Unstoppable movie historically inaccurate

[Zahnarzt]

Just watched Unstoppable, and although entertaining, I wonder why it was so historically inaccurate.  Couple things included in the movie that didn’t really happen or were inaccurate…

Arizona State losing their wrestling program in Robles’ sophomore year. 

Matt McD (as a sophomore) beating Robles (in his junior year) in the NCAA finals for McD’s 2nd straight NCAA title.

 

Movie also said McD was undefeated in his collegiate career going into the NCAA finals when he beat Robles   
 

I imagine the movie fictionized the above for more dramatic effect…but it’s weird that it’s about Robles’ career at ASU but is far from accurate.  Kind of ruined it for me.  His actual career and achievements are phenomenal enough, I don’t see the point of making a movie that isn’t accurate.

 

 

 

 

[PortaJohn]

Movies do that.  I didn't love it but I found entertaining.  The inaccuracies don't bother.  A movie I do love is Gladiator which is filled with historical inaccuracies.  But the theme of the movie did a good job of capturing the end of the Pax Romana.  Braveheart is a fan favorite.  Quite enjoyable.  Tons of inaccuracies.  The first battle, the Battle at Sterling Bridge, was far more fascinating than the movie version and was actually fought on a bridge rather than an open field.  But, people still love that scene

[ionel]

1 minute ago, PortaJohn said:

Movies do that.  I didn't love it but I found entertaining.  The inaccuracies don't bother.  A movie I do love is Gladiator which is filled with historical inaccuracies.  But the theme of the movie did a good job of capturing the end of the Pax Romana.  Braveheart is a fan favorite.  Quite enjoyable.  Tons of inaccuracies.  The first battle, the Battle at Sterling Bridge, was far more fascinating than the movie version and was actually fought on a bridge rather than an open field.  But, people still love that scene

Wasn't Gladiator fiction?

[PortaJohn]

Just now, ionel said:

Wasn't Gladiator fiction?

Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, Lucilla, Lucius, etc all real people

[ionel]

1 minute ago, PortaJohn said:

Marcus Aurelius, Commodus, Lucilla, Lucius, etc all real people

But still Gladiator is what I am asking about?

And he wasn't still alive when they made the movie correct? 

[PortaJohn]

1 minute ago, ionel said:

But still Gladiator is what I am asking about?

And he wasn't still alive when they made the movie correct? 

Yes he was.  Maximus was alive then died. It's clear at the end of the movie.  Filming wrapped up in 1999 when he died. Movie was released in 2000.  

[ionel]

1 minute ago, PortaJohn said:

Yes he was.  Maximus was alive then died. It's clear at the end of the movie.  Filming wrapped up in 1999 when he died. Movie was released in 2000.  

ahh ... but he died and they never got to ask him about the afterlife hence why the ending wasn't really complete?  Or is that what G II is about? 

[Zahnarzt]

Andrew Long and Troy Nickerson were the 2 guys that beat Robles in the NCAA tournament during his junior year when he finished 7th.  I wonder what those guys thought of the movie. 

[Caveira]

The Star Wars sequels 

[ionel]

I was shocked Apollo 13 didn't take a few liberties with the truth and go ahead and complete the moon landing.  

[ionel]

28 minutes ago, PortaJohn said:

Movies do that.  Braveheart is a fan favorite.  Quite enjoyable.  Tons of inaccuracies.  The first battle, the Battle at Sterling Bridge, was far more fascinating than the movie version and was actually fought on a bridge rather than an open field.  But, people still love that scene

                           FICTION!!!

[Zahnarzt]

Movie also made McD and Brands look like John Lawrence and the Cobra Kai sensei.

[BruceyB]

48 minutes ago, Zahnarzt said:

Movie also made McD and Brands look like John Lawrence and the Cobra Kai sensei.

I'm not saying Iowa wrestles dirty in any way, but if you're going to create a narrative where Iowa is the antagonist, it's pretty fitting.

[MPhillips]

It's a f'ing movie not a documentary...

[ionel]

10 minutes ago, MPhillips said:

It's a f'ing movie not a documentary...

... what? 

[flyingcement]

I also felt a bit annoyed by some of what I felt were unnecessary inaccuracies.  Why act like he was a finalist the year before? He wasn't.  And it didn't add much to the story for me.  

But after reading the other posts sharing how common this is in movies combined with my own lack of cinematic expertise... I'll step back from the soapbox.  

It was awesome they could honor an incredible underdog college wrestling story with such a star studded cast.  

[boconnell]

Wait.  Are we saying a Hollywood movie wasn't accurate to real life?

[ionel]

6 minutes ago, flyingcement said:

I also felt a bit annoyed by some of what I felt were unnecessary inaccuracies. 

Its out on Prime now.  Don't know if I will watch it.  I hate being annoyed.  

[Bulldog]

My review is...its...fine...I guess...as a straight to video biopic...and with very basic, simple characters and writing it was fine.  I don't hate that I watched it.  That being said, I doubt I will ever watch it again.  

Edited Friday at 07:55 AM by Bulldog

[BruceyB]

13 minutes ago, Bulldog said:

My review is...its...fine...I guess...as a straight to video biopic...and with very basic, simple characters and writing it was fine.  I don't hate that I watched it.  That being said, I doubt I will ever watch it again.  

This is how I imagine I would feel. It's not a documentary as @MPhillips stated. It's a movie narrative built on what is undoubtedly an incredible journey of a child that was born with a crazy obstacle and managed to do something most people would have thought to be impossible. Argue advantage, disadvantage, etc. etc., no one else has been born into Anthony's situation and achieved what he has.

[666]

6 hours ago, ionel said:

                           FICTION!!!

I'm a first cousin, 21 times removed, from King Edward I (Longshanks). I think I read somewhere there's another 75 million people today related to him, hehe. 

Oh yeah, the French princess in real life (that Wallace banged in the movie) was only 8 or so when he was (ahem) "partitioned".  All the battle scenes were hilariously wrong. 

[666]

I still haven't seen "Unstoppable" and have no plans to watch it. As a wrestling fan I remember the story as it unfurled in real time. Plus I've seen too many of you goons ranting against it and I've already built up a little negative energy towards it. It's got a good rating at IMDB though (6.8) and a good rating on rottentomatoes. 

[1032004]

You don’t have to like it, but I don’t know why any wrestling fan wouldn’t at least watch it to support the fact that it was made.   It’s not like there are a lot of wrestling movies being made, and especially not with actors that people have actually heard of.  And there were of course a lot of wrestling people involved/in the movie, Johnni DiJulius, Shane Sparks, Angel Rivera among others.   Robles himself (and his mom) was heavily involved with the movie.  He was in the movie in some of the wrestling scenes, he trained the lead actor, and has been involved with the promotion.  If he was okay with the changes then we probably should be too.

[MadMardigain]

“Based on a True Story/Event” translates to take an inspirational story and create a money making entertainment piece out of it.  If you are taking most of any “Based on a True Story/Event” as a  history lesson you are doing it wrong.  I’m sure Robles was told multiple time they were going to have to Hollywood the story up both for time allotted to tell the movie and certain events to make it a movie piece for anyone.  Since he stuck with them as an advisor I’m guessing he was Ok with most of creative liberties they decided to take.

 

As a history teacher I always tell kids to be inspired by the film, but be smart enough to do your own research on the historical people/events.  You likely will learn more details and background which will help you like certain aspects better, but don’t be surprised if you are also disappointed in certain other aspects due to the movie glossing things over to create a hero moment or making it up for entertainment value. 

Edited Friday at 01:05 PM by MadMardigain

[D3 for LU]

9 hours ago, Zahnarzt said:

Movie also made McD and Brands look like John Lawrence and the Cobra Kai sensei.

D3