History of "Based on a True Story"
Though some are unaware of the historical pastime of real-life reproductions for entertainment purposes, films, plays, and other productions based on real events stretch as far back times of Aristotle, yet few were popularized until the early 1900's (Battersby, 2012). True story movies have significantly gained popularity since the 1980's and early 1990's as not only production increased, but these films were first aired on CBS, ABC, and NBC during this time (Battersby, 2012). Since the year 2000, approximately 221 American films 'true story' films have been produced. Before the year 2000, 211 films of this genre were produced stretching as far back as 1899 (Hamlett, 2013). By this logic, nearly the same number of movies based on a true story have been released in just a sixth of the time; there has been an increase in based on a true story film production by 600% over the last 15 years. While the movie making industry today is much more advanced and developed, there is also an increase in these films popularity.
Documentary vs "Based on a True Story" Film
Terminology is a key aspect of cinema which is often overlooked by careless viewers. If a film is "based on a true story," one should understand that this is very different from watching a documentary on a specific issue. Before one views a film, it should be first understood that cinema productions, for the most part, are produced for a viewers entertainment rather than for an educational purpose. Today, the media and viewers perceive films which are based on a true story and believe said films are 100% factual real-life depictions, similar to documentaries. By definition, a documentary is a movie or television show which "provides factual record or report" of a real life event (Documentary). Christina Hamlett, former director and award-winning writer, stated that "documentaries should be truthful and compelling whereas films should be more entertaining and stimulating" to the mind (2013). If a viewer wishes to be historically acclimatized with an issue or event, a documentary rather than a film would be a better approach in a quest for information.
** Below, Academy Award winning actor Richard Dreyfuess outlines his thoughts on documentaries vs narrative films
Though some are unaware of the historical pastime of real-life reproductions for entertainment purposes, films, plays, and other productions based on real events stretch as far back times of Aristotle, yet few were popularized until the early 1900's (Battersby, 2012). True story movies have significantly gained popularity since the 1980's and early 1990's as not only production increased, but these films were first aired on CBS, ABC, and NBC during this time (Battersby, 2012). Since the year 2000, approximately 221 American films 'true story' films have been produced. Before the year 2000, 211 films of this genre were produced stretching as far back as 1899 (Hamlett, 2013). By this logic, nearly the same number of movies based on a true story have been released in just a sixth of the time; there has been an increase in based on a true story film production by 600% over the last 15 years. While the movie making industry today is much more advanced and developed, there is also an increase in these films popularity.
Documentary vs "Based on a True Story" Film
Terminology is a key aspect of cinema which is often overlooked by careless viewers. If a film is "based on a true story," one should understand that this is very different from watching a documentary on a specific issue. Before one views a film, it should be first understood that cinema productions, for the most part, are produced for a viewers entertainment rather than for an educational purpose. Today, the media and viewers perceive films which are based on a true story and believe said films are 100% factual real-life depictions, similar to documentaries. By definition, a documentary is a movie or television show which "provides factual record or report" of a real life event (Documentary). Christina Hamlett, former director and award-winning writer, stated that "documentaries should be truthful and compelling whereas films should be more entertaining and stimulating" to the mind (2013). If a viewer wishes to be historically acclimatized with an issue or event, a documentary rather than a film would be a better approach in a quest for information.
** Below, Academy Award winning actor Richard Dreyfuess outlines his thoughts on documentaries vs narrative films
Though Hollywood continues to profess fallacies to viewers through films and cinema while gaining the attention of the media and endorsing real-life characters as heroic, (even when the characters lack heroine traits) the responsibility of comprehension lies in the hands of the viewer. Unfortunately, some viewers neglect the fact that studios and film-makers play fast and loose with history, biography, and other real-life events. Viewers must realize that retelling a story is Hollywood speak for cutting out the boring, unmarketable bits of an event and inserting attractive characters and unrealistic heroic action (Battersby, 2015). So when something is billed as true or more ambiguously inspired by a true story, should the viewer be hesitant to believe?