There is a dilemma regarding whether it is better to learn about history by watching films and video recordings or by reading written documents. Personally, I believe that reading is the superior way to understand the past.
Learning history through movies can be a good experience, as it allows you to visualize events that occurred long ago. However, filmmakers often take creative liberties, which can result in the portrayal of ‘fake’ history. They may conclude that the actual events are too dull for viewers, leading them to embellish the narrative with added action or drama, thus compromising the film’s accuracy. For example, many scenes depict two armies clashing in fierce battles, but that is often a simplification. In reality, successful military strategies took hours of planning by kings and generals, who carefully selected soldiers and devised detailed instructions for their movements.
In contrast, learning from written materials offers clear and factual information about the past without embellishments. Historical accounts by politicians, historians, and even poets provide insight into the conditions of their time. For instance, the Russian poet Mikhail Lermontov wrote about Napoleon’s attack on Moscow in his poem ‘Borodino.’ Additionally, numerous city archives house reliable records about our ancestors.
In conclusion, while watching films and video content can provide a visual representation of historical events, it is crucial to recognize the potential for inaccuracies introduced by producers. Therefore, I maintain that learning about past civilizations through reading written materials is the more effective approach.