Most accurate historical movie - Historum

Pfaxt3ld · April 8th, 2008, 04:24 PM

Can anyone tell me about a somewhat accurate historical movie? Band of Brothers is a historically accurate series.

Komrade · April 8th, 2008, 05:35 PM

"Das Boot"
"Downfall"
"All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930)
"Saving Private Ryan"
"Twelve O'Clock High"
"Paths of Glory"
While watching "Master and Commander" after reading Arther Herman's book To Rule the Waves I realized it captured a lot of aspects about Royal Navy life in Napoleonic times rather accurately.

I'll try to critique some others in my collection

Pantagruel · April 9th, 2008, 09:55 AM

"The Lion in Winter" is pretty good if you enjoy medieval history. If you look at some of the primary source material we have for Henry II of England, you'll see that the folks who made this film read them as well.

Soldiers Valhala · April 9th, 2008, 06:46 PM

Can I throw up Lawrence of Arabia? I'm not sure how accurate that movie is. Help?

Melisende · April 9th, 2008, 07:17 PM

If it was based on Lawrences own memoirs - there's a good chance - it went for soooo long. If it was adapted - could be an "abridged" version. I am inclined to think it was closer to the truth than some others.

Pfaxt3ld · April 10th, 2008, 03:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Komrade

"Das Boot"
"Downfall"
"All Quiet on the Western Front" (1930)
"Saving Private Ryan"
"Twelve O'Clock High"
"Paths of Glory"
While watching "Master and Commander" after reading Arther Herman's book To Rule the Waves I realized it captured a lot of aspects about Royal Navy life in Napoleonic times rather accurately.

I'll try to critique some others in my collection

That's a good list.

Pfaxt3ld · April 10th, 2008, 03:32 AM

There's about 4 factual errors, otherwise it's pretty good. (For Lawerence of Arabia)

**Pedro** · April 10th, 2008, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soldiers Valhala

Can I throw up Lawrence of Arabia? I'm not sure how accurate that movie is. Help?

I have to agree with Melisende, the movie was pretty faithful to the 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom'. Not a book I was enthused with. [just my thing] Perhaps because the first chapters was so brilliant the others paled in comparison. The first chapter is an explanation of the Arab mind and culture. Very relevant to understanding todays headlines. A must read.
But the question then is: how accurate was the book? Answer: When one is the hero of their own story deep discounts are necessary before I buy it. Just a rule I have.

Tudor chick · April 10th, 2008, 11:50 PM

Some times if movies are really really accurate they become documentaries, not movies, which is a different genre.
I think this is still on the same thread.
Does anyone think the more you know about history the more it spoils movies and novels because you can see the many inaccurate things in them?

Pantagruel · April 11th, 2008, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tudor chick

Some times if movies are really really accurate they become documentaries, not movies, which is a different genre.
I think this is still on the same thread.
Does anyone think the more you know about history the more it spoils movies and novels because you can see the many inaccurate things in them?

Yeah, it can be similar to seeing a film version of one of your favorite books; all the changes irritate you even if it is a well-made film. On the positive side though, the more you know about history the more you know that our knowledge is so incomplete, due to missing and/or biased sources, among other things. Therefore, there will never be a completely accurate historical film, because we'll never know the entire history of anything.