SOCIAL MEDIA

What you’ve been saying on Twitter and Facebook

Following a row over historical accuracy in the BBC drama Howards

End, what’s more important to you when watching historical drama: accuracy or entertainment? Reb L Coolidge One without the other is pointless. Without accuracy, the intelligent are insulted. Without entertainment, it’s like a sedative. A prudent mixture of both is required David Shearman It depends on the purpose of the show. The Tudors is a good example of historical inaccuracy but it was interesting enough for people to get into the period and engage in real history @VickyyProctor I believe that entertainment must come first. It’s impossible for us to re- enact any historical event entirely accurately and so we should remember that a TV show must, above all, be entertaining @FourRedShoes Accuracy. Otherwise a show may as well not be set in the past, and is merely entertainment. The Edwardians are different from the Tudors, say. That’s all conveyed through an accuracy of period design and language @greg_ jenner 100% accuracy can’t be done, as stories are formulaic and life isn’t. History dramas are romantic escapism, but those that capture the spirit and mentality of the age are to be commended. Many dramas reflect our modern cultural attitudes more than those of the past. But that’s ok too @HallieRubenhold As a historical consultant, I think the game of getting it right on screen is all about balance. A film is an ensemble and involves the input of many as well as a multitude of other issues. It’s always best not to sweat the small stuff @ADHamilton91 I’ve always preferred authenticity over to-theletter accuracy. I thought the HBO/ BBC series Rome was great at this. Inaccuracies here and there but it’s the best representation of Republican Rome I’ve ever seen Kate Hollis Accuracy! As nowadays most people would rather watch historical drama then read history books, accuracy is the only way for the public to get historical facts