How Disney Changed History In The Movie Davy Crockett King Of The Wild Frontier

Art originates from daily life, and it sometimes are above the normal life. Fictions and film often change the true history to make film more enjoyable and impressive, and Disney movies are not exceptions either. In the film, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier, directed by Norman Foster in 1955, is an example of a film with an altered history. The main reason of altering history because Disney wants to beautify Davy Crockett to shape a more enjoyable and watchable character, as well as a moral role-model for children.

First of all, Disney film does not reflect historical accuracy because the film wants to shape a perfect character. For example, the film describes Crockett as a hero since he was young by hunting bears, which shows his extraordinary ability as a fighter in wild environment. As the matter of fact, no historical evidence could prove that Crockett had such experiences.

The film attempts to give a powerful image for Crockett, and it sets the foundation for later battle, which Crockett was able to find in single to Creeks. It is not a usual experience that a child could kill a bear, and it could attract people’ attention about how they view Crockett as a folk hero, as if heroes are inborn with special abilities. In reality, Crockett was not as important in the battle as it is illustrated in the film. The film makes a great image of the character so that the audience could admire him. Therefore, Disney would distort the history in order to shape a perfect character in film.

In addition, the history of the US with Indians is embellished, and it aims to establish a moral role-model for children. Disney’s target audiences are mostly children, and it brings tension and nervousness about what is displayed to children when they still lack cognitive abilities. Child stories tend to shape a positive image of characters for readers so that they would learn the right value. In the film, fictional Crockett was willing to peacefully settle with Creeks by signing the peace treaty. However, in reality, a lot of Creeks soldiers died in this war, and they had to give up their homeland. The history was crueler than the film, but in order to exhibit to children, the violent and cruel scenes are reduced.

Moreover, Crockett in the film goes to Texas because he is frustrated because of the unfair bill passed by presidents and wants to resist Mexican governing for American people. In reality, compared to the issue of bill and revolution in Texas, he cared more about become wealthier using the lands, instead of agriculture (Waxman, 2016). Crockett did not have a good financial condition, and he looked after ways to make money, including his participation in army.

He wanted to pioneer and explore western land in wild to become rich, and that was the main reason for him to arrive the west coast. However, the value was not worth to spread among children so that Disney exaggerated the positive part and concealed the real reasons. Disney film changes the interpretation of Crockett’s reason of leaving because it could create a positive value for children, as a moral role-model.

In conclusion, Disney change history when they use histories as material of film because they want to construct a more outstanding story and establish a role-model for their child audiences. The goal was achieved by strengthening Crockett’s ability and intention and avoiding violent and cruel scenes. Disney do not aim to produce history-based film, but they use history as inspiration. However, it may influence how people interpret history because of the beautification.