Movies can be a powerful representation of history as well as a great teaching tool. However, viewers should be aware of the ‘shortcuts’ that movies may take with historical details, creating fiction out of fact or leaving out major pieces of information that are ‘inconvenient’ to the story. Here is your opportunity to enjoy some great films that deal with events and issues we are studying in class and to receive extra credit for your efforts. However, nothing is free. Please read the following directions.
To receive credit for watching a film for Extra Credit Cinema you must hand in a minimum TWO PAGE HAND WRITTEN or the equivalent typed paper that contains the following:
1) Your name, the names of any classmates who watched the film with you (you must each hand in your own paper), the date, and the name of the movie.
2) A brief (1-2 paragraph) synopsis of the plot of the movie (what happened, who was involved, etc.)
3) Answers to the following questions:
a. How does this movie relate to what we have studied in class?
b. What historical events, issues, or controversies is this film trying to address? Be specific and cite events, dates, and documents that are relevant to the plot of this movie.
c. Is this movie a good representation of history? Did it treat the issues accurately (to the best of your knowledge)?
d. Was it balanced or did it have a point of view? If so, what was it?
e. Critique the film as specifically as you can by comparing it to what you have studied and read.
f. What is your opinion of the film? Would you recommend it to other history students? To the public in general? Explain. Comment at length about the quality of the film as both entertainment and historical representation.
g. If you were in charge of re-making this film, what would you do differently to increase the historical accuracy of the film? What would you include and what you leave on the cutting room floor?
4. Any additional comments or questions you had about the film.