Uniforma, costum în filmul istoric. O abordare critică

Abstract

The set and/or costume designers of any historical and especially war movie have to be historically accurate to the ninth degree and recreate to the last detail the characters’ look embodied by the actors in any period drama.

For the modern times and wars, the task in hand is easier, because the military uniform regulations are still available so the costume designer can follow to the letter the details of execution for a modern replica uniform (dimensions, cuts, stripes, embroideries, epaulets, etc). The historical and especially the war movies pay tribute to the heroes and are generally uplifting viewing experience, but when filmed with the utmost adherence to the historical accuracy they bring also an unparalleled educational dimension. In Romania the military uniform regulations and updates were made in 1873, 1893/1895, 1912, 1927 and 1930. In the 1877-1878 Oriental War the soldiers wore the uniforms issued in 1873 while in the Great War they wore the battle dress issued in 1912.

However, the movies capturing these crucial periods in the making of the Romanian nation, albeit well intended, as a piece of military costume history do not always stand scrutiny. Not to speak about the ill choice of actors who were far from resembling the features of the real protagonists.