Do you still watch/enjoy historical dramas if you know what the outcome is?

I recall a Homer Simpson episode where he was watching a movie based on history hoping for a different outcome to the history books.

Does knowing Anne Boleyn’s fate, for example, ruin it for you, in part or in entirety?

No more than knowing where I’m going when I’m in the car ruins the drive to my destination.

Movies, TV and other programs are rarely about the destination for me. If I don’t enjoy the journey, then what’s the point?

Well, with The Tudors, they’ve taken so many liberties with the facts that it’s fun to watch just to point out the errors.

Rome was a magnificent production in every aspect so yes, definitely.

Yeah, Apollo 13 and Thirteen Days would be two examples of entertaining movies although you knew the outcome.

Also i often read the book and watch the movie (or other way around), and still enjoy the story, examples would be Fight Club, No Country for Old Men and Lord of the Rings.

Love The Tudors, have 1st 2 series on dvd! Not really bothered if I know whats going to happen, it how you get there that counts. a bit like sex really!

I have never seen the Tudors, but my current history professor watches it and said that most of it is historically inaccurate (her main field of study is English history).

I just finished watching Alexander Revisited and really enjoyed it- a lot of stuff is accurate.

I love historical dramas regardless of whether I know the outcome or not!

@sakura: LOL LOVE IT.
And there certainly is no shortage of sex in the Tudors, that’s for sure!

It’s never bothered me. I loved the show Rome I never got into The Tudors, but have always wanted to because I find that part of history very interesting.

depends on how good the movie is.

I went straight through The Tudors on DVD, quite fascinated. Knowing outcomes spoiled nothing. If anything, it heightened the tension and anticipation. I wrote about that specific experience here.

The creators of the series had to assume that the outcomes would be well known, with few surprises for anyone, especially with respect to the wives, and so they wouldn’t have tried to build suspense around the what. Rather, the drama is in the how—in seeing it play out. I thought they did a knockout job of it, regardless of whether it is a true and faithful account or not. Seeing Henry as young, vital, narcissistic, and very sexy instead of the stout old bear in the usual depictions gave a remarkable depth and immediacy to it all.

@Jeruba: Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is SO HOT. :D And I haven’t quite gotten to Anne’s execution – I’m a few episodes short – but I’m totally enthralled.

Isn’t he? Gad. That’s not where I would turn for my historical education, but what a story.

I love historical dramas… especially “Rome” and “Band of brothers” on HBO. I remember enjoying Schindler’s list and Saving Private Ryan… all these things you already know the outcome to. The thing is more about the journey than the destination. Just like life.

@erikaVT well, there’s a saying in Hollywood, and it says that if they make it historically accurate, it is a documentary, and the public doesn’t like documentaries; they want action, romance, and excitement. I think Hollywood underestimates the intelligence of its audience. We aren’t all Homer Simpson.

But the real question is this: are they going to make more catering to an audience of Homer Simpsons or an audience of Psychedelic Zebras?

@Jeruba well shit, any idiot can tell you the answer to that one. }:^)

So—see, it’s not about underestimating at all. It’s about knowing where their bread is buttered.