Posted by ann on August 03, 1998 at 12:32:13:
In Reply to: Mann's Comments on Historical Accuracy posted by Marcia on August 03, 1998 at 10:59:55:
: Ann wrote:
: : Thanks Kathy, for the interesting comments. I find Mann's remarks fascinating but a little disppointing re "Historical accuracy in and of itself is boring." .....history buffs would never agree with that opinion.....amazing that he took the time & trouble to be such a stickler then when it came to detailed aspects of the fort, costume, languages. To me, all the historical integrity displayed in the film make it so unique. Anyone can change history to suit their dramatic impact needs, but it takes a truly talented person to use the facts of antiquity and give them the aura they deserve........according to my lights anyway......ann
: Ann, I feel sure Michael Mann meant that dry historical accuracy (the facts, figures, dates we had to learn in school) need to be presented in a way that brings them to life. In order for us to be entertained by them (and not bored), we need to see history as it was LIVED and not as a catalog of data presented alone. Thus, the importance of giving us people to care about and a storyline that draws us in to the era portrayed. He would never diminish the importance of historical accuracy, obviously, or he wouldn't have bothered with all the details that make LOTM so realistic.
: MMMMarcia
Well, MMMMarcia, since you've made such an eloquent defense of Mr. Mann's appreciation of historical accuracy(must be a lawyer), I'll keep him in the "excellent" section of my Movie Directors file. It's a very slim folder:o) -- almost empty.
Since he does have such a talent for period re-creation, I wonder why he hasn't made more of them......understand "Miami Vice" was his gateway to film directing.....it was great TV in its day....although can't compare with the impact of LOTM....I know that I'm preaching to the choir:o)