MovieChat Forums > Race (2016) Discussion > Historical Inaccuracy

Historical Inaccuracy

posted 8 years ago by greginess7878-1
10 replies | jump to latest

I'm sure this has been mentioned before, but this scene where Hitler refused to greet Jesse Owens was not only historically inaccurate, but was done in such a way as to make it cringe-worthy. In fact, this is when I stopped watching the film. Now before I say this... let me say right off the bat that I'm no Hitler fan (never though I'd have to say this, but this is the internet, after all!).

Although I'm no fan of National Socialism, I am a history buff, so yes, historical inaccuracies here and there do irritate me due to that, but at least they don't get me fuming mad. The reason this scene got to me is that they used the trite urban legend about Jesse being snubbed by Hitler. In reality, Hitler would have been unable to snub him even if he wanted to, as he was no longer in attendance after he won and went off to greet the officials. I think it would just suffice to repeat one of Jesse's most memorable quotes, and I'm sure you can fill in the blanks:

"Hitler didn't snub me; it was our president who snubbed me. The president didn't even send me a telegram."

I don't know about you, but I don't think that Jesse had any love lost for FDR when he returned to America. Now I would understand if maybe the writers decided to change the story for dramatic or artistic purposes....but what would that reason be? To make sure the audience knew that Hitler was really evil? Something inside me tells me that we already know this!

[–] GarryMMM 8 years ago

Didn't Hitler snubbed anyone that wasn't German?

[–] talibdinm 8 years ago

I concur with the OP; Jesse Owens and his wife have stated that Hitler, in fact, had actually congratulated Jesse when the two bumped into one another.

It amazes me that Americans emphasize the racist Nazi ideology, while completely ignoring that the American racism was more nefarious, enduring, and violent.

[–] Long_Ball_Larry 7 years ago

Americans marched millions of people into ovens?

I'm better than you.

[–] niallfbradley76 8 years ago

100% agreed,Hitler actually congratulated him but when he arrived back in the US he wasn't invited to the white house like the other gold medallists (who happened to be white) .. this is just more Hollywood propaganda bull *beep*

[–] mnxmusic 8 years ago

Check this http://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/race/

[–] chrissso 7 years ago

So you never watched the end of the film??? That's kinda hard to believe as it was like 90% done. If so I feel for ya as it was gut. Seriously this seems to be the only "major" deviation from history so overall it was a pretty accurate movie. As for FDR snub ... they did mention it at the end of the film ... which was fine as it would have been hard to work into the film.

I wish they went further with Jesse's life ... showing how difficult it was for him to make a decent living. That is pretty sad if ya think about it.

[–] Kariann1964 7 years ago

Indeed, Jesse was a hero and the only job he could find was as a janitor? Quite sad.

[–] nikkiten1979 7 years ago

I think his father was the one that got the job as a Janitor at Ohio university after being unemployed for many years, not Jesse himself.

can't outrun your own shadow

[–] 7 years ago

[deleted]

[–] mikeyflatley 7 years ago

Ze nazi flag is flyin high on ur front lawn

Werd 2 ur mudda, bruddafckka