Hollywood: The American EffectThere was a rumour, once upon a time, that Tom Cruise was to star in a film called "The Few", where an American Pilot on loan to the Royal Air Force managed to win the Battle of Britain - obviously through his heroic daredevil Top Gun-esque tactics. I've not heard a single glimmer of this story since there was such an uproar when it was shown that, historically, the pilot in question recorded no kills and managed to crash land a few times. The RAF were obviously not budging an inch over that one...Movies are entertainment, not history books. So what is the main cause of arms being thrown upwards? Is it because the British Hero is replaced with an American Actor?Antony Beevor, a best-selling author of popular history once said, "You can't turn every hero in the world into an American." - A favourite comedian of mine once impersonated a popular legend with the phrase, “Where is the Maid Mah-ryan? Is she in NottingHAM?”
Prince John: And why would the people listen to you? Robin Hood: Because, unlike some other Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent. [referring to the then recent blockbuster Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, in which Kevin Costner played the role with an American accent] The gag about Robin being able to speak with an English accent is a reference to Kevin Costner's performance in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Unfortunately viewers who saw both movies in a dubbed version couldn't get this gag. For the German dubbed version the gag was changed to: "because I - unlike some other Robin Hood - do not cost the producers 5 million dollars". In the French dubbed version, it is translated as, "Because unlike other Robin Hoods, I do not dance with the wolves," referring of course to another Costner movie. Is it because we don’t like the fact that every person in a Hollywood film with a British accent turns out to be the villain?A strange point, but one I thought I’d include as an off-the-cuff remark. Since being “bad” is actually a trait looked on with desire by the stereotypical American Culture, why aren’t more Brits the “good” guys, the Americans the “bad” guys, and to satisfy the smiley happy ending always required by studio executives, coupled with the fact that America never loses at anything in the movies, the bad guys win?Is it because Hollywood tells the story but changes key scenes/what really happened?Some would say that twisting an account of history, whatever it’s purpose, is tantamount to deceit over someone’s past experiences. Strong words indeed, but with today’s world wanting the ever-so-quick delivery of instant gratification, the temptation of a potted history lesson in roughly two hours of entertainment rather than countless hours pouring over textbooks would be very powerful.
Let's take Titanic, James Cameron's 1997 epic adventure. The BBC ran a story quoting "The makers of the Hollywood blockbuster Titanic have apologised to a Scottish town for tarnishing the reputation of one of its heroes." - The First Officer of the ill-fated voyage, Mr Murdoch, was portrayed as a corrupt coward and a murderer who shot passengers and then took his own life. However, he is described by historians as having done his utmost to save passengers, guiding them to boats and throwing deckchairs overboard for those in the sea to cling to as the liner sank. In years to come, will people remember this difference?
Shouldn't the scene been at the very least cut if it's so amazingly off target? Perhaps History itself doesn’t make a decent story? One could argue that the story can be tightened up to make a more dramatic film. Perhaps interjecting a new love-theme into the telling makes it more appealing. Read about serious errors in Braveheart - Wallace himself was not a peaceful farmer driven to rebellion by the murder of his wife; he was a minor nobleman who had been carrying out a guerrilla-style war with the English for many years before the events of the film. Is it Hollywood's superiority complex?
You've seen it or heard it before. Things look so bleak and hopeless until the Americans turn up. I occasionally joke with my wife at the end of some trashy action movie that I'm 'proud to be American!'
Personally, this is where my stumbling block is at it’s biggest. I recently wrote a review for the remake of “War of the Worlds” and noted that America’s best military efforts were completely ineffectual against the alien invaders. That was quite refreshing – for Hollywood. The only other time I can remember such a gust of fresh air was in Independence Day when the Aliens disintegrated the White House. I can imagine the gutted people all over the US when such a scene played out across the silver screen… although people in the UK reportedly clapped and cheered! I don't believe that's anything to do with any UK public racism, I just think they like to see the US get beat every so often! Who’s media are we victim of?Are the British subject to a version of events that are just as questionable? Are people more inclined to react to the film industry like it was portraying real life? With the UK having more centuries of history than America there's much more to draw on for script ideas. I'm not just pointing at us for history, there were some errors in Troy also. Some people actually believe what they see on the screen. Some people believe what they read, and some people believe because they were right there in the middle of it, or have a personal account from a relative. Do the film makers have a responsibility to ensure truth is preserved? Perhaps "based on a true story" films should carry disclaimers.Propaganda can be entertainment too, and it's remarkably easy to believe it because you've seen it. Movie Studios will make it more appealing and accessible to the masses to maximise their audience. If they can get you to identify with it, it's more likely you'll enjoy (and recommend) the film. Maybe that's why people get so defensive? They see the erosion of something they feel/know to be true by those who readily believe hype and cutting edge entertainment. HAVE YOUR SAY!!Cinemas Online Forums |
| advertising | privacy policy | links | contact |