THE WAR PRAYER - Mark Twain

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  • Опубліковано 2 лис 2024

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  • @rhaben
    @rhaben 16 років тому +12

    I saw this back in '81 and was impressed by the powerful statement that Twain made. I'm now home schooling my kids and plan on having them read "The War Prayer". I'm so glad that you put this video on UA-cam so that they can see how it was treated on film. Thanks!

  • @iheartsaturday9322
    @iheartsaturday9322 10 років тому +19

    I love this just because it's so absolutely powerful. Doesn't matter whether you are religious or not. This is a message we can all bear to hear. Watch what we wish for.

  • @geezerdombroadcast
    @geezerdombroadcast 9 років тому +49

    Mark Twain was a genius from the depths of the cosmos, sent to educate the barbarian hoards.

    • @1vanlinda
      @1vanlinda 8 років тому +4

      I think you mean hordes.

    • @geezerdombroadcast
      @geezerdombroadcast 8 років тому +4

      I'll correct that, thanks. What a dope?. Who's the barbarian huh ? Never could spell worth a dam. I don't feel to bad though. Many educated people have spelling deficiencies. Mine is related to what's known as process memory disorder. I have used that word, and the other forms ten thousand times, even looked in the dictionary to make sure ten thousand times, and I still make the same mistake. I'm always writing (your), when I mean (you're), or (heard) when I mean to right (herd). If that's the worst I ever do I think i'll survive.

    • @randolphcroft4212
      @randolphcroft4212 7 років тому +1

      *too bad ...

    • @kangmw94
      @kangmw94 3 роки тому

      R.I.P.

  • @xltrt
    @xltrt 13 років тому +14

    love that 'amen' at the end, really finishes it off

    • @phase4computer
      @phase4computer 4 роки тому +4

      xltrt It really shocks you. It’s like hate came roaring out of his mouth in that word.

  • @timothybrittain4161
    @timothybrittain4161 2 роки тому +7

    If Twain had written nothing but this, he would still have been a great writer. But he also wrote so much more about the hypocrisy and evil that goes when war is cloaked in religion's shiny illusions, which hide the true bloody, merciless and deadly intent. Goddess bless him for this.

    • @dbwindhorst1
      @dbwindhorst1 Рік тому +1

      "Religion, nationalism, profiteering...but I repeat myself." -- something Twain isn't known specifically to have said, but could have.

    • @timothybrittain4161
      @timothybrittain4161 Рік тому +1

      @@dbwindhorst1 Yes, he didn't need to say it specifically (the times in which he lived prevented many bolder statements), but it's all in his work, esp. in his posthumous biography where he really lets the war profiteers have their just due, along with those oh so "brave" men who slaughtered helpless people Philippine people in a needless, idiotic war, among others. Do read "The Mysterious Stranger" for more fun with hypocrisy delusion.

    • @dbwindhorst1
      @dbwindhorst1 Рік тому

      @@timothybrittain4161 Fortunately, I first read "Stranger" way back in h.s. -- in a course devoted to Twain (also where I first encountered one of the masterpieces of criticism, "Fenimore Cooper's Literary Offenses").

  • @junktex
    @junktex 11 років тому +20

    Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers"

    • @jakekarr9733
      @jakekarr9733 Рік тому

      But also “ I come not to bring peace but a sword “.
      Which one is it oh righteous one?

    • @sammyvictors2603
      @sammyvictors2603 Рік тому +1

      @@jakekarr9733 imo, a sword is not always a weapon of destruction, it can symbolically mean leadership, protection, etc.
      The analytical symbolism possibilities is endless.

  • @brianleonard6025
    @brianleonard6025 8 років тому +8

    This was filmed in the Morris Chapel, in 1980 Morris, N.Y. across from The Morris Manor where I lived From 1986 until 1993. One of the most beautiful places I've ever had the privilege to live. The education and history behind the Manor House Estate is something I will cherish forever. The town's people were some of the nicest people you could ever want as neighbors.

  • @oliversmith9200
    @oliversmith9200 2 роки тому +1

    Well, as we see in 2022, Americans still love The War Prayer.

  • @Gellwaine
    @Gellwaine 16 років тому +8

    A brilliant perfomance of Twain's work,
    I wonder if he would have liked it

  • @meherdust
    @meherdust 9 років тому +19

    RIP Edward Herrmann FYI- Filmed over two days at All Saints Chapel, between Gilbertsville and Morris, N.Y.
    (I am in the "congregation")

    • @U2Brrr
      @U2Brrr 7 років тому

      He is NOT resting in peace! Hermann joined his fellow elite Freemasons in hell. He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi since university!

    • @floraposteschild4184
      @floraposteschild4184 4 роки тому +1

      @@U2Brrr Fuck off. And keep fucking off until you reach your place, where I pray I will never be.

  • @petemangum4542
    @petemangum4542 9 років тому +29

    This is actually a real prayer Evangelical Neocons recite with utter reverence.

    • @marcaurelius2682
      @marcaurelius2682 7 років тому +12

      Hillary loves this prayer.

    • @LiberPater777
      @LiberPater777 Рік тому

      Neocons and Neomarxists...
      Opposite sides of the same dim-witted coin.

  • @SatansYardsale
    @SatansYardsale 11 років тому +3

    Twain is legend, the man, and so much more. If there were three people I could speak with about anything it would be Twain, Carlin, and Thompson.

  • @skj1326
    @skj1326 11 років тому +5

    It wasnt about God, it was about war. War is a zero sum game. Praying or hoping for winners is the same as praying or hoping for losers. Twain was just trying to show that even when you are the victor someone loses. Gods existence isn’t questioned but the idea that God would favor a outcome in war is. God would only favor peace.

    • @gordonmcelvany8990
      @gordonmcelvany8990 5 років тому +1

      Love your enemies. I believe someone of notoriety said that. "Peace perfect peace, in this dark world of sin. The blood of Jesus whispers peace within."

  • @nosowisewoman
    @nosowisewoman 16 років тому +2

    i have always loved this prayer. mark twain was ahead of his time.. read the mysterious stranger when you have time. very intense.

  • @hipocampelofantocame
    @hipocampelofantocame 6 років тому +6

    Most definitely the epiphany for the day. I stand in awe of Samuel Clemens.

  • @michaelwardle7633
    @michaelwardle7633 6 років тому +1

    By far the best reading of the material. It’s furious.

  • @errolflynn4984
    @errolflynn4984 10 років тому +11

    I think most people just don't get it. (Be careful what you wish for. The laws of Cause and Effect are very relevant, and very real).

  • @johnbravo2301
    @johnbravo2301 9 років тому +10

    12 31 14 Edward Herrmann passed due to brain cancer
    Requiescat in pace

  • @RPenta
    @RPenta 14 років тому +6

    @ricshinn
    You know, this could not even be MADE in America today, and could not be shown.

    • @errolflynn4984
      @errolflynn4984 7 місяців тому

      We are slowly learning to abandon the TRUTH, for a lot of filter bullshit.
      At our peril. You wait.

  • @Jcolinsol
    @Jcolinsol 14 років тому +4

    @forfaka
    "I am convinced that human history has not yet begun, that we find ourselves in the last period of the prehistoric." - Bartolomeo Vanzetti

  • @robertbeger4275
    @robertbeger4275 3 місяці тому

    I remember how this affected me at 30. Growing up in a military family and serving myself, I was well versed in our righteousness. But over and over again and again reality revealed how twisted the words were. Surely one of the most evil developments in human society has been the invention of language by those with power to direct the masses to whatever purpose they deem profitable.

  • @mikemanners1069
    @mikemanners1069 6 років тому +3

    Edward Kirk Herrmann (July 21, 1943 - December 31, 2014)

  • @HunterXaxxa
    @HunterXaxxa 5 років тому +1

    This is the first thing I'd ever seen him in as a kid. I think it's probably his very finest performance. I wish someone would digitally remaster it.

  • @bobwaldron6563
    @bobwaldron6563 4 роки тому +1

    An interesting offering from Clemons , as I think many people didn't completely appreciate his depths as an author !

  • @LeezaBettaBogart
    @LeezaBettaBogart Рік тому

    The War Prayer was required reading in my Alternative Dispute Resolution course for my Political Science bachelor's degree.

  • @RPenta
    @RPenta 14 років тому +2

    @Jcolinsol
    Si; this video is great and Hermann is absolutely awesome.
    They don't make stuff like this anymore; and that is not by coincidence.

  • @BillKinggarak99
    @BillKinggarak99 12 років тому +4

    I did not know this existed I always said that THE WAR PRAYER be required reading by any politician that sends Men and Woman into war

  • @AnthonyGenualdi
    @AnthonyGenualdi Рік тому

    I like this rendition so much better.

  • @asnrobert
    @asnrobert 4 роки тому

    I remember watching this (including "Private History") many moons ago as a kid.

  • @RedgePinlac
    @RedgePinlac 5 років тому +1

    (searched "The War Prayer" for my kid's school activity, good thing there is.)
    They pray for victory, not realizing they also pray to harm others. They were given a chance to understand it, but ignorance prevail. A prayer with love and peace have forgotten. Yet, they declare their love for the Lord.

  • @limatime1985
    @limatime1985 13 років тому +4

    @planetcoco Or maybe its telling us how easy it is to confuse the REAL God of the Universe with the false god of nationalism and war mongering. The most offensive thing about this scene is the fact that the pastor, who is supposed to be the protector of his flock, is instead leading them like sheep into a slaughter. The "stranger" character exposes the evil.

  • @Skippy585
    @Skippy585 14 років тому

    I remember seeing this film on my PBS station when I was a kid. I would love to have this move if I can get it on Amazon.

  • @jmweed1861
    @jmweed1861 7 років тому +2

    Private History of a Campaign that Failed is a Great Video. Fortunate enough to tape in on VHS back in 1981 and also purchase 2 copies (now worth about $300 each) Why they have NOT transfered it to DVD, like "Pudding Head Wilson" and "Life On the Mississippi" not sure. The "War Prayer" was written, but NOT released until AFTER Twain's death. Makes a Great (though NOT original ) ending to the video.

  • @marquisevirginie
    @marquisevirginie 3 роки тому

    BRILLIANT

  • @KarenHolritz
    @KarenHolritz 9 років тому +5

    What is unspoken in his short story is that a congregation on the northern side would be praying for the very same devastation of their enemy.

    • @Rheinhard
      @Rheinhard 9 років тому +8

      While your general sentiment is true, by the time Twain wrote this the Civil War was long over. As the priest says at the start "30 years ago at Appomattox". This piece was written as America was gearing up for the Phillipines War, the postlude to the Spanish-American War (which Twain rightly saw as America's first imperialist war)... It was left unpublished before his death in 1910 because his family feared it was sacriligeous; and didn't see print until 1923.

    • @KarenHolritz
      @KarenHolritz 9 років тому +2

      Rheinhard Thanks! I saw this segment as a young woman and assumed it was about the Civil War (what 'Phillipines War - I must have missed that in the abbreviated high school history class). I appreciate your comment and now I've got to look up that war to learn something about it. Thanks. -Karen

    • @Rheinhard
      @Rheinhard 9 років тому +2

      Karen Caron Heh, you didn't "miss it" -- it basically isn't taught in typical American High School history (like a lot of things about REAL U.S. history aren't) What you get, at best, is a quick unit (maybe 1 or 2 lessons) about the "Spanish-American War" which if you're lucky may at least mention "yellow journalism" and the news propaganda of the day (particularly from Hearst) that got us into that war, and maybe something about Teddy Roosevelt and San Juan Hill. The Spanish part of that was ended pretty quick, including a cession of Spain's colonial possessions in the Philippines to us. What then followed (and is usually glossed over as a continuation of the Spanish-American War) was the American attempts to suppress native Filipino movements for independence in what was, at least until Iraq & Afghanistan, the longest war this country was ever involved in (if you count continued years of fighting, not when the conflict "officially" ended).
      My interest in the subject was initially sparked by the excellent book "Lies Across America" by historian James W. Loewen (discussing the many examples of outright false "history" presented in a lot of our monuments, local plaques and commemorations, and history texts). I highly recommend that, as well as his earlier book "Lies My Teacher Told Me."
      Twain's opposition to this war of overseas imperialism is even discussed in the Wikipedia entry on the subject: wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine-American_War#American_opposition
      There was also a PBS documentary some years ago (I don't remember if it was specifically about the Spanish American war, but it touched on this subject) which presented some of the horrid racist imagery of the period press portraying the Filipinos as subhuman yellow barbarians who needed to be suppressed or exterminated by the superior White Protestant race for the betterment of civilization,

    • @KarenHolritz
      @KarenHolritz 9 років тому

      Rheinhard I've got a good many of his books, but can't find another short story he wrote about, if I remember, two young boys walking (brothers?) who are grieving their dead sister and wishing she could have been saved. Wanting something to be taken back, reversed, may not be what you bargained for after all. I liked his rather 'dark' tales the best, always a jolt. Come to think of it, his other stories did the same. I'll pick up Loewen's book as soon as I finish Howard Zinn's. Very nice talking to you...never thought I'd have a conversation on UA-cam comments.

    • @U2Brrr
      @U2Brrr 7 років тому

      Yes! BOTH sides had been infiltrated by NON-CHRISTIAN, political Zionists working for the Rothschild bankers who were bent on war...
      The Rothschilds & The Civil War
      rense.com/general78/brudt.htm

  • @SuperBieberluv1
    @SuperBieberluv1 11 років тому +6

    Twains best work

  • @destroyb4new
    @destroyb4new 11 років тому

    with out any reason with out change the world of the deceive as the deceiver we all come to the edge of this long walk.like all thing come to an end at last we all stand at the edge,with out any reason with out a choice the chapter is close ,the door that I shut close to not open ever again so rest little one ,you are here to meet that which was always here ,rest little hopeless one,and let your right hand comfort the left hand,close your eyes for one more time.AMEN his hand has written.

  • @mindylinky
    @mindylinky 10 років тому

    very thought provoking

  • @jivanvasant
    @jivanvasant 7 років тому +1

    Thanks for the excellent oral presentation of a great work of literature.
    The alleged battle between "good" and "evil" is the dogma of ancient
    Manichaeism, "a dualistic religious system with Christian, Gnostic, and
    pagan elements, founded in Persia in the 3rd century by Manes ( c. 216-
    c. 276). The system was based on a supposed primeval conflict between
    light and darkness. It spread widely in the Roman Empire and in Asia and
    survived in eastern Turkestan (Xinjiang) until the 13th century";
    religious or philosophical dualism.
    The Polarity Integration Game can be played to transcend the false
    dichotomy of "good" and "evil", two words that are intellectual
    constructs of the finite human ego-mind, just like the two words, "god"
    and "devil", "light" and "darkness", or equivalent terms for evil, devil
    or darkness, such as serpent, dragon, beast, Satan, Lucifer, Prometheus
    and the Serpent System.
    The goal of the Serpent System is to control humanity on planet Earth.
    The strategy of the Serpent System is divide-and-conquer. The agenda of
    the Serpent System includes the Protocols of the Elders of Sion/Zion.
    If one chooses one side of any human division, then he is on the wrong
    side, because he is playing the Polarity Segregation Game and letting
    others frame the debate about reality and truth. Instead of a duality of
    two opposites, like black and white, the same dual pair can be seen as
    complements that complete each other, e.g., ego-self and other, yin and
    yang, mountain and valley.
    Clerics, politicians and lawyers thrive on conflict and division (divide
    and conquer), and they are the primary sources of human divisiveness,
    without which they would not be needed. They are guilty of crimes
    against humanity and crimes against peace. If an individual chooses to
    be an aggressor "warrior" of any kind, he is choosing to take one side of
    reality and truth, which are not one-sided. The false dichotomy is an
    example of the either-or fallacy in logic, because it restricts choice
    to just one or the other of the two terms in the dichotomy.

  • @roberth.tanner126
    @roberth.tanner126 7 років тому +1

    Mark Twain did not want it published until after his death.

  • @TheKersey475
    @TheKersey475 11 років тому +2

    I can easily see this prayer being used in a war or action film in a Pulp Fiction-sort of way.

  • @trimetrodon
    @trimetrodon 11 років тому +12

    How do I send a copy of this to Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham?

    • @gordonmcelvany8990
      @gordonmcelvany8990 5 років тому

      Ain't going to happen.

    • @oliversmith9200
      @oliversmith9200 5 років тому

      You send it with a huge cash donation, otherwise, you know they're never going to see it or give a damn. If you don't have a large cash donation, they don't give a shit about you either anyway.

  • @kenricashe
    @kenricashe 14 років тому +2

    @MuleKist According to Wikipedia (and its references) he wanted to publish it but his family was afraid it would be considered sacrilegious and his publisher also rejected it. Lew Rockwell has a somewhat different story where Twain did submit for publication and allegedly said: "I don't think the prayer will be published in my time. None but the dead are permitted to tell the truth." The truth is probably a combination of all these things but those words ring more true to his style of writing.

  • @gordonmcelvany8990
    @gordonmcelvany8990 5 років тому

    Abraham Lincoln, the idol of our hearts, helped fulfill this prayer.

    • @tristanhodgson6676
      @tristanhodgson6676 4 роки тому +1

      "I, John Brown, am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land can never be purged away but with blood." you can thank confederate traitors for that one

  • @BegoneJonah
    @BegoneJonah 13 років тому +1

    Well, as long as we're discussing the word of God, let us not forget that the Old Testament Most High also commanded the Israelites to utterly destroy the Caananites. (Deuteronomy 20:17.) In other words, take the words of the War Prayer and apply it to the ancient Israelites. It was what they were told to do. Anti-war sentiment makes sense to us and sounds right, of course, but clearly, there are things we do not understand about the Creator.

  • @SuperBieberluv1
    @SuperBieberluv1 11 років тому +4

    Sing this song of evil so Satan may be cast from all our pulpits. Genious Twain.

  • @MySerpentine
    @MySerpentine 6 років тому +2

    LOL society of thought criminals
    The last line of the story always hurt my heart

  • @cursorcurs6597
    @cursorcurs6597 12 років тому +1

    This piece is Pretty steven Kingish or should I say, (Mark Twainesk).
    I can see a similar approach to alot of King's work here!
    Nice 1...

    • @thaddeus2700
      @thaddeus2700 4 роки тому

      uggggh. Stephen Kingish??????? Come on now.
      Not even close

  • @markrenfrow9873
    @markrenfrow9873 10 днів тому

    Man's inhumanity to man, laid down on video.

  • @delavalmilker
    @delavalmilker 7 років тому +3

    Mark Twain wrote this around 1900, I believe. When the belief that America was on a mission "destined by God" to bring democracy to "backwards people". It was never published during his lifetime, because Twain knew it was too hot to handle for any publisher. If it had been, it would have created a firestorm at the time.

    • @sesfilmsllc
      @sesfilmsllc 2 роки тому

      He called America out for it’s dive into cloaked colonialism

  • @swilson2003
    @swilson2003 16 років тому

    Amazing performance, very moving How can I get a copy.

  • @LibertyTreeBud
    @LibertyTreeBud 12 років тому +1

    Shown in this segment, I see why I never got involved with religion and why Mark Twain had the attitude he had, of religion.

    • @gordonmcelvany8990
      @gordonmcelvany8990 5 років тому +1

      Maybe you should consider following Jesus and not men.

    • @frereM
      @frereM 5 років тому

      Perhaps having to watch the deaths of three of his children helped him along to the light of disbelief.

    • @phatphil7836
      @phatphil7836 2 роки тому

      @@gordonmcelvany8990 LOL, as if any Christians actually follow Jesus.

  • @rollandrtl
    @rollandrtl 10 років тому +2

    WOW!

  • @Jcolinsol
    @Jcolinsol 14 років тому

    @planetcoco
    What would you do in the name of your country?
    Where is there any truth? That seems a strange metaphysical concept.

  • @RPenta
    @RPenta 14 років тому +2

    @Skippy585
    And the chance of this being played in a public high school in post 911 America is????

  • @Jcolinsol
    @Jcolinsol 15 років тому

    I agree with this fellow, to an extent.
    I think democracy is indeed a religion. It shows the same projection of parental authority as religion.
    We believe, irrationally, that society is composed of naughty children who must be punished and disciplined.
    In fact, emergence theory, and Darwin's theory of evolution both show that order comes from free interaction, not from a god or a state, or any other projection of paternal authority.

  • @Skippy585
    @Skippy585 14 років тому

    @forfaka
    Well I guess only in a Private School. Of course we should have known that when the first public schools open there was going to be trouble somewhere down the line,

  • @CalJennings
    @CalJennings 15 років тому +5

    1 John 4:8 (New International Version)
    Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
    This preacher did not know God.

  • @sharonhennessy8868
    @sharonhennessy8868 5 років тому

    So true the prayer given by the messenger would be the answer to their prayer far from being deluded or a lunatic.

  • @jakekarr9733
    @jakekarr9733 Рік тому

    A prophet of god comes along and all the normies be like “ this guys got issues… probably demons “.

  • @johnclarke5459
    @johnclarke5459 8 років тому +2

    And now we have an Evangelist: Donald Trump!

    • @U2Brrr
      @U2Brrr 7 років тому

      SATANIC, Rothschild-Zionist Evangelist DRUMPH!

    • @josephteller9715
      @josephteller9715 5 років тому +2

      Trump has no religion save to worship of himself.

  • @flashgm41
    @flashgm41 13 років тому

    Sad......on 9600 hits

  • @grumpolog
    @grumpolog 12 років тому

    7:39 !

  • @KB24sTaTuS
    @KB24sTaTuS 4 роки тому +1

    NYU

  • @jjoshaugh
    @jjoshaugh 11 років тому +2

    Barack Obama's name is not and never was Barry Soetoro.
    Way to miss the entire point of the war prayer.

    • @calvinoyler6454
      @calvinoyler6454 5 років тому

      Actually it was. His mother married an Indonesian businessman named Sotero. It made not have been official (and that is what you're hanging your hat on) but it was so. when Barry went to a masdrasa in Jakarta.

  • @pytko3
    @pytko3 11 років тому

    Did read that, or did God actually speak to you?

  • @mikejstrehl
    @mikejstrehl 12 років тому

    Oh Gott! Rette dein Volk!

  • @pytko3
    @pytko3 11 років тому

    Then should we have a new book in the Bible devoted entirely to your conversations with God?

  • @livelife018
    @livelife018 15 років тому

    yay my friend ryans dad is in it he is at 6:50

  • @Skippy585
    @Skippy585 11 років тому

    Not to mention you can't even have a prayer banner without on athiest being offended and sues and has it down,

    • @floraposteschild4184
      @floraposteschild4184 4 роки тому

      You think God does not know you are praying unless He sees a banner?
      Be careful what you pray for.

  • @thepoliticslover
    @thepoliticslover 11 років тому

    If the media is diversified at least on the political spectrum how can you claim a media bias(btw I'm not defending Obama I don't like the hypocrisy of the man is all)