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To be frank and to the point ................... None of them.
The search for historical fact and the distortions created by Hollywood simply don't mix.
The above does not apply to the film "Tora Tora Tora" nor to "The Battle of Algiers", both of which were documentary level factual, the latter purposefully being made to appear to be a documentary while actually featuring actors and the restaging of all that you see.
Other films which added filler material for narrative or dramatic purposes without altering the essential facts include "The Longest Day", "A Bridge Too Far", "Alamo" and "Nicholas and Alexandria." None of those films featured performers doing impossible things a la "Pearl Harbor", none of those films had severe alterations in actual events such as "Far Horizons" or "They Died With Their Boots On."
It is possible to make a reasonably accurate historical film while compressing some events for time's sake or making a composite character out of several actual participants. Consider the immense difference between the 1930's Errol Flynn "Charge of the Light Brigade" and the 1971 David Hemmings film of the same name. The latter stuck to the basic facts with the fictional elements being dialogue invented to move the plot along or flesh out a character. The former was a preposterous reinvention of the entire story which tried to make it seem like the charge was a glorious endeavor rather than a fatal blunder. The same applies to the difference between the 1960 John Wayne "The Alamo" and the 2001 version with Billy Bob Thornton.
John has a long mustache. repet. John has a long mustache.
The Longest Day (1962), John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Richard Burton, Robert Mitchum, Eddit Albert, Sean Connery, Peter Lawford, Rod Steiger, Red Buttons, Mel Ferrer, Steve Forest, Roddy McDowell, Robert Ryan, George Segal, Robert Wagner, Arletty, etc.
Epic.
dot dot dot dash
Beethoven's Fifth.
Pluskat's lightbulb moment. You ever notice that the dog knows? It's a proven fact that animals can detect nature's changes before humans can, such as earthquakes, storms, (invasions?) etc. Pluskat's dog has the right idea in the beginning of this clip. This video doesen't show the English subtitles, but Pluskat asked his crew where's my dog. lol.
It is possible to make a reasonably accurate historical film while compressing some events for time's sake or making a composite character out of several actual participants. Consider the immense difference between the 1930's Errol Flynn "Charge of the Light Brigade" and the 1971 David Hemmings film of the same name. The latter stuck to the basic facts with the fictional elements being dialogue invented to move the plot along or flesh out a character. The former was a preposterous reinvention of the entire story which tried to make it seem like the charge was a glorious endeavor rather than a fatal blunder...
I've got the David Hemmings version in my queue. Can't wait to watch it.
I've got the David Hemmings version in my queue. Can't wait to watch it.
I suspect that you will like it. And in case you get to wondering while watching it, the "Black Bottle" business was real. The films alters the chronology a bit, but the essential elements are intact. You'll understand when you watch. Also look for a delightful performance from Jill Bennett as Mrs Duberly, the wife of an ineffectual staff officer. John Gielgud is wonderful as the perpetually befuddled, but never ruffled, Lord Raglan.
If you ever stumble across an opportunity, don't miss "The Wreck and Rescue of the Schooner J.H. Hartzell", a documentary of a shipwreck on the Great Lakes, , using local actors and shot in a blizzard. The first time I saw this, I was convinced that somehow he had found archival footage of the actual event.
I liked Eight Men Out, thought Judge Landis went a little hard on Shoeless Joe, with a lifetime ban from baseball, he knew about the fix but did not throw games.
The Killing Fields
Salvador
All the Presidents Men
I like every movie ever made regarding "Mutiny on the Bounty"
The Beast was a great fictional movie about a lost Russian tank in the Russian/Afghanistan War......"The tank feels roomier now sir"
I will have to check out The Last Emperor, as I really enjoyed Empire of the Sun. Really want to see that one about Romania, jtr88.
I like historical films but I cant say I have a favorite. That would depend on the type, rather its a documentary or fiction or non fiction. I just saw 42 and thought it was really good. The recent movie about President Lincoln was great. As far as documentaries I liked the history of the world in 2 hours. Then you have shows that while are not meant to be history based do take place in the past so its fun. A good example was the Curious case of Benjamin Button and a good tv show that got canceled called Life on Mars. I will give it some thought tonight and if I can think of a all time favorite movie I will post it.
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