Most Historically Accurate Films/Documentaries/Video

**Madoushi** · 04-19-2010, 04:25

Originally Posted by Badass Buddha

Knights Tale: *Bangs head against the wall*

Troy: While it's based off of a myth, it's a myth based on a true event that we know or can extrapolate a good amount of information on, and since they left out all of the mythological elements, should be taken as a depiction of a historical event. I did enjoy watching Orlando Bloom get smacked around.

So were you expecting A Knight's Tale to be historical before or after the peasants started singing We Will Rock You?

As for Troy, I still feel I liked Helen of Troy better. I have no idea if it was any more accurate, but it felt a lot less like a mindless action movie.

**Badass Buddha** · 04-19-2010, 07:12

I haven't seen Alexander since it came out, so maybe you're right, but what sticks out in my mind is an arial shot of the two armies where opposite the Macedonians phalanxes is a massive horde of Persians where no distinct units could be seen. They did look better close up though.

As for black people in 300, the first messenger is black, as is the messenger they send to the Ephors. While I doubt the racism was intentional, that it how it comes off to me. I am also not denying that many Hollywood portrayals of English people are racist as hell, an example being Montgomery's depiction in Patton.

**Phalanx300** · 04-19-2010, 22:01

Originally Posted by Badass Buddha

I haven't seen Alexander since it came out, so maybe you're right, but what sticks out in my mind is an arial shot of the two armies where opposite the Macedonians phalanxes is a massive horde of Persians where no distinct units could be seen. They did look better close up though.

As for black people in 300, the first messenger is black, as is the messenger they send to the Ephors. While I doubt the racism was intentional, that it how it comes off to me. I am also not denying that many Hollywood portrayals of English people are racist as hell, an example being Montgomery's depiction in Patton.

300 Racist? Just because there are black actors in it? That very thought is more racist then the movie...

The Helots of Sparta were treated much worse than the average slave of the day, they were routinely terrorised buy the Spatan citzens to keep them in line.

For example, an advanced part of the Spartan military training (the Krypteia) involved state sanctioned murder of them.

The Helots had it far better then most slaves. Being able to keep 50% of what you produce and to own. To form and live with familly. The Krypteia came there when the Messenian Helots revolted and almost destroyed Sparta, after that the Spartans started to redicule (Messenian?)Helots and to kill those thought to be a problem.

**Hannibal Khan the Great** · 04-19-2010, 22:25

Originally Posted by Phalanx300

300 Racist? Just because there are black actors in it? That very thought is more racist then the movie...

I think "racist" simply refers to 300's high amount of anti-Persian bias...

**Cyclops** · 04-20-2010, 03:42

I think the "excuse" for the over-the-top anti-Persian sentiment in 300 is that the story is being told from the POV of a Spartan spin doctor motivating the Hellenes before the battle of Plataea. This is probably ahistorical in itself, as Persia was still widely feared and respected at thast time and for decades after (eg the Spartans and Athenians accepting the Great King's mediation), and the Hellenes took great pride in defeating the various Persian incursions.

It is very true that after the Peloponessian wars there was a massive "anti-Persian crusade" movement, an attempt at pan-Hellenic unity by painting the Persian Empire as corrupt, weak and ripe for plucking..."if we can just cooperate".

Xenephon is part of this but there were plenty of others, and the Spartans and I believe the Thessalian tyrant Jason of Pherae bought into this movement before the Makedonians father and son set the mission up and brought it to fuition (and then some).

So 300 reflects general levels of fear towards the Persians one might have seen in 480 but not generally held levels of contempt, which was a later development. Cyrus was in fact widely admired in Greece and numerous anecdotes attest to his wisdom and courage, despite his sticky end. Same goes for Cyrus the younger.

Great looking bit of comicbook fun, but dramatically ahistorical from the inbred priestly Medizing Ephors (lol) to the eight foot shaven Xerxes (double lol) and my favourite: combat rhinos (sadly allergic to javelins).

We need a realistic Life of Cyrus to balance out this fairytale stuff. Not starring Vin Deisel.

**cmacq** · 04-20-2010, 05:51

good bloody luck with that.

**Hax** · 04-20-2010, 08:22

It is very true that after the Peloponessian wars there was a massive "anti-Persian crusade" movement, an attempt at pan-Hellenic unity by painting the Persian Empire as corrupt, weak and ripe for plucking..."if we can just cooperate".

Ironically, some of the greatest Hellenic generals who fought in the first Persian war, would later fight for the Persians during Xerxes' invasion. The Greeks were actually thought of being corrupt people who'd do anything for money, in Persia.

**Ludens** · 04-20-2010, 13:11

Originally Posted by Cyclops

So 300 reflects general levels of fear towards the Persians one might have seen in 480 but not generally held levels of contempt, which was a later development. Cyrus was in fact widely admired in Greece and numerous anecdotes attest to his wisdom and courage, despite his sticky end. Same goes for Cyrus the younger.

Interesting. It does make sense from what I know. Incidentally, I cannot view the daily motion website. Can somebody tell me what the video's are about?

**antisocialmunky** · 04-20-2010, 14:27

I don't really understand why people hate on Vinn Diesel besides the name... Its not like he's done anything too egregious other than Riddick.

Anyway, does anyone know of what happned to the Anabasis film? Sony was making one as of 2008 but I haven't heard anything about it.

**athanaric** · 04-20-2010, 14:54

Originally Posted by Ludens

Interesting. It does make sense from what I know. Incidentally, I cannot view the daily motion website. Can somebody tell me what the video's are about?

Yes. Ominous Latin Chanting, Vanilla RTW Egyptians, and Latin with some strange (~~Medieval?~~ French) accent. The rest looks interesting though.
Covers the power struggle between Marcus Antonius and Octavianus. With actors looking similar to those of "Rome".

edit 2: WTH? They used the soundtrack of Sunshine for the extract?

**Andronikos** · 04-19-2010, 15:34

Originally Posted by Madoushi

So were you expecting A Knight's Tale to be historical before or after the peasants started singing We Will Rock You?

As for Troy, I still feel I liked Helen of Troy better. I have no idea if it was any more accurate, but it felt a lot less like a mindless action movie.

A Knight's Tale: LOL

Helen of Troy: you mean that one where Achilles was a bad guy and Helen was raped by Agamemnon in the end?
I didn't like any of them, actually I would like to see a good movie based on most accurate mythology as possible, either Greek or Arthurian legends or whatever. And after what I heard and read about the new Clash of the Titans I would avoid it.