My Thoughts
The book presents the phenomenon of adaptation of historical events and characters to the screen for more than 100 years, which led to the creation of thousands of films covering the entire human history. It asks some funny questions about the truth of these depictions – were prehistoric women really like Raquel Welch in her fur bikini from One Million Years B.C.? Although the author admits the right to artistic freedom, she notes that Hollywood does not always do an excellent job of translating the depth of historical realities and personages into two hours of film.
Illustrations are given of miscast actors such as Charlton Heston, who is too tall to portray General Charles Gordon authentically, and Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, who are too glamorized compared to the real-life Bonnie and Clyde outlaws. The passage recognizes that any attempt by condensers to summarize critical events into palatable narratives for the masses invariably oversimplifies history’s complex details.
However, though the author is willing to admit that Hollywood tends to engage in selective and distorted historical storytelling, generations of moviegoers have been gripped and captivated by the power of cinema to conjure up the past. Therefore, although the typical historical blockbuster should be distinct from high-fidelity history, Hollywood should be given some credit for the ability to captivate historical environments and people for millions of viewers worldwide.
Overall, this is a sober reflection of the fundamental limitations of historical films made in Hollywood while also recognizing their lasting appeal as entertainment and their impact on culture. The prose has a tone of amusement and insight to analyze this tension between historical truth and dramatized interpretation and imagination on-screen.
Thank you to Pen & Sword, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
