Hollywood, History and Historical Re-Enactment

With the recent releases of historical moves from the movie industry, historical re-enactors are once again cringing in their movie seats – and discussion lists are discussing the best and worst historical movies ever made.

Interestingly enough, historical movies tend to come into one of 3 broad categories when being discussed by re-enactors (these are my terms though): “not too bad”; “appalling” and “hand me my sword”.

Unfortunately, the last 2 dominate – especially when they are peering back further in time than the American Civil War.

As re-enactors, we tend to be most upset not by costuming (although the passionate costumers amongst us tend to weep and wail at some attempts) but at the blatant disregard of historical fact that so often abounds.

But before we can preach – we have to ask why this is done? Why is the costuming so appalling? And why do they insist on changing or ignoring history?

Unfortunately, the answer lies in the $$$$.

Whilst historical re-enactors are the ones who would truly enjoy and appreciate a historically correct movie, we do not represent the majority of the movie-going public.

The general public likes a fast moving story – with lots of action and adventure. They want a strongly defined hero, who has no flaws (or at least no normal human flaws).

And moviemakers have to bow to this – if they want to make money (and they do – in fact they have to make money if they want to keep making movies).

The same happens for costuming – anybody who does serious costuming can tell you how much a good, accurate outfit will cost.

And let’s face it – much of the fashion from the past is less-than-flattering and rather uncomfortable.

Again – we also have the $$$ and general public factor: a pretty girl in a tight fitting dress will get more interest than the same girl in a loose fitting (but more accurate) tunic.

And the hero must have a heroine – even if it is a historical fact they met only once and had no affection whatsoever for each other (social situations aside here).

The prime example of a good movie, but bad historical movie is “Braveheart”. Now I enjoyed this movie – as a rollicking adventure story. Unfortunately, as a story about William Wallace it fails dreadfully.

Re-Enactors also find it painful when they are asked to work as extras on these movies. As do the moviemakers – after all when your extras keep arguing about why this or that is not accurate, it holds up production.

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