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- Ridley Scott Doesn’t Care About Historical Accuracy
- Ridley Scott Has Framed a Negative Review of ‘Blade Runner’
As a seasoned film critic with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that Ridley Scott is one of the most enigmatic figures in Hollywood. With a career spanning over five decades and numerous iconic films to his name, he has certainly made an indelible mark on the silver screen.
Ridley Scott, the renowned English filmmaker responsible for classics such as Alien, Gladiator, Blade Runner, and The Martian (among many others), seems unbothered by your thoughts about his movies – a trait that endears him to us even more. As we mature, it becomes simpler to disregard the opinions of others. In Ridley Scott’s case, “others” encompass critics, scholars, and dissatisfied viewers. He adopts a gruff demeanor that actors like Brian Cox can make endearing. However, cross him, and he won’t hesitate to express his displeasure.
Over the span of his illustrious directing journey, I must acknowledge that Ridley Scott, like any great artist, hasn’t been immune to occasional missteps. Films such as ‘Prometheus’ may not have met everyone’s expectations, while ‘Gladiator’ and its upcoming sequel, ‘Gladiator II’, have faced criticism for historical inaccuracies by historians even before their release. Yet, what sets Scott apart is his courage to acknowledge his errors and his unwavering indifference towards those who seek to magnify them.
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Ridley Scott Doesn’t Care About Historical Accuracy
Over the last decade, audiences have become obsessed with authenticity and historical accuracy in cinema. YouTube is filled with thousands upon thousands of hours of experts breaking down scenes from movies and TV shows, rating how accurate they are. When historians are brought onto these shows, Ridley Scott is often in the firing line. Gladiator was heavily criticized for its inaccuracies involving the weaponry, battle tactics, and its depiction of Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). But because Gladiator is such a timeless hit, none of these detract from the movie.
In 2023, I, as a cinephile, found myself captivated by Scott’s latest masterpiece, Napoleon. However, the film sparked quite a buzz among historians due to its “biopic” tag, which seemed a bit misleading. Frankly, it was riddled with inaccuracies – from his coronation to the Battle of Waterloo and the execution of Marie Antoinette. When the historian Dan Snow raised these historical inconsistencies during an interview, Ridley Scott’s reply was rather unconventional – he simply said, “Get a life.” That’s what I heard from The New Yorker.
In an interview with The Times, Ridley Scott expressed his disdain for overly accurate historical portrayals in filmmaking. When confronted by historians, he bluntly questioned their credibility by asking, “Were you there? No? Then perhaps it’s best if you keep quiet.” This statement ignited a debate within the historian community, while movie enthusiasts supported his viewpoint, suggesting that movies are intended to evoke emotion and provide entertainment, whereas documentaries focus on facts.
Ridley Scott Has Framed a Negative Review of ‘Blade Runner’
Ridley Scott doesn’t seem to take much notice of what film critics say, just as historians receive his signature treatment. The relationship between filmmakers and film critics has often been tense and intricate. On one side, they both work in the same field, driven by their shared passion for cinema. Yet, some filmmakers have spoken out against criticism, suggesting that it doesn’t enhance the movie-watching experience but rather dissects and diminishes the enjoyment factor.
Ridley Scott’s views on critics aren’t as intense as suggested, but for the past 30 years, he’s chosen to disregard their assessments. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Scott explained that this response stemmed from Pauline Kael’s review of Blade Runner in The New Yorker, where she harshly criticized the sci-fi film. “Her critique was a four-page attack. I never interacted with her. I felt deeply insulted,” he admitted. After reading this review, Scott preserved the pages and transformed them into an unexpectedly moving life lesson. He went on to say:
I’ve kept those pages on display in my office for the past thirty years as a reminder that the opinion that truly matters is yours.
In a candid conversation with Deadline, I, Ridley Scott, openly express my private reservations about the divisive film, Prometheus – a prequel to the Alien franchise that I had the helm for. I acknowledge that it fell short of the cinematic masterpiece I initially envisioned for this series. As I put it, “We were asleep at the wheel.
When discussing the upcoming film Gladiator II, director Ridley Scott couldn’t resist expressing his satisfaction and admiration for his own body of work. During promotional events, he took every chance to applaud not only his latest creation but also many of his previous masterpieces. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever made,” he declared about Gladiator II. Scott, known for his self-confidence, added that he was confident in making such a statement because he had “produced some good ones” throughout his career. Ridley Scott remains unapologetically proud of his work, and we can’t wait to see Gladiator II in theaters on November 22, 2024!
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2024-11-17 18:32