Becca Hurst
Film and Culture DV 1070
4-30-12
Final Research Paper:
Forrest Gump and its Historical Value
Forrest Gump was directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks in 1994. It
addresses many issues regarding mental disabilities, war affects, and racism; just to name a few.
Although all these issues are important to study and try to understand I chose to concentrate on
the historical aspect and values the film presents. “This film touches on so many iconic
historical elements from the 60′s, 70′s and 80′s that it has become a one of the most beloved
films of all time.” (Els Malcolm). It is interesting that this film shows these major historical
events through Forrest Gump, “Forrest Gump is a simple man with a low IQ but good
intentions.” (The Internet Movie Database).
It was important to those involved in the film that the historical elements of the film were
as accurate as possible. There are many major and minor historical events throughout this film.
Because these events are shown through the perception of Forrest Gump it does not go into much
detail or real understanding. I believe this contributes the emotion of the film to keep the
audience and Gump’s perception of the events innocent.
A significant historical moment represented in Forrest Gump is in regards to the Civil
Rights Movement. We witness the integration of the University of Alabama, the school in which
Gump attends with a football scholarship. This event took place in 1963 when 2 black students
were unable to enroll. The footage shows the black students being led in by federal troops for
protection and the rally at the front doors to try and stop this from occurring.
After college Forrest Gump enlists in the army and is sent to fight in the Vietnam War, a
tragic war that took place from 1954 to 1975. I think it adds to the emotion of the film that the
Vietnam War is not explained, you are seeing it through Gump’s point of view. “I got to see a lot
of countryside. We would take these real long walks. And we were always lookin' for this guy
named Charlie.” (Zemeckis, 1994).
While recovering from war injuries Gump entertains himself with ping pong and
becomes a national Ping Pong Player that travels to China. Although this event is greatly
exaggerated in the film it is significant to know it was a ping pong team who were the first
Americans to visit China since 1949. (Els Malcolm). Another minor event Forrest Gump
represents is running across the country. The run was inspired by Louis Michael Figueroa who
ran from New Jersey to San Francisco for the American Cancer Society.
Bubba-Gump shrimping company represents the emotional connection for Gump’s war
buddy, Bubba. Zemeckis continues to put historical facts into this movie, even if just for a brief
moment. The portion of Gump’s life where he is running the Bubba- Gump company Hurricane
Carmen enters the film. The hurricane gives Bubba-Gump free range to the shrimp and allows
the business to become extremely profitable. Hurricane Carmen passed through the United States
in 1974.
Although Forrest Gump goes through many significant historical moments it is important
to realize the journey of Gump’s true love Jenny. “Through the focus of the film is directed
towards Forrest Gump, the effects of social forces are most often expressed and implied through
Jenny. (Analysis of Sociologically Relevant Film: Forrest Gump). Jenny was consciously and
intentionally involved in the culture movements of the 60’s. She is seen playing all the different
roles expected in that time frame: hippie, anti-war movements, Black Panther Party, and
precarious drug use.
Forrest Gump meets a lot of historical and famous figures though-out his life. This begins
as a child in the boarding house he lives in. We see Gump interacting with a young traveler,
unknown at the time to be Elvis Presley. Next he receives an athletic achievement award from
President John F. Kennedy. Gump is injured during The Vietnam War and earns the Medal of
Honor by President Lyndon B. Johnson. After competing against the Chinese team in ping pong
Gump goes to the White house for a third time to meet President Richard Nixon. Because of his
many accomplishments Gump was invited to appear on the Dick Cavett Show where he appears
with John Lennon. Watching Gump interact with these historical figures helps move the plot
along the historical time-line.
The historical content in this film would not be successful without the support of the
lighting, camera affects/angles, sound/music, and costumes presented in the film. Special effects
were used to insert Tom Hanks into pre-existing footage of famous people which helped the
events become believable. The film did a wonderful job in tricking the audience they were
watching some of Gump’s interaction and experiences off a television screen to better
incorporate past footage.
The film used music intended to pinpoint specific time periods portrayed on screen.
"Forrest Gump" is so loaded with hit songs and eye-catching costumes that these superficial
elements often supplant the narrative. (Maslin, 1994).
I think it is crucial to speak of the best known scene of this film and ultimately how the
film gets set in motion and ties together, “run Forrest run.” “Here, Zemeckis equate the “stars
and bars” with the villains of this scene, turning Forrest into a symbol of America itself –
running away from a racist past.” (Farley, 2012) It is possible this does not only represent
running away from a racist past but any kind discrimination, including Gump and his low IQ.
It would seem that Forrest Gump had participated in almost every possible event through
the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. “Now, because I had been a football star and a war hero and a national
celebrity and a shrimpin' boat captain and a college graduate, the city fathers of Greenbow,
Alabama, decided to get together and offered me a fine job.” (Zemeckis, 1994). The film shows
these events through the eyes of a simple man and with the help of music, costumes, and filming
techniques the viewer is able to feel the time period of events. All of the historical elements
present in this film is just one aspect that makes it a beloved movie by many.
Bibliography
Analysis of Sociologically Relevant Film: Forrest Gump. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2012, from
squidoo: http://www.squidoo.com/analysis_forrest_gump
Els Malcolm, C. M.-K. (n.d.). The Adaptation of Forrest Gump. Retrieved April 28, 2012, from
http://forrestgump227.wordpress.com/
Farley, J. (2012, January 8). Forrest Gump (1994). Retrieved April 28, 2012, from The Film
Specturm: http://thefilmspectrum.com/?p=4604#C9
Maslin, J. (1994). Forrest Gump (1994) FILM REVIEW; Tom Hanks as an Interloper in History.
New York Times Review.
The Internet Movie Database. (n.d.). Retrieved April 26, 2012, from IMDb.com:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/
Zemeckis, R. (Director). (1994). Forrest Gump [Motion Picture].