Jewell's Critical View

The Commercial Success of Political Films

MSNBC interviewed Critical Studies professor Rick Jewell about the commercial success of political films, such as the new Frost/Nixon film. 

Such films rarely generate interest in the subject matter that they’re covering among those who don’t already have an interest, Jewell said.

“I don’t think the younger generation is very much interested in history,” he added. “In fact, I’m not sure young people have ever been excited about events from the past unless they had a strong action-adventure component (Adventures of Robin Hood, Gladiator) or a romantic component (Gone With The Wind, Titanic). But yes, they undoubtedly pick up some historical knowledge from the movies, though this knowledge is often inaccurate."

Associated Person:

Rick Jewell