07-12-2004, 05:38 PM
I think it is important to remember that all of these films are entertainment and it is only when the producer, or writer or director makes claims about their film being historically accurate that I (and perhaps many of us on this site) take exception. To make such a claim opens the film to close inspection. Now a days almost every film out of Hollywod starts with a title card 'Based On A True Story' as if that makes the film more important and more worthy of our money and our time than just an entertainment would.<br>
<br>
In fact I'm almost certain that Alien Vs. Predator starts out with a 'Based On A True Story' title card.<br>
<br>
Like Matt I am a big fan of 'I Claudius' and still see Brian Blessed in my mind's eye whenever I hear about Augustus, in the same way that I see Branaugh when I read Shakespear's Henry V. And I like to think of King Henry as a just and magnanimous victory after the battle of Argincourt as depicted in the play. But of course we know he wasn't and that the play skips over the ugly fact that Henry killed his POW's. (Shakespear could not afford to insult or anger either his partons in the nobility or his fans in the public, after all he had to eat too.) However, even knowing this I still like the play/film and admire the artistry of the author.<br>
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Unlike Matt I do go and see all of these 'historic' films. Sometimes the mistakes drive me crazy (like Saving Pvt Ryan) and sometimes I perfer the artistic license (like Kelly's Heroes, just to stay in the same historic time frame). I think my level of annoyance is directly propotional to how strident the film is about its historcal accuracy.<br>
<br>
I do think that film makers should stirve to get the details as correct as possible. However, I am willing to forgive much if the story, and the storytelling, is compelling (as it is with Shakespear).<br>
<br>
In fact, at the risk of having someone throw something at me, I'll admit that I liked The 13th Warrior. Yes I know it is a shameless rip off of The Seven Samurai, but I like it none the less. Now the Seven Samurai I really like, but even that film has a history problem with it's title. However, that is a discussion for another site.<br>
<br>
One of the main reasons I come to this site is to ask questions, about these films and other things I see. "Is this armor correct?" "Did they really wear helmets like that?" "When did the signifers start wearing lion skins?"<br>
etc. etc. etc.<br>
<br>
Do I think or even hope that the gods of Hollywood will hear and heed our ranting? No. I'll still go to the movies and I will lamet the fact that kids are now certain that the US Navy captured the enigma and won WWII or that the Emperor Commodus was killed in the arena.<br>
<br>
Oh, and they had better get the armor right in Alien Vs. Predator or I'm writing a nasty letter to the editor!<br>
<br>
Narukami <p></p><i></i>
<br>
In fact I'm almost certain that Alien Vs. Predator starts out with a 'Based On A True Story' title card.<br>
<br>
Like Matt I am a big fan of 'I Claudius' and still see Brian Blessed in my mind's eye whenever I hear about Augustus, in the same way that I see Branaugh when I read Shakespear's Henry V. And I like to think of King Henry as a just and magnanimous victory after the battle of Argincourt as depicted in the play. But of course we know he wasn't and that the play skips over the ugly fact that Henry killed his POW's. (Shakespear could not afford to insult or anger either his partons in the nobility or his fans in the public, after all he had to eat too.) However, even knowing this I still like the play/film and admire the artistry of the author.<br>
<br>
Unlike Matt I do go and see all of these 'historic' films. Sometimes the mistakes drive me crazy (like Saving Pvt Ryan) and sometimes I perfer the artistic license (like Kelly's Heroes, just to stay in the same historic time frame). I think my level of annoyance is directly propotional to how strident the film is about its historcal accuracy.<br>
<br>
I do think that film makers should stirve to get the details as correct as possible. However, I am willing to forgive much if the story, and the storytelling, is compelling (as it is with Shakespear).<br>
<br>
In fact, at the risk of having someone throw something at me, I'll admit that I liked The 13th Warrior. Yes I know it is a shameless rip off of The Seven Samurai, but I like it none the less. Now the Seven Samurai I really like, but even that film has a history problem with it's title. However, that is a discussion for another site.<br>
<br>
One of the main reasons I come to this site is to ask questions, about these films and other things I see. "Is this armor correct?" "Did they really wear helmets like that?" "When did the signifers start wearing lion skins?"<br>
etc. etc. etc.<br>
<br>
Do I think or even hope that the gods of Hollywood will hear and heed our ranting? No. I'll still go to the movies and I will lamet the fact that kids are now certain that the US Navy captured the enigma and won WWII or that the Emperor Commodus was killed in the arena.<br>
<br>
Oh, and they had better get the armor right in Alien Vs. Predator or I'm writing a nasty letter to the editor!<br>
<br>
Narukami <p></p><i></i>
