Guess what made the "Top 10 Historically Inaccurate Films" list?

**macwilkin** · 25th March 08, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Bob C.

Mel Gibson never claimed he was making documentaries.

That's always the excuse, Bob, but I don't buy it. Filmakers frequently consult with historians and others to get the "feel" of a particular period in history. There are plenty of good examples of films that reach a happy medium between historical documentary and ripping yarn -- the aforementioned "Ghost Soldiers", "The Alamo" (the recent incarnation), etc.

So yes, we all know -- filmakers aren't necessarly making documentaries, but most people watching their films aren't necessarily aware of that. As the late Adlai Stevenson replied to the woman who said to him, that every "thinking American" was voting for him, "That's not enough, madam, we need a majority!".

T.

**Bob C** · 25th March 08, 08:35 AM

It's not an excuse, Todd. These movies are entertainment, not documentaries.

Where's the factual analysis for Harry Potter?

**Freedomlover** · 27th March 08, 05:00 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

So yes, we all know -- filmakers aren't necessarly making documentaries, but most people watching their films aren't necessarily aware of that.

Even films put out claiming to be 'documentaries' often are nothing more than the pursuit of personal agendas, some more or less harmless and some not. Al Gore comes to mind. His film has been exposed as an agenda driven pack of lies by British courts, and he is on the verge of being sued here in the States for fraud.

As the late Adlai Stevenson replied to the woman who said to him, that every "thinking American" was voting for him, "That's not enough, madam, we need a majority!".

T.

Ain't that the truth!

**mudd** · 29th March 08, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

As the late Adlai Stevenson replied to the woman who said to him, that every "thinking American" was voting for him, "That's not enough, madam, we need a majority!".

T.

THAT is one of the best quotes I've ever seen! The first thing to make me laugh-out-loud in a long time. Thanks.

**Panache** · 25th March 08, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by Scotus

... When you go to see a movie involving Wooly Mammoths helping in the building of the great pyramids...(again, very cool)... you know you're watching something that came right out of someone's imagination.

One hopes that people know they are watching something out of someone's imagination!

There has always been a balance between truth and what makes a good story. I think it is important to somehow clue the audience into exactly what they are watching.

For example, while I found the costumes in 300 idiotic (though oddly my lovely Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess had no problem with them

) I was fine with the other historical inaccuracies. This was because of how the begining and end of the movie framed the story of the Battle of Thermopylae as a tale. One told to rally the Spartan Troops as they prepared for battle. The "Tall Tale" aspects worked and we the audience were clued in that this is the story of the King Leonides and his 300 Spartans, rather than their history. For the record I still like the old "The 300 Spartans" better though.

I also think that dinosaurs building the pyramids would have been way, way cooler than Mammoths!

Cheers

Jamie

**sharpdressedscot** · 25th March 08, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Panache

One hopes that people know they are watching something out of someone's imagination!

There has always been a balance between truth and what makes a good story. I think it is important to somehow clue the audience into exactly what they are watching.

For example, while I found the costumes in 300 idiotic (though oddly my lovely Flame-Haired Celtic Amazon Goddess had no problem with them

) I was fine with the other historical inaccuracies. This was because of how the begining and end of the movie framed the story of the Battle of Thermopylae as a tale. One told to rally the Spartan Troops as they prepared for battle. The "Tale Tale" aspects worked and we the audience were clued in that this is the story of the King Leonides and his 300 Spartans, rather than their history. For the record I still like the old "The 300 Spartans" better though.

I also think that dinosaurs building the pyramids would have been way, way cooler than Mammoths!

Cheers

Jamie

What's funny about the Movie 300 is that it's based on the Frank Miller comic book which is based on the older movie, the 300 Spartans or something like that. I don't know where it got lost in the transition, but there you have it.

Leather speedos! LOL, what cooler than going into battle in a speedo. It proves you don't need any armour and you'll frighten the enemies!

**davedove** · 26th March 08, 04:27 AM

Originally Posted by Panache

I also think that dinosaurs building the pyramids would have been way, way cooler than Mammoths!

Yeah, I can just imagine a brontosaurus in harness and being used a s a crane. The crane operator would ride on the creature's back and use ropes and pulleys to get the creature to do its job.....

Wait a minute!!! The Flintstones already did that.

**Panache** · 26th March 08, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by davedove

Yeah, I can just imagine a brontosaurus in harness and being used a s a crane. The crane operator would ride on the creature's back and use ropes and pulleys to get the creature to do its job.....

Well that was how Stonehenge was built (and Rutland Weekend Fans rejoice )

Cheers

Jamie

**highlander_Daz** · 26th March 08, 09:54 AM

"Braveheart" made huge impact in Scotland when it opened, despite its inaccuracies, it brought Wallace into people lives like never before, Scots are constantly being to we have the murder capital of Europe (Glasgow), Scots are more likely to have heart attacks and cancer because of our Diet, Scots this and Scots that, Braveheart gave us some pride, and a feelgood factor, we often come off second best in Sport etc, Wallace and Robert the Bruce were winners!!

My only dislike of the film is the way the Bruce is portrayed, as a boy I used to wonder what Kind of man Bruce was, a strong determained and ruthless man, a leader with all the military and leadership skills of Rommel and Mongomery.
I dont think the film does him Justice , Would love to see a film about the Bruce with James Mackenzie form TVs "Raven" playing him

http://www.jamesmackenzie.co.uk/index.html

check out James photo gallery he is excaly as I imagine Bruce to look

**macwilkin** · 26th March 08, 10:26 AM

My only dislike of the film is the way the Bruce is portrayed, as a boy I used to wonder what Kind of man Bruce was, a strong determained and ruthless man, a leader with all the military and leadership skills of Rommel and Mongomery.
I dont think the film does him Justice , Would love to see a film about the Bruce with James Mackenzie form TVs "Raven" playing him

For me, this is one of the few strengths of the movie: a more accurate portrayal of the Bruce as an Anglo-Norman noble who sided with Edward when it benefited him -- and he had a great "propaganda machine" tae boot.

Besides no bridge at Stirling, one of the most glaring absences in the movie was the Battle of Roslin in 1303, where a Comyn defeated the English. :mrgreen:

Alan Young's book Robert the Bruce's Rivals really opened my eyes to the real Bruce -- that's not to say he was a villan or anything, but he was not the super-nationalist as many portray him. He was very similar to his fellow Anglo-Norman gentry.

Of course, being a Cumming descendant, I am just a wee bit biased.

T.