Tom Hanks is a well-known and popular actor who has starred in many films. In one of his most popular movies, he appears in two different roles, one of which is not immediately recognizable.
Which movie is it about? We are talking about Forrest Gump, the film by Robert Zemeckis, released in 1994, which has since become a cult film. Even though it is not without its flaws.
Numerous quotes are still frequently recited, just think of “Run, Forrest, run” or the famous saying: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.”
The quote is just like the character Forrest Gump: lovable yet somewhat naive. Tom Hanks demonstrated a lot of sensitivity in portraying the character and delivered a performance for the ages. This was even rewarded with the Oscar for Best Actor.
What many may not know: Hanks not only plays the title character in Forrest Gump, but also another character. This one only appears for a few seconds and is disguised, so it is not surprising that some viewers did not recognize him.
What is particularly interesting is that the character he plays could not be more opposite to Forrest Gump.
A Controversial Character
Who else does Hanks play? In a scene, it is addressed how Forrest Gump got his name. According to this, his mother named him after Nathan Bedford Forrest.
For those who do not recognize this gentleman: He is not a creation of the film or the underlying book, but was a historical figure from the USA in the 19th century.
Nathan Bedford Forrest was a Confederate General, fought in the Civil War, but is today primarily known for his role in the racist Ku Klux Klan. This organization still exists today and is highly controversial due to its ideology and violent actions.
In the film Forrest Gump, Nathan Bedford Forrest can be seen for a brief moment. He is played by Tom Hanks and puts on the Klan’s robes, which the character Forrest refers to as “bed linens.” He does not understand the significance of his historical namesake and that it is not flattering to be named after him.
Scenes from the film Birth of a Nation from 1915 can also be seen – a film historically significant, but one that should be approached with caution due to its explicit racist message.
What does the scene convey? The contrast between the racist general and the naive, trusting Forrest could not be greater. Aside from their names, the two have nothing in common. Forrest is lovable, sees all people as equals, and would never think of discriminating against others based on their skin color or origin.
It is yet another way to connect the main character, as is often the case in Forrest Gump, with events and figures from American history.
Moreover, the general and his followers are scarcely taken seriously in the said scene. On the other hand, Forrest wonders why the Klan even covers the horses in white sheets and rides through the land with them.
Since the scene lasts only a few seconds, you might have overlooked this second appearance of Tom Hanks. Or did you recognize him? Feel free to let us know in the comments. The actor has not only delivered hits but has also been self-critical in the past: “Everyone was miscast, especially me”: Tom Hanks talks about one of his worst films
