Filmmakers often go the extra mile when they are creating a film that has to depict the events of the past on the big screen. Since the accuracy and recreation of the past is what the audience is looking for, they need to be careful with every little detail. Unless you’re Ridley Scott, a director who seems to have forgotten what the audience desires.
After the trailer release and early screening of his upcoming biopic Napoleon, the critics have been happy with what the film has managed to achieve, but the experts and French historians have outlined some minor and some major inaccuracies in the movie. Instead of addressing these critical opinions, the filmmaker has decided to lash out at them, basically saying they don’t know anything either.
Ridley Scott Lashes Out At Historians Who Are Pointing Out Inaccuracies In Napoleon
Known as one of the greatest filmmakers when it comes to creating films in the fantasy and sci-fi genre, Ridley Scott has proven time and time again why he deserves the title of the best in the business with his creations. But this is the first time he will be diving in to create a biopic with his upcoming Napoleon.
As with many films related to history, there were a couple of mistakes that historians and experts found in the trailers. But the director is not ready to face the music.
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In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, the Blade Runner director was asked what he thought about the opinions of people who have pointed out some inaccuracies with other events or the story of the film starring Joaquin Phoenix in the titular role. Rather than taking them constructively, Scott clapped back, saying that they weren’t there to see what and how it happened, so they didn’t have the right to correct him.
Ridley Scott on historians having criticisms about ‘NAPOLEON’.
“When I have issues with historians, I ask: ‘Excuse me, mate, were you there? No? Well, shut the fuck up then.’”
(Source: https://t.co/QiHXYjhfqD) pic.twitter.com/B3JeqYFH1i
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 18, 2023
This has led to a widespread uproar among the public, who are taking to X and voicing their displeasure for the director as he disrespects the scholars who have given their lives in the study of these major events in history.
well they’re literal historians so ofcourse they’re gonna know the facts and be upset it’s not the movie isn’t truthful/reliable 😭
— 𝐣𝐚𝐲 ; 🇹🇹 (@AllMinaj) November 18, 2023
This dude’s ego lmao
— Mikedude (@Mikedude0) November 18, 2023
I’m a Scott fan but this blasé attitude towards history isn’t good, especially in this bizarre age we’re living in where people are believing the nuttiest things based on pop culture sources, if you want make a historical film get approval from top historians in the relevant… pic.twitter.com/qrXfpyrGZO
— Mehul Desai (@TechNoirUK) November 18, 2023
….and I’m out.
If I want a fantasy, I’ll watch a fantasy. If I’m watching a BIOPIC, I want the historical story.
Ridley Scott needs to just focus on GLADIATOR (which is more fantasy than fact)
— Matt Jarbo (@mjarbo) November 18, 2023
Well, that’s literally the point. Historians work to figure out the facts based on numerous sources. We weren’t there but the primary sources we read from WERE there? Like does he have beef with the people who were around in Napoleon’s time who wrote down things?
— Kate (@ifkate) November 18, 2023
Many people are guessing these comments may not go well for the film when it’s eventually released.
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What Is Napoleon About?
Tracing back the tumultuous history of 16th and 17th century France, Napoleon is set to tell the story of a man who rose to sit on the throne of the French empire.
The story tells the tale of Napoleon Bonaparte, a military commander whose exploits on the battlefield spread far and wide. This leads to his meteoric rise in power and status in French society, which is depicted in the film along with the convoluted and complicated relationship with his wife Josephine.
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Napoleon, releasing on 22nd November 2023 in cinemas.
