MovieChat Forums > The Duellists (1978) Discussion > Richard Holmes - Advisor

Richard Holmes - Advisor

posted 11 years ago by thelastfaceyouwillsee
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I didn't know until I read today that Brigadier Richard Holmes was the historical consultant on this film. Holmes, who tragically died at the age of 65 in 2011 was a very well informed and watchable historian on British TV. He had such a passionate interest in military history. One of those characters who are irreplaceable - like Magnus Pyke, Patrick Moore etc. He did a fine job on this movie, one of my all time favourites.

"Remember, you have to make it home to get paid" (The Dogs of War)

[–] Karl Aksel 11 years ago

Unfortunately historical advisors are only as good as the directors will allow. In this case it seems his input was actually valued, but if you see a film which is completely wrong from a historical perspective... the historical advisor is most likely blameless. He is usually only hired so that the director can claim some historical authenticity, but in many films finds himself with very little to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJFFLvwNLlM

Depressing, isn't it.

[–] thelastfaceyouwillsee 11 years ago

Thanks for the link - very interesting but also very depressing as you say.
Which film do you think he is talking about?
I thought either Troy, Alexander or maybe even Kingdom of Heaven.

"Remember, you have to make it home to get paid" (The Dogs of War)

[–] Karl Aksel 11 years ago

Kingdom of Heaven was my initial bet. I have heard -- though I grant these are rumours -- that his attitude towards criticism from historians is that, "you weren't there, you can't prove it didn't happen". Which is why I was surprised at the attention to historical detail and fencing choreography in The Duellist. But Mr. Scott has himself said that if the fencing scenes are realistic, it's not really his doing, as he wasn't striving for accuracy. He simply did not have a reason to interfere with the choreography, it seems.

[–] thelastfaceyouwillsee 11 years ago

So we should be even more grateful/relieved that The Duellists is such a perfect movie!

"Remember, you have to make it home to get paid" (The Dogs of War)

[–] thelastfaceyouwillsee 11 years ago

If it is OK to put links here, here is one to a pretty detailed article about the inaccuracies of KoH. OT here I guess but related to the earlier posting.

http://www.creationworldview.org/articles_view.asp?id=21

"Remember, you have to make it home to get paid" (The Dogs of War)