7 Historical Events That Should Be Made Into Films
Volume 3 | Issue 1 - Film
Article and Research by Ellie Veryard. Edited by Stephen Woodward.
Inspired by Stephen Woodward’s urging of Hollywood to seek new material, here are 7 events we think worthy of a film.
1. The Investiture Crisis. Needs a snappier title but in reality it’s pretty hairy stuff. The two most powerful men in eleventh century Europe face off against one another; Pope Gregory VII versus Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV. The Pope claims supreme legislative and judicial power in Europe, with a right to depose all Princes. Henry, not even notified of the Pope’s decision is not best pleased. The struggle over whom should have power over whom began. Henry commanded the Pope excommunicated and the Pope excommunicated Henry allowing the Emperor’s subjects to rise up in rebellion against him. Comes to a brilliant head in a dramatic scene when Henry is forced to back down and has to pay penance to Pope Gregory in the snow outside his castle in Kanossa. Snow, castles, dramatic skyline, and an Emperor humiliated in the eyes of all Europe- iconic scene in the making.
2. Trial of Sarah Malcolm. In 1733 Sarah Malcolm, a young Irish Laundress in London was accused of robbery and the brutal murder of three old ladies. Malcolm maintains she didn’t do it; it was her comrades she says, she was only the lookout for the robbery. There’s a fair bit of historical speculation around this; was she persecuted for being Irish? A young woman? Because someone, anyone, needed to hang and they didn’t care which of the perpetrators they punished? Malcolm’s defence was brilliant considering the prohibition of defence lawyers; she vigorously cross-examined all witnesses as to the evidence they had against her. There’s enough of a back story and plenty of hints of scape-goating that Hollywood could work with here (though some historians might not be best pleased). If she is portrayed as a victim though, someone will be in for a nasty shock; will she hang and finish on that most un-Hollywood of things, a sad ending? Or will Malcolm walk free and do injustice to a fascinating, gruesome, and potentially quite pitiful incident?
3. Battle of Hastings. Well known, often portrayed on TV, exceptionally so in Channel 4’s ‘1066’. Perhaps this is an obvious suggestion rather than a little known event that should be better publicised but it was suggested by several people when I researched this article so it’s in due to popular demand. And, to be fair, there could be some pretty epic battle scenes. It’s a well known story, it’s got all the right ingredients; betrayal, invasion, Vikings, Normans, and of course, the Bayeux Tapestry debate- how did Harold die?
4. George Orwell and the Spanish Civil War. I could see this having a rather Shakespeare in Love moment; Orwell heads off to Spain to fight against fascism and all around him are plot lines and phrases he will later work into 1984 and Animal Farm. It could of course be bigger than that with a lot to be explored here; the war itself, Orwell’s involvement, the effect the war had on communities, pitching families against each other on opposite sides of the struggle, the influence of propaganda production on Orwell. Not to mention the dramatic scene when he gets shot by a sniper. The use of an individual person to help tell a wider story is much used in film and this would be no exception. It might require a little fact twisting, not that I recommend it, but Orwell’s experiences could be worked into a narrative that shows the human cost of the Spanish civil war.
5. War of Jenkin’s Ear. British Parliament, 1738. After almost two decades of on and off war, and strained relationships between Britain Spain Robert Jenkins, captain of the British Brigg Rebecca is called to Parliament to report an event that happened several years earlier. He pulls out his severed ear, lopped off by Spanish coastguard captain Julio Leon Fandino. Spain refuses to make amends. In 1739 Britain declares war. Other war inducing circumstances aside naming the war after the ear of a captain gives this conflict an unusual air. There’s lots of scope for battle on the high seas and piracy with the Battle of Cartagena and the beginnings of Walpole’s downfall.
6. Captain James Cook. 1755. Britain readies itself for what’s about to become the Seven Year War. Cook leaves his post on a merchant navy ship and volunteers for the Navy. By 1757 he had worked his way up and passed his masters examination, taking on the command of the Pembroke on the coast around North America. During the war Cook took part in several sea battles and coastal assaults where his talent for map drawing begins. He maps the South Lawrence River entrance allowing a victorious attack on the Plains of Abraham. We jump forward in time. Cook is now in the Pacific Ocean recording the movement of Venus across the sun when he opens his sealed orders. The hunt for Terra Australis is on. Encounters with Aboriginal tribes, his ship run aground on the Barrier Reef and his crew struck down with malaria in Jakarta. There are, of course, two more journeys, both of which have their fair share of drama and hardship and would make fitting sequels. But for now we’ll stick with the beginning and when the audience hears Cook say those famous words “Ambition leads me not only farther than any other man has been before me, but as far as I think it possible for man to go” they’ll know they’re in for one good adventure movie.
7. The assassination of Bardiya and the ascension of Darius I. There’s a few different versions and interpretations of this story, all of which are equally fascinating though likely to draw criticism from various historical circles. Telling the tale from the perspective of Darius might give it a rather ‘The Usual Suspects’ feel, for some historians have argued that the traditional view of this event was put about by him as justification of his ascension. We start in the sixth century BC with the deathbed of Cyrus the Great; the King proclaims his younger son Bardiya as governor of the eastern provinces. Here the tale becomes a little conflicting but according to Darius the elder brother of Bardiya, Cambyses II was consumed by jealously and had his brother kill, installing an imposter in his place; Gaumata, a Magian priest from Media. Things didn’t quite work out as Cambyses had planned for barely a year later he was marching against Gaumata. He failed to achieve his plan, dying before the attack and confessing to the murder of his son and installing the imposter in power. Fearful of their new ruler, the supposed Bardiya, the people disputed this tale but in September 522BCE seven Persian nobles surprised the King at his home in Nisa, stabbing him to death. Among them was Darius, proclaimed ruler in the aftermath of the murder and even marries two of Cyrus’ daughters and the daughter of the real Bardiya. Murder, intrigue and power struggles set against the backdrop of one of the great early empires.
Comment below and let us know your suggestions for events that should be made into films, we’re especially eager to hear more international suggestions.