11 Historical Inaccuracies That Disney Sacrificed To Make Their Movies More Fairytail-like Stories
Disney's famous animated films with the prince-princess motif always leave deep impressions on the audiences because of their sweetness, their beautiful dream, and their journey conquering happiness. Although based on real events or legends, the fairy tales that Disney tells the audiences have many inaccurate points about both the context and era. For instance, Hercules didn't have a perfect family or Aladdin's dream wasn't realistic in his day.
To explain the reasons for these deviations, perhaps Disney directors want to create more fairy-tale stories or make audiences more sympathetic with the characters' plight. It is an undeniable fact that it is Disney's sacrifice in re-editing these historical events that have made Disney movies become much more successful.
Don't hesitate to explore these fascinating facts and let us know which detail surprises you the most!
In the movie, Hercules grew up in the love of Zeus and Hera and he had a perfect family. However, according to Greek mythology, Hercules was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman. Therefore, Hera hated Hercules and tried to kill this illegitimate child. In addition, Hercules and Megara's love line was not as romantic as in the movie. King Creon of Thebes, Megara's father, allowed Hercules to marry his daughter just because he defeated their enemies.
After saving Megara and their children from Lycus' hands, Hercules was convinced by Hera that these children were the children of Megara and Lycus. In action of anger and sadness, Hercules murdered his wife and children.
In Dinosaur, lemurs raised the dinosaur as if they were the dinosaur's parents. In fact, when the dinosaurs went extinct, lemurs still did not appear on earth.
From the 4th to 7th centuries, the women in Arab were very conservative, they even use the veil to cover their entire bodies. Therefore, the fact that Jasmine dresses as revealingly as in the movie is a very inaccurate detail.
In the movie, Aladdin dreamed of becoming rich and living in a splendid castle. However, in reality, this dream wasn't realistic. In this era, the poor would always be poor, they couldn't change their social status no matter how hard they tried.
In the 1900s, apartheid was intense and extreme. Therefore, it is very unlikely that a black person like Tiana could open a restaurant on her own. In addition, Tiana and Naveen's marriage could not happen in real life because, at that time, it was illegal for two people of different skin colors to get married.
In the 14th century, men and women were generally not allowed to have physical contact with each other. While dancing, touching hand was the only action allowed, other actions would be considered to be inappropriate.
By 1839, with the high technology, people used to use guns as their main offensive weapon. Therefore, the use of swords by Frozen characters was considered to be unreasonable and inaccurate. However, if they really used guns, maybe Elsa wouldn't have lived that long.
In 1914, when the story of Atlantis took place, the Coelacanth was considered to be extinct. An animal that didn't exist in a city that didn't exist, the filmmakers must have had their own intentions.
According to historical records, Pocahontas would later marry a foreign man. However, that person was not John Smith but John Rolfe and this marriage is also the first known marriage between a European and a Native American.
It is true that Mulan joined the army in place of her aging father, however, her father not only did not oppose but also supported her.
Mulan served in the army for 12 years and not a single soldier recognized she was a woman.
In addition, according to historical records, Mulan had a younger brother. Disney cleverly incorporated this detail into the movie by giving Mulan a dog named Little Brother.
To explain the reasons for these deviations, perhaps Disney directors want to create more fairy-tale stories or make audiences more sympathetic with the characters' plight. It is an undeniable fact that it is Disney's sacrifice in re-editing these historical events that have made Disney movies become much more successful.
Don't hesitate to explore these fascinating facts and let us know which detail surprises you the most!
#1 Hercules doesn't have a happy family.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
In the movie, Hercules grew up in the love of Zeus and Hera and he had a perfect family. However, according to Greek mythology, Hercules was the son of Zeus and a mortal woman. Therefore, Hera hated Hercules and tried to kill this illegitimate child. In addition, Hercules and Megara's love line was not as romantic as in the movie. King Creon of Thebes, Megara's father, allowed Hercules to marry his daughter just because he defeated their enemies.
#2 In Greek mythology, it was Hercules who killed Megara and their children.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
After saving Megara and their children from Lycus' hands, Hercules was convinced by Hera that these children were the children of Megara and Lycus. In action of anger and sadness, Hercules murdered his wife and children.
#3 According to history, lemurs and dinosaurs did not exist in the same era.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
In Dinosaur, lemurs raised the dinosaur as if they were the dinosaur's parents. In fact, when the dinosaurs went extinct, lemurs still did not appear on earth.
#4 Jasmine's costume doesn't match Aladdin's period.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
From the 4th to 7th centuries, the women in Arab were very conservative, they even use the veil to cover their entire bodies. Therefore, the fact that Jasmine dresses as revealingly as in the movie is a very inaccurate detail.
#5 People couldn't change their social status in Aladdin's time.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
In the movie, Aladdin dreamed of becoming rich and living in a splendid castle. However, in reality, this dream wasn't realistic. In this era, the poor would always be poor, they couldn't change their social status no matter how hard they tried.
#6 Tiana shouldn't dream of marrying Naveen or opening a restaurant.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
In the 1900s, apartheid was intense and extreme. Therefore, it is very unlikely that a black person like Tiana could open a restaurant on her own. In addition, Tiana and Naveen's marriage could not happen in real life because, at that time, it was illegal for two people of different skin colors to get married.
#7 Felipe's hand touching Aurora's waist while dancing is considered an act of rudeness.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
In the 14th century, men and women were generally not allowed to have physical contact with each other. While dancing, touching hand was the only action allowed, other actions would be considered to be inappropriate.
#8 Swords were not normally used in the age of Frozen.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
By 1839, with the high technology, people used to use guns as their main offensive weapon. Therefore, the use of swords by Frozen characters was considered to be unreasonable and inaccurate. However, if they really used guns, maybe Elsa wouldn't have lived that long.
#9 Coelacanth appeared in Atlantis: The Lost Empire for a reason.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
In 1914, when the story of Atlantis took place, the Coelacanth was considered to be extinct. An animal that didn't exist in a city that didn't exist, the filmmakers must have had their own intentions.
#10 Pocahontas and John Smith were not in love.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
According to historical records, Pocahontas would later marry a foreign man. However, that person was not John Smith but John Rolfe and this marriage is also the first known marriage between a European and a Native American.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
#11 Mulan received the support of his family when she decided to join the army.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
It is true that Mulan joined the army in place of her aging father, however, her father not only did not oppose but also supported her.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
Mulan served in the army for 12 years and not a single soldier recognized she was a woman.
Source: The Walt Disney Studios
In addition, according to historical records, Mulan had a younger brother. Disney cleverly incorporated this detail into the movie by giving Mulan a dog named Little Brother.
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