As students of history and international studies, we're often encouraged to read books, articles, and other written materials to deepen our understanding of the past and its impact on the present. However, there's another valuable tool that can help us gain a deeper appreciation for historical events and diplomatic relations: historical movies.
Watching historical movies can be a game-changer for historians and diplomats. These films offer a unique window into the past, allowing us to witness historic events unfold before our eyes. They also provide a sense of reality that can be hard to grasp from written texts alone. By watching historical movies, we can gain a better understanding of the complexities and nuances of historical events, as well as the diplomatic efforts that shaped them.
One of the most significant benefits of watching historical movies is that they can help us develop a deeper understanding of the terminology and language used in our field. Every profession has its unique terminology, and history and diplomacy are no exceptions. By watching historical movies, we can learn the specific terms and phrases used by historians and diplomats, which can help us better understand the subject matter and communicate more effectively with others in our field.
Historical movies can also provide us with a simulated experience of what it's like to work in our chosen field. By watching films that depict historical events or diplomatic efforts, we can gain a sense of what it's like to be in the shoes of a historian or diplomat. This can be incredibly valuable, especially for students who are still figuring out their career paths.
So, what historical movies should historians and diplomats watch? Here are some recommendations:
Historical Movies:
1. The Woman King (2022) - A historical epic that tells the story of the Agojie, an all-female unit of warriors who protected the West African kingdom of Dahomey in the 19th century.
2. 12 Years a Slave (2013) - A historical drama based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery in the 1840s.
3. Schindler's List (1993) - A historical drama that tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saves the lives of thousands of Jews during the Holocaust.
4. Glory (1989) - A historical drama that tells the story of the 54th Massachusetts Infantry, the first all-black regiment in the American Civil War.
5. Hotel Rwanda (2004) - A historical drama based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who saves the lives of thousands of refugees during the Rwandan genocide.
6. The Last King of Scotland (2006) - A historical drama that tells the story of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin's regime and his relationship with a young Scottish doctor.
7. The Pianist (2002) - A historical drama based on the true story of Władysław Szpilman, a Polish Jewish pianist who struggles to survive the Nazi occupation of Warsaw during World War II.
8. The English Patient (1996) - A historical drama that tells the story of a critically burned man and his relationship with a young nurse in an Italian villa at the end of World War II.
9. Gandhi (1982) - A historical drama that tells the story of Mahatma Gandhi's nonviolent resistance movement in India during the British Raj.
10. Lincoln (2012) - A historical drama that tells the story of President Abraham Lincoln's efforts to pass the 13th Amendment and end the American Civil War.
Movies on International Relations:
1. The Interpreter (2005) - A thriller that takes place in the United Nations and explores the complexities of international diplomacy.
2. The Peacemaker (1997) - A thriller that follows a diplomat and a military officer as they try to prevent a war in the Balkans.
3. Syriana (2005) - A drama that explores the complexities of international oil politics and the impact of globalization on local communities.
4. The Constant Gardener (2005) - A drama that explores the complexities of international diplomacy and the pharmaceutical industry in Africa.
5. Argo (2012) - A thriller that tells the true story of the CIA's rescue of six American diplomats from Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis.
6. The Bourne Series (2002-2016) - An action-thriller series that explores the complexities of international espionage and diplomacy.
7. Munich (2005) - A historical drama that explores the aftermath of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre and the Israeli government's response.
8. The Sum of All Fears (2002) - A thriller that explores the complexities of international relations and the threat of nuclear war.
9. Clear and Present Danger (1994) - A thriller that explores the complexities of international relations and the war on drugs.
10. Spy Game (2001) - A thriller that explores the complexities of international espionage and diplomacy.
When watching these movies, historians and diplomats can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of historical events and diplomatic relations. They can also develop a deeper appreciation for the terminology and language used in their field.
In conclusion, historical movies are a valuable tool for historians and diplomats. They offer a unique window into the past, provide a sense of reality, and can help us develop a deeper understanding of the complexities and nuances of historical events and diplomatic relations. So, next time you're looking for a way to deepen your understanding of history and diplomacy, consider watching a historical movie.