Movie battles have been criticized by experts for accuracyand realism, and the same goes for some examples from popular TV shows.TV faces a tumultuous production cycle where accuracy may be sacrificed to produce a spectacle on time,but this becomes a more glaring issue amid recent TV trends. With more fantasy/historical epics and larger budgets than ever for TV, audiences expect that the people behind the show do at least some research to make their battle scenes legitimate.
This issue is not restricted to biographical dramas, as fantasy TV battles have also been critiqued,with thegenre blowing up in movies and TVin recent years. Even series claiming some of thebest TV show battles of all timehave not entirely escaped such faults. Experts (or even general audience members) highlight inaccuracies and errors that many would have missed — based on historical research and real military experience — and show how bringing in a consultant would have greatly improved the show.
8Battle Of Philippi
Rome (2005-2007)
Rome collapsed under its own budget after two seasons, only too much like this battle spiraling into chaos.
The short-lived historical epicRomehas been praised for historical accuracy in some places but was unfavorably deconstructed by Dr. Roel Konijnendijkfor the battle depiction in season 2, episode 6, “Philippi” (viaInvicta). First,Konijnendijkfor discussed the roles the Roman generals might have played on the battlefieldin such a situation.
Rome
Cast
Rome is a historical drama television series that aired from 2005 to 2007. The show is set in the 1st century BC and follows the lives of two Roman soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, as they navigate the complexities of ancient Roman politics and warfare.
He attributes the way Mark Antony acts to upholding his characterization in the show,suggesting that the depiction of him charging into battle without knowing what’s going on is a not-completely accurate combination of two leadership strategies. Following this, thehistorical expert criticizesRome’s battle scene’s accuracymuch more harshly regarding how the two mostly accurate formations go straight into an undesirable melee.
9 Most Accurate Battle Scenes In War Movies
Certain war movies excel in accurately retelling the events of historical battles due to thorough research and first-hand accounts.
Romecollapsed under its own budget after two seasons, only too much like this battle spiraling into chaos.In several ways,Romewas a show ahead of its timeand did not always understand the work that needed to be done with a comparative lack of previous examples.
7Battle In The Stepstones
House Of The Dragon (2022-Present)
Konijnendijkfor similarly condemned the mess of a battle in the third episode ofHouse of the Dragon, whenDaemon Targaryen and Corlys Velaryon are leading a war against the Crabfeeder in the Stepstones(viaInsider).When Daemon steps forward to allegedly parley with the enemy, while the archers are at the ready in the background, Konijnendijkfor asks:“Why not either let the archers handle it or send out a formation of guys?“The Crabfeeder falls for Daemon’s fake surrender, and he manages to lead his army to victory.
“Also I’m begging moviemakers to please stop it with the orders to the archers,“said Konijnendijkfor. Finally, once again, the Oxford University expert said that the absolute chaos of the battle that cinema often turns to isn’t accurate at all when real generals would try to maintain some strategy and formation. Despite its fantasy banner, which means some battle techniques simply aren’t real (like dragons),House of the Dragondemonstrates some unrealistic military strategies like this.Regardless, it is still praised as a detailed history-inspired fantasy.
6Siege Of Eoferwic
The Last Kingdom (2015-2022)
Concerning the initial conflict between the Danes and the Northumbrians, Konijnendijkfor critiqued a legion of soldiers charging into a shield wall to no effect, pointing out that firing upon it from further away to see if they could break the wall would be more logical (viaInsider). He admitted that the Vikings would have used shield walls in battle.However, he also said that a three-layered shield wall as seen in the first episode ofThe Last Kingdomis"a bit excessive,“and something practiced by the Romans rather than the Danes.
The Last Kingdom
Based on the Saxon Stories novel series by Bernard Cornwell, The Last Kingdom tells the story of a man who seeks to reclaim his birthright. Set in 872, the kingdoms that makeup England have come under Dane rule, with Wessex the last one standing under King Alfred. The protagonist, Uhtred, is born of noble descent but is captured by the Danes and raised to be one. As he ages, he must choose between his ancestral home or the family that caught but raised him. Uhted will wrestle with his loyalties as he battles between his Saxon and Dane lineages.
Konijnendijkfor gave this sequence a more generous rating of"six or seven"based on accurate techniques. Additionally,this battle is the inciting incident ofThe Last Kingdom,where one of the main character’s father is killed and he is taken captive. Like some similar shows,The Last Kingdomtakes a broad historical idea but changes some of the smaller details for dramatic effect. The powerful shield wall helps to establish the Danish Vikings as a threat, even if it is unnecessary in this context.
5Battle Of Culloden
Outlander (2014-Present)
Barring the time travel,Outlanderhas some historically accurate elements and some not, demonstrating a weird combination of fact and fiction that makes it unclear how committed to accuracy the showrunners are trying to be. Perhaps most famously,it has been repeatedly pointed out that the color of Jamie’s tartan is wrong for Clan Fraser(viaThe History Press). Furthermore, the first two seasons revolve around the impending Battle of Culloden, which would lead people to assume absolute historical accuracy to be vital.
Outlander
Outlander follows Claire Randall, a married nurse from 1945, who is transported back to 1743 Scotland. Amidst political intrigue and danger, she navigates life in the past and becomes torn between loyalty to her husband and the love for a dashing young warrior.
Namely,Outlanderpaints a picture of the Jacobite rebellion where it is purely the British vs. the Scottish,but this is not entirely accurate. Some Scots fought on the side of the British army to put down the rebellion. Additionally, many of the Highlanders are shown charging into battle with only an offensive weapon and no targe, or a shield. It has been pointed out that this would have been highly dangerous in this battle. However,Outlanderis credited with depicting the brutal, devastating battle with relative historical accuracy, especially when compared to some other shows.
4King Philip’s Siege Of Chartes Temple
Knightfall (2017-2019)
At the end of his analysis this time (viaInsider),Konijnendijkfor pointed out that the battle depicted in season 2, episode 6, “Blood Drenched Stone” ofKnightfalldidn’t happen,after his other complaints. He commented that crossbrows would have been more widespread among the French army, rather than the single man he spotted. However, his biggest grievances are with the mistakes commonly made in this type of period drama for cinematic effect.
knightfall
Knightfall is a historical drama that aired on the History Channel for two seasons before being canceled in May 2020. Created by Don Handfield and Richard Rayner, Knightfall tells the tale of the rise and destruction of the Knights Templar. Tom Cullen starred as the main character Landry and Mark Hamill also appeared as Talus for five episodes..
For instance, few characters are seen wearing helmets, which Konijnendijkfor also highlighted, acknowledging that it is probably because the directors wanted the audience to be able to see the actors' faces. Gunpowder is also used during the battle in a non-existent weapon, mainly for the spectacle of there being explosions.Konijnendijkfor conceded that while gunpowder technically existed in the setting ofKnightfalland might have been used as a more experimental tactic in battle, it’s unlikely. Throughout his diatribe, he was mildly laughing at what was shown.
3Many Viking Battles
Vikings (2013-2020)
The showVikingsdemonstrates some accurate historical material but is widely regarded as one of the most historically inaccurate TV showsthere is. The style of the battles and the costuming for these sequences as depicted in the show is largely changed for dramatic effect, appealing to the tastes of a modern audience that knows little about what these conflicts actually looked like.
Vikings: 7 Things That Are Historically Accurate (& 7 That Are Inaccurate)
How does Vikings fare, between fiction and accurate realism? Well, Ragnar and Rollo really did exist, so it’s not all fake!
Vikingshas been called out by a medieval arms expertas well as other historians. Toby Capwell said (viaInsider):
“Vikings is a fantasy […] Those Anglo-Saxons are all wearing late 16th-century helmets. The burgonets with the high comb and the peak, they are 800 years wrong…The leather biker gear… There is almost no historical evidence for leather clothing. […] The ax is fine, I don’t have a problem with the ax. I do have a problem with none of the main characters wearing helmets. you’re able to’t go anywhere near a battle like this without a helmet.”
Vikings
Vikings, released in 2013, chronicles the legendary exploits of Ragnar Lothbrok and his Viking comrades. As Ragnar rises to power, becoming King of the Viking tribes, the series explores his devotion to Norse traditions and his familial connections, portraying him as both a warrior and a leader with divine lineage.
Meanwhile, archaeologist Cat Jarman said ofVikingsandVikings: Valhalla(viaWired):“They’re not very accurate, but they are inspired by a lot of real events. A lot of them are inspired by the sagas.“This is the most essential summary of what these shows are, touching upon some interesting historical points but largely acting as fictionalizations for sensation.Jarman notably comments on the depiction of women warriors inVikings,which appeals to a modern audience, saying that while they did exist, there would be more evidence of larger numbers of them.
2Gladiators Battle The Romans
Spartacus (2013-2015)
Traps laid for an approaching army are often seen in cinema— such as in the fictionalChronicles of Narniaseries (Prince Caspian), also deconstructed on theInsiderYouTube channel. However, according to theInsidervideo whereSpartacus: War Of The Damned(the title of season 3) is addressed, while this technique could have been successfully used in the ancient world, it would not have worked on the scale depicted. In the final episode, Spartacus and his fellow gladiators dig a massive ditch to immobilize the approaching Roman army.
This kind of military strategy is often leveraged in fiction, mostly to showcase the cleverness of an outmatched army.
However, there is the obvious problem that the ditch is too large for the Romans to not have noticed it or the rebel gladiators preparing it.After the Roman army has been stopped, there is also no reason for the gladiators to then cross the ditch to continue to fight,as they do in the show. However, this kind of military strategy is often leveraged in fiction, mostly to showcase the cleverness of an outmatched army.
1The Battle Of Winterfell
Game Of Thrones (2011-2019)
Thefinal season ofGame of Thronescame under fire for many reasons, but fans still might not have expected Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen’s military strategies to be one of them. The Battle of Winterfell, depicted in the third episode of the final season, brings a series-long build-up to a too-swift conclusion. Meanwhile,military experts Ryan Grauer and Mick Cook explained how the defenses of Winterfell were set up poorly(viaVox).
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
They also agreed with journalist Alex Ward thatsending out the Dothraki first is completely unjustified.Vox published extensive discussion of how the experts would have arranged defenses, cavalry, and air support (dragons), but they admitted that sending both available dragons after the Night King was a smart move. This analysis shows how many fantasy elements translate into real military assets and can be utilized accordingly. However, with a show likeGame of Thrones, the writers might not consider this level of accuracy to be necessary — unless it’s something like the Dothraki charge, which even a non-expert observer called ill-advised.
