Transcript History and Film

History and Film:
Background Notes
Why Film?
• Many people get much of their historical knowledge
through film
• So it is important to understand filmmaking and
historical accuracy and be able to analyze film
• This course will study:
– The depiction of historical events on film and how they have
shaped modern perceptions of history
– How films can depict the era in which they were made
through an interpretation of historical events (Planet of the
Apes…..and Civil Rights)
– How certain films changed the nature of filmmaking and its
interpretation of history (2001…and space exploration)
Historical Film
• Why does Hollywood like historical dramas?
– Because the script is already written
– Built-in knowledge and stereotypes
Problems With Historical Dramas
• Maintain level of realism…verisimilitude
– When you see a film about Ancient Rome (Gladiator) what
do you expect to see?
• How to fit long span of time into 2 hours…telescopic
eventing (condensing of events)
• How to enhance dramatic tension while keeping
character integrity…character amalgamation
(condensing multiple characters into one)
Braveheart
Braveheart: Problems?
• No concept of freedom
– Middle Ages serfdom
• No concept of nationality (Scotland)
– Loyalty and identification with towns
Sweet Liberty
1986 film that shows the Hollywood process for making a historical drama…a bit ridiculous
but effective.