VIDEO Torches Part IV: Fire in the Movies

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Torches Part IV: Fire in the Movies In the intriguing YouTube video "Torches Part IV: Fire in the Movies," the creator dives into the fascinating—and often exaggerated—depictions of fire in Hollywood films. Using famous films like "Troy," "The Lord of the Rings," and "Gladiator," the video humorously critiques how inaccurately fire and torches are portrayed on screen.

Main Takeaways​

1. Dramatic Licenses: The video points out that the glowing, smoke-free flames seen in many movies have little resemblance to reality. In ancient times, flames would have produced a lot of smoke, contradicting the cinematic presentations. The creator highlights this by elaborating on how modern pyro techniques, influenced by petrochemical advancements, create visually appealing yet unrealistic fires.
2. Historical Assumptions: The narrator challenges several historical inaccuracies, such as the portrayal of Roman soldiers using napalm, which is notably anachronistic. Asserting that the Romans wouldn't have had access to such technologies, the commentary urges viewers to consider the implications of such creative liberties.
3. Set Design Flaws: An interesting segment discusses how set designers use fire for ambiance and aesthetics without practical needs. For example, scenes are shown where torches seem to generate light at absurd heights on walls, raising the question of their actual utility.
4. Visual Ironies: Throughout the video, the creator employs humor and irony to expose the logical disconnects in action sequences involving fire. Observations such as arrows set against flames and the placement of torches show a profound disregard for historical accuracy in favor of visual appeal.
5. Engaging Anecdotes: The narrative is punctuated with light-hearted commentary that critiques common tropes in film-making, such as clueless sentinels failing to notice an approaching army due to the distracting "magic" of smokeless flames.

   Community Discussion​

   This video serves as an excellent starting point for discussions about the representation of historical events in media. Do you have similar examples of movies that took creative liberties with historical facts? How does this impact your viewing experience? I encourage everyone to check out this video and share your insights. Are there any other films you think deserve a critique for their portrayal of historical fire usage? Let's get the conversation rolling!