Aspen Haught
History Essay
Glory and 12 Years a Slave
In both of the films 12 Years a Slave and Glory, I developed great analytical skills
throughout both of the films and explored real events, circumstances, and attitudes just
by watching the movies in a critical way. Not only were both of the films awarded in
many different aspects but also, a majority of people and critics raved about how well
thought out and historically accurate the films were. Even though at times, both of the
films took the truth and either twisted it or changed it, the two historical based movies
did a fine job at getting their point across and adding some factual information too.
The film, 12 Years a Slave, was not only one of the most talked about and recent
film that deals with American history but the film also pulled the viewer into the movie,
and shines a light on reality back in the 1800’s. Some may argue, such as a website
called Slate, that 12 Years a Slave lost some of its audience because the film was too
painful and brutal to watch, but answer me this, how historical accurate would it be if
both of the films didn't have a harsh reality of how the slave owners treated the slaves?
12 Years a Slave not only changed the viewers attitude on how our country was dealing
with circumstances back in the day, but it makes you empathize for the main characters
you begin to follow and like from the beginning. Unlike 12 Years a Slave, Glory shows
the viewer of how a real white commander with the name of Robert Shaw interacted
with his black soldiers. Even though from research the film Glory has more made up
situations than the 12 Years a Slave, they both were inspired by a true story and a book.
Even though both of the films were based off a true story, historical accuracy was
a big part of the two films. From a website, called The Atlantic, they argued that in
12 Years a Slave Mistress Epps wanting Platt to drown Patsy was a big misread line
and mistake on the writers fault. But The New York Times wrote that the movie was on
point with the historical accuracy and said it was the “Hallmark of the real”. Both of
these opinions have been a on going process for years on historical accuracy such as
like Glory. Glory is a film historians study and really try to find the truth but, as like The
Atlantic wrote, “We don’t know the truth because we didn't experience it. We didn't
witness American Slavery.” Yet this is true, I as a viewer, after watching both these films
not only developed a new attitude towards out history and the movies interpretation but I
also learned new facts that no teacher ever taught me.
In both of the films 12 Years a Slave and Glory, I developed great analytical skills
throughout both of the films and explored real events, circumstances, and attitudes just
by watching the movies in a critical way. From watching both of these films I now know,
thanks to the actors and writers, how our history was interpreted. Not only did I feel as if
I was actually there, but I also felt the emotions both of the characters in 12 Years a
Slave and Glory felt. As a visual learner, both of the movies grabbed my attention and
gave me new knowledge and a opinion, rather than listening to someone say it to me or
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