Post-Nam Shadows

          From late sixties onwards the Post Noir era of American cinema was probably under a heavier influence of the anxieties and fears of the returning Nam veteran than the classic Noir era had previously felt and portrayed in relation to those same fears felt by WWII vets.The lack of recognition and sometimes negative reaction those returning were subjected to was also brought to light in a number of classic books such as Born on the Fourth of July, The Things they Carried, and Paco's Story. The obvious movie portrayals of  how life could be 'back in the world' such as Taxi Driver, Mr Majestyk, Cutter's Way, Dead Presidents, Jacob's Ladder etc only represent a small number of those which relate in some way to a new feeling amongst those returning and spreading amongst most who knew them.