Why does america try to re-write history through film and pop culture?

Answer 1

I see a lot of answers here by people who probably get the majority of their history through film and pop culture, and thus accept it and defend it. For them, the re-write is the main source of their historical knowledge. I make this statement because the old cliche that "History is written by the winners" is still spouted (despite the volumes of objectionable and factual history that has come out recently), and a statement like "People are not going to read history books" supports this.

Movies are not always a "great way" to learn about history, as the facts are often left out to make room for plot development. No one has to accept the "history" that is written by private entertainment companies and served up to their preferred customers - those with limited attention spans. Shortly after they see the movie, you can see those people here on Y!A asking if what they saw (i.e. '300') was historically accurate.

The only raison d'etre for American companies like McDonald's is to serve billions and billions, and to earn billions and billions in the process. The profit motive goes unquestioned, it is accepted and defended by many. If you can think of the Hollywood movies (including the "historical" movies) as little more than a glorified hamburger with a bigger budget, you will understand why history is re-written - it is easier for people to consume and digest - until they consume the next one.

Answer 2

Mainly because the US likes to bang it's own drum, and since they don't have as much history as some other countries they have to bend the truth on occasion to portray themselves in the best light. Or even include themselves when they weren't there (probably why you don't see many films about the Napoleonic Wars or WWI).

A fine example would be the classic film The Great Escape. A true story in which 70 POW's escape from a German prison camp none of which were American; however in the film we have Steve McQueen and James Garner. They almost escape but are recaptured but live to tell the tale, meanwhile all the British are round up and shot....
You just have to laugh.

Answer 3

It all has to do with the old saying, He who has the money can rule the world, It has already been proved that most of the written books written since the end of WW1 have been done in order to alter the History of the world, The Alamo comes to mind, Mexico didn't even have five hundred soldiers during that time, they have found agendas, written by soldiers, and it was way different the the John Wayne movie, who knows, Now Superman is gay, and just about everyone is gay in Hollywood, (go figure), just know that it is someone with lots of imagination rewriting history to his advantage. So imagine you are walking down the street and see a car you like, you take it, cause you "discovered it" and the owner comes out and says" Hey that's my car, so you shoot him and take it, because you discovered it, right?... Yea, discover America, like there was no one here before.

Answer 4

I saw "The Gladiator" and moreover "the Crusades" and "The Patriot" laughing for the stupid mistakes made inside the movie and for the huge omissis. I think it is a mix of presumption and Ignorance. Ignorance for not knowing, presumption because the writers thinks to be more able to do that history.... For example the real Ballian of Ibelin was much more interesting than that sort of puppet shown in the movie, and even Saladin was a more complex figure. The famous speech before the end of the siege between the two was much more dramatic in reality that in the movie....
But Study of History is not compulsive in Hollywood...

Answer 5

It is not the people who do so, but the movie makers...Plan history is never a good enough story, they ALWAYS have to add something or change something because they think they can make the story better. Nor do they care if they use the wrong equipment, clothing, etc for the period they are showing..."it's just a movie" is heard on sets all the time.

Answer 6

I don't know. As a Brit we have had to put up with this for years. For example your US army was never in Burma during WW2, yet Errol Flynn beaat the Japanese single handed. Any war film shows the rest of the world as dragging their a*** whilst the US romp home victorious.

I am not denigrating the US part in WW2, but it makes us very cross when history has been re-written.

Love you all

Answer 7

Cause Americans are a foolishly proud group that fears being made a fool by other nations. And we got Hollywood so we think we can change anything if we put it on film and put them in the "Sacred Archive" vault. That way after the end of the world when the mutant survivors find them America will be viewed as the greatest power ever!!!!!!!!!!HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

u.s. of u.s. began as a good option, then the melancholy replaced the psychology of the persons. The WW2 era redirected the countries values, and outfitted on the paranoia and xenophobia. The politicians (post WW1) have had a field day; the main precious u . s . a . interior the international engaged on automobile-pilot, at the same time as "all of us" (that mattered) had a super time. Now, regrettably u.s. of u.s. is very lost. Entangled in a wrecked shape, a corrupted criminal and political equipment, completely on the mercy of effectual bankers and firms, with mere snarling lip-provider for the persons. u.s. of u.s. probable desires a super walk-out and end, each and every final guy, lady, toddler, canines, transvestite, cat, unlawful immigrant, the LOT; one extensive walk out sit down Gandhi styled protest. (leave your weapons at abode in case you desire them later, think of first...) each and every thing grinds to a halt until eventually some straightforward regulations of regulation and justice are restored. a million/ No guy is above the regulation. 2/ No company can sidestep duty for its movements. 3/ No criminal act may well be hidden, or proceed to be previous prosecution. Any collusion, ANY, places the conspirator as sharing the guilt of the crime. 4/ …. authentic of redress restored. 5/ …. etc

Answer 9

America tries to re-write history through various means...because that's what humans do, humans of all nationalities. History is ALWAYS interpreted by the current situation.

Answer 10

People like to experience how it was back then and understand the history and motives behind some of the greatest events of time and movies are a great way to do that.