ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE | MOVIES
Article Published on: 16TH SEP 2024 | www.demodemagazine.com
Movies are a powerful medium, captivating audiences with thrilling stories, unforgettable characters, and spectacular visuals. However, in the pursuit of entertainment, filmmakers often take creative liberties that lead to misconceptions. Whether it’s an exaggerated portrayal of science, historical events, or human capabilities, these inaccuracies can shape viewers' perceptions. "Movie Mythbusters" focuses on debunking popular misconceptions that have arisen from three famous films: Jurassic Park (1993), Braveheart (1995), and Gravity (2013). While these movies remain cinematic masterpieces, they present inaccuracies that deserve closer scrutiny.
1. Jurassic Park (1993) – Misconceptions About Dinosaurs
Jurassic Park, directed by Steven Spielberg and based on the novel by Michael Crichton, revolutionized the depiction of dinosaurs in popular culture. The film showcased genetically engineered dinosaurs terrorizing a theme park, blending cutting-edge special effects with thrilling action sequences. However, its portrayal of dinosaurs, while visually stunning, led to some pervasive misconceptions.
Misconception 1: Velociraptors were huge, intelligent predators. In Jurassic Park, the Velociraptors are portrayed as large, agile, and intelligent creatures capable of complex problem-solving and communication. In reality, the Velociraptor species depicted in the film is much larger than its actual size. The real Velociraptor was about the size of a turkey, standing around 3 feet tall and measuring approximately 6 feet in length, with much of that being tail. Spielberg’s portrayal was likely based on a different species, Deinonychus, which was much larger and more in line with the on-screen version.
Furthermore, while Velociraptors were intelligent for dinosaurs, the idea of them communicating through coordinated hunting strategies, as shown in the film, is purely speculative. There’s no solid evidence in paleontology to suggest that Velociraptors possessed the complex social behaviors or intelligence levels attributed to them in Jurassic Park.
Misconception 2: Dinosaurs in Jurassic Park appear as scaly reptiles, but many likely had feathers.When the film was made in the early 1990s, the prevailing depiction of dinosaurs was that of scaly, reptilian creatures. However, paleontological discoveries in the years since have provided strong evidence that many species of dinosaurs, including Velociraptors, were likely feathered. Fossils of related species have shown clear imprints of feathers, suggesting that these dinosaurs might have been more bird-like than reptilian in appearance.
Spielberg’s choice to depict scaly, reptile-like dinosaurs reflected the scientific understanding of the time, but subsequent research has challenged that portrayal. If Jurassic Park were made today, it’s likely the Velociraptors and other species would be covered in feathers, drastically changing their iconic on-screen look.
2. Braveheart (1995) – Misconceptions About Scottish History
Mel Gibson’s Braveheart is an epic film that tells the story of William Wallace, a Scottish knight who led a rebellion against English rule in the 13th century. While the movie is beloved for its sweeping battle scenes and passionate depiction of the fight for Scottish freedom, it plays fast and loose with historical facts, leading to several misconceptions.
Misconception 1: William Wallace wore a kilt. One of the most iconic visuals in Braveheart is Mel Gibson’s William Wallace charging into battle wearing a kilt. However, this is a significant anachronism. Kilts, as they are popularly known today, did not exist in the 13th century when Wallace lived. They became a part of Scottish dress much later, during the 16th century. During Wallace’s time, the Scots would have worn tunics and other medieval clothing, more similar to what was worn across Europe.
The kilt in Braveheart was likely used to emphasize Scottish identity and distinguish the Scots from the English, but it has created a false association between Wallace’s rebellion and the garment. The reality is that kilts were not part of the medieval Scottish wardrobe.
Misconception 2: The Battle of Stirling Bridge didn't happen on a bridge. One of the pivotal scenes in Braveheart is the Battle of Stirling, where William Wallace’s forces achieve a stunning victory over the English. However, the real historical event was the Battle of Stirling Bridge, and the bridge played a crucial role in the Scottish victory. In reality, the narrow bridge over the River Forth became a bottleneck for the English forces, allowing the Scots to exploit their superior position and achieve a decisive victory.
In the film, however, the battle is depicted on an open field with no bridge in sight. The filmmakers likely removed the bridge to create a more visually appealing and dramatic battle scene, but this omission significantly alters the historical context of the battle. Without the bridge, the strategic brilliance of Wallace and his forces is diminished.
Misconception 3: William Wallace’s affair with Princess Isabella of France.In Braveheart, Wallace is depicted as having a romantic affair with Princess Isabella of France, who later becomes the wife of Edward II. Historically, this is impossible. Isabella was a child of around 10 years old and living in France during the time of Wallace’s rebel lion, while Wallace was already dead by the time she married Edward II.
The inclusion of this romance adds dramatic tension to the film but distorts the historical timeline. It suggests that Wallace's influence extended into the royal lineage of England, which is a fabrication for the sake of narrative drama.
3. Gravity (2013) – Misconceptions About Space Physics
Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity is a visually stunning film that captures the terrifying beauty and isolation of space. Starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney, the movie tells the story of two astronauts stranded in space after their shuttle is destroyed. While Gravity is praised for its special effects and depiction of space, it also contains scientific inaccuracies that perpetuate misconceptions about space travel and physics.
Misconception 1: Space debris travels in predictable patterns and can easily be avoided. In Gravity, the central conflict arises when a cloud of space debris from a destroyed satellite travels around the Earth at high speed, posing a constant threat to the astronauts. While space debris is a real concern for space missions, the way it’s depicted in the film is highly exaggerated. Space debris doesn’t typically travel in a single, predictable orbit that r epeatedly threatens astronauts every 90 minutes, as shown in the movie.
In reality, space debris orbits Earth at different altitudes and speeds, and the chance of a catastrophic collision is significantly lower than Gravity suggests. NASA and other space agencies have extensive protocols for tracking debris and avoiding collisions, making the random destruction seen in the film far less likely.
Misconception 2: The portrayal of zero-gravity physics is inaccurate. One of the most iconic scenes in Gravity is when George Clooney’s character drifts away into space, despite being tethered to Bullock’s character. The scene creates a sense of helplessness and danger, but it doesn’t accurately represent how zero gravity works. Once Clooney's character is tethered, no additional force is being exerted on him, so he wouldn’t continue to drift away as dramatically as depicted.
In space, objects in motion remain in motion unless acted upon by an external force, meaning that Clooney's character would have stopped moving once he was tethered. This moment is played for dramatic effect but is not scientifically accurate.
Conclusion
Movies are designed to entertain, often bending the rules of science, history, and logic to serve a compelling narrative. However, these creative liberties can lead to popular misconceptions that audiences may accept as fact. Jurassic Park, Braveheart, and Gravity are just a few examples of how blockbuster films have taken liberties with the truth, creating misconceptions about dinosaurs, history, and space physics. By debunking these myths, we can enjoy these films for what they are—works of fiction—while also fostering a deeper understanding of the real world.