Accuracy

[slimjim]

Has Hollywood ever made an historically accurate movie? If so, which ones are worth watching?

[sft42]

Methinks not Slimjim. Historical accuracy doesn't usually make for good box office espc. in the US. They don't want to hear that it was their own incompetence that caused pearl harbour or that U-571 is so untrue it's nearly a comedy. the list of inaccurate films is endless(espc. Westerns) but you could try stuff like Born on the forth of july or Apocalypse now which try to paint a balanced picture

[mikewith]

I haven't seen it (naughty me) but I remember reading that Thin Red Line - which came out at the same time as Saving Private ryan - was a far more realistic portrayal of WWII.But whether 'reaalistic' and 'historically accurate' are the same thing is another matter...

[WaldoMcFroog]

A splendid point, and a source of much irritation to me SlimJim! If film's based on historical events are changed, I feel that there should be a disclaimer to that effect. Whilst it's highly risable that the Battle of Stirling Bridge is rather conspicously missing a bridge in Braveheart, I feel it's even worse when it's things like Michael Collins, where current events are still influenced by what went on back then. Mel Gibson said re: Braveheart 'It might make someone read a book,' but that's garbage - that might happen if people knew it wasn't historically accurate, but the film gives the impression it's (to some degree) a dramatisation of actual events.

[slimjim]

One of my reasons for asking is that I strongly believe that someone should be planning a film to celebrate the 200 years since the Battle of Trafalgar. And God help us if the Americans decide to do it. I know we Brits aren't supposed to celebrate our history these days (it seems to upset everyone else when we do) but surely Trafalgar is worth depicting accurately given it's importance in the history of Europe. I really hope that someone is working on just such a project right now.