"HBO’s “John Adams,” despite fine drama, excellent acting and impressive production values, is – sadly and unnecessarily – seriously compromised as a depiction of history." (HNN.com)
When I read those words, my heart sank. I loved the HBO drama "John Adams" and thought it was very well done. Unfortunately, the screenwriters felt it would be more "emotionally appealing" to audiences.
This has been proven true to me over and over and over that people don't like history. From "The Patriot" to "John Adams" to "Braveheart". Countless times, we are told "history" stories and think we have a pretty good grasp of history and historical fiction.
We have heard of Molly Pitcher, the brave woman who fired the cannon of her fallen comrades in war. Though we would like to believe she is real, she was not; http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1999/summer/pitcher.html
Remember "The Patriot"? Remember all the historical inaccuracies? Probably not; http://www.studythepast.com/patriotreview.pdf
What has happened to make us want to change history? Why do we feel the need to change true events for a more entertaining story?
I think I just answered that question.
Ever since the art of storytelling was invented, people have yearned to entertain with stories of nobility, romance and excitement, whether true or fictitious. Ever since Hollywood, we have wanted to tell stories how WE want to tell, whether true of fictitious.
I have been a huge fan of Joan of Arc ever since I was a little girl. I have read tons of books and papers on her, so when I heard they had made a movie of it, I immediately jumped at the prospect, begging my mom to let me see it. While I waited for her to make her decision, I decided to look up a few reviews on it. I was heartbroken. Apparently, the acting was bad and so was the story. They completely ruined the character of Joan and her story and faith. Why? Because it wasn't "exciting" enough or the screenwriter thought his idea was better then what actually happened. Same thing happened with Beowulf. Beowulf is one of my favorite poems and I wanted to watch the movie. But, of course, the screenwriters thought their idea of an adulterous, low down "hero" was better then the upright, Christian man Beowulf was in the poem.
For some reason, people tend to feel like it is an "obligation" to twist facts in order to entertain audiences'. After all, history is "boring",
"If one were to adhere to historical accuracy all the way, you'd probably have the most boring two hours on earth, but firstly it's entertainment and we've taken license with history to make it more compelling." Mel Gibson talking about "The Patriot"
Firstly, I think something is wrong with us if we don't find the American Revolution "exciting". Exciting as in, 'I'm not bored'.
Second, is entertainment an excuse to exchange truth with lies? Yes, twisting facts and presenting them as "history" is lying.
Third, if you don't want to make a two hour boring movie, don't make a movie!
Remember that quote I had at the beginning of this series?
“Do not let our posterity be deluded with fictions under the guise of poetical or graphical license.” John Adams (Stern, hnn.us)
In other words, don't even think about changing history for what seems more exciting, entertaining or romantic. And guess what? It's not just our Founding Fathers who wanted us to remember history as it happened.
"And Moses said unto the people, Remember this day, in which ye came out of Egypt, out of the house of bandage; for by strength of hand the Lord brought you out from this place: there shall no leavened bread be eaten." Exodus 13:3
In the next couple of verses, Moses goes over with the people the feasts of Passover, saying they must remember what the Lord did for his children.
"And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the Lord did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt. And it shall come be for a sign unto thee upon thy hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the Lord's law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand the Lord brought thee out of Egypt. Thou shalt keep this ordinance in his season from year to year." Exodus 13:8-10
That's a problem we lack today. We don't REMEMBER. We failed at teaching our children what we accomplished during the American Revolution...what God accomplished. And it doesn't stop with the birth of our nation. Even before then, we didn't tell our children. Don't believe me? Riddle me this, how come the bible has survived our these hundreds of years, but our history is still screwed up? Because Christians knew God's word HAD to be remembered and they took it upon themselves to see this done. They taught their children, they taught their friends. They remembered and they shared it.
We need to remember what happened. Today, of course, it's a little easier too. We have TV, camera's, etc...But no excuses. Don't leave it to the "professionals". You do it. You tell your children. It is your responsibility, your God-given duty to ensure we remember. Do not forget.
And for the record, I never liked "The Patriot".
Bibliography
St. George Jr., William R. "The Patriot; Movie Review." Study The Past. Web. <http://www.studythepast.com/patriotreview.pdf>.
Stern, Jeremy. "History News Network." History News Network. HNN. Web. 27 Oct. 2008. <http://hnn.us/articles/56155.html>.
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