Star Power Talks

“Windtalkers” was a bomb. “Windtalkers” was a bad movie. These two facts are not disputed. However, why this movie performed poorly at the box office has very little to do with the studio’s decision to focus on “white soldiers” (“Ignoring True Story Doomed ‘Windtalkers,’ ” by Elizabeth Valenzuela, July 1).

First and foremost, Valenzuela’s assertion that the “American audience, diverse in its thinking and taste, will no longer accept such ‘Hollywood myths’ ” is laughable. Are we talking about the same America? Because in this country, people line up outside of bad coffee chains for the privilege of paying $4 to drink even worse coffee. In this country, “Titanic” is the No. 1 grossing movie of all time, “Star Wars” is the second and some people paid hard-earned money to see “Saving Private Ryan” twice.

Believe me, we don’t care if a movie is historically accurate. All we care about is movie stars ... and the real reason “Windtalkers” failed was because Tom Hanks, Russell Crowe and Mel Gibson weren’t in it.

MATT HANSON

Aliso Viejo

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Yes, “Windtalkers” is about Indians seen through the eyes of a non-Indian. In that context, it is much like “Dances With Wolves” (1990). Yet I don’t believe this film would have been made without a big-name actor like Nicolas Cage attached to it. Who is going to see a movie about the Navajo code talkers with just unknown Indian actors?

My grandfather served in WWII as a scout for the U.S. Army. He was stationed in the Philippines throughout the war. It took the government 20 years after his death to award him his medals. Last year, the living code talkers were honored by President Bush in a wonderful medal ceremony. It’s 50 years late, and so is this movie. Yet I’m glad Hollywood at least tried their best to honor these true Indian warriors. So take “Windtalkers” for what it tried to be. I enjoyed it.

ROSCOE POND

Los Angeles