U.S. NewshplAmerican SniperVideo

'Deliverance' Director John Boorman: I Felt 'Tarnished' Watching 'American Sniper'

'Deliverance' Director: I Felt 'Tarnished' Watching 'American Sniper'
Open Image Modal
By 

HuffPost Live

|

Veteran film director John Boorman, known for classics like 1972's "Deliverance," disagrees with the critics when it comes to "American Sniper," an Oscar Nominee for Best Picture.

"I thought it was obscene," the 82-year-old told HuffPost Live's Ricky Camilleri in a Wednesday interview.

The director, promoting his new film “Queen and Country,” said the movie felt "cowardly," and that he "felt tarnished by watching that film."

"They showed aspects of it [the Iraq war] -- he [Chris Kyle] was affected by it -- but fundamentally it was about watching somebody kill people," he explained. "I don't want to do that myself. I don't want to watch that."

Watch more from John Boorman's conversation with HuffPost Live here.

Sign up here for Live Today, HuffPost Live’s morning email that will let you know the newsmakers, celebrities and politicians joining us that day and give you the best clips from the day before!

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

Oscars Best Dressed From The Past
Pepto Princess: Gwyneth Paltrow(01 of32)
Open Image Modal
It's hard to tell which was more inspired, Gwyneth Paltrow's teary speech for her 1999 "Shakespeare in Love" win or this soft pink Ralph Lauren number. (credit:Evan Agostini, Getty Images)
Most Cuddly: Penelope Cruz(02 of32)
Open Image Modal
Penelope Cruz was a vision in rose-colored feathers at the 2007 Oscars. (credit:Vince Bucci, Getty Images)
I Have A Great Lower Back: Charlize Theron(03 of32)
Open Image Modal
In 2000, Charlize Theron stunned in a cut-down-to-there Vera Wang dress. Not a whole lot's changed in 12 years, I guess. (credit:Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage)
Most Improved: Kate Hudson(04 of32)
Open Image Modal
Bouncing way, way back from her 2002 blunder, Kate Hudson is red carpet ready in Versace for the 2003 ceremony. (Give us a smile!) (credit:Steve Granitz, WireImage)
Red Queen: Heidi Klum(05 of32)
Open Image Modal
Model Heidi Klum fell down the rabbit hole and landed at the top of all Best Dressed lists for this 2008 red frock. (credit:Bob Riha Jr, WireImage)
Simply Sterling: Gwyneth Paltrow(06 of32)
Open Image Modal
Gwyneth Paltrow upped her star power in 2011 with the help of this shimmering Calvin Klein design. (credit:Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage)
Disco Digs: Farrah Fawcett(07 of32)
Open Image Modal
Farrah Fawcett attended the 1978 ceremony sporting a barely-there sparkler. (credit:AP)
Pretty In Peridot: Nicole Kidman (08 of32)
Open Image Modal
Back in 1997, Nicole Kidman's John Galliano-designed gown changed all the rules. "Not now, Tom. I'm posing." (credit:Kevin Mazur Archive / WireImage)
That's A Wrap: Halle Berry(09 of32)
Open Image Modal
Honestly, Halle Berry would look good if she were draped in a bed sheet. So, following that thought to its most logical conclusion, Ellie Saab fashioned her the most exquisite bed sheet ever for the 2002 Oscars. (credit:Steve Granitz, WireImage)
Pop Of Color: Michelle Williams(10 of32)
Open Image Modal
While Michelle Williams has recently been boring bloggers with her love affair with neutrals, but she hasn't always been so tame. Case in point: this 2006 sunflower-colored Vera Wang. (credit:Kevin Mazur, WireImage)
Scarlet Letter: Kate Winslet(11 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for her Supporting role in "Iris," Kate Winslet wow-ed in a floral-embellished Ben de Lisi design in 2002. (credit:Steve Granitz, WireImage)
Doily Dreaming: Jessica Alba(12 of32)
Open Image Modal
At the 2006 Oscars, Jessica Alba ushered in the era of table cloth fashion. (credit:Kevin Mazur, WireImage)
Tres Chic!: Audrey Hepburn(13 of32)
Open Image Modal
Audrey + pixie hair + Hubert de Givenchy = The 1954 Academy didn't stand a chance. (credit:AP)
Pretty Woman: Julia Roberts(14 of32)
Open Image Modal
While she won back in 2001 for her portrayal of surly and scantily-clad heroine in "Erin Brockovich," she sure cleans up nice! (credit:Terry McGinnis, WireImage)
Best Shawl: Grace Kelly(15 of32)
Open Image Modal
She wouldn't be Grace Kelly if she couldn't make a straight jacket-cum-shawl look fab. (credit:AP)
She Doesn't Have A Hermes Bag For Nothing: Grace Kelly(16 of32)
Open Image Modal
At the 1955 Oscars Kelly won the gold for Best Actress for "The Country Girl" and she's looking -- duh -- perfect. Making a motion to bring back full length gloves and small embroidered purses right now. (credit:Hulton Archive / Getty Images)
Meryl Streep with Don Gummer, April 1979(17 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for: "August: Osage County" (credit:Getty)
Julia Roberts with Kiefer Sutherland, March 1990(18 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for: "August: Osage County" (credit:Getty)
Sandra Bullock, March 1996(19 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for: "Gravity" (credit:Getty)
Cate Blanchett, March 1999(20 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for: "Blue Jasmine" (credit:Getty)
Judi Dench, March 1999(21 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for: "Philomena" (credit:Getty)
Joaquin Phoenix, March 2001(22 of32)
Open Image Modal
In: "Her" (credit:Getty)
Jennifer Garner, March 2003(23 of32)
Open Image Modal
In: "Dallas Buyers Club" (credit:Getty)
Matthew McConaughey, March 2003(24 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for: "Dallas Buyers Club" (credit:Getty)
Scarlett Johansson, February 2004(25 of32)
Open Image Modal
In: "Her" (credit:Getty)
Amy Adams, March 2006(26 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for:"American Hustle" In: "Her" (credit:Getty)
George Clooney, March 2006(27 of32)
Open Image Modal
In: "Gravity" (credit:Getty)
Jonah Hill with Seth Rogen, February 2008(28 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for: "The Wolf of Wall Street" (credit:Getty)
Jeremy Renner, March 2010(29 of32)
Open Image Modal
In: "American Hustle" (credit:Getty)
Bradley Cooper, March 2010(30 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for: "American Hustle" (credit:Getty)
Christian Bale, February 2011(31 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for: "American Hustle" (credit:Getty)
Jennifer Lawrence, February 2011(32 of32)
Open Image Modal
Nominated for: "American Hustle" (credit:Getty)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip