Historical inaccuracy in films

[Clun]

Just watching Elizabeth : The Golden Age and it cuts to a scene in the Highlands with majestic mountains (Munro’s?), locks and rivers, then the subtitle comes up Fotheringay Castle . I recall that was actually somewhere out towards Rutland way, generally flat and a bit woody.

I’m sure there are others?

Isn't that geographical?

*lochs

The one that ridiculously irritated me was Mary Boleyn asking Henry for a glass of water when he summons her to his bedchamber. The whole book and film are ridiculous but it’s such an obvious error that could r so easily been written out.

@Paleandetiolated

Isn't that geographical?

Yes and that. Anything inaccurate.

@BashfulClam

*lochs

And anything mechanical.

For heaven’s sake don’t ever watch Robin Hood, Prince of thieves. They walk from the white cliffs of Dover to Hadrian’s Wall in a day

Weren't there people wearing jeans in Gladiator?

Much of Bohemian Rhapsody was historically inaccurate!

Yes, Robin Hood. But a 1970’s version I seem to recall. One of his men climbed over a wall and presented the sole of a Dr Marten boot to the camera.

Well Elizabeth and Mary never met so that scene in the film is total bollocks. Robin Hood walks to Hadrians Wall in a day apparently on his way from Dover to Nottingham. In Hamilton, Aaron Burr says he's a terrible shot but in reality he was a renowned marksman.

Also, pretty much the whole of the Knights Tale but that's OK because it's awesome anyway.

Braveheart.

@Thecatsbutler

Braveheart.

Why was he a coward?

Wallace wasn't poor, his wife's name was Marion not Murran.Kilts weren't worn in that time period. Primae Noctis was an urban myth. Painted faces weren't in fashion. Isabella of France was only 4years old. Robert Bruce never betrayed Wallace. Braveheart was actually Robert Bruce's nickname.

In the first Elizabeth she's surprised to discover Dudley is married. I'm not sure why as it was a well known fact and I think was part of the reason why she was open about her feelings for him. He wasn't available so it was safe.
After his wife died she dropped him like a hot brick

Everything in the entirety of the first Elizabeth movie. It would be shorter to say what is correct. It annoys me more than most because it is a good film that seems believable so you need to actually months history of the period to know it is very inaccurate.

Braveheart is pretty inaccurate. Most historical films from the 1950s are littered with inaccuracies. To be honest I assume all historical films will have some inaccuracies (not least because real lives, timelines, geography, ways of behaving not necessarily make neat plots and gripping drama)

Robin Hood Prince of thieves also have the woad wearing Scottish barbarian trope. Not sure why film makers think Scotland and any period vaguely before about 1500 has to equal blue face paint. And clan kilts.

I do love a good historical drama.The reality of most of then is definitely not as romantic as any of them portray though.

What annoys me with Elizabeth is not how it changes the facts, it's the captions. Take away the captions and it's an entertaining film. Also Daniel Craig is hot in it.

There was a film called Mary Shelley where Mary had a rant about her gender. I'm pretty sure gender is a modern word not used in the 1800s.

I quite enjoying seeing how books/films about particular events or people have changed as our interestd and priorities change. So in the 19th century with Romanticism being popular William Wallace becomes about rugged landscapes and natural beauty, and there is a literary fondness for romances so his wife gets fleshed out from just a name. Then when it comes to the film, Hollywood goes in hard on the Freedom! angle which is in keeping with US values and attitudes, and thoughts about Scottish Independence in the 1990s.

Zips.

Visible zips in costume dramas. The first fastener to resemble a zip was invented mid 1800s but didn't work well until it was refined in about 1920 (sorry for the possible inaccuracies on a thread about inaccuracies).

I know modern costumes are made with modern materials and sewing machines and I can accept that but sticking a zip in the back of a Tudor gown is ridiculous, at least cover it up, hide it in the side or something.

Also Victorian street children with shiny washed hair and boots with socks. Street children would probably be barefoot, if they did have boots they would be scruffy and have holes in them.

Also brides wearing white, Queen Victoria started that trend, and even then most brides wore their best dress, or if they could afford a wedding dress it would become their 'best dress' for a year or so.

www.youtube.com/c/HistoryBuffsLondon

Knock yourself out. The film you mention gets both barrels ...

The whole of Braveheart?

Reading through I see Braveheart's been mentioned more than a couple of times. It's my instant reply to these things. What a load of made up pish it is.

@Werehamster

There was a film called Mary Shelley where Mary had a rant about her gender. I'm pretty sure gender is a modern word not used in the 1800s.

If anything I imagine "sex" would be the word. "Fairer sex" and all that.