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  1. #1
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    I've a history degree and have come to find that there are movies, tv shows and books in the historical fiction genre that cover the spectrum from abysmal (Braveheart, Reign, Breakheart Pass) to so-so (The Patriot, Dances With Wolves) to pretty decent (IMO Outlander, Vikings and others). If you demand outright exact accuracy from any sort of fiction you're doomed to disappointment. For that matter such disappointment will follow you into the full-on study of history. The amount of inaccuracy of even original sources is stunning.

    So, in order to be able to watch and read historical fiction I find a policy of noting the minor foibles in storytelling, promising myself to write the producers a stern note (which I never actually do) and enjoying the rest of the movie, tv show or book to be most useful. I would also point out that I've learned a lot about things and events outside of my specialty as a result of researching some little detail that didn't seem quite right. Sometimes I've even been surprised t find such details were actually correct.
    Last edited by freep; 13th March 16 at 03:26 PM.
    Slàinte mhath!

    Freep is not a slave to fashion.
    Aut pax, aut bellum.

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  3. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by freep View Post
    I've a history degree and have come to find that there are movies, tv shows and books in the historical fiction genre that cover the spectrum from abysmal (Braveheart, Reign, Breakheart Pass) to so-so (The Patriot, Dances With Wolves) to pretty decent (IMO Outlander, Vikings and others). If you demand outright exact accuracy from any sort of fiction you're doomed to disappointment. For that matter such disappointment will follow you into the full-on study of history. The amount of inaccuracy of even original sources is stunning.

    So, in order to be able to watch and read historical fiction I find a policy of noting the minor foibles in storytelling, promising myself to write the producers a stern note (which I never actually do) and enjoying the rest of the movie, tv show or book to be most useful. I would also point out that I've learned a lot about things and events outside of my specialty as a result of researching some little detail that didn't seem quite right. Sometimes I've even been surprised t find such details were actually correct.
    The Material culture is atrocious. Plaid brooches, comicon sword baldrics, obvious machine sewn button holes. It's horrid

    I read the books, have not seen anything other than stills as I don't have a functioning TV and neither of my streaming services has the show.

  4. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Luke MacGillie View Post
    The Material culture is atrocious. Plaid brooches, comicon sword baldrics, obvious machine sewn button holes. It's horrid

    I read the books, have not seen anything other than stills as I don't have a functioning TV and neither of my streaming services has the show.
    More's the pity.
    Slàinte mhath!

    Freep is not a slave to fashion.
    Aut pax, aut bellum.

  5. #4
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    26th September 05
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    OK so I finally bit the bullet and purchased a subscription to the show.

    Im actually pretty happy with the storytelling and cinematography.

    They should hire me to be a tech advisor so that folks baldric buckles get properly buckled, and frizzens closed when holding a pistol on someone.

    I don't get why it took to the middle of the first season for an actual Scottish pistol on a Scot to make an appearance.....

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  7. #5
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    5th August 14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Luke MacGillie View Post
    I don't get why it took to the middle of the first season for an actual Scottish pistol on a Scot to make an appearance.....
    Recovering weapons on a battlefield (even the enemies) was and is accepted practice. Any pistols (non Scottish) shown before mid-first season, may have been picked up after a skirmish.

    It is still visual entertainment, even with an attempt to reproduce history-fiction-romantic ideology-etc.

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  9. #6
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    Now I can add English Officers wearing 1780's era French Gorgets to my complaints!

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  11. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Luke MacGillie View Post
    Now I can add English Officers wearing 1780's era French Gorgets to my complaints!
    You can add more as you watch more. Overall... it is a pretty good show and I have enjoyed watching it (and better yet, so has my wife). This said, I cringe at some of the inaccuracies (no surprise) and at the overall American-view, romanticization of Jacobitism. Again, it is fiction, fantasy, and enjoyable. AND... some of that lassies are quite easy on the eye.
    Vestis virum reddit

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