Some movies are based on actual events which have taken place in history. Are these movies true stories or are they storytelling? Many times real events make for good storytelling. A writer will begin with a historical event and use their imagination to add elements of storytelling to make the movie more interesting or exciting.

Special effects or props may be used in attempting to recreate history. It is very difficult to recreate how a person who was involved in the actual event could have really felt. A film maker may have the best intentions of bringing history to life, however, personal beliefs and feelings might cause more attention to be paid to one element and not enough to others.

Movies based on historical events are good because they capture the attention of many people who may become concerned with the events the movie is based on. But we should always remember that a movie is illusion. The event we see on the screen will never be exactly the same as the true historical event.

Do you remember the scientific method?

The Scientific Method

• we observe what is happening
• we predict what might happen next
• we test our predictions under controlled conditions
• we try to understand what we have observed

• Can actors in a movie express the true feelings of the captives of Amistad?
• Can Hollywood props and soundstages recreate the locations as they were when the actual events took place?
• Was the movie based 100% on real events, or was storytelling included in the script?
• Does the audience watch the movie for entertainment value or concern about how a group of people have been treated in the past?
• Do movies based on historical events help the audience to understand the differences between other cultures and beliefs?