We quote it, we stream it, we rate it sky-high, yet we missed something hiding in plain sight. What part of Tom Hanks’ performance has been there all along without us noticing?
Tom Hanks does more than anchor Forrest Gump. As Aude Mackau reveals, he also slips into the robes of Nathan Bedford Forrest in a fleeting flashback, a nod to the Confederate general and early Ku Klux Klan leader who later broke with the group. That hidden turn reframes a film beloved by audiences and strong enough to top Pulp Fiction at the 1995 Oscars. Time for a rewatch on Netflix or Paramount+ with that detail in mind.
An iconic film with a hidden layer
Among cinema’s most beloved masterpieces, Forrest Gump reigns supreme with a stellar 4.6 out of 5 rating, heralded as the greatest film by countless viewers. But how often do we look beyond the obvious and notice a subtle detail that changes everything? This is the case with Tom Hanks’ remarkable dual performance, an element that has gone unnoticed by many for nearly 30 years.
A timeless success story
Forrest Gump swept audiences off their feet upon its release, taking home the Best Picture Oscar in 1995. This triumph, even over cultural phenomenon Pulp Fiction, owes much to Hanks’ unforgettable portrayal of Forrest Gump, a pure-hearted man experiencing life’s extraordinary coincidences. But while his delightful charm captured hearts, the film’s layered storytelling hides an unexpected second role, also played by Hanks, a role steeped in historical complexity.
Tom Hanks’ overlooked second role
Within Forrest Gump, Hanks embodies not only the titular, beloved Forrest but also Nathan Bedford Forrest, the historical figure after whom the character is named. A Confederate general, slave trader, and an early leader of the Ku Klux Klan, Nathan Bedford Forrest’s legacy is highly divisive. Interestingly, the film briefly alludes to this lineage in a flashback scene but veers away from exploring it further. Hanks’ performance in this duality, innocent Forrest and the controversial namesake ancestor, adds depth for those who notice.
Historically, Nathan Bedford Forrest would later renounce his affiliation with the Klan and support African American rights post-Civil War. By including this fraught connection, Forrest Gump lightly scratches the surface of a moral irony, the association between the protagonist’s name and an ancestor’s troubling past, leaving viewers to reflect, without forcing the theme into its central narrative.
A scene worth revisiting
For keen-eyed viewers, the film subtly conveys this connection during a short flashback scene. A young Forrest explains in his endearing cadence how his ancestor wore funny white outfits and did things that didn’t make sense. The reference, accompanied by Hanks briefly shown in Klan attire for mere seconds, delivers a nod to history yet sidesteps deeper commentary, perhaps to preserve the film’s hopeful tone rather than delve into heavier political undertones.
This moment differs from Winston Groom’s original novel, which explores the Nathan Bedford Forrest storyline in more detail. Director Robert Zemeckis and the screenwriters intentionally left it understated, focusing instead on the journey of Forrest Gump himself.
Looking at Forrest Gump anew
Many fans may not remember this dual performance, yet it underscores Hanks’ incredible ability to anchor a narrative in complexity while maintaining its universal appeal. With Forrest Gump available on platforms like Netflix and Paramount+, it might be time to revisit this cinematic classic with fresh eyes.
Attentive viewing often reveals details that transform how a film is perceived, proof that there is always more than meets the eye, even in the most celebrated movies.