Dan Snow Rates the Best Historical Films of All Time

History Hit22 minutes read

Gladiator is praised as a powerful movie despite historical inaccuracies, such as Commodus entering the arena as a gladiator and the portrayal of the Praetorian Guard. Additionally, the film accurately depicts Marcus Aurelius banning gladiatorial combat in Rome and the importance of games in Roman life.

Insights

  • Gladiator, while historically inaccurate, effectively showcases the significance of games and distractions in Roman society, highlighting a key aspect of life during that era.
  • The Holocaust not only encompassed mass murder but also exploited Jewish labor for German industries, shedding light on the economic motivations behind the atrocities committed during that period.

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Recent questions

  • Is Gladiator historically accurate?

    No, Gladiator is not historically accurate.

  • What is the significance of the wooden sword in Gladiator?

    The wooden sword symbolizes freedom for gladiators.

  • Did Marcus Aurelius ban gladiatorial combat in Rome?

    Yes, Gladiator accurately portrays Marcus Aurelius banning gladiatorial combat in Rome.

  • What was the main focus of Apollo 13?

    Apollo 13 depicted the tense moments following a small explosion during a space mission.

  • What did Oscar Schindler do during the Holocaust?

    Oscar Schindler, though a Nazi, saved many Jews by creating a list that was discovered after his death.

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Summary

00:00

Gladiator and Apollo 13: Historical Accuracy

  • The story being reviewed is not historically accurate.
  • Gladiator is praised as a powerful movie despite historical inaccuracies.
  • Commodus, portrayed as a poor emperor, shockingly entered the arena as a gladiator.
  • The Praetorian Guard, depicted as elite, were actually troublemakers in Roman history.
  • The thumbs up/thumbs down gesture in Gladiator is inaccurately portrayed for dramatic effect.
  • The film accurately depicts the importance of games and distractions in Roman life.
  • The wooden sword symbolizing freedom for gladiators is shown in the film.
  • Gladiator accurately portrays Marcus Aurelius banning gladiatorial combat in Rome.
  • Apollo 13 depicts the tense moments following a small explosion during a space mission.
  • The film accurately portrays the tension between crew members during the Apollo 13 mission.

17:11

Women at risk of sexual slavery in concentration camps

  • Women in concentration camps were at risk of sexual slavery, with SS officials selecting inmates for this purpose.
  • Camp inmates were forced to work in poorly constructed accommodations, leading to severe living conditions.
  • Many professionals, including engineers and doctors, were forced into slave labor in the camps.
  • The Holocaust involved exploiting Jewish labor for German industries, not just mass murder.
  • Oscar Schindler, though a Nazi, saved many Jews by creating a list that was discovered after his death.
  • The film "Saving Private Ryan" depicts the brutal reality of war, with some inaccuracies in historical events portrayed.
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