Ridley Scott has been one of the biggest masterminds behind some of the most epic projects that Hollywood has ever laid its hands on. This list includes the outstanding masterpiece Alien; the forever fan-favorite movie, Gladiator; and even sci-fi like The Martian. In fact, his immaculate works for the big screens make it almost impossible for anyone to question the director or his script choices for his movies.
However, one TV historian influencer stepped up to question and criticize Scott’s skills in a viral video on TikTok by pointing out some inaccuracies in his upcoming film, Napoleon. Little did the historian know that he himself would be faced with much backlash from fans after the filmmaker told him to ‘get a life’ in response to his criticism.
Ridley Scott’s Napoleon Faces Scathing Criticism From Historian Influencer
Ridley Scott is renowned for going the extra mile just to get the most perfect result that would end in a blockbuster film for him. And his upcoming much hyped-up historical drama/war film Napoleon was no exception to this rule.
As shared by Arthur Max (production designer for the movie) with The New Yorker, the filmmaker’s team scouted numerous fields in England, “tromping around in Wellington boots in muddy fields, avoiding cowpats,” just for the role of Waterloo before deciding on a farm in Berkshire. Not only this, but they also went to extremes with the “war room” and the “boot camp” just to get the perfect shot.
Yet, despite all their hard work, one TV historian influencer, Dan Snow, still found a way to criticize the director for the film as soon as the trailer came out. As shared by him in his TikTok video:
“Napoleon didn’t shoot at the pyramids [at the Battle of the Pyramids]; [Marie-Antoinette] famously had very cropped hair for the execution, and, hey, Napoleon wasn’t there.”
But as cool and unaffected as he is by all the criticism he gets, Scott had only three words for the historian: “Get a life.” In the meanwhile, Joaquin Pheonix, who plays Napoleon Bonaparte in the film, touched upon the upcoming movie’s historical accuracy while talking to Empire, saying:
“If you want to really understand Napoleon, then you should probably do your own studying and reading. Because if you see this film, it’s this experience told through Ridley’s eyes. It’s just such a complex world. I mean, it’s so f****** complex. What we were after was something that would capture the feeling of this man.”
Not only this but as (un)surprising as it is, most of the fans are standing in support of director Ridley Scott as well.
Fans Are Standing In Support Of Ridley Scott Against The Historian
Following the TikTok video went viral with historian influencer Dan Snow criticizing Ridley Scott for Napoleon, Twitter user @CultureCrave took to X to share the filmmaker’s response to the criticism.
Ridley Scott responds to TikToks calling out historical inaccuracies in #Napoleon
“Get a life”
(via @NewYorker) pic.twitter.com/FMkN62ZhrA
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) November 6, 2023
This had several fans lining up in the comment section to share their support for the director. From sarcastically criticizing the TikTokers to defending Scott, here’s what they have to say:
God TikTok historians are annoying
— 𝑨𝑲𝑰𝑹𝑨/𝑪𝑽𝑳𝑻𝑽𝑹𝑬 (@RON1NSenju) November 6, 2023
Given the fact tiktokers claimed the Roman Empire never existed, I’m pretty safe in saying I never opened the app for any accurate historical information in my life and never will
— Gonzo Film Reviews (@ReviewsGonzo) November 6, 2023
Abolish tiktok
— Gage (@GAGEmusicx) November 6, 2023
Every film of this nature is bound to have some historical inaccuracies because sometimes what actually happens doesn’t always make for an engaging movie. This is a movie for entertainment purposes it’s not a documentary or History Channel special.
— BizarreCandyChomper (@bizarrecandy892) November 6, 2023
Historical accuracy is great, however does it NEED to be to a very fine point? No. It’s a movie intended for dramatic effect. You want Historical accuracy read a history book or visit a museum.
— 🔪 Cody Fandom 🩸 (@CodyFandom_) November 6, 2023
personally if i want full historical accuracy i can always watch a documentary or read a book 🤷
i watch movies to be entertained 1st so if the director sacrificed some accuracy for the sake of adding more drama & entertainment I’m happy with that pic.twitter.com/nlp8Rj0UCG
— bebop95 (@just_bebop95) November 6, 2023
Was it a documentary? Because if so, then I can see why the criticisms.
— ⱮìçհąҽӀ φҽʂąҟ (@rieper47) November 7, 2023
Can we not acknowledge TikTokers as credible sources pls/ty
— TheColeBrew (@TheColeBrewTv) November 6, 2023
Considering how fans are jumping to Ridley Scott’s defense, it seems unlikely that Napoleon would be received as a not-so-good film by the audience. That being said, Napoleon is said to hit the theatres on the 22nd of November, 2023!
