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===== Reel History, Introduction =====

Type your awesome comments here.--Jeff M.

This really sort of opened my eyes a little bit considering, I've never really watched a film and thought of the historical inaccuracies presented in them. Reading this Intro, I can understand more of how using a critical eye can potentially shift your thoughts and feelings towards a film. Considering what I've learned over the course of the years about Pocahontas, it's easy to point out that the film contains many inaccuracies - yet people are so quick to believe what they see on media and what they choose to gravitate towards in relation to their own lives. -- Lindsey Sowers

This chapter reminded me of conversations I've had with my mom about various movies. When I told her we would be watching Pocahontas, she replied with "the most historically inaccurate movie ever made." She holds a particular disdain for it because she grew up in Newport News and frequented Jamestown. She takes issue with the cliffs and waterfalls Pocahontas jumps off of. It really speaks to how people interact with media, especially if the media relates to their real life in some way. --Erin Shaw

I really liked that the author had something good to say about movies that are historically inaccurate at times. It was not excusing movies that are irresponsibly inaccurate and all together "bad history"- but it shows that there are still lessons to be learned from them. You can understand how people interpret history by watching movies and come to understand how they felt at the time and what they were trying to convey. It was thought provoking to get a new perspective on how movies and books are both in a sense the result of an author takings some liberties with how the history is portrayed. I think of books as being a good source and movies as being a weak source. The truth is somewhere in between, because movies give a new perspective and invoke different emotions. --Grace Corkran 

I thought it was interesting when the author mentioned how many journalists and commentators have strong opinions towards movies such as Titanic, Schindler's List, The Patriot, etc. It goes to show that how viewing a film through a historical eye rather than just for entertainment purposes can alter your thoughts and feelings towards the film. I have never considered the historical aspect to Titanic. It would be interesting to watch it again to analyze. - Maryanna Stribling

I'm looking forward to reading more from this book and going into this course with an open mind about history in films. I personally can be critical about historical accuracy, but it is also interesting to think about why there are inaccuracies in films. These films were not made necessarily to inform the public on the history, but to entertain, and filmmakers likely made changes to the historic facts to make the films more entertaining to the general public. I'm interested to finding where I personally draw the line with what inaccuracies are acceptable in film and what take it too far from the truth. -- Carolyn Stough

I liked how the author doesn’t dismiss Historical films just because they have some inaccuracies. I remember watching Braveheart multiple times growing up and being fascinated about the movie for its entertainment value. Although it may not be historically accurate it fascinated me enough to want to learn more about the topic so that I could separate fact from fiction. I am excited to learn how to view things better from a more critical eye. -- Will Roszell

I agree a lot with what Roplin has to say in his introduction. Like others are saying, I am glad he does not just dismiss the genre of historical films entirely. I agree that it is important to know your source, and know that movies may have added or changed elements just because of their nature as a medium. On the other side of this, as the nature of their medium they can also bring different things to the table that, for example, a book probably could not. -Erin Andrewlevich

Just from the introduction I know I am going to enjoy reading this book. When I watch historical movies, I slightly judge them for being inaccurate but I know that there is a reason for it (while still judging). The real history on Pocahontas is nothing like the Disney movie but the movie was created for children and families to enjoy because that is Disney in a nutshell. Before even getting to the part on page 5 that listed some of the movies, I knew instantly that The Patriot was going to be added, which reminded me of a very long discussion I had with my U.S. History teacher back in 11th grade. Cinematic history has indeed become a huge influence in entertainment but just because the plot could be inaccurate, doesn't mean that it still hasn't done its job of teaching the viewer about whatever the topic is. -Alyx Wilson

Toplin’s approach to looking at historical films as an art form as opposed to something that should be defined by any historical inaccuracies is extremely interesting. In particular, I find his note of how there will be some interpretive license in any sort of portrayal of history helps greatly in the defense of historical films (page 2). Adding onto this, the way that historical cinema has permeated society, not just in movies, but also on television, would seem to be something that warrants further academic study rather than dismissal of historical films. -Sky Horne 
===== Slaves on Screen =====

One of the things that stuck out to me reading this article was on page six where Davis says "films can reveal social structure and social codes in a given place and time, sources and forms of alliance and conflict, and the tension between the traditional and the new." While movies can depict a great figure or an event like what can be done in historical scholarship, movies can use the background to show a bigger picture of what life was like at the time. Davis points out you can show workers in the back of a shot to show what more groups were experiencing instead of just the main characters struggles. In most scholarship about an event or a person, it tends to just give the facts about that one thing with some context to support the original storyline. With movies they try as close as they possibly can to emerge the viewer into the experiance by adding these small details that may be left out in other mediums to give the viewer an understanding of the bigger picture. -- Ellora Larsen

Something that struck me was the point made on pages four and five about how movies have only had a hundred years to practice their art and stretch their legs so to speak. Historians have been around for thousands of years and have not perfected their art but at least have a better understanding for how to communicate the information they want to record. Movies are still learning and they are having to do so under unfavorable conditions. It made me think on how they also have to dramatizes some history in order to draw an audience and a historical journal does not have to do the same. It is a different medium and business so the ways in which they are going to communicate will also have to adapt and movies should have time and freedom to do so. --Grace Corkran 


The author made a good point on page ten, noting that past events should not be interpreted entirely through a modern lense. I think this is something that is relevant to issues today, not just in film. Just because a film touches on an idea or belief that is now rejected in modern times, it does not mean that something valuable cannot be learned from it. It is important to represent many different perspectives from the past.   --Maddie Shiflett 


The idea presented on page 14 about interpretation of the facts was very interesting to me, especially in the case of historical movies or movies about true events. The "interpretation of reality" is not necessarily wrong or right, as it is an interpretation. Almost any historical movie has people complaining about it being incorrect, but I rarely expect a movie to be perfectly faithful to the story (whether historical or a book, ect) and do not mind some historical inaccuracies. Invention, however, is usually frustrating and feels very different then someone's interpretation. It was interesting to note the difference and consider how these two things are different on film. --Jessie Fitzgerald 

As I read "Slaves on Screen," I was reminded of a psychological concept called Linguistic Determinism. In essence, if we read the word, "grandma," one person may imagine a little old lady with white hair and glasses baking cookies while another person visualizes their abuela who was their primary care taker and fixes cars for a living. If both script writers and historians interpret their primary sources individually, as all humans do, then why are films criticized more harshly the historical writings? Even among distinguished historians, interpretations are different, therefore I think filmmakers deserve some slack, as their research must be interpreted by the hundreds of people working on set. -- Jessica Lynch 

On page 15, “Audiences appreciate the fact something really happened, and they’ll wonder after they see the film whether it got the story right.” This is my approach to all historical films, I’ve fallen down so many historical rabbit holes from watching movies that I found out were historical films and were equally entertaining to watch. Does it really matter if the film is completely accurate if you know that going in? -- William Roszell

I liked the points this author brought up for when judging film as a medium for historical interpretation. They bring up the point that many more interpretations and choices are present in the making of a film that may not be in many other forms of historical content. Also, different elements are important to a film that aren’t to other mediums such as lighting and music choices. These are just as equally important to the historical interpretation and can have profound impacts on the overall quality of accuracy. -Erin Andrewlevich

===== Introduction: Why Movies Matter =====

More now than ever, Media consumes most of our everyday lives. A huge part of entertainment for us is film watching. I think with that being said, it is important to filter what messages we send out to a vast majority. Just like I said in my previous comment, people gravitate to what they choose to feel relation to. Film is a powerful source of media that reaches all ages and is extremely accessible. Films have the potential to make us feel deep emotions, understand from a different perspective, and sometimes even seek for greater purpose; essentially changing how we view our society and environment. --Lindsey Sowers

For me personally, I forget the power that movies have on peoples perspectives and how they have the power to be used positively and negatively. The filmmakers can assert their own biases into their films which is then shown to a mass audience. It reminded me that since movies can be a powerful influence on our perspective, then how important representation is in movies. If movies change how we see the world, then if the world that is depicted only has people who are nothing like you, then movies can have such a negative effect on your self-esteem and your worldview. It makes sense that different ethnic groups protested against depictions of their groups that were mentioned on page seven, especially if they did not agree with those depictions. --Ellora Larsen

I've personally read a lot about film censorship, especially in regard to early animation, and I find it very interesting to look at how this censorship affected, and continues to affect, film. We don't often think of censorship in movies anymore, since just about anything can and will be made, but even now some movies can go too far and upset viewers. I think particularly of children's films that cause parental outrage, such as Finding Dory when some people assumed a lesbian couple was portrayed in a background shot. People thought that should be censored for children, which only speaks to the climate of LGBT+ acceptance in America today. --Erin Shaw

It was interesting to read this and think about just how much movies do affect our perceptions of the world. People tend to believe the things they see and read, so it's important for films to use that power for good; to subconsciously make others think about the world they live in. Furthermore, while our perceptions of the present can be altered, so can our perceptions on the past. I know I tend to use movies as a medium to understand what life really was like during a certain time period, so it's important for the portrayal to be accurate. - Maryanna Stribling

It is easy to think of film as being simply entertainment, so it was interesting to read how it was used to influence our society. I found it interesting to read about the FBI/Hoover involvement in film censorship in the early 20th century (on page 7-8). Ideas are very powerful and  film obviously had a role influencing people's language, attitudes, and behavior. Additionally,  film influences our perception of our current or past society.  We have preconceived notions of these things from the movies we've watched. Clearly, movies have affected and challenged our ideas and attitudes. --Jessie Fitzgerald 

This article emphasizes the effect movies have on Americans and how movies can influence people all over the country. It was interesting to read about how initially the cost of film making was low enough that groups from all over the United States made movies, and how many of those films had social, religious, or political agendas. It is amazing and a bit unsettling how much Americans were and still are influenced by filmmakers and how movies can change our perceptions about the world socially, politically, and historically. -- Carolyn Stough

I like how in this reading the author started out with talking about how movies not only entertain society but how they also transform into a medium that helps shapes them. This caught my attention due to the fact that as far back as I can remember, as a child I always wanted to dress like my favorite celebrity. It is crazy to think that the movie industry has this power over society. With power though, comes responsibility. They have an ability to move the audience and how they think about themselves and this world (page 7). "Why Movies Matter" was a great read explaining the impact movies can have on their audiences. --Caroline Collier

This reading really helped emphasize the scope that films have, as pointed out how almost the entire country would see movies in one for or another during the week (page 2). The scope of the movies were not the only aspect that surprised me, but also how quickly censorship boards were created to manage these movies (page 8). This quick of a response to the medium, both from within the business and from those outside of it, demonstrates the recognition of film's influence over perception. Despite the recognition of film's influence, it seems that films still portray minorities in ways that are stereotyped or offensive (page 7). -Sky Horne 
===== Hollywood's America =====

It was interesting to read how the film industry changed with the attitude and the situation of the time. I found the section on the great depression on page 16 to be a great example of this. It was believed that the movie industry would not be touched by the great depression but yet it still was used as a form of escapism of the turmoil of the time. Even though movies were being used to escape, they still were used to tackle important social issues that the same people tried to take their minds off. Movies at their best should be able to engage the viewer but then at the same time represent the atmosphere of the time. It was interesting to see how this played out in the different time periods.-Ellora Larsen

I liked how this reading analyzed the different things that impact film production, such as economic disaster and war. On page twenty-seven, it was noted that in modern times, the large cost of producing a movie has caused movies to become more dramatic; sequels and remakes grew out of an increase in consumerism. It is interesting to think about how film started from mere curiosity and technological innovation, and has since transformed into a way to make social commentary or earn a living.   --Maddie Shiflett 


I really like that this reading mentioned more than just movies. It included all sorts of entertainment that people from the 19th century into the 20th century were able to enjoy like the beginnings of Coney Island. I also enjoyed the part of the reading on page thirteen onto page fourteen about how movies were seen as evil and many bills were made to censor them. Just knowing that one of today's big money makers used to be considered a part of delinquent activity just makes me chuckle and that view is still somewhat present in society today.  -Alyx Wilson 

I was intrigued when on page 2, "social critics" of the late nineteenth century attributed "neurasthenia" to "over-civilization." This rhetoric sounds strikingly similar to recent attacks on so-called 'millennials" who are allegedly obsessed with their phones and social media. Much like we are currently analyzing the effects of a relatively new medium, film, social scientists and historians will have an even more difficult time analyzing the impact of a medium as complex and diversified as smart phones and social media in the future.  On a unrelated note, I am curious to know if recent rises in ticket prices has created a notable difference in social groups who attend the movie theater? --Jessica Lynch

I like how this article puts the rise of movies in the context of entertainment in the time period. It answers the question "what makes movies unique in comparison to other forms of mass media" that I was thinking while reading it. The main answer I got to that is that movies allowed for Americans of all race, social, political, and economic backgrounds to consume the same media. This creates a platform for products, concepts, ideas, and history to be shared with people all over the country, influencing each one of them. -- Carolyn Stough

I like that this article talks about media dating back to the 19th century. A movie was, and still is a motion picture that could create  a sense of community between people of all kinds, no matter race, politics, etc. I also found the part about "neurasthenia" especially interesting (page 2).This modern culture rising had made people feel so overstimulated, nervous, and anxious that Doctors had created a tranquilizer to relive symptoms from this "over civilization". Doctors did this by sending electrical impluses through the patients genitals which is very unsettling. Therefore this modern culture was being perceived in a very negative light and were seen as a generation of "pathetic, pampered, weak" human beings (page 2). --Caroline Collier

I found it interesting how the rise of censorship and backlash over elements in movies would rise and fall and how problems in Hollywood that we have today seem to have always existed. For example, there was backlash when people felt movies were too sexualized and filled with crime in the early 1900’s there was a push for censorship and a clean up in Hollywood through films and individuals. This sort of movie climate and then reaction seemed to happen over and over again and sort of reminds me of Hollywood today and how there’s kind of a stigma associated by some with Hollywood today because of all the sexual allegations towards the people in the industry. It’s just interesting that is seemed to be a problem then like it is today. -Erin Andrewlevich
===== General Questions =====