 years ago
  • Later, following a somberly frightening montage of the World Trade calamity, Moore informs us that Saudi ambassador and Bush pal Prince Bandar dined privately with Bush at the White House just two nights later. They dined practically within sight of the Pentagon, he tells us-and cuts to a shot of the Pentagon in flames. Moore asks,
  • Not that it makes the argument any more valid. How long ago did the movie come out now? Hype? What hype?
  • the NYT store is selling a classy pictures of W giving the thumbs-up just opposite the article. what the goddamn fuck.
  • Don't be dismayed, my friends. This is the work of a master manipulator. Watch and be amazed and learn.
  • I think the DNC or MoveOn really missed a chance for a great tv ad with clips from the F911 trailer: the scene where Bush is in a tuxedo at a swank function right out of F. Scott Fitzgerald and opens the speech with the following howlers: "This is a nice crowd--the haves, and the have-mores." ba-DUMP! "Some people call you 'The Elite.' I call you 'my base.' " ba-DUMP BUMP! I mean, come on. Just run that with no comment. Speakes volumes.
  • That's a sight gag? A gag? Man. Easy audience.
  • I don't remember the scene, but if it came after the WTC montage, I seem to recall I was busy being horrified.
  • I like the scene where Mel Gibson's childhood traumas spontaneously burst him into flames as he hangs, arms outstretched, from a swingset.
  • Best.comment.ever. (Just saw Ikiru over the past week)
  • 104. ARGUMENT FROM MICHAEL MOORE     (1) Michael Moore made a movie.     (2) This movie was critical of George W. Bush.     (3) Criticizing the president is un-American.     (4) Therefore, God existsI'm voting for Bush.
  • It's amazing how you can turn things around to be exactly what you want them to be. Yeah, I'm with Tracicle on this, I'm pretty sure I didn't laugh at that. I think the DNC or MoveOn really missed a chance for a great tv ad with clips from the F911 trailer: the scene where Bush is in a tuxedo at a swank function right out of F. Scott Fitzgerald and opens the speech with the following howlers: "This is a nice crowd--the haves, and the have-mores." ba-DUMP! "Some people call you 'The Elite.' I call you 'my base.' " ba-DUMP BUMP! I mean, come on. Just run that with no comment. Speakes volumes. posted by TenaciousPettle at 08:41PM UTC on September 30 No fucking shit! I sat with my mouth open after hearing him actually say that. What the fuck was he thinking????? And why the fuck were they laughing at that. Does he keep forgetting that he is being filmed or what? Christ, if I had a ton of money, I suppose in some other realm of reality I might say something like that, but you can damn well bet it would be in a far more intimate setting. Not in front of hundreds of people! What. A. Fucking. Idiot.
  • What the fuck was he thinking????? And why the fuck were they laughing at that[?] ISTR it was some sort of event where the President is supposed to make fun of himself. Like that other one where he pretended to find WMD under the couch or something. As to his thinking, I would wager he was thinking very little. Mostly he was doing his best to read his notes/teleprompter.
  • If Kerry were making this about class and financial standing, then those would be great points and great ads. However, since he is wealthier than Bush, it might not be the best course to take. With respect to the Pentagon joke issue, I read the text above and believe that I recall that very well. I just don't find that Moore was making a joke at that time. Being upset over that just doesn't make any sense.
  • Jaysus. I have repetitive strain injury of the neck from shaking my head all the time. I have high blood pressure from reading the news. Also random assorted facial tics, general twitching, depression and mental anguish--all commencing about four years ago. Sounds like a class action suit to me. Who's in?
  • Perhaps the woman Kerry married is richer than Shrubya... everyone loves ketchup! But if we've agreed to include family money, well, George W. Bush is wayyy beyond elite. And using a particular image in a movie is, in fact, immeasurably different from using said image as a joke.
  • Just watched it on DVD. The "Pentagon in flames" shot is definitely not being used as a joke. Which is not to say that some dipshit in some audience somewhere didn't laugh at it; some maladjusted fuckers will guffaw at anything. But it was obviously not Moore's intent to play it as a joke. I can understand Burlingame's hypersensitivity- she did lose a brother in the Pentagon attack- but still, this statement reeks of jackassery.
  • MonkeyFilter: reeks of jackassery. *doffs cap, honks bicycle horn*