Controversy always swirls when Hollywood produces a movie about some moment in history and seems to get the facts all wrong, favoring instead the spectacle and the dramatic. The audience loves it, but the historians (supposedly) hate it.
But if it wasn't for the spectacle and drama of the movie, would anyone even be curious about the historical moment?
A wonderful take on this juxtaposition of fictional spectacle and historical truth, is explained eloquently by practical historian and researcher Brian Allison in this interview on the Townsends YouTube channel in the episode titled: Spies, Espionage and Secret Writing in 1770's.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVpkrRKphcU
the particular few sentences about but this start about 15:12, although the whole episode is fascinating.
Brian gives you permission to change the facts in order to get people interested.
"The best way to use Hollywood is as a gateway..."
