History drama

WRITING THE HISTORY PLAY
Why dramatists lie in the pursuit of truth 

by Charles Deemer

(originally published in Oregon Magazine) 

The recent Hollywood blockbuster "Pearl Harbor," for
all the disappointment of its plodding love and buddy
stories, generated the usual amount of controversy
that arises whenever Hollywood brings history to the
screen. In Letters to the Editor and Op-Ed pieces
across the country, historians were quick to point out
the inaccuracies and historical short-comings of the
film. Typically, many of these comments reflected a
basic misunderstanding of the task of the historical
dramatist, whether writing for film or stage.

Read it.