WWII Historian Rates ‘Dunkirk’ & ‘Saving Private Ryan’ for Historical Accuracy

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As a lifelong cinema devotee with a penchant for historical accuracy and a knack for spotting even the smallest of discrepancies, I find myself often at odds with Hollywood’s portrayal of World War II. Donning my historian hat, I’ve sat through more war movies than I care to remember, and while they often leave me in awe of their visual spectacles, they rarely pass the historical muster.

World War II serves as a frequent topic for war-themed films due to its richness in intense, emotional, and gruesome narratives that filmmakers can vividly portray. Covering six years from 1939 to 1945, this period is filled with stories that are powerful, moving, and brutal. However, when adapting actual events for the big screen, a significant amount of historical accuracy often gets altered in the process.

In a conversation with Penguin Books UK, renowned WW2 Historian James Holland critically analyzed some of the most acclaimed Second World War films. Among them, “Saving Private Ryan” is particularly significant due to its portrayal of D-Day (June 6, 1944), which many consider one of the most authentic representations ever. However, Holland was quick to highlight the film’s inaccuracies. He stated, “As a historian, it’s wonderful that films about the Second World War are being made, focusing on my area of study. But, it’s also filled with numerous errors.” Upon watching the scene where American soldiers storm Normandy Beach, Holland pointed out these discrepancies.

“The beach is abnormally small and skinny. The obstacles are set up incorrectly. Another notable aspect of the MG42 [machine gun] is its rapid-fire capability – it can shoot approximately 1400 rounds per minute, generating intense heat. Consequently, the barrel becomes extremely hot and then white-hot, even melting in some instances. This prolonged trigger pull is another issue with this weapon.

Christopher Nolan’s film “Dunkirk” faced criticism too. Unlike others, however, Nolan decided to shoot the movie at the actual location of Dunkirk, France. Yet, as noted by James Holland, this decision may have been one of the issues. Holland stated:

As a devotee of Christopher Nolan’s cinematic mastery, it’s somewhat troubling for me that he tends to shy away from CGI. In the case of Dunkirk, I found myself yearning for a more authentic, gritty feel. The street, which should be battered and scarred from the relentless shelling, instead appears excessively clean. Despite the continuous fire throughout the film, it’s hard to believe that the environment is as devastated as portrayed.

‘The Imitation Game’ Is Incredibly Inaccurate

James Holland found most of the films he reviewed to be generally comprehensible, acknowledging the inevitable compromise when history gets translated for the big screen. However, it was The Imitation Game that left him particularly frustrated. In his words, “The issue with The Imitation Game is that it seems to suggest Alan Turing is the sole individual on Earth who can crack Britain’s code and decode the enigma machines.

Instead of focusing on minor details in other films, Holland argues that the overall premise of “The Imitation Game” is misleading. “It’s not accurate,” he added. “They do a great disservice to some of the other characters portrayed.” He went on to say, “They transform heroes into villains in this story. The notion that he was the only one contributing to the work at Bletchley Park is completely false.” In reality, the work done at Bletchley Park was a collaborative effort involving many parts and individuals.

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2024-12-25 16:02