Does Hollywood rewrite History, and If so does it pose a real threat to our children's education?

Question

Surely anyone who has seen Troy (2004) would argue that Hollywood does have a habit of creating thier own version of History.

However, should we just be able to enjoy a film without scrutinising its accuracy, or will our children's children have a uneducated view on past events

The floor is yours.....

Answer 1

I think you'd have to say that Hollywood have committed no greater a crime against 'truth' than Homer did in his time in turning events into a story that is fit for re-telling. And you'd have to say in many cases, what we 'know for certain' (really for certain) about many historical events could be written on the head of a pin. So do we tell kids "well we think this happened but we are not sure", or do we get them excited about history, and then let them find all of the detail in their own time under their own steam?

What libraries, bookshops and schools can do is actually pay heed to what's on television and at the cinema, and in the comic books, and make available their resources on the same subjects in the same 'timeframes'. The aim should be to let those that choose to 'let their excitement lead them' find their own paths to knowledge.

Then there's one last point. That is - what is the point of history anyway? Just to know the facts of it? Well you have to say that - for us - the most important thing about history is how it can inform us to make better decisions today that we can have a better future tomorrow. No problem with that? Then what was the 'lesson' (as opposed to the facts) of Thermopylae - why is the story told and retold over the centuries to an eager audience? Because (I assume) it's about courage and honor, and bravery and sacrifice. Then you ask yourself, does the movie do a bad job of conveying that?

Answer 2

Hollywood has always rewritten history. But there was a time when it admitted it was making entertainment. Now, too often, it claims the story is true, that it is historical when anyone who has studied it knows it is not.

And as an earlier poster said, we have got lazy. A child sees a film which says it is historical and believes it. The parents are probably no better read and so cannot argue against it. And the whole family accepts the Hollywoodism as history.

We should be able to enjoy a film as entertainment but I also think Hollywood has a duty to admit that a film is only loosely based (in some cases very loosely based) on history, as it once did.

Answer 3

It's a good question.

I would argue that anytime a war is fought, the victor rewrites history. Disney admittedly took some dark fairy tales and rewrote them so they'd fit the "happily ever after" model that they're so famous for. Hollywood often does the "inspired by true events" thing, which in reality, is nothing more than their disclaimer that, "This might not be the way it ACTUALLY happened, but it's a smashing good story now."

The only time I would be critical and scrutinizing is if the film claimed to be a historically accurate picture. For example, the movie "Luther" was a 2003 movie that did claim to be historically accurate about the German reformation of the church. I would expect it to be accurate and would be critical if it wasn't. However, the movie, "The Pursuit of Happyness" starring Will Smith, while based on a true story, does NOT claim to be accurate.

My point: I think that history is rewritten by many more influences than just Hollywood, so we shouldn't single them out and complain. In the words of George Lucas, speaking through one of his created characters, Obi-Wan Kenobi, "You'll find that most of the truths we cling to depend on having a certain point of view."

Answer 4

Well, Hollywood makes it's own version of history. But if you use an oppurtunirty like that to show kids what really happened during that time, take Troy for an example. Depending on how old the kid is, read them the myths of Troy, whether from the Odyssey or other sources.

I'm homeschooled and have always had an interest in history, so the movies haven't changed my view on history, but for kids who don't know what really happened....take them to a bookstore.

Answer 5

Yes, it does rewrite history. However, as long as parents teach their children how to differentiate between fact and fiction, their won't be a problem. I think it is best to remember that few movies declare themselves largely historically accurate. We have to remember that unless it is a documentary, the likelihood of the events being skewed is very high.

The problem is that many of our children aren't being taught that fiction is not real. Movies seem like reality, and are being used as a replacement for the actual events. If we watch a movie like Troy, then discuss this version of history as opposed to what we read in history books, or accounts in literature, they will then be able to see the same unevenness in other events.

As adults we are able to understand that movies don't have to be real/true/accurate, but, if we are showing these films to our children, we do have to explain it. On our own, we can just enjoy it for what it is.

Answer 6

No Hollywood does not re-write history. It entertains, our problem is is that we are too lazy to read and research on our own. So instead we sit in front of a television or movie screen and accept the fictional version of some holllywood director whose only job is to make entertaining and sensational films, that create enough interest in the form of dollars so that, they can do it all over again.

Hollywood is not interested in enlightening the public mind, or rewriting history.. Their singular interest is the generation of cash flow and the making of money.

My suggestion is go to the movies, rent your videos, enjoy them. Remember, they are nothing more than entertainment. When you need to check historical facts, use the library not your video store.

Answer 7

The days of watching unaltered history films are over. In general the information we have about history is too general making it a boring, non-blockbuster, low budget film. Adding the basic (Sex and Violence along with special affects) keep the movie goers interested. To watch unaltered history watch the history channel on TV.

Don't use Hollywood to teach your children history. The only history they can learn from hollywood is "hollywood history".
They can learn that hollywood and reality are 2 totally different views. Hollywood is Fiction. Movies based on real historical events are just that; "BASED ON" actual events.

Answer 8

In all honesty, it should not come as a surprise that Hollywood would rewrite history to fit their program. Seriously, it's not much different with the authors of today's history books. They don't intend to write accurate objective history. In such books, their program is stated. For example, the book called "The Battle of Salamis - The Naval Encounter that saved Greece - and Western Civilization" sounds more romantic than an actual historical depiction. Barry Strauss, the author, in facts fashions the Battle of Salamis to express his support for the current Wars.

Basically, that Hollywood changes history is not surprising. It is all acceptable as long as history is not used to justify the killing of innocent people, something which today's history books seem to do (not all, mind you, but the majority).

Answer 9

I hope to God that our schools don't ever resort to watching Hollywood movies for educational purposes. As long as they don't, we should be fine.

Ever watch Flags of our Fathers? WoW! Talking about Hollywood liberalism at it's best. They totally rewrote the true facts behind the flag raising event at Iwo Jima.

Answer 10

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