My personal response to the code is that the code is very well written and is not a blatant in it’s censorship as one might think. The code is also well organized, it first defines the role of entertainment, why a code is needed and how film differs from other forms of entertainment using sound logical reasoning, which although one may not agree with it, it still follows a rational path in its method. After that the code then goes into a case by case basis further examining particular themes that should be portrayed in a certain manner. I think it is interesting and also very obvious that a lot of thought went into this code. Not merely in the 1900’s but for the past few hundred years as the idea’s I’m assuming are based on a rational towards entertainment that the catholic church obtained after a long period of analysis. In my honest opinion I think some of the guidelines laid out in the code are very applicable today if not in the move industry than in advertisement which can be seen by all children and adults. In the past I now understand that movies were mass produced and so this code did not have a conception of a movie theater that had an “R” rated picture that would I.D all viewers. In conclusion I think that the code was not unreasonable and its underlying attempts are still relevant for us to consider today.
My personal section was “Reasons for supporting preamble of code” part III, section A-D. the section of the code outlines that film has certain moral obligations because of its special class of entertainment and the credibility that people place in it. I think it is important to note that even today people will, as a standard of evidence, state “I saw it on TV” to support their claims.
Section A states that film appeals to all strata of society and that there is no heirarchy of low film and high film as opposed to music which many could categorize in this way, for example classical vs. pop music. I believe this assumption is not a valid one anymore as films are targeted towards specific audiences.
Section B states that films can be showed to large groups of people anywhere at anytime. I believe this to be a valid point that has significance. it is important to note that around the same time mass media in the form of advertising, flyer’s, billboards came about. Along with film this form of media was used for propaganda during wartime for the reason of its quick dissemination.
Section C states that these two reasons make making films for different classes of people difficult. As stated earlier I don’t think this to be relevant anymore.
Section D is about how film differs from books. Books require using your own imagination which would then depend on the intellect and state of mind of the individual. With film the work is already done for you. I can see the reasoning in this statement but I cannot form a concrete opinion regarding whether or not I agree.
