Argo - Reel History

One again Alex von Tunzelmann demonstrates that a Hollywood success is a less than accurate retelling of what really happened:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2013/feb/22/argo-ben-affleck-reel-history

It was an excellent film which did not let reality get in the way of a good story...

Downfall - Reel History

Having studied history at University I've always enjoyed the Reel History column in The Guardian: it's fascinating to see that directors can take just as many liberties with real events as they do when supposedly filming a novel.

However this week's entry gives the best grades I've ever seen for both entertainment and history: not surprising as the film is Downfall - the story of Hitler's last days in the bunker.. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2013/may/16/downfall-final-days-adolf-hitler?CMP=EMCFLMEML1672

We screened the film in one of our earliest seasons and I still think that it is one of the best we have ever shown.