As a lover of historical movies, I often question just how historically accurate the films I watch really are. Luckily enough for people like me, there's a whole YouTube channel dedicated to reviewing and assessing the historical authenticity of movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Braveheart, and loads more. Here are ten of the most popular ones:
Lawrence of Arabia
Widely considered to be one of the most influential movies in cinema history, Lawrence of Arabia depicts one man's experiences in the Arabian Peninsula during the First World War. Throughout the movie, Lawrence involves himself with the Arab National Council, and takes part in attacks on Damascus and Aqaba. It's time to find out just how historically accurate these depictions truly are...
Braveheart
Braveheart tells the story of the 13th-century Scottish warrior, William Wallace, who led Scotland into battle against England's King Edward I in the First War of Scottish Independence. Unfortunately, it has often been cited as one of the most historically inaccurate films ever made, and this video explains exactly why.
Amadeus
The 1984 movie, Amadeus, tells the story of the troubled relationship between Wolfgang Amadeus and Antonio Salieri. The period drama movie is set in Vienna during the latter half of the 18th century, and has received over 40 different awards over the years. But how historically accurate is Amadeus? Let's find out...
Gladiator
Ridley Scott's Gladiator, released in 2000, is an epic historical drama film that portrays Hispano-Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius' betrayal and reduction to slavery, from where he manages to rise through the ranks to get his ultimate revenge on Emperor Commodus. Here's how historically accurate this movie really is...
The Last Samurai
The Last Samurai follows the story of former US Army Captain Nathan Algren, who's personal and emotional conflicts bring him into contact with a group of samurai warriors in the midst of 19th century Japan's Meiji Restoration. It's said to be based on a true story, and this video analyzes just how historically accurate it really is.
Saving Private Ryan
Saving Private Ryan tells the tale of Captain John H. Miller and his squad of soldiers as they search for a missing paratrooper who is the last-surviving brother of four servicemen. It became famous for its graphic portrayal of war, and includes a harrowing depiction of the 1944 assault on Omaha Beach. Here's how true this movie really is...
Dances With Wolves
Dances With Wolves follows the story of a lieutenant from the Union Army who makes the journey to the American frontier to seek out a military post, and who ends up dealing with a band of Lakota Indians. Watch this video and find out just how historically accurate and important this movie gem really is.
Apollo 13
Apollo 13 is an American docudrama movie which dramatizes the tale of the aborted 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission. When an on-board explosion causes the spacecraft to lose most of its electrical power and oxygen supply, the crew's mission quickly changes into a struggle to return to Earth, and here's how accurate the facts presented in the film really are...
The Patriot
This epic historical war movie takes place during the events of the Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War. It depicts the story of an American colonist, who was loyal to the British crown, but who gets swept into the war after his family begins to receive threats of violence against them. Wondering how historically authentic The Patriot is? Find out here...
Kingdom of Heaven
Kingdom of Heaven, set during the 12th-century Crusades, follows the story of a French blacksmith who aids the defence of Jerusalem against Saladin, the Ayyubid Muslim Sultan. Find out how historically accurate this movie is here...
