History is a topic that is possible to be portrayed in many different ways. Whether it’s by books, articles, projects, or movies, history stays the same throughout. In the films Glory and 12 Years a Slave, the horrors of slavery and the Civil War are being portrayed. These films are considered to be the best of the best because it allows viewers to not just be able to read, but to see and understand our country’s horrible past. Because of this, it is possible to develop great analytical skills and explore real events, circumstances, attitudes, and the truth behind slavery just by watching movies in a critical way, and by doing some research.
Being able to read a book a book and comprehend it is not the only way to develop great analytical skills, in fact, movies are probably the best way to help students learn and be able to analyze different situations under many circumstances. Part of being an actor is analyzing different situations and empathizing with a character to truly understand the character. Because of this, when we are watching a movie we are able to see even on the faces of the actors what people in that time period really must have been feeling. Part of analyzing is being able to understand, and to understand you must have empathy. 12 years a slave made it easy for the audience to empathize because it did hold back one bit when it came to showing what slavery really looked like. By watching movies, actors make it easier for us to see and understand. This is why Denzel Washington won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards in 1990 and Best Cinematography because of all the imagery. Also, Lupita Nyong’o won Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards in 2014. One of the most memorable parts in both of these movies were the actor’s ability to make the audience truly feel what their characters were feeling thus making it easier to understand the character and the circumstances they were under. These movies also had the ability to change people’s attitudes towards slavery.
Most of the reviews for both 12 Years a Slave and Glory focused on how the truth behind these stories were able to captivate their audiences and make people change their entire perspective on a topic that they thought they knew about. In an article written in 2013 in the New York Times, one reviewer said that “12 Years a Slave isn’t the first movie about slavery in the United States- but it may be the only one that finally makes it impossible for American cinema to continue to sell the ugly lies it’s been hawking for more than a century.” This quote illustrates exactly what the filmmakers were trying to do. They weren't trying to make the film “pretty” but were trying to sell the cold hard truth. Because of this the many people were finally able to see what this terrible thing was all about. Another article on the New York Times also insists that “Glory is celebratory, but it celebrates in a manner that insists on acknowledging the sorrow.” While these films are almost too hard to watch, are also beautiful at the same time because of how they portray what freedom really means to a slave how slavery changed everyone’s lives.
By watching movies not only are we entertained but we are given the truth behind slavery. Edward Zwick, the director for Glory, wanted his audiences to confront and not deny the “truths of what happened 125 years ago.” Steve McQueen. the director of 12 Years a Slave in an interview on Moviefone.com said that, “ Youre presenting something which has been ressurected, but your’e giving it images, youre giving it light, youre giving it breath. [...] That’s what I’m trying to do, just tell them the truth on screen, whatever that is.” These movies are glorified because of how honest they are, not because they are sad, but because they are real. That was what was intended for both films from the beginning. To get the real story told.
Another great thing about film is being able to research about it. By researching, you can find out how accurate the films were in terms of what was real and what was just for hollywood. After researching, you will find that another reason both of these films were glorified was because of how accurate they were.
In conclusion, I agree with Warren Susman that “History, I am convinced is not just something to be left to the historians. Studying film will change the views of many because they are honest and beautiful at the same time because they really make you think and understand what you are studying and trying to learn more about.
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