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Glamour Quote by Michael Herr

“Take the glamour out of war! I mean, how the bloody hell can you do _that_? Go and take the glamour out of a Huey, go take the glamour out of a Sheridan...Can _you_ take the glamour out of a Cobra, or getting stoned at China Beach? It's like taking the glamour out of an M-79, taking the glamour…” quote by Michael Herr
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““Take the glamour out of war! I mean, how the bloody hell can you do _that_? Go and take the glamour out of a Huey, go take the glamour out of a Sheridan...Can _you_ take the glamour out of a Cobra, or getting stoned at China Beach? It's like taking the glamour out of an M-79, taking the glamour out of Flynn." He pointed to a picture he'd taken, Flynn laughing maniacally ("We're winning," he'd said), triumphantly. "Nothing the matter with _that_ boy, is there? Would you let your daughter marry that man? Ohhhh, war is _good_ for you, you can't take the glamour out of that. It's like trying to take the glamour out of sex, trying to take the glamour out of the Rolling Stones." He was really speechless, working his hands up and down to emphasize the sheer insanity of it. "I mean, you _know_ that it just _can't be done!_" We both shrugged and laughed, and Page looked very thoughtful for a moment. "The very _idea!_" he said. "Ohhh, what a laugh! Take the bloody _glamour_ out of bloody _war!””

Michael Herr

About This Quote

Source Film: Apocalypse Now, 1979

War is glorified in media, but its reality is horrific and cannot be romanticized.

In simple terms: War cannot be made glamorous.

Key Takeaway

Reject glorification of war.

Themes

war media glamour reality humor

Mood

cynical ironic critical

Type

satirical commentary

When to use this quote

  • political commentary
  • military training
  • media analysis
  • public discourse

Key Concepts

military conflict media representation psychology of violence

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does media shape our perception of war?
  • Can we ever fully depict war’s brutality?
A Different Perspective

Romanticizing war can desensitize people to its true cost.

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