Vintage films have the power to transport the public to different periods of history, but they are not always faithful to the events they portray.
Many of these productions commit slides, both for creative freedom and for a simple carelessness, but still conquer the public.
With this in mind, we have listed 10 examples of vintage films that have made historical errors.
10 films of historically incorrect menstrual and where to watch them online on streaming
Valente Heart (1995)
The success of the critic and the box office, “Brave Heart” portrays William Wallace in the First War of Independence of Scotland against King Eduardo I of England.
Mel Gibson Star as Wallace and also directs the Oscar winner, including the best film. Despite the prizes and compliments, production has received negative criticisms for different historical inaccuracies.
The functionality changes events, dates, characters and customs. One of the main errors is the use of Kilt, introduced in Scotland centuries later. Wallace, shown as a farmer, actually belonged to the small nobility.
In addition, Robert The Bruce did not fight together with the British Falkirk. Already Isabel da France, portrayed spending a night with Wallace after this battle, at the time he was just a child.
Alexandre (2004)
Under the direction of Oliver Stone, this epic historian portrays the life of “Alexander the Great”. Colin Farrell plays the protagonist, accompanied by a cast that includes Angelina Jolie, Val Kilmer, Jared Leto, Rosario Dawson and Anthony Hopkins.
Although “Alexandre” affects various historical aspects, it has significant inaccuracies, especially in the representation of the Persians and other eastern peoples.
The Persian army, for example, is shown as disorganized in contrast to the Greeks, when he actually marched with discipline and used music in their formations. In addition, the Persians seem to use turbans, something that was not part of their dress.
Gladiator (2000)
The success of the public and the box office, as well as five Oscar winners, including the best film, “Gladiator” is one of the most surprising historical epic in Hollywood.
Directed by Ridley Scott, accompanies Maximus, a betrayed Roman general who becomes gladiator looking for revenge. Russell Crowe plays the protagonist, while Joaquin Phoenix gives life to the bad.
Despite the applause, the film has different historical inaccuracies. Marco Aurélio, for example, was not murdered by his comfortable son, but died in Vindobona in 180 AD, a victim of Plague Antonina.
The plot takes place in the second century AD, but the armor of the legionaries corresponds to the year 75 AD, almost a hundred years earlier. In addition, the Roman cavalry is shown with stirrups, when he actually used saddles with two supports.
Gladiator II (2024)
The continuation of “gladiator” also presents historical errors. The scene with sharks in a naumati (naval battle on stage) is inaccurate, as there are no documents that these animals have been used in these events.
The use of rhinos in the Colosseum has a historical proof, but there is no evidence of gladiators who assemble these animals. The siege of a city numbered by the Roman quarters is also a mistake, since Numidia was part of the Roman Empire for 250 years, in the Kingdom of Caracala.
Directed by Ridley Scott, the film presents Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Jodie Era and Denzel Washington. In the plot, Lucio (Mescal), son of Máximus, becomes gladiator after his village has been invaded by the Roman army.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
Under the direction of Michael Bay, this megproduction interprets the surprise attack on the naval base of Pearl Harbor by the Japanese military forces. This event formally put the United States in the Second World War. Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett and Kate Beckinsale come to the plot, which also involves a love story.
Despite his success, “Pearl Harbor” received enormous criticisms for his historical inaccuracies. The film changes various details of the planning and execution of the “DoolTle attack” and includes a fictitious combat scene against Japanese soldiers after the fall of the airplanes in China.
Another distortion occurs in the representation of air combat on the Mancha channel in 1941, when the real battle ended in October 1940. Furthermore, the scene in which President Roosevelt, already confined to a wheelchair, salt to challenge his consultants never occurred and is very unlikely.
Elizabeth (1998)
Well welcomed by critics, “Elizabeth” received seven Oscars nominations and won a statuette.
Cate Blanchett, praised for his performance, plays Elizabeth I of England. The plot focuses on the early years of its kingdom.
Despite the commercial success and positive reception, the film alters the historical chronology, anticipating the events that occurred later. It also describes the monarch as weak and volatile, in contrast with the records that describe it as a strong, determined and intelligent leader.
Crusade (2005)
Another historical film directed by Ridley Scott, “Crusade” includes Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Jeremy Irons and Liam Neeson in the cast.
The plot faces the events that led to the third crusade, following Balian de Ibelin (Bloom) in his struggle to defend the cross kingdom of Jerusalem against Sultan Saladin (Ghassan Massoud).
Despite its success, the film is widely imaginary and has different historical inaccuracies. Ibelin Balian, for example, is shown as a French craftsman, when he was actually an influential nobleman in the kingdom of Jerusalem.
In addition, the character of Sibylla of Jerusalem (Eva Green) is played stronger and wisely, while in reality it was dedicated to Guido de Lusignan. Its characterization also influenced the stereotype of the exotic woman of the Middle East, although it came from a distinct western class.
The Patriot (2000)
Set in the war of independence of the United States, “The Patriot” has Mel Gibson in the main role and in the direction of Roland Emmerich.
Gibson plays Benjamin Martin, a veteran settler who lives in silence with his family until the war reaches his door, forcing him to fight. Although the story is fictitious, the film is based on real events, but has different historical inaccuracies.
The work received harsh criticisms for having misrepresented the atrocities of the revolutionary war. The British are shown by committing massacres and burning a church full of civilians, something unprecedented in the conflict.
In addition, these scenes resemble the Oracour-sur-Glane massacre, committed by German troops in the Second World War. British historians and media stressed that the film distorts the facts to equate the British to the Nazis.
300 (2006)
Based on the series of comics by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley, “300” portrays the battle of thermopies in the wars of Greco-Perses. The plot accompanies King Leonidas (Gerard Butler), who leads 300 Spartans against the Persian “King-God” Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his army of over 300,000 soldiers.
Directed by Zack Snyder, the film was a commercial success, but received criticism for different historical inaccuracies.
One of the main distortions is that the film only focuses on 300 Spartans, ignoring the presence of 5,000 to 6,000 Greeks in battle. Another inaccuracy is the retraction of the ephoriatic, shown as a deformed and rejected Spartan, when, in fact, it was a healthy man.
In addition, the Spartans are portrayed in a low protection struggle, historically incorrect. The film also presents the Persians in a caricature way, omitting their advanced culture and religious tolerance.
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Considered one of the greatest films ever made, “Lawrence of Arabia” won seven Oscars, including the best film. The film received the classification of “cultural, historical or aesthetically significant” from the United States Congress Library and preserved in Register of national films.
The plot is based on the life of Te Lawrence, a British officer who led the Arab tribes during the First World War against the Turks.
Despite its prestige, the film has several inaccuracies. The chronology and geography of the “Arab revolt” are wrong. Lawrence is shown almost alone, ignoring other British officers and a French mission.
In addition, the Arabs appear only as Guerrigieri Bedouin, when the main troop was made up of Ottoman prisoners trained by the British.
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Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
