M J Trow, History vs Hollywood How the Past is Filmed, Pen & Sword, Pen & Sword History, March 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pen & Sword History, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

M J Trow has written a book full of interest to anyone who enjoys films with an historical bent. Perhaps they will be disappointed to learn from History vs Hollywood How the past is Filmed that so much in these ‘historical’ films is erroneous, from major problems of fact, flawed depictions of costume and event details and poor representation by actors who bear little resemblance to those they are supposed to portray. However, is this book offering much more? Perhaps, of course, what is offered is enough. However, I would have liked more analysis, some other experts noted if Halliwell has been supplanted as the film buff’s ‘go to’ reference, and less freewheeling chapter content.

There are constant references to ‘Halliwell’ author of Film goers Companion (1965) and Halliwell’s film Guide (1977). However, there is no information other than his name, about this critic who so often meets with Trow’s ire. Although Trow’s opinion is often supported by reference to the films and subject of critique, there are no citations other than the title of the films and names of the actors. Halliwell’s reference works have been referred to as requiring that ‘one should look up for a moment to admire the quite astonishing combination of industry and authority in one man which has brought them into existence.’ (Wikipedia) Alternative views are also cited, with Halliwell being seen as both an expert and having a limited perspective. With this reputation further analysis of why Trow usually disagrees with his assessments would be revealing.

The chapters are devoted to particular genres which can be described as historical. The Dark Ages covers the fall of Rome to Alfred the Great; The Middle Ages considers early war films from Hastings to Bosworth; The Renaissance provides details about one of the most well-known eras, the Tudors from Henry V111 to Elizabeth 1; The Swashbucklers, an exciting title which covers musketeers, pirates and ‘The New World’; The Age of Empire – Napoleon Bonaparte, Nelson, and women such as Lady Caroline Lamb, famous in the period to the wars of Empire, including those featuring Queen Victoria, to Ekaterine and a Russian emphasis; Westerns; Trench warfare to The Killing fields; and Crime films.

The genres covered by each chapter provide a wealth of information about a huge range of films, their scripts, associated personnel, and background. I would have liked to see more organisation within the chapters, so that they provided a chronological or subject discussion. The bibliography is a not particularly extensive bibliography, although there is a comprehensive index. So, as a book that has little analysis, criticises the opinions of a recognised expert and categorises only by genre with little effort to discuss films in any historical context such as reference to the chronological order in which they were produced, does History vs Hollywood How the Past is Filmed have a lot to offer?

For the reader who wants to know more about the films Trow covers, this book in a treasure trove. It also provides a wonderful perspective on the historical authenticity, or lack of authenticity, on a multitude of films in a wide range of genres. It is fun to read, and I enjoyed doing so. However, as a contribution to academic debate about the value of historic authenticity, evaluation of other expertise in the field and a thorough analysis of the films covered I felt it could have been better.

Social history and films are among my interests so a book which purports to combine the two was immediately appealing. It’s taken me many years to understand the extent to which the media, including the film industry, not only affects but shapes public opinion. The real issue is that it tends to be black and white….in war films all Germans and Japanese are bad, Royalty is good, ethnic minorities are frequently stereotyped and shocking events are glamourised or misrepresented.

This book takes a linear approach starting with pre biblical times and concluding with the present day. The scope is diverse and I felt that presented some limitations in analysis. Most is very superficial with limited comment about how opinion was shaped by inaccurate depictions. Having accepted those limitations, I still found it an interesting and entertaining read. I grew up with a trip to the cinema once or twice a week taken for granted. In the 1950’s, over 30 million people a week went to the cinema, so the power to influence was phenomenal. Hollywood, Pinewood, Ealing et al were only interested in making money. So the British public weren’t shown films of Allied bombing raids which killed over 50,000 people in Hamburg in a single night. They focussed on the blitz endured by London ( with far fewer deaths) and the suffering of the poor British civilians. Native Americans were colourful heathens, there to be brought under control by American troops. The police were good, The Mob were bad. We were swept blissfully into the magic of the silver screen which insidiously shaped beliefs and attitudes,

This title has loads of examples of historic inaccuracies in films, from choice of actor, accuracy if an event, dress faux pas, location choices and much more. It’s a genuinely interesting exploration of films and poetic licence. It’s not an in depth study of the potential consequences of misrepresentation. I enjoyed it.

History vs Hollywood is a fascinating journey through the movie industry's treatment of the facts in its pursuit of the next historical blockbuster. From Spartacus to Bonnie & Clyde, The Longest Day to Cleopatra, the cinema has played fast and loose with the facts of history. Yet historical films continue to draw big crowds, win awards and fascinate the public -- nevermind accuracy. M. J. Trow sets the record straight in a light, easy-to-read book that I found particularly interesting in regard to the movies of the first and second World Wars, but as a history buff, I must say the entire book was engaging. Far more than a dry reference book, the reader can enjoy the author's dry sense of humor and the sense of the inevitablity of the movie process and it's ongoing mission to make our history and heritage better, more visual, more memorable or perhaps more interesting than it might have actually been. A great read for anyone who loves film, history or just wants to take a literary stroll though some of Hollywoods best -- and worst -- efforts.

My thanks to NetGalley and Pen and Sword publishers for a copy of “History vs Hollywood”

This was an ideal choice for me as I love reading books about cinema and I’m really interested in history.
This was a really informative and entertaining read and I think it was written and researched very well.
I wasn’t surprised because I’m a big fan of the variety of Pen and Sword publications.
Highly recommended

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

History v Hollywood is a fascinating account comparing the delights and inconsistencies between history and the big screen.

Well-written and an interesting account. Recommended.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable book that examined different historical themed films over time. It was well written and accessible to audiences regardless of their historical knowledge or their knowledge and understanding of film. It is organised coherently in historical chronology theme (beginning with films set in the ancient world and finishing with films set during the modern historical period).
It covers the film, its themes and some of the issues of concern in a general, straightforward manner. I was hoping for more of a deep dive examination of films, with a detailed examination of some of the inaccuracies. However, I think audiences will be pleased with the great cross-section of themes and contents covered in this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me access to this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

This was a very interesting to read to learn about the fact vs fiction in Hollywood and see how sometimes they have got it right or very incorrect!

I’ve looked for years for a book about historical inaccuracies in historical films. I still haven’t found the one I’m looking for. This book was too overstuffed. Because there were so many films considered, I never felt any of them were really adequately examined. And, I never got a handle on the author’s opinion about historical accuracy (or inaccuracy) in film. He approves of some films which I know for a fact were riddled with inaccuracies, and dislikes others which were more accurate. Maybe the problem was with me personally (I have extremely strong opinions about historical accuracy in films), but I found this book to be too frustrating to be enjoyable.

The book presents the phenomenon of adaptation of historical events and characters to the screen for more than 100 years, which led to the creation of thousands of films covering the entire human history. It asks some funny questions about the truth of these depictions – were prehistoric women really like Raquel Welch in her fur bikini from One Million Years B.C.? Although the author admits the right to artistic freedom, she notes that Hollywood does not always do an excellent job of translating the depth of historical realities and personages into two hours of film.

Illustrations are given of miscast actors such as Charlton Heston, who is too tall to portray General Charles Gordon authentically, and Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway, who are too glamorized compared to the real-life Bonnie and Clyde outlaws. The passage recognizes that any attempt by condensers to summarize critical events into palatable narratives for the masses invariably oversimplifies history’s complex details.

However, though the author is willing to admit that Hollywood tends to engage in selective and distorted historical storytelling, generations of moviegoers have been gripped and captivated by the power of cinema to conjure up the past. Therefore, although the typical historical blockbuster should be distinct from high-fidelity history, Hollywood should be given some credit for the ability to captivate historical environments and people for millions of viewers worldwide.

Overall, this is a sober reflection of the fundamental limitations of historical films made in Hollywood while also recognizing their lasting appeal as entertainment and their impact on culture. The prose has a tone of amusement and insight to analyze this tension between historical truth and dramatized interpretation and imagination on-screen.

Thank you to Pen & Sword, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

I didn't love this one but I also didn't hate this one. However I'm not sure how I feel about this one.

What a unique book! I love Hollywood themed books and acquiring them for our readers and to see this really cool one which combines history with Hollywood is so very cool! Readers are going to love this! I know I do!