FACULTY OF HUMANISTIC STUDIES

CAGLIARI UNIVERSITY
History and institutions of the USA
A.a. 2019-2020
Dr. Elena Baldassarri
elena.baldassarri@gmail.com
United States History through Film
Workshop
Movie Analysis Worksheet

Title:
Year:
Authors:

Film as factual Records. Movies dramatize historical events.

– How accurate is the movie?
– Are events presented realistically?
– Is the chronology correct?
– What motives does the movie give to the historical characters on
screen?
– How do these compare to the motives that in your judgment these
characters actually had, based on your reading of other historical
sources?

Movies transmit Atmosphere: fiction is used to convey a sense of past

lifestyles, values, and beliefs.
– In your opinion, why does the movie portray the historical
characters the way it does?
– What is omitted that would be important for a full understanding of
the historical subject matter?
– What is the role of cinematography in the depiction of historical
events?
– Does the art of film making impact your understanding of the
history portrayed?
– Do the characters speak and act as people in their time, situation
and class (ex. Are gender relationships accurately described?)
– Are locations, costumes, and sets accurate?
– Setting, Details, and Design look realistic?

Movies use Analogy: An historical events is used to point out or explain

contemporary motives or actions, particularly when the event is
controversial.
– Who are the filmmakers, and can you understand their motivations
and goals in telling the “story” they tell?
– What values underlie the film?
 – What messages did the filmmakers wish to convey?

Movies are lesson in Historiography: Because the dramatic form used in

films requires consistent and relatively simple motivational
interpretations, students can often learn how the time period
in which the film was made interpreted historical personalities and
events.
– What might be the politics behind the history portrayed in the
movie?
– What does the filmmaker do to influence feelings and emotions?
– What sort of heroic and villainous icons are presented and
supported in the film?
– Does the film succeed in producing the desired effect?