35 Facts About Historically Inaccurate Shows

Historical Dramas: Fact or Fiction?

Historical dramas captivate audiences with their rich storytelling and period settings. However, they often take liberties with the truth. Here are some fascinating facts about historically inaccurate shows.

1. "Braveheart" and William Wallace's Kilt: William Wallace, portrayed by Mel Gibson, wears a kilt in "Braveheart." Kilts weren't worn by Scots until the 16th century, long after Wallace's time.

2. "The Tudors" and Henry VIII's Wives: "The Tudors" compresses timelines and alters events for dramatic effect. For instance, Henry VIII's marriage to Anne of Cleves is depicted as a brief affair, but in reality, it lasted six months.

3. "Gladiator" and Commodus: In "Gladiator," Emperor Commodus is killed in the Colosseum by Maximus. Historically, Commodus was assassinated in his bath by a wrestler named Narcissus.

4. "Vikings" and Horned Helmets: The show "Vikings" often depicts Norse warriors wearing horned helmets. In truth, there's no evidence that Vikings ever wore such helmets in battle.

5. "The Crown" and Queen Elizabeth's Relationships: "The Crown" dramatizes Queen Elizabeth II's relationships, sometimes stretching the truth. For example, her interactions with Jackie Kennedy are exaggerated for dramatic purposes.

Royalty and Revolution

Shows about royalty and revolutions often blur the lines between fact and fiction. Here are some intriguing examples.

6. "Marie Antoinette" and the Cake Myth: The famous line "Let them eat cake" is often attributed to Marie Antoinette. However, there's no historical evidence she ever said this.

7. "The Patriot" and Benjamin Martin: Mel Gibson's character in "The Patriot" is a composite of several historical figures. The film takes many liberties with the events of the American Revolution.

8. "Reign" and Mary, Queen of Scots: "Reign" takes significant creative liberties with the life of Mary, Queen of Scots. For instance, her relationship with Francis II is heavily romanticized.

9. "Hamilton" and Alexander Hamilton's Life: While "Hamilton" is a groundbreaking musical, it simplifies and dramatizes many aspects of Alexander Hamilton's life for theatrical effect.

10. "The White Queen" and the Wars of the Roses: "The White Queen" condenses and alters events from the Wars of the Roses. Characters' ages and timelines are often adjusted for narrative purposes.

War and Peace

War dramas often prioritize storytelling over historical accuracy. Here are some notable examples.

11. "Saving Private Ryan" and D-Day: While "Saving Private Ryan" is praised for its realistic depiction of D-Day, it takes creative liberties with the characters and their missions.

12. "Pearl Harbor" and the Love Triangle: The film "Pearl Harbor" focuses on a fictional love triangle, overshadowing the historical events of the attack.

13. "Braveheart" and the Battle of Stirling Bridge: The Battle of Stirling Bridge in "Braveheart" is depicted without the actual bridge, a crucial element of the historical battle.

14. "300" and the Battle of Thermopylae: "300" dramatizes the Battle of Thermopylae, exaggerating the Spartans' numbers and downplaying the contributions of other Greek forces.

15. "The Last Samurai" and Samurai Culture: "The Last Samurai" romanticizes samurai culture and simplifies the complex historical context of Japan's modernization.

Ancient Civilizations

Shows about ancient civilizations often mix myth and reality. Here are some interesting facts.

16. "Troy" and the Trojan War: "Troy" takes liberties with Homer's "Iliad," altering characters' fates and timelines for dramatic effect.

17. "Spartacus" and Gladiator Life: The series "Spartacus" exaggerates the violence and drama of gladiator life, often prioritizing spectacle over historical accuracy.

18. "Rome" and Julius Caesar's Death: "Rome" dramatizes Julius Caesar's assassination, adding fictional elements and characters to the historical event.

19. "Cleopatra" and Her Relationships: The film "Cleopatra" romanticizes her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, often at the expense of historical accuracy.

20. "The Ten Commandments" and Moses: "The Ten Commandments" takes creative liberties with the biblical story of Moses, adding dramatic elements not found in historical texts.

Modern History

Even modern history isn't immune to dramatization. Here are some examples.

21. "The Social Network" and Facebook's Founding: "The Social Network" dramatizes the founding of Facebook, often exaggerating conflicts and events for narrative purposes.

22. "Argo" and the Canadian Caper: "Argo" dramatizes the rescue of American hostages in Iran, simplifying and altering events for cinematic effect.

23. "Bohemian Rhapsody" and Queen's History: "Bohemian Rhapsody" takes liberties with the timeline of Queen's history, often rearranging events for dramatic impact.

24. "The Imitation Game" and Alan Turing: "The Imitation Game" dramatizes Alan Turing's life and work, sometimes at the expense of historical accuracy.

25. "Hidden Figures" and NASA's History: "Hidden Figures" highlights the contributions of African-American women at NASA, but it condenses and alters events for narrative purposes.

Myths and Legends

Myths and legends often inspire historical dramas. Here are some examples where fiction overshadows fact.

26. "Robin Hood" and the Legend: Various adaptations of "Robin Hood" take liberties with the legend, often adding fictional characters and events.

27. "King Arthur" and the Round Table: Films about King Arthur often mix historical elements with legend, creating a blend of fact and fiction.

28. "The Odyssey" and Odysseus' Journey: Adaptations of "The Odyssey" often dramatize and alter Odysseus' journey, adding fictional elements to the myth.

29. "Beowulf" and the Monster: Adaptations of "Beowulf" often exaggerate the hero's battles with Grendel and other monsters, prioritizing spectacle over historical accuracy.

30. "The Iliad" and Achilles: Films based on "The Iliad" often dramatize Achilles' story, adding fictional elements to the myth.

Historical Figures

Shows about historical figures often blend fact and fiction. Here are some examples.

31. "The Greatest Showman" and P.T. Barnum: "The Greatest Showman" romanticizes P.T. Barnum's life, often glossing over less flattering aspects of his character.

32. "Selma" and Martin Luther King Jr.: "Selma" dramatizes events from Martin Luther King Jr.'s life, sometimes altering details for narrative purposes.

33. "Lincoln" and the 13th Amendment: "Lincoln" dramatizes the passage of the 13th Amendment, often simplifying and altering events for cinematic effect.

34. "The Other Boleyn Girl" and Anne Boleyn: "The Other Boleyn Girl" dramatizes Anne Boleyn's life, often taking liberties with historical events and relationships.

35. "Elizabeth" and the Virgin Queen: "Elizabeth" dramatizes the early years of Queen Elizabeth I's reign, often altering events and characters for dramatic effect.

Why Accuracy Matters

Historical shows often take liberties with facts to make stories more engaging. While this can create compelling TV, it can also spread misinformation. Knowing the truth behind these shows helps viewers separate fact from fiction. It’s important to remember that entertainment and education serve different purposes. Enjoy the drama, but don’t take everything at face value.

Being aware of historical inaccuracies can lead to a deeper appreciation of actual events and figures. It encourages critical thinking and a desire to learn more. So next time you watch a historical drama, keep a curious mind. Look up the real stories and see how they compare. You might find the truth even more fascinating than the fiction.