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Usenet Posted 17 years ago
Screenwriting
Anachronisms
I hate it when a film set in a specific period uses anachronistic expressions in dialogue.
I was watching something recently (can't remember what) but set in the past, maybe around the 1890s or the early 1900s and a character used the expression "serial killer" and that struck me as just wrong. I looked it up and apparently it was coined in the 1970s.
I've been watching The Red Baron off and on (how it got on my computer I'll never know) and a character tells Manfred that a certain girl "has the hots" for him.
It's an English language version of a (sadly not very good) German film, so I suppose you could argue that this is conveying the sense of what was said in German, but still, it jumps out as Not Of Its Time. Oh, well. the flying sequences are good.
Does seem to me that if it draws attention to itself it pulls you out of the story.
I love words.
- Susannah McCorkle
I was watching something recently (can't remember what) but set in the past, maybe around the 1890s or the early 1900s and a character used the expression "serial killer" and that struck me as just wrong. I looked it up and apparently it was coined in the 1970s.
I've been watching The Red Baron off and on (how it got on my computer I'll never know) and a character tells Manfred that a certain girl "has the hots" for him.
It's an English language version of a (sadly not very good) German film, so I suppose you could argue that this is conveying the sense of what was said in German, but still, it jumps out as Not Of Its Time. Oh, well. the flying sequences are good.
Does seem to me that if it draws attention to itself it pulls you out of the story.
I love words.
- Susannah McCorkle
Top answer
[nq:1]I hate it when a film set in a specific period uses anachronistic expressions in dialogue. I was watching something ... are good.
- [nq:1]I hate it when a film set in a specific period uses anachronistic expressions in dialogue.
- I was watching something ...
- are good.
- [/nq] Oh, and now she's wearing pajamas that look like they came from Victoria's Secret.
- They went to all that trouible to get the planes and the uniforms right, but presumably thought they had to dumb down the love interest and make the lovers look and sound like today's yoof.
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16 Answers
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[nq:1]I hate it when a film set in a specific period uses anachronistic expressions in dialogue. I was watching something ... are good. Does seem to me that if it draws attention to itself it pulls you out of the story.[/nq]
Oh, and now she's wearing pajamas that look like they came from Victoria's Secret.
They went to all that trouible to get the planes and the uniforms right, but presuma
Oh, and now she's wearing pajamas that look like they came from Victoria's Secret.
They went to all that trouible to get the planes and the uniforms right, but presuma
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[nq:1]I hate it when a film set in a specific period uses anachronistic expressions in dialogue. I was watching something ... are good. Does seem to me that if it draws attention to itself it pulls you out of the story.[/nq]
"The Patriot" with Mel Gibson
Set in 1776. He asks a lady if she minds if he sits beside her, on a bench. Her response:
"Why not it's a free country or it will be.
"The Patriot" with Mel Gibson
Set in 1776. He asks a lady if she minds if he sits beside her, on a bench. Her response:
"Why not it's a free country or it will be.
00
I mean, the only cereals they had back then were Oatmeal and Cream Of Wheat!
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[nq:1]I hate it when a film set in a specific period uses anachronistic expressions in dialogue. I was watching something ... and that struck me as just wrong. I looked it up and apparently it was coined in the 1970s.[/nq]
Yes, I've noticed that also in many modern movies. It's either bad writing, or a bit of improvised acting.
Isn't this what a director is for? To catch these anomali
Yes, I've noticed that also in many modern movies. It's either bad writing, or a bit of improvised acting.
Isn't this what a director is for? To catch these anomali
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[nq:1]I hate it when a film set in a specific period uses anachronistic expressions in dialogue. I was watching something ... on my computer I'll never know) and a character tells Manfred that a certain girl "has the hots" for him.[/nq]
I still haven't seen it. What baffles me is why they made the **** thing in English in the first place? As if that's somehow going to make it more palatable fo
I still haven't seen it. What baffles me is why they made the **** thing in English in the first place? As if that's somehow going to make it more palatable fo
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I agree that single or infrequent instances are horrible, but I don't mind it when an entire film is written that way, if it's done stylishly; the example that comes to mind is A Knight's Tale, where there's almost no concession at all to period dialogue (and the crowds at the jousting tournament enthusiastically clap along to We Will Rock You).
There's a current BBC TV series about the y
There's a current BBC TV series about the y
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[nq:2]I've been watching The Red Baron off and on (how ... Manfred that a certain girl "has the hots" for him.[/nq]
[nq:1]I still haven't seen it. What baffles me is why they made the **** thing in English in the first place? As if that's somehow going to make it more palatable for Americans audiences? Is it at least better than FLYBOYS?[/nq]
No idea. The writing and the acing is weak, but
[nq:1]I still haven't seen it. What baffles me is why they made the **** thing in English in the first place? As if that's somehow going to make it more palatable for Americans audiences? Is it at least better than FLYBOYS?[/nq]
No idea. The writing and the acing is weak, but
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[nq:1]I agree that single or infrequent instances are horrible, but I don't mind it when an entire film is written ... at all to period dialogue (and the crowds at the jousting tournament enthusiastically clap along to We Will Rock You).[/nq]
Agree.
[nq:1]There's a current BBC TV series about the youthful days of King Arthur and Merlin which takes the same approach. ... you can call me Gwe
Agree.
[nq:1]There's a current BBC TV series about the youthful days of King Arthur and Merlin which takes the same approach. ... you can call me Gwe
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[nq:1]And I'm sure it will be, now that Obama is president.[/nq]
I don't doubt that's terribly clever, but it's totally over my head, I'm afraid. Is he known for stamping things out, then?
Bert
I don't doubt that's terribly clever, but it's totally over my head, I'm afraid. Is he known for stamping things out, then?
Bert
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[nq:2]Improvisation, on the other hand, is a foul practice and should be completely stamped out.[/nq]
[nq:1]And I'm sure it will be, now that Obama is president.[/nq]
If he's president of ****d* too, then we have to spell it ****.
Alan Brooks
A with an Underwood
Rules *re Rules
MWSM FAQ:
[nq:1]And I'm sure it will be, now that Obama is president.[/nq]
If he's president of ****d* too, then we have to spell it ****.
Alan Brooks
A with an Underwood
Rules *re Rules
MWSM FAQ:
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