In a message dated 1/30/06 11:16:40 AM, [log in to unmask] writes:
> Just as a side not, specific to the point of "Master and Commander:" a
> friend of mine has crewed historic tall ships for years, and he rolled his
> eyes at "M&C" the same way many of us do (yes, even me) when confronted with
> historical inaccuracy on film. Evidently, while he thought the material
> culture was quite well done, the actual crewing and sailing of the ship left
> a great deal to be desired.
>
> I wish I had had more of a chance to find out what he saw specifically, but
> he was on his way to crew a ship in Seattle.
>
> I just chuckle to think that even when the work is put in, it may perhaps be
> impossible to really get everything right. I think it would make for a
> great study in a program such as the Virginia Forum mentioned recently--to
> *really* slice up a film and examine it from all these angles: raw
> historical facts, material culture, costume, social structure, patterns of
> speech, etc.
>
> Cheers,
>
> --Eric
>
> Eric D. M. Johnson
> Proprietor
> The Village Factsmith Historical Research & Consulting
> http://www.factsmith.com/
> [log in to unmask]
>
Dear Eric:
I can relate to your friend's heartburn about sailing and gun crew abilities!
You are right on about Hollywood, there will always be something they
overlook or don't do right. One of my other addictions besides living
history/history/geneaology is horses. I have been riding since I was seven both English
and Western, can jump 3 feet, have ridden all over the country including
ranches out west, herded cows, team penned, shown in both English and Western
shows, foxhunt, carriage drive and am a mounted CW cavalry bugler ;-0! My
friends and I who are cavalry living historians always can tell when an actor can't
ride and it adds to the enjoyment of the movie when you have actors that can
REALLY ride! It really takes away from the moment when a "cavalry
commander" has to "grab leather", lol!
Anita L. Henderson
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