Because of the recent movie, 300, most people are aware of the epic battle that occurred at Thermopylai were 300 odd Spartans supposedly held off an army of over one million led by Xerxes I. Now, there were many errors in the movie (the number of men on both sides being the chiefest of them). But it still leaves many people asking how a force so drastically outnumbered was able to hold a force nearly twenty times their number. The answer lies in the difference in their equipment, tactics and their training.…
Movies often contain historical inaccuracies regarding timing of events, food during a specific time period, and famous people. The movie, Ever After, was mostly accurate when they showed the Prince playing tennis. They played in an enclosed court, but it is debatable whether tennis players used a glove or a racquet. The movie showed Leonardo putting the Mona Lisa into a tube, this could not have happened because it was originally painted on wood. When Rodmilla told Prince Henry that Danielle was to marry a Belgian, it was a lie. Belgium didn’t exist until 1830. Danielle’s statement that her stepmother spends money on her stepsister like she has “money to burn” is not accurate, because paper money was not available. Money would have been made…
Rolland, Marc. "Knocking the Paste Eye out of the Idol: The Second Death of George Armstrong Custer." Revue Francaise d 'etudes Americaines [France], 1993.…
Another example of alterations to the film is Ephialtes. In the film 300 Ephialtes is a hunch back Greek who managed to not be discarded at birth. As Leonidas and the 300 are heading to battle Ephialtes requests to join their ranks as a Spartan warrior but is declined. In anger Ephialtes leads the Persians to a mountainside path that leads to the back of the Greek army where they are slaughtered from both sides. His role in both the film and Histories are the same in terms of leading the Persians to a goat track, however in the ' Histories' Ephialtes simply reveals the path to Xerxes in hope of a rich reward from the tyrannical Persians. The film '300' would have had Ephialtes become a traitor to create bitter and scheming character, further connecting to audience to the Spartans, and again emphasising their role as the 'Good Guys' in the film…
Benjamin Martin, who was a French and Indian war hero, is a patriot who does not want to fight in the war against Britain. He has seven children and is raising them alone because his wife died. The family lives in South Carolina and owns working slaves. Two of his sons, Gabriel and Thomas, are nothing like their father. They are eager to fight battles as soon as possible. Gabriel enlists in the army and, when South Carolina goes to war with Britain, he is involved. Colonel Tavington, who is on the opposing side, captures Gabreil and condemns him to be hanged. The family is present when he is captured. His younger brother, Thomas, tries to save him but is shot and dies right in front of the family. Benjamin tries to help…
Movies are made to be sold and not history to be perfectly told. If movies include a complete history, it wouldn't be known as a movie anymore. However, it would be called a documentary, which most people get fed up of. So interpretations, exaggerations and idealistic scenes are added to the movie to make it more interesting for the audience. "The Patriot" is a similar film made during the modern day time about a time period in which none of the experienced the real revolution. Politically, socially, and culturally, "The Patriot" attempts to give a sense of the scope of aspects involved in the American Revolution. Despite succeeding in this regard, it still lacks details that reveal the true complexity of the mixed sentiments present in this time period.…
The Battle of Thermopylae is a famous historical event, many people have known of it probably after watching the great movie 300 that was released back in 2006. The movie tells the story of king Leonidas and his 300 men fighting a fierce battle against the Persian army that came to invade Greece. However, like any other Hollywood movie that is based on an actual historical event, this movie is no exception from rewriting some of the historical facts. After a brief comparison between the real Battel of Thermopylae and the movie 300, one can identify some changes in the movie. Although the movie did a great job recreating this great historical event, there was still some facts about the Spartans military that were changed in…
For the most part the History surrounding "Braveheart" is accurate, but there are several significant people and events which simply do not match up historically. After watching the movie and reviewing the history behind it, it becomes clear that Hollywood felt they needed to alter several things in order to make the film more entertaining to their viewers. It is interesting to compare the depiction of the characters and events portrayed in the movie to the actual history that surrounds them.…
1.) How historically accurate was the movie you watched? How do you know? Did any inaccuracies affect your perception of history?…
Throughout history, warriors and myths of legends have defined how a soldier should act in modern day. From Greek mythology’s Hercules to Alexander the Great’s conquest of the Middle East, men have been given prime examples of strength, heart, and a passion for defending their country. In the novel, Gates of Fire, author Steven Pressfield shows an unseen viewpoint of the Battle of Thermopylae. In this novel we see the Spartan army, unlike any other of its time, leading a prime example in strength in individual characters, heavy training and passion for their profession.…
However the agoge was not the first step in selecting boys to become fierce warriors, these boys were in fact selected at birth by the Spartan elders, their future as a Spartan solider already planned from their day of birth. Babies found unfitting or with impurities were exposed to the elements on mount tagetus and left to die. This shows the high importance of the army and the control and the control it had over the spartiates life from their day of birth.…
Body: The book starts off describing the very basics of the Spartan culture, what makes them Spartans, how they are made, and the trials they had to face to earn their place amongst the other Spartans. When Spartans are born from the day of birth they are…
History is considered to be less important in school and many people wonder when they will ever need to know history. However, later in life when people encounter something where knowing history would be helpful, they wish they knew more. After people watch, inaccurate, historical movies they often want to learn more about the topic. Even though people are learning incorrect history, these people are finding an interest in history that pushes them to learn more about the topic. Watching inaccurate historical movies is not a bad thing if, people understand the history they are learning is false.…
In this essay, I am going to compare and contrast three significant events in the film of 300. First, I will discuss the events leading up to the historical battle at Thermopylae. Then, I will compare the movie version battles at Thermopylae with historical accounts. Finally, I will contrast events after Thermopylae between the movie and actual history.…
“Freedom isn't free at all, that it comes with the highest of costs. The cost of blood.” These words were spoken by Queen Gorgo, wife of King Leonidas, in the movie 300. She speaks one of the basic philosophies of the Spartan nation, and even though they lived thousands of years ago, their principles still impact America today. Most influential movies are a product of the current events happening at the time, and 300 is not an exception. There was a distinct significance in the way the movie 300, as a movie, was developed. This is due to the fact that the movie was made in order to relate to the American society and clearly shows the point of view of the pro-war attitude when the fight is for freedom and justice. In this paper, I will examine the social and political environment that led to the production of 300, the significance of the choice of topic and the amount of historical accuracy, and how this movie effectively relates to American society and sends a message.…