Historical Characters in Media
Ever watch a tv show, a movie, or a commercial that features a famous person as a character? Just how
true to the character are these depictions? How much of a movie that is “based on a true story” actually
true? Now is your chance to figure out how accurate these depictions are.
In this assignment, you and a partner will choose a piece of media that depicts a historic figure or a
historic event and compare the piece of media to the actual person.
First, pick a movie or tv show that depicts a historic figure and watch it. See the list below for
suggestions:
The Crown
Lincoln
Prairie Giant
Pocahontas
Doctor Who “Vincent
and the Doctor”
Selma
Hidden Figures
Mulan
Dunkirk
The Aviator
Amelia
Trudeau
Anonymous
Selena (show or movie)
Terry / The Terry Fox
Story
Hamilton
The Imitation Game
Gandhi
Star Trek: The Next
Generation “Time’s
Arrow pts 1 & 2”
A movie or show chosen
by you and approved by
me
Next, research the biography of the person depicted. If the movie or show depicts more than one
historic figure, pick one to focus on. Wikipedia is a good place to start, but if the movie or show is based
on a book, that’s better.
In a slide show, answer the following questions in complete sentences:
1) In a slide, summarize the movie/episode you watched.
2) What is your opinion of the movie/episode? What did you like/not like about it?
3) Who is the historic figure depicted in the movie/episode and who are they played by?
4) Based on the movie/episode, how would you describe the historic figure? Provide at least three
characteristics and examples.
5) In a slide or two, give a short biography of the historic figure. What were their major
accomplishments?
6) Based on your research, how would you describe the historic figure? Provide at least three
characteristics and examples.
7) What similarities are there between the depiction in the movie/episode and the historical figure?
Why were these similarities left in?
8) What are the major differences between the depiction in the movie/episode and the historical figure?
Why do you think these differences are important?
9) Do you think the actor/actress was a good choice to depict the historic figure? Explain.
10) List your resources. (Where you got your information)
Finally, you will create a poster. On one half, you will have a picture or photo of the historic figure as
depicted in your piece of media. On the other half, you will have a picture or photo of your actual
historic figure. Your poster will also contain the following:
1) Title
2) Four quotes by or about your figure: two from the movie or show, two from real life
3) Characteristics highlighted in the questions you answered
4) Colour and detail
IMPORTANT DATES:
8 January, end of day: Pick your partner and the movie/show you will watch
15 January: Checking in on progress/work period
22 January: Slide show and poster due
Criteria
Knowledge of
media piece and
historic figure are
accurate, and
based in fact
/10
Opinions are
insightful,
detailed, and
based in fact.
/10
Similarities and
differences
between figure
and depiction are
clear and wellexplained
/10
Spelling and
grammar
/10
Poster is
attractive,
colourful, and
detailed
/10
Quotes and
characteristics on
poster are
appropriate and
accurate.
/10
/60
Level 4
- Exceptional
knowledge
demonstrated
Level 3
- adequate
knowledge
demonstrated
Level 2
- some knowledge
demonstrated
Level 1
- little knowledge
demonstrated
- accurate and
based in fact
- opinions are
thought
provoking and
offer new insight
- few issues in
accuracy
- opinions offer
adequate insight
- some issues in
accuracy
- several issues in
accuracy
- opinions offer
some insight
- opinions offer
little insight
- a good amount
of detail and
mostly based in
fact
- mostly clear
connection made
between
depiction and
historic figure
- some detail and
somewhat based
in fact
- little detail and
not based in fact
- somewhat clear
connection made
between
depiction and
historic figure
- unclear
connection made
between
depiction and
historic figure
- several details
used in
explanation
- Little to no
mistakes made in
spelling and
grammar
- Poster is visually
attractive and
stands out
- adequate detail
used in
explanation
- few mistakes
made in spelling
and grammar
- some detail used
in explanation
- little to no detail
used in
explanation
- several mistakes
made in spelling
and grammar
- Poster is visually
attractive and
mostly stands out
- Exceptional
amount colour
and detailed used
- Good amount
colour and
detailed used
- Poster is
somewhat
attractive and
somewhat stands
out
- quotes and
characteristics are
exceptional
examples of
character and are
accurate
- quotes and
characteristics are
good examples of
character and are
mostly accurate
- well-detailed
and based in fact
- exceptional
connection made
between
depiction and
historic figure
- some mistakes
made in spelling
and grammar
- some colour and
detailed used
- quotes and
characteristics are
somewhat
appropriate
examples of
character and are
somewhat
accurate
- Poster is not
attractive and
does not stand
out
- Little to no
colour and
detailed used
- quotes and
characteristics are
poor examples of
character and are
not accurate