Hollywood's Biggest History Lies: What the Movies Still Get Wrong

Reel vs. Real: Hollywood's Love for Historical Myths

Hollywood loves to spin a good yarn, especially when it comes to history. But what’s true, and what’s pure fiction? We've all watched those epic movies and left thinking, "Wow, that really happened?" Spoiler alert: often, it didn’t.

Biggest Misconceptions in Hollywood History

Medieval knights constantly battling dragons
Cowboys always having epic showdowns at high noon
The "Wild West" being a nonstop fight fest every day

1. Napoleon was short

We’ve all heard it—Napoleon Bonaparte was a tiny man with a huge ego. But was he really that short? Not quite.

Many believe Napoleon stood at just 5 feet 2 inches.

This mix-up happened because of different measurement systems. The French inch (pouce) was longer than the Imperial inch. So, Napoleon was actually around 5 feet 6 inches tall—a bit below average for his time, but not unusually short.

Origins of the myth:
- British propaganda
- Different inch measurements
- Misinterpretations over time

2. Vikings wore horned helmets

One of the biggest myths in Hollywood is the image of Vikings marching around with horned helmets. This idea is everywhere, from cartoons to big-budget movies.

So, what’s the truth?

Vikings did wear helmets, but they were simple and practical, more like skullcaps.
No archaeological digs have found Viking helmets with horns.
The horned helmet image probably came from 19th-century artists and writers.

In reality, horns on a helmet would be pretty useless in battle and could even be dangerous. Hollywood just loves to give historical accuracy the cold shoulder.

3. Marie Antoinette Said 'Let Them Eat Cake'

The famous quote "Let them eat cake" is often linked to Marie Antoinette. This myth suggests she said this when told her subjects had no bread, making her seem out of touch.

In reality, there’s no proof she ever uttered these words.

Here's where the myth probably came from:

Jean-Jacques Rousseau mentioned a similar quote in his writings.
The quote was attributed to various royals long before Antoinette.
It’s an easy way to show the divide between royalty and commoners in stories.

The idea that she said it is a Hollywood favorite. It makes for a dramatic story and adds flair to any movie about the French Revolution. Unfortunately, it's just not true.

This myth persists, showing up again and again in films. It’s a perfect example of how history gets twisted into legend.

4. Medieval people thought the Earth was flat

One of the biggest myths Hollywood spreads is that medieval folks thought the Earth was flat. Films often show terrified sailors fearing they'll sail off the edge of the world.

In reality, many educated people from that era knew the Earth was round. Thinkers like Bede and Aristotle believed the Earth was a sphere.

Common Misconceptions:

Sailors feared falling: Most sailors feared bad weather, not tumbling off the edge.
Church suppression: The Church didn’t teach that the Earth was flat. They actually supported the spherical theory.
Columbus as a hero: Movies paint Columbus as the one who proved the Earth was round, but many already knew this.

Hollywood, with its love for drama, often ignores the facts. Medieval scholars would probably laugh at how movies portray them.

5. The Middle Ages were dark and barbaric

Many believe the Middle Ages were grim and uncivilized, thanks to Hollywood.

Movies often show everyone as dirty and living in misery. That just wasn’t true.

Some big misconceptions:

People were always filthy
Everyone was a peasant
Life was non-stop suffering

Actually, people bathed, towns flourished, and there was more to life than endless gloom.

6. The Great Wall of China is visible from space

Hollywood loves to claim that the Great Wall of China is visible from space. This myth has been debunked multiple times.

The Great Wall is hard to spot from low Earth orbit.
It’s even harder to see without perfect weather and lighting.

China’s own astronaut, Yang Liwei, couldn't spot it. Same goes for many other astronauts.

In fact, other structures like airports and cities are far easier to see from space. The claim about the Great Wall is just another legendary myth that movies like to exaggerate.

7. Salem witches were burned at the stake

When people hear about the Salem witch trials, some might picture women burned at the stake. But Hollywood's got it wrong.

First off, no one was burned at the stake in Salem.

Here's what really happened:

Nineteen people were hanged.
One man was pressed to death with heavy stones.

Let's repeat, there were no fiery executions in Salem, only hangings and one pressing. The idea of burning likely comes from European witch trials, which Hollywood loves to mix up.

Salem’s trials were unique in their own grim way. So next time you see witches burning on screen, remember—it’s a dramatic exaggeration, not history.

8. Thomas Edison Invented the Lightbulb

Thomas Edison is often credited with inventing the lightbulb. This isn't entirely accurate.

Edison did make a significant contribution to the development of the lightbulb. His version, created in 1879, was practical and long-lasting. He perfected the design to make it commercially viable.

Here are some common myths:

Edison was the first to invent the lightbulb. Actually, inventors like Humphry Davy and Warren de la Rue came before him.
He worked alone. Edison had a team of skilled researchers.
His lightbulb was the only one. There were other inventors developing their own versions around the same time.

Edison's real genius was in making the lightbulb accessible to the public. He improved existing designs and created a reliable, long-lasting bulb. This move pushed the world into the electric age.

So, while Edison didn’t originally invent the lightbulb, his improvements and marketing skills were key to its success.

9. Isaac Newton was hit by an apple

Ever hear that Isaac Newton discovered gravity because an apple fell on his head? Well, not quite.

Newton did spend a lot of time pondering under apple trees, but he wasn't bonked by any fruit.

Here's what really happened:

He saw an apple fall and started thinking about gravity.
No head injuries were involved.

It's a fun story that Hollywood loves, but it doesn't reflect the real tale.

10. Albert Einstein Failed Math

It's a widely spread myth that Albert Einstein flunked math. Spoiler alert: he didn't.

Einstein was a math whiz from a young age. By the time he was 12, he was tackling complex calculus problems. The myth probably comes from a mix-up or an attempt to make him seem more relatable.

Bored in School: Einstein disliked the repetitive nature of schoolwork, which led to boredom.
Entrance Exam Woes: He did poorly on the entrance exam to a college in Zurich due to low scores in non-math subjects.
Impressive Scores: Despite these stories, his actual math grades were top-notch in school.

Origins of Hollywood Myths

Many Hollywood movies have shaped, and sometimes twisted, our views of history. This section dives into how early films set these myths in motion and highlights notable historical inaccuracies in classic films.

Early Depictions and Their Impact

Early Hollywood films often created exaggerated or inaccurate versions of historical events. Movies like The Squaw Man and In Old California from the 1910s set the scene for this. Directors like Cecil B. DeMille and D.W. Griffith often prioritized drama over historical accuracy.

These early films shaped public perceptions. People believed what they saw on screen. Hollywood's take on history became more influential than actual history books. The entertaining, emotionally charged nature of movies made them a potent tool for spreading myths and legends.

Historical Inaccuracies in Classic Films

Classic films are notorious for historical inaccuracies. For instance, movies from the 1940s had a significant impact. Around 90 million Americans watched movies weekly, absorbing the myths presented to them. These movies often mixed fact with fiction, creating lasting misconceptions.

Famous examples:

Ben-Hur (1959): This film exaggerated and dramatized ancient Rome.
Braveheart (1995): Many details about William Wallace's life are incorrect.

These inaccuracies often stemmed from a desire to create engaging and dramatic narratives. Directors and writers took liberties with historical facts, prioritizing entertainment over education. This left lasting impressions that shaped many people's views on history.

Common Historical Myths

Hollywood often portrays history with a touch more drama and less accuracy. Some of the most repeated myths involve the Revolutionary War and the Wild West.

Revolutionary War Myths

Many people believe that American colonists were always united in their fight against the British. In reality, society was deeply divided. The term "Patriots" refers to those who wanted independence, but there were also "Loyalists" who supported British rule, and they made up about a third of the population.

Another myth involves Paul Revere’s famous ride. Movies show him shouting, “The British are coming!” which is unlikely. Most colonial Americans still considered themselves British. Revere probably said something like, “The regulars are coming.”

Movies also exaggerate the ragtag look of the colonial army. While the Continental Army started poorly equipped, they became more uniform with proper training and supplies over time.

Wild West Legends

Movies often depict the Wild West as a place of constant gunfights and outlaws. In truth, most towns were fairly peaceful. Shootouts like the one at the O.K. Corral were rare. Cowboys spent more time herding cattle than having duels.

Another big myth? Cowboys always wore wide-brimmed hats and carried six-shooters. In reality, styles and weapons varied greatly. Some cowboys even preferred bowler hats.

Hollywood loves to show Native Americans attacking settlers frequently. However, many interactions were peaceful and involved trade and cooperation. Conflicts did happen, but they weren’t the everyday norm movies suggest.

Finally, the image of the quick-draw duel at high noon is more fiction than fact. Real gunfights were usually chaotic and involved a lot more bravado than actual skill. Again, violence wasn’t as common as the movies make it seem.

Movies might glamorize or dramatize history, but it’s always good to know the real stories behind those legends.

Fact vs. Fiction: Analyzing Modern Films

Modern movies sometimes blur the lines between fact and fiction, leaving viewers with misconceptions about history. This section breaks down how different genres address historical accuracy.

Historical Dramas: Where They Get It Right

Historical dramas often strive for accuracy. Films like 12 Years a Slave and Schindler's List try to reflect real events and people with care.

Key Points:

Costumes and sets: Often well-researched and period-appropriate.
Dialogue: Sometimes uses actual historical speeches or writings.
Events: Usually based on documented occurrences.

Yet, even these films add drama:

Condensed timelines: Real events may be squeezed to fit a movie runtime.
Fictional characters: Includes characters to simplify storytelling.

While they aim to educate, liberties are often taken to keep it engaging.

Action Blockbusters: History Takes a Backseat

Action blockbusters play fast and loose with facts. Movies like Gladiator and Braveheart are notorious for their historical inaccuracies.

Notable Inaccuracies:

Characters and events: Often exaggerated or entirely made-up.
Settings: Locations and period details frequently misrepresented.

Examples:

Gladiator: Real person Maximus didn't exist.
Braveheart: William Wallace never painted his face blue.

These movies prioritize excitement over accuracy, often resulting in entertaining but misleading interpretations of history.