History can be hot!
Ok, in class, we were reading a short story about Troy during our intervention reading program and since the school mascot is a Trojan, the kids were curious about Troy. I told them some background about Troy and we found Greece and Turkey on the map, googled who Helen was, etc. They were really curious about it and some students actually convinced their parents to let them watch clips of Troy over the weekend. They came in on Monday and were like Can you believe there is a recent movie about Troy? They wanted to read more about Troy so I sent them to the library but what helped fuel the fire was the movie..
Though more modern historical films have their story lines a little twisted around, you have to admit that with beautiful cinematography, special effects, and gorgeous actors, it makes history a bit more interesting. Would my students have been as interested in Troy if the film was dated, the sound was a little off, and the actors weren't very modern? Probably not...
I'm not saying that the old films we watched in history class are bad, that we should throw the textbooks out, and we need to teach a sexy version of history. It's not that at all; modern movie clips are meant to supplement, not take over. In order for people of any age to learn anything, they have got to make connections with it and relate to it. These modern historical representations make the characters more relatable, not just some king you can read about in a dusty old book...
For instance, during a unit on the Great Depression, I watched a teacher introudce the Depression (5th grade) by showing clips of "Seabiscuit" and "Cinderella Man." Students were mesmerized! They really saw how men desperately lined up for jobs, families moving out west, and how gritty life really was and it hooked them! These same kids were lining up at the library after school to check out books on the Depression and we had excited parents calling in saying their dinner table talk was all about what they learned at school, not just "Well, we got to go outside today...."
Especially with older students who aren't pushed as much for learning history, esp since it's not a tested subject, need something relatable to it to get them hooked. They have got to realize that the issues we face today have not really changed that much over the years. Women still worry about their men leaving them for a younger woman, women in power are still not as respected, and I believe religion will always be the cause of wars till the end of our days...
Yes, I'm biased towards historic films since my husband is a history teacher and I love the fashions, hair, romantic storylines, etc. But it also makes you want to read and learn more about it....and I think, 'What's wrong with adding a little spice?' Here are some of my favorites...
Alexander (starring Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Jared Leto, Val Kilmer) Directed by Oliver Stone
This is a great one; if you can get past the fact that Colin has blond hair, this is a wonderful movie with gorgeous cinematography and great acting. For the shallow ones of us out there, Alexander's brat pack is full of eye candy and the costumes and jewelry are awesome! I want one of Angelina's snake arm braelets!
The Tudors: (starring Jonathyn Rhys Meyer, Natalie Dormer, Peter O'Toole, Marie Doyle Kennedy, Annabelle Wallis, Henry Cavill, Jeremy Northam)
One of my personal favorites! This series, though thwarted and full of sex, is incredible with an excellent acting cast and beautiful cinematography in each scene. The actors are ridiculously good looking but it gives you a new perspective on the young Henry Tudor, not the fat and bloated king we remember from history class as the king who chopped off his wives' heads.
The drawback? A bit worried that with the stunning Natalie Dormer gone, the show will lack a little in excitement. Dormer played Henry's fiery, controversial second wife, Anne Boleyn. Dormer brings a new dimension to Boleyn, showing a softer side than has previously been shown in movies and books. You can't help but like her and admire her for her determination and intelligence to land her on the throne. Also, the fire between Rhys Meyer and Dormer, gave the show its excitement. Dormer said herself in an interview that the dynamic between them was so important since that was the basis for Henry and Anne's relationship; one of the most passionate and tragic love stories of all time.
Alexander (starring Colin Farrell, Angelina Jolie, Anthony Hopkins, Jared Leto, Val Kilmer) Directed by Oliver Stone
This is a great one; if you can get past the fact that Colin has blond hair, this is a wonderful movie with gorgeous cinematography and great acting. For the shallow ones of us out there, Alexander's brat pack is full of eye candy and the costumes and jewelry are awesome! I want one of Angelina's snake arm braelets!
The Tudors: (starring Jonathyn Rhys Meyer, Natalie Dormer, Peter O'Toole, Marie Doyle Kennedy, Annabelle Wallis, Henry Cavill, Jeremy Northam)
One of my personal favorites! This series, though thwarted and full of sex, is incredible with an excellent acting cast and beautiful cinematography in each scene. The actors are ridiculously good looking but it gives you a new perspective on the young Henry Tudor, not the fat and bloated king we remember from history class as the king who chopped off his wives' heads.
The drawback? A bit worried that with the stunning Natalie Dormer gone, the show will lack a little in excitement. Dormer played Henry's fiery, controversial second wife, Anne Boleyn. Dormer brings a new dimension to Boleyn, showing a softer side than has previously been shown in movies and books. You can't help but like her and admire her for her determination and intelligence to land her on the throne. Also, the fire between Rhys Meyer and Dormer, gave the show its excitement. Dormer said herself in an interview that the dynamic between them was so important since that was the basis for Henry and Anne's relationship; one of the most passionate and tragic love stories of all time.
The Tudors is a must see!
There are lots of good movies out there to see, especially if you want to brush up on some of your history! These would be good clips to use in a classroom, or if you just want to watch a good movie! Here is a list of some of my favorites:
Alexander
Elizabeth movies
Troy
Gladiator
The Duchess
Marie Antionette
The Count of Monte Cristo
John Adams HBO series
The Patriot
Cold Mountain
Amistad
Gone With the Wind
Seabiscuit
Cinderella Man
Forrest Gump
FlyBoys
Pearl Harbor
Syriana
Body of Lies
The Kite Runner
Paradise Now
See below for pictures from my favorites!
Colin Farrell as Alexander the Great
Rosaria Dawson as Alexander's wife, Roxanne
Angelina Jolie, as Alexander's mother, Queen Olympius. My old roomate saw this movie on the big screen and said no one but Ms. Jolie could have played this role. You cannot watch this movie and not think that this is probably the most beautiful woman in the world...
Cate Blanchett as Queen Elizabeth; the red hair was legendary, from her father's Tudor side and her looks were rumored to be as beautiful as her mother
Natalie Dormer and Jonathyn Rhys Meyer as Anne Boleyn and Henry 8th
Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn, Henry Tudor's second wife
Anita Briem as Henry's 3rd wife, Jane Seymour
Tamzin Merchant as Henry's 5th wife, young and promiscuous Katherine Howard
Joss Stone as Henry's 4th wife, Anne of Cleves, one out of 2 queens to escape from Henry with her life
Our two lead characters in The Kite Runner, set in Afghanistan
Brad Pitt as the legendary Achilles...good golly, who wouldn't want to watch Troy after seeing this picture? This one's all for you ladies!
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