The End is Near

For IS 201 I took a film class. In that class we focused more on the deeper meanings in films and the symbolism used throughout them. So, I enjoyed having a different focus for this film class. I was a little nervous that I would not like the films we would be watching since I don’t particularly like older “classics”. After learning that our main focus would be on Medieval films though, I became a little more optimistic because I figured the films would have a little more action.

It was interesting to view the different representations of the middle ages because I am so used to associating that time period with the “knights in shining armor” stereotype. I think watching this variety of films helped change my view on the middle ages so that it’s not so bogged down by the Hollywood glamour. Now when I watch films, I look for things such as historical factors and the impacts the representations have on the public.

After taking this class, it’s easy to see where the common stereotypes emerged. Media plays a big role in society nowadays, so the elements of history portrayed on screen become entwined in society, especially when films target younger audiences. Kids are more susceptible to believing everything they see on screen. So if a film shows knights and dragons in the same time period, kids will associate those two things.

My favorite film from this class would probably have to be Court Jester. I liked its elements of comedy. Usually if a movie or show can make me laugh out loud, it tends to end up on my list of movies that I like and I would definitely recommend a friend to watch it.

The Sounds of Shrek

Music can provide a lot to the story of a film. It can inform a viewer when the mood is changing and when a hero or an enemy has appeared on screen. Basically, the music in a film can tell a story all on its own. Sometimes this music will match the time period in which the film is set, giving the music some authenticity, and other times it will not. Either way, I believe the music used in films always has a purpose; that there is always some reason that a filmmaker chooses the type of music they did.

In Shrek (2001), Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson use a lot of popular songs from around the early 2000s. In this case, Shrek is an animated film, directed towards a child audience. While the film takes place during the middle ages, it focuses on the fairy tales that surround that time period. Its purpose is not to act as an educator of the middle ages, but more for entertainment. Therefore, Adamson and Jenson could stray from the classic sounds of the middle ages and make use of more current tunes.

By using more popular songs to the current time, I think it gives off more of a sense that the events in the movie are make believe. It also gives the movie a more uplifting and playful vibe. Throughout the movie the music is used to make scenes more intense by causing suspension or happy with its upbeat tune. Since this movie was directed towards children, I believe these features were more easily represented through the use of more current music. The age range in which the viewer of this movie fall could be anywhere from a young child to an adult. So, I think the use of current music makes it easier for younger children to relate and pick out moods because they are used to hearing these instruments in the music they listen to everyday. I also think the use of the more current music was to keep the children more engaged and interested in the movie.

While it seems odd to be listening to pop music in a movie set in the middle ages, I think Adamson and Jenson had good reasons for using the music they did. They needed to keep in mind the audience with which they were focused on and the films purpose for that audience. And in this case, the purpose of the film was not to educate children on the middle ages.

Robin Hood and Hubert Hawkins

With some differences in story line, The Court Jester (1955) and The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) actually had many similarities. Overall, the plot of each film followed a similar arc of a false king with a sidekick that works to keep the rightful king off of the throne and a hero that aids the rightful king, who shows up at the last minute to take his rightful place back. Both films also had similarities with their use of bright colored costumes and the singing and dancing of the outlaws that have taken shelter in the woods.

With all of these similarities, one of the biggest things that set these two films apart were the main characters. In The Court Jester, Hubert Hawkins is a former carnival performer who provides entertainment for the followers of the Black Fox and cares for the rightful king, who happens to be a baby. In The Adventures of Robin Hood, Sir Robin of Locksley (Robin Hood) is an arrow shooting, sword fighting outlaw who guides his band of Merry Men to rob the rich and give to the poor. In his dealings, he comes upon the rightful king of the throne and helps sneak him back into his castle and onto the throne. While both turn out to be the hero and help to successfully put the rightful king back on the throne, each character does it in their own way.

Robin Hood continually battles with the Prince John’s followers, stealing from them to provide for the other poor and homeless peasants. In the end, Robin Hood and his men sneak King Richard into the Castle dressed as Monks and a fight breaks out resulting in King Richard taking the throne back from his brother.

On the other hand, Hawkins seems to mostly stumble upon his successes. Bewitched, at times, by Princess Gwendolyn’s personal maid (Griselda), Hawkins continues to keep his cover while trying to help get the Black Fox into the castle and overthrow King Roderick so that the rightful king can take his place on the throne. Since he is sometimes bewitched though, things don’t always go to plan. So, when he is successful at revealing the true king and ending the conflict at the end, it feels more like he stumbled onto his success.

These differences in character personality give each film its own unique twist to a similar story, making each film unique in its own right.

A Boy and His Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon (2010) is a children’s film that tells a tale about Vikings and the lives they live. In this film, that life consists of defending their village from the dragons that ravage their land. The main character, Hiccup, is a young Viking who doesn’t quite fit in with everyone else and as son of the chieftain, life is made much harder. His life only gets more difficult when he catches a dragon but can’t seem to do what the others would do, kill it. While this only makes his social situation more difficult, he actually learns a lot from his time with his new friend and is able to save his village indefinitely from the threat that looms over them.

As possibly one of the first encounters children will have with the middle ages, it will leave an impression on what children associate with that time period. A common association with Vikings is their look: fur clothing and horned helmets. This film is no different, all of the Vikings inhabiting the island are large, like they are well fed, and sport the fur clothing and horned helmet commonly known to them. Just because this is a common association, doesn’t mean it is an accurate one though. However, the rest of the village is an accurate portrayal, like their buildings and their ships. Children don’t really care for historical accuracy, in fact most of them probably don’t even realize a real time period in history is being portrayed. Kids are more interested in the story that is being told.

Overall, the story line tells a heartwarming story about loving someone for who they are, not who you want them to be. At first Hiccup’s father walks around his village as if he is ashamed of his son because he is unlike the other Vikings on the island. So, when he gets a glimmer of hope that is shattered by Hiccups actions of trying to prove dragons are not what they think they are, he devastatingly tells Hiccup he is not his son. Being more bold and daring than any other Viking before him, he pushes for what he believes in and proves his entire village wrong. In the end, Hiccup really didn’t change himself or anyone else, he just opened them up to new possibilities in which the village learned from.

This film also teaches children not to judge others by what they see on the outside. Everyone judged dragons as vicious and ruthless killers, never giving them the chance to show their true colors. By spending time with toothless, Hiccup was able to learn new thigs about dragons no one in the village knew and proved that they are more than just killers. Making this is a great tale for kids and adults alike, who wish to enjoy a story about a boy and his best friend.

42 (2013) as a Historical Reference

Jackie Robinson, a well-known name of our time. He was a talented baseball player from the start. He was named MLB’s Rookie of the Year in 1947 and that was only the beginning. He would go on to be MVP in 1949, a world series champ in 1955, and elected into the baseball hall of fame in 1962. But above all, he is most known for the strides he made beyond just the game. He was the first man to break the color barrier in baseball and paved the way for many others to follow. Most people know of him because of these accomplishments, but very few know of his struggle to get there. Many can imagine it wasn’t easy, but what were the true events of his past?

Recently, Brian Helgeland created a new adaptation of his story. 42 (2013), pits Jackie Robinson up against white supremacy, displaying many specific struggles that he faced along the way. How accurate are these struggles though an are they negatively impacting the truth, children and adults alike, learn about Jackie Robinson?

With the help of several different sources, especially from Rachel Robinson and her 2 children, a movie was made that would present the story the family believed Robinson deserved. As is one of the characteristics Toplin points out in the article we read, “Reel History”, much of the story line was simplified and condensed in order to make it a reasonably timed movie. Even so, there are still many details used in the film to showcase Robinson’s struggles. Like when he took a picture with Ben Chapman after being verbally abused by him or taking a ball to the head, which was purposely thrown at him. While many think these to be minor details, they tell a larger part to the story and could affect viewers thoughts, especially if they don’t know the full original story. In this case, both of those details are fairly accurate. While he didn’t get hit in the head, he did get hit several times in his rookie career and the picture of him and Chapman can still be found to this day.

Overall, I think this movie could be viewed as historically accurate. With their use of many sources I think it is safe to say that the overall story line is accurate. To say that every conversation is 100% precise or that every small detail was exactly right, is not possible though. I think it’s safe to use this movie to increase one’s general knowledge on the life of Jackie Robinson, but it would be inaccurate to use this movie as a historical reference.