Free Sample Essays > Film and TV
What Does Film Tell Us About History
where ‘reel’ history has failed.
Tom O’Regan argues that “film-based representations of history - whether they be historical films, mini-series, or documentaries - are providing the vast majority of people with their only experience of history or historical discourse.” Certainly in an increasingly multimedia and visual age, this is certainly proving to be true especially with regards to Braveheart. In an era where world history is highly dictated and influenced by European and Western bias, Braveheart has helped awakened interests in Scottish history and identity. While already a patriot, a legend and declared as Scotland’s greatest hero within Scottish history, it is appalling to note that prior to Braveheart, William Wallace was a name unmentioned and unheard of in historical books. Coincidentally, it was only upon the release of the movie, together with its publicized Oscar nominations that there was a surging interests and research into Scottish history. Critics often dogmatically hark upon the fact that films seek to entertain, titillate and often contain gross factual distortions and historical inaccuracies. They maintain that films are merely based upon a desire to conform to mass-appeal and are undoubtedly biased as such. Such critics of film-based history however, fail to acknowledge that all history is 'mediated' in some way. If written history which is supposed to provide an unbiased representation, why is it that so much of the readily accessible written sources and textbooks seem to take on a Western or European stand? As demonstrated here, film-based history has not only gained access to far larger and more diverse audiences than they could ever do through textbooks. It has only invoked a passion to research history that is not even represented through such written textbooks.
Abstracted from “The Historian and Film”, Robert Toplin has this to say regarding the issues of debate:
“Film-based history demonstrates a greater tendency to portray the past through appeals to the emotions and attention to personalities. Still, proponents of teaching and research with film understand that all historical interpretation (including writing) involves selectivity and creative imagination. They note, too, that some degree of invention is inherent in all docudrama and that the genre, despite its shortcomings, can provide a valuable stimulus to thought when it is done well. What constitutes a job well done is just beginning to command interest in the field's second level of development.”
Adding Value to Historical Studies
Philosopher Ian Jarvie, argues that interpreting history consists of “debates between historians about just what exactly did happen, why it happened, and what would be an adequate account of its significance.” This ‘adequate account’ is often used to demerit the value of film-based history but fails to see that in actuality, adequateness is indeed very subjective. Traditionalistic historians often assert (incorrectly) that any interest in film-based history is tantamount to showing disrespect for conventional historical methodology. They do not see that perhaps in fact, film can not only complement but may even add value towards understanding a reconstruction of the past.
These historians argue that film is [next page]