Summary

• Historical movies often sacrifice accuracy for cinematic appeal, distorting known events and characters to cater to audiences and create a more entertaining experience.
• While these movies may be entertaining and visually stunning, historians argue that they contribute to a misunderstanding of historical events, particularly those significant to the current global sociopolitical climate.
• These films prioritize spectacle and storytelling over historical fidelity, offering a work of fiction inspired by history rather than a factually accurate representation. It is important to approach them as such and not rely on them for a precise understanding of the events they depict.

Historical movies criticized for their accuracy and realism aren't necessarily terrible films, in fact, some of the best war movies of all time are liveral with the truth. These movies are guilty of skewing and bending history to the filmmaker's will, offering inaccurate versions of known historic events. At the same time, filmmakers do this in order to cater to the vast majority of audiences.

Indeed, some movies that completely disregard historical accuracy are also some of the most entertaining historical films of all time. However, while many movies that depict historical events inaccurately have gone on to become iconic, historians rightly argue that this practice has contributed to audiences completely misunderstanding the said events. This is particularly crucial for films depicting events that remain relevant to the current global sociopolitical climate, such as the Battle of Thermopylae, the American Civil War, and the Siege of Jerusalem.

10 300 (2006)

While 300 is visually stunning and entertaining, it takes creative liberties with historical accuracy - particularly by exaggerating the Spartans' prowess and the scale of the real Battle of Thermopylae. The portrayal of Xerxes and the Persian Empire is also highly stylized. Additionally, the Spartans' strict adherence to certain ideals is romanticized, eschewing the complexities of ancient Greek society.

300 prioritizes spectacle over historical fidelity, offering a cinematic experience rather than a historically sound representation of the said battle and its participants. Although 300 forever changed the landscape of the action genre, it's essential to approach it as a work of fiction inspired by history rather than a factual .

9 Braveheart (1995)

The story of Scottish knight William Wallace is heavily dramatized for cinematic effect in Braveheart. While he was undoubtedly a key figure in Scotland's history, the movie also distorts timelines and events. The romantic subplot involving Princess Isabella is entirely fictional, and no historical records this pairing.

Moreover, the iconic blue face paint the Scots wear in the film wasn't historically accurate for that time period. Braveheart prioritizes emotional impact and a hero narrative over precise historical representation, making it more of a historical fantasy than a strict retelling of events. Even the title Braveheart refers to Robert the Bruce - not William Wallace.

8 Dances With Wolves (1990)

In Dances with Wolves, the portrayal of the Lakota Sioux and Pawnee people - and their interactions with Lt. John Dunbar - is entirely fictional. The film has been criticized for oversimplifying the complexities of Native American cultures and their relationships - both with each other and with European settlers.

In fact, the character of Dunbar can be interpreted as a white savior figure, a narrative trope that simplifies the dynamics of cultural exchange during the Westward Expansion. While the movie is rife with historical inaccuracies, it has also been notably praised by Indigenous American communities for its accurate and well-researched depiction of the Lakota people and their culture.

7 Pearl Harbor (2001)

The Hollywood blockbuster Pearl Harbor is known for its romantic subplot within the backdrop of the infamous attack. While visually spectacular, the film is widely criticized for sacrificing historical accuracy for cinematic drama. The love triangle between the characters played by Ben Affleck, Josh Hartnett, and Kate Beckinsale takes center stage, overshadowing the nuanced complexities of the real events.

Key historical inaccuracies include timeline manipulation, unrealistic combat sequences, and a lack of depth in depicting the geopolitical climate of such an important time in history. By prioritizing a fictional love story over historical fidelity, the film distorts the gravity of the actual events at Pearl Harbor.

6 Apocalypto (2006)

Criticized by historians to be one of the most historically inaccurate movies ever, Apocalypto is a gripping adventure set against the backdrop of the ancient Maya civilization. It takes considerable liberties by portraying the Maya as a bloodthirsty, cannibalistic society on the brink of collapse, a misrepresentation of their complex culture.

Jaguar Paw's journey, while thrilling, is a work of fiction rather than an accurate depiction of Mayan society, which was reasonably peaceful according to historical s. Additionally, while the Spanish conquistadors arriving at the end of Apocalypto provided a compelling ending, this actually happened 400 years later, and not during the collapse of the Mayan civilization.

5 Gladiator (2000)

Historical accuracy takes a back seat to epic and dramatic storytelling in Gladiator. The character of Maximus is a fictional composite of several ancient Romans rather than a representation of a real gladiator. The film simplifies and distorts the extremely complex political landscape of ancient Rome, condensing real events to fit the length of a feature film.

The portrayal of Emperor Commodus, while entertaining, deviates significantly from historical records. Gladiator fights are exaggerated for cinematic flair, and the Colosseum's architecture doesn't align with its historical counterpart. Though the movie was both a critical and commercial triumph, Gladiator sacrifices historical precision to craft a thrilling and emotionally charged narrative.

4 Kingdom of Heaven (2005)

Kingdom of Heaven compresses timelines, exaggerates character traits, and oversimplifies the complex historical dynamics of one of the most important events for two of the biggest religions on the planet. Characters like Balian of Ibelin, Sybilla, and Saladin are portrayed differently than historical records suggest - both in of their backstory and their actions during the Siege of Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, the Siege of Jerusalem itself is heavily dramatized in the film for intensity, not accuracy. While it can be argued that the movie captures the spirit of the Crusades, its deviations from historical reality dangerous views about the medieval history of Catholicism and Islam.

3 The King (2019)

For starters, The King's true story-inspired plot is not based on historical records, but on William Shakespeare's plays Henry IV and Henry V. While the movie envisions King Henry as a reasonable leader who sought to make peace, he is actually considered by historians to be somewhat of a warmonger.

Moreover, the film also distorts certain events, particularly the Battle of Agincourt, where the iconic single combat scene never actually took place. While The King successfully translates Shakespearean drama to the screen, it is more a work of historical fiction than an accurate portrayal of the events and characters from which it draws inspiration.

2 The Patriot (2000)

Set during the American Revolutionary War, The Patriot takes substantial liberties with historical events and characters. The Patriot's Benjamin Martin is a composite character inspired by several figures, which includes the slave owner Francis "Swamp Fox" Marion, who was known for his persecution of the Cherokee people.

The Patriot also depicts the British in an overly villainous light, which fails to capture the nuances of the conflict. Battle scenes and tactics are exaggerated for dramatic effect, deviating from the actual historical strategies employed by both sides. Furthermore, the portrayal of African-American characters and their roles in the war is largely inaccurate, downplaying the harsh realities of slavery during that period.

1 Centurion (2010)

While set against the backdrop of Roman Britain during the second-century AD, Centurion deviates from historical facts in its retelling of the mysterious disappearance of the Roman Ninth Legion. Most notably, this includes a fictional explanation for the disappearance, even though history itself offers no definite answer.

Centurion's characters are also products of creative storytelling rather than accurate historical representation. The portrayal of the Picts, the indigenous people of northern Britain, is also stylized for dramatic effect, insensitively presenting the complex people as almost supernatural antagonists. Centurion's focus on action and suspense overrides historical authenticity, making it an entertaining but historically flawed depiction.