I have to echo David's comments here.  I'm not defending specific decisions
in any film, but I do know that compelling imagery and a sense of history
that was generated on film were large reasons for my love of history and
subsequent pursuit of undergraduate and graduate studies in the field.

For me, it wasn't so much about what I was being taught, it was about (to
use Freeman Tilden's term) what was being *evoked.*  Once history got its
hooks in me that way, it was up to me to study and learn the *real* stories
behind the stories I saw on film--which added a whole new layer of
fascination.

I guess I don't expect historical fiction on film to be particularly factual
(though I certainly applaud it when it is).  Its service to the historian,
in my opinion, comes from giving people a sense of wonder about a/the
historical world.

Best,

--Eric

Eric D. M. Johnson
Proprietor
The Village Factsmith Historical Research & Consulting
http://www.factsmith.com/
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----- Original Message -----
From: "David Kiracofe" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 4:29 PM
Subject: Re: New World Movie


> Maybe I'm just not inclined to bash Hollywood movies (too easy), but
> actually I find there is a lot of educational value in looking at movies
> as a form of interpretation -- a historiographical approach if you will.

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