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The five scariest words in cinema: "Based on a true story."
That familiar disclaimer, so ubiquitous as to be virtually invisible. But consider those five words more closely: At once grandiose and weaselly, full of both historical gravitas and mushy ambiguity, proclaiming both fact (it's a true story) and fiction (not so fast, we said based on), they elegantly, if inadvertently, distill the ethos of a movie industry that has always strived to have it both ways.
Life's a Blur
Seeded on Sat Nov 24, 2007 7:50 PM EST
Article Source: The Washington Post- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (3)
"JFK" is still driving fact checkers crazy, but no fact-based movie can be released now without the requisite pushback from a truth squad, usually composed of academic historians, geeked-out buffs or, most commonly, outraged friends and family members.
- 2 votes
#1 - Sat Nov 24, 2007 7:52 PM ESTI was just going to seed this (I'm a few days behind in my newspaper reading)
because this story has my new favorite lede, namely:
The five scariest words in cinema: "Based on a true story."
- 2 votes
#2 - Wed Nov 28, 2007 12:37 PM ESTIn the movie industry those words appear to be a good way to hedge one's bets. :)
I am glad you like the seed.
- 2 votes
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