Caroline Jones
September 15, 2014
Mrs. Lawson
In Class Essay
Learning through a textbook is how
the majority of teachers teach their students new information. It is easy to get lost and confused while
reading a textbook, so most students convert to memorization over physically
understanding a topic. In my history class this year, we have watched Glory and Twelve Years a Slave. I have learned more about the Civil War and
slavery by watching these two films, than I would have if I memorized from a
textbook. It is essential to watch videos or films of historical events to get
a better understanding of a certain subject.
Ed Zwick,
the director of Glory, intended for
his movie to be used in curriculum. This film made 27 million dollars at the
box office, which is proof it was entertaining. Although Zwick had to make a
few changes to make it more compelling, and dramatic for those who are not
history buffs, he did a fabulous job at making the viewer feel present in the
scenes. The screenplay of the movie was based on Colonel Shaw’s letters, which
helps students to understand the real circumstances during the Civil War. Eventhough Glory has a mix of fiction and nonfiction information, but the
fiction scenes are not off-the-charts false. They could have very well
happened, but there is no official record of it. This film demonstrations the
perseverance of soldiers, which is clear to the students in the classroom. The
battle scenes explore the real bravery in those soldiers fighting in
hand-to-hand combat, which is common in the film and reality. The attack on
Fort Wagner, the climax of the movie, is very similar to the actual battle,
proving to the student just how horrific war can be.
The movie 12 years a Slave depicts life in slavery.
Soloman, a free talented black violinist, is enslaved and kidnapped by two
white men who convince him to work for the circus. John Ridley, the writer,
“sticks with the facts” while writing this educational yet gruesome film. The
filmmaker, Steve McQueen, is driven to engage people about the visuals of
slavery, “no sugar coating”. The makers of this award winning motion picture,
explain their desires’ of explicitly to interviewers in order to respect
Northup and his family. Students gain analytical skills by watching this film
to notice the fight for dignity and soul, and as McQueen explains Soloman’s
desires, “it’s a war for his spirit.”
Students
benefit from watching historical films, because they feel as if they are
present during these events, giving them a better understand about the truths
of history. Their skills develop in analytical thinking, and their focus is
kept while watching a film in class. Historical movies are a positive learning
tool for the classroom, by increasing the students understanding of a certain
time.
Works Cited
Cieply, Michael. "An Escape From Slavery,
Now a Movie, Has Long Intrigued Historians." The New
York Times. The New York Times, 22 Sept. 2013. Web. 09
Sept. 2014.
Shoard, Catherine. "Steve McQueen on 12
Years a Slave: 'It's Not about Sugarcoating History'" Theguardian.com. Guardian News and Media, 07 Sept. 2013. Web.
09 Sept. 2014.
Canby,
Vincent. "Glory (1989)." The New York Times. The New
York Times Company, 14 Dec. 1989. Web. 14 Sept. 2014.
"Ed
Zwick, Director of Glory." History Net Where History Comes Alive
World US History Online Ed Zwick Director of Glory Comments. Weider
History, 13 Sept. 2009. Web. 14 Sept. 2014.
Kohn,
Eric. "Telluride Film Festival Review: Steve McQueen's '12 Years a Slave,'
Anchored By Brilliant Chiwetel Ejiofor, Is a Slavery Movie For the Ages." Indiewire. N.p.,
31 Aug. 2013. Web. 15 Sept. 2014.
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