HST 101 -- History of Western Civ Terri Barnes
History Video Review Guidelines ** CHECK YOUR SYLLABUS FOR THE DUE DATE ** You have chosen a video (see list on reverse) to analyze that portrays historical people and events. While movies should never be completely relied upon as historical sources when doing research, I want you to look at your video somewhat as you would a secondary source. Secondary sources are written about events or people after the fact, and contain the author’s interpretations and conclusions. Movies as interpretations of historical events can be viewed in a similar way. For this assignment do the following: •
Get the real history behind the story o You should hit the library and/or internet and research the real history behind what is being portrayed in the movie, so that you have context and background information to inform your viewing of the film.
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Watch the movie and analyze it o What is the movie about? What is the story being told, and from whose point of view? o Compared to what you found in your research about the “real” history behind the film, is it an accurate retelling, so far as you can tell? o Video can document events, but film making is also an art form. How has artistic license affected this retelling of history? Has the movie’s creator shown all or only part of the story? Do they leave things out, or add new things to create drama? What about costumes, music, setting, etc.?? o Would you recommend this film to a student of history?
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Compile your analysis in a paper: o Typed, double-spaced, 12-point font o 4 – 5 pages in length o Your name, the name of the course, and the date on the first page o Include a bibliography of the sources you used • The ONLY internet sources allowed are those ending in “.org” or “.edu”
HST 101 Videos you can watch for your Video Report.
300 (2006), Gerard Butler Legion of 300 Spartan soldiers fight the Persians in the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. A Knight’s Tale (2001), Heath Ledger A young squire with a penchant for jousting competitions at the end of the High Middle Ages Alexander (2005), Colin Farrell Events from the life of Macedonian king, Alexander the Great. Cleopatra (1963), Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton The life of the last great Hellenistic queen at the beginning of the Roman Imperial period. Gladiator (2000), Russell Crowe Story of a gladiator’s life in late-Republican Rome. King Arthur (2004), Clive Owen, Keira Knightley Legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman The medieval English legend who robbed from the rich to give to the poor. Spartacus (1960), Kirk Douglas A slave leads a revolt against the Roman Empire. The Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson Follows Bloom’s character as a knight on Crusade. The Life of Brian (1979), Monty Python Satire of Biblical films and religious intolerance through story of Brian, a Jew in Romanoccupied Judea. The Passion of the Christ (2004), Jim Caviezel A retelling of the events of Christ’s passion, leading up to his crucifixion. Troy (2004), Brad Pitt, Eric Bana A retelling of events in Homer’s Epic Poem The Iliad.
Or . . . if there is a period specific historical film not listed here than you would like to propose, please talk to me.
