Why Filmmakers Struggle with Historical Accuracy

Historical accuracy is often a contentious issue in filmmaking, with many movies taking creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. This article dives into the reasons behind this trend and explores how modern sensibilities and the demands of dramatic tension can overshadow factual representation.

The Problem with Modern Morality Implications

The issue begins with how contemporary audiences perceive history. People today tend to apply the moral and behavioral standards of the present to historical events, which often leads to reinterpreting historical facts for dramatic effect. This approach not only distorts the past but also results in a less engaging narrative. For example, the Titanic film could hardly have sold the romantic drama between Rose and Jack had the original captain carried out a controversial and historically inaccurate action such as boasting about unsinkable ships before the calamity. Such reimagined scenes and dramatic scenarios significantly alter the true events, rendering them less authentic but more appealing to modern viewers.

Overlays of Contemporary Beliefs on Historical Events

Modern audiences find it difficult to comprehend certain behaviors and attitudes of past generations. This leads to the insertion of modern sensibilities into older settings. For instance, the strict class hierarchies and the deference to authority seen in early 20th-century society are hard for contemporary viewers to understand. As a result, filmmakers often add elements like love interests or rebellious characters to align with today's expectations of character dynamics. This practice, known as 'dramatic license,' can distort historical truths but enhances the narrative engagement for modern audiences.

The Trade-off Between Historical Accuracy and Storytelling

Historical accuracy is often deemed uninteresting because it interferes with the entertaining aspects of a story. Every element of a film, from the dialogue to the costumes, is crafted to create an engaging experience. Any aspect of a film that doesn't contribute to the plot's tension or drama is often discarded in favor of a more intense or thrilling narrative. This means that historical facts like the nuanced social behaviors of the past or technical details are often omitted or altered for the sake of plot progression.

The Fiction of Inaccuracy

It is a common misconception that there is such a thing as 'historical' inaccuracies. In reality, every movie contains inaccuracies, but these inaccuracies are chosen precisely because they do not detract from the overall narrative or emotional impact. For instance, the inaccuracies in the Da Vinci Code or the imaginative scenarios in the Lord of the Rings films do not bother the audience because they enhance the dramatic and fantastical qualities that the movies aim to deliver. In contrast, if a movie strictly adheres to historical facts, it risks becoming tedious and less exciting.

The Importance of Drama Over Historical Accuracy

The ultimate goal of a film is to entertain and engage its audience, and the narrative tension and drama take precedence over historical accuracy. Film is a medium that thrives on visuals, emotions, and storytelling, and often, the historical aspects are toned down or altered to fit these objectives. This is why many historical films prioritize dramatic storylines and character development over meticulous attention to historical detail. For example, a film about the American Revolutionary War might focus on the heroic deeds of the soldiers and the dramatic battles, rather than the political and economic contexts of the time.

In conclusion, while historical accuracy is crucial for educational and documentary purposes, it often gets overshadowed in filmmaking by the need for dramatic and engaging storytelling. Filmmakers are more concerned with creating tension, emotional impact, and a compelling narrative, which sometimes means bending or breaking historical facts. Understanding these nuances can help appreciators of historical films to view them not just as factual records but as artful reconstructions of the past.