WSC Literature Historical Distortion

Gandhi (1982)

A historical film directed by Richard Attenborough that depicts the life of Mahatma Gandhi, an Indian hero who led the movement for India's independence from British colonial rule.

Ben Kingsley

The actor who portrayed Mahatma Gandhi in the movie Gandhi (1982), despite not being of Indian descent. He received critical acclaim for his performance.

Woman King

A recently released film based on the Agoodjies, the women warriors of the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey in present-day Benin, who fought against the Oyo Empire and the Mahi tribe. The movie portrays Dahomey as an anti-slavery kingdom, although historical records show that King Gezo, the ruler of Dahomey, engaged in the slave trade.

Braveheart

A film based on the true story of Scottish warrior William Wallace and his rebellion against English rule in the 13th century. The movie takes liberties with historical accuracy, distorting the events of the rebellion and simplifying the portrayal of characters.

Pocahontas

A Disney animated film based on the life of Pocahontas, a Powhatan Native American woman who played a role in establishing peace between her tribe and English settlers in Virginia. The movie includes fictionalized elements, such as a romantic relationship between Pocahontas and John Smith, which did not occur in real life.

300

A film based on the Battle of Thermopylae, where 300 Spartans fought against the Persian army. While the movie is largely accurate in its portrayal of the battle, it simplifies the Persians as one-dimensional villains and does not provide as much insight into their culture and history as it does for the Spartans.