Ancient-Warfare Historian Rates 10 More Battle Scenes In Movies And TV | How Real Is It? | Insider

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Roel Konijnendijk critiques historical accuracy in movie and TV scenes, pointing out errors like French armies using modern landing craft during the Barons' revolt. Various historical inaccuracies include archers with unrealistic range, soldiers making tactical errors, and defenses lacking realistic use of fire.

Insights

  • Roel Konijnendijk critiques historical accuracy in movie and TV scenes, pointing out errors like modern landing crafts in ancient battles and unrealistic archery techniques.
  • Combat scenes in movies often misrepresent historical tactics and defensive strategies, showcasing chaotic battles with individual soldiers rather than organized formations, and neglecting the historical use of fire in village defenses.

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Recent questions

  • Were historical inaccuracies found in movie battle scenes?

    Roel Konijnendijk, an ancient history teacher at the University of Oxford, critiques scenes from movies and TV for historical accuracy. He points out instances like a French army using modern landing craft during the Barons' revolt, archers with unrealistic range and technique, and soldiers making tactical errors in facing horsemen. Defenses lacking historical accuracy and Viking raids attacking a defended town are also critiqued.

  • What combat style involved curved swords and small shields?

    Swords and bucklers were used in a unique combat style with curved swords and small shields made of metal for both defense and offense. This style was depicted in certain movie scenes, showcasing a different approach to combat compared to traditional sword and shield techniques.

  • How were northwest European fighters inaccurately portrayed?

    The portrayal of northwest European fighters as wild barbarians in certain movie scenes was deemed inaccurate by Roel Konijnendijk. He notes that these fighters were actually well-equipped, similar to Romans, rather than being depicted as wild and uncivilized.

  • Were chariots in Britannia used for close combat?

    Chariots in Britannia were not used for close combat, as depicted in some movie scenes. Instead, they were utilized as missile platforms. Additionally, scythed chariots were considered ineffective as armored battering rams, contrary to their portrayal in certain films.

  • What formations were effective and vulnerable in battle scenes?

    Protective circular formations were deemed effective in battle scenes, providing defense against attacks. However, single line formations were considered vulnerable and easily breached, highlighting the importance of strategic formations in historical battles.

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Summary

00:00

Historical Accuracy in Movies and TV Shows

  • Roel Konijnendijk, an ancient history teacher at the University of Oxford, critiques scenes from movies and TV for historical accuracy.
  • A French army landing on English soil during the Barons' revolt used modern landing craft, which historically did not happen.
  • Archers in a movie scene have an unrealistic range and technique, firing from cliffs with no force behind their arrows.
  • Soldiers in the movie make tactical errors in facing horsemen, failing to clump together for defense.
  • Defenses in the movie lack historical accuracy, with fire being rarely used in village defense.
  • Ambushing with archers is depicted effectively, but the lethality is overestimated without overwhelming numbers.
  • A defensive ditch in a scene is praised for its accuracy, but other defensive mechanisms are deemed ineffective.
  • The depiction of Viking raids attacking a defended town is critiqued for being historically unlikely.
  • The loose marching order shown in a Roman army scene is commended for accuracy.
  • The battle of the Teutoburg Forest is discussed for its historical accuracy in tactics and weather conditions.

12:23

"Unique Combat Style of Northwest European Fighters"

  • Swords and bucklers are used in a unique combat style with curved swords and small shields made of metal for both defense and offense.
  • Soldiers engage in chaotic combat, running around individually attacking, creating a messy battle scene.
  • Protective circular formations are effective, but a single line formation is vulnerable and easily breached.
  • The portrayal of northwest European fighters as wild barbarians is inaccurate; they were well-equipped like Romans.
  • Chariots in Britannia were used as missile platforms, not for close combat, and scythed chariots were ineffective armored battering rams.
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