You May Have Missed These Historical References In Your Favorite Disney Movies
The Walt Disney Company has been transporting people to dream kingdoms and wonderlands in their classic movies for over a century. Disney has captivated us with its lively animation, meaningful stories, and wonderful music from the debut cartoon "Steamboat Willie" (1928) to the latest movie "Encanto" (2021).
But did you know that Disney has been criticized in the past for distorting Pocahontas' story? They have ignored the horrors of segregation and slavery.
Of course, in the quest for children's stories, Disney makes the original stories simpler and more intelligible. Therefore, Disney films' plots are the story of heroes and villains and the triumph of Good over Evil. However, there have been a few details in which Disney films have been historically accurate.
But did you know that Disney has been criticized in the past for distorting Pocahontas' story? They have ignored the horrors of segregation and slavery.
Of course, in the quest for children's stories, Disney makes the original stories simpler and more intelligible. Therefore, Disney films' plots are the story of heroes and villains and the triumph of Good over Evil. However, there have been a few details in which Disney films have been historically accurate.
#1 In "The Emperor's New Groove" the name 'Kuzco' is a reference to Cuzco, the Incan Empire's capital (around 1400).
Source: Disney
#2 The Court of Miracles featured in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" has a significant historical significance in Paris.
Source: Disney
#3 In "Hercules", the enormous stone statue of Zeus at Olympia was renowned as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Source: Disney
#4 Hercules and Megara talk about Oedipus Rex- a Sophocles' Greek play during their date.
Source: Disney
#5 The pig Hen Wen is said to prophesy in 'The Black Cauldron,' just as the ancient Romans employed hens to foretell the future and make choices.
Source: Disney
#6 The Peasant Dance by Brueghel the Elder, "The Picnic" by Auguste Serrure, and "The Swing" by Jean-Honoré Fragonard are some of the real-life paintings shown in "Frozen."
Source: Disney
#7 The Land of the Dead (in "Coco") is an adaptation of Mexico's cultural history to the traditional Disney paradigm, inspired by the Mexican civilization.
Source: Disney
#8 In "Brave", Pictish stones are based on the Calanais Standing Stones, a true historical site that dates back to the late Neolithic period.
Source: Disney
#9 "Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World" has the real-life story that Pocahontas was abducted for ransom by colonists at the age of 16 and died on the return trip
Source: Disney
#10 Louis in "The Princess and the Frog" has the same name as famous composer Louis Armstrong who sang "Dippermouth Blues".
Source: Disney
#11 Cogsworth from ‘Beauty and the Beast’ dresses up as Napoleon Bonaparte
Source: Disney
#12 In 'Pirates of the Caribbean," The East India Company was the world's first company in 1600 that spanned the seven seas, including the Caribbean,
Source: Disney
#13 The Queen in ‘The Great Mouse Detective’ is based on Queen Victoria
Source: Disney
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