Introduction

Many people learn about history through the movies they watch. A 2019 survey by the American Historical Association confirmed fictional film as one of the primary ways people learn about history, with 66% stating that they learn history through films (American Historical Association). Disney, one of the largest film companies, undoubtedly plays a role in public history, teaching history to general audiences. Many Disney films occur during a crucial historical era or feature historical figures. One example is the 1957 film Old Yeller, which tells the story of Travis Coates and his newly adopted dog, Yeller. The film occurs during the Reconstruction Era, the period following the American Civil War when the South was readmitted to the Union, formerly enslaved people began new lives, and new legislation and amendments to the Constitution were passed.

While it contains some historical accuracy regarding American life in the post-Civil War era, Old Yeller romanticizes other aspects of life during the late 1800s by depicting a glamorized Western life. Although the film industry is a great way to teach the public about history, many films depict history inaccurately. Old Yeller exemplifies how Disney’s depiction of past people, places, or settings is not always historically accurate and can negatively impact public history and people’s perspectives of history.

Historical Accuracy

Old Yeller includes some historically accurate portrayals of Reconstruction South. While there are no visual indications of the Civil War, conversations reveal the post-Civil War setting. For example, in the opening dialogue, Travis Coates, the film’s protagonist, explains what money is to his little brother, Arliss. Travis says he has only seen one piece of money, but it was worthless because it was “Confederate money” (Old Yeller). Viewers will understand this reference to the South’s now worthless currency since the Confederacy ended. According to one source, “The collapse of the movement for southern independence involved the failure of every bank of issue and stamped every dollar of the circulating medium of the Confederacy as worthless” (Anderson). Although only through brief dialogue, Old Yeller establishes the post-Civil War setting at the film’s beginning.

Another way Old Yeller accurately depicts history is by conveying the significance of cattle drives. During the film, Jim Coates, the father, goes to work on a cattle drive to earn money for his family. According to Texas Genealogy Trails, “The longhorn cattle driven north along it provided a steady source of income that helped the impoverished state recover from the Civil War,” (Texas Genealogy Trails). This shows that cattle drives helped Texans recover financially from the Civil War. Old Yeller successfully incorporates this historical fact into its plot.

The presence of Native Americans is also alluded to. Texas was home to multiple Native American tribes throughout the 1800s. Ernest Winkler and other historians from Texas have written about the various Native American tribes in Texas during the 1800s (Winkler 96). Several Native American groups have been active in Texas throughout American history. While Confederate money, cattle drives, and Native Americans are only mentioned briefly, they are noteworthy references in the film because they give insight into the era.

Glamorized Depictions

The Coates’s life displays both historical accuracy and glamorization. The family lives in a log cabin on their small farm away from a town or city and often work rigorous chores such as plowing fields, cutting fence posts, and hunting. These scenes demonstrate that life on a farm during the 1800s was difficult and required intense labor. While the film contains many scenes of the characters doing chores, it often adds an action sequence for entertainment. One example is when Travis and Yeller go out to capture a runaway cow that has just given birth. The cow chases and nearly tramples Travis, but Yeller saves him at the last second. This scene is meant for entertainment since it builds anticipation among the audience. Many films like Old Yeller include action scenes that trick the audience into believing this lifestyle was filled with thrilling adventures.

Another way Old Yeller glamorizes Texas in the years following the Civil War is with its scenic atmosphere. In the film, the Coates family lives on their small farm surrounded by blue skies and green fields, far away from cities or towns, depicting a peaceful lifestyle many would like to live. While the landscape itself is accurate, this peaceful image does not convey the challenges Southerners faced in the aftermath of the Civil War. According to one source, “Reconstruction was not an easy time for Texans. Residents had to pledge their loyalty to the United States, abolish slavery, and declare that secession from the union was illegal,” (Whitehurst). Old Yeller does not convey the radical changes in Southern life and culture.

Conclusion

Although Old Yeller is a beloved classic, it inaccurately depicts Reconstruction South by omitting several definitive aspects of the era. This does not mean audiences should avoid historically inaccurate films or that films never contain historical accuracy. Films like Old Yeller should be viewed for entertainment rather than learning since they commonly glamorize history. Options such as reading a book or journal article from a scholarly source would be more beneficial for learning history. However, film companies like Disney should create historically accurate films. When companies produce movies based on history, they act as public historians by selecting a historical topic to teach to an audience, potentially influencing one’s attitude toward the topic.

There is value in creating historically accurate films. These films create an entertaining and educational experience for the viewer because they present an actual moment in history with real historical figures. This glimpse into a specific time and place creates an immersive and realistic experience. Historically accurate films deliver a more profound emotional impact by encouraging the audience to relate to the characters and understand their challenges and emotions (The Film Fund Blog). When film companies like Disney produce historically accurate films without glamorization, audiences are more likely to enjoy and appreciate the information in a film without receiving an inaccurate historical account.

Works Cited

Anderson, George. “The South and Problems of Post-Civil War Finance.” The Journal of Southern History. Vol. 9, No. 2. pp. 181-195. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2191797. Accessed 30 June 2023.

“The History of Cattle Drives.” Texas Genealogy Trails. http://genealogytrails.com/tex/state/cattledrives.html. Accessed 30 May 2023.

“The Importance of Accuracy in Historical Films.” The Film Fund Blog. https://www.blog.thefilmfund.co/the-importance-of-accuracy-in-historical-films/#:~:text=Authenticity%20in%20historical%20films%20enhances,the%20story%20unfolding%20before%20them. Accessed 12 February 2024.

Stevenson, Robert. Old Yeller. Burbank, CA: Walt Disney Pictures, 1957. Disney+, 84 min.

“Where Do People Get Their History?” History, the Past, and Public Culture: Results from a National Survey. American Historical Association. https://www.historians.org/research-and-publications/history-the-past-and-public-culture-results-from-a-national-survey/3-where-do-people-get-their-history. Accessed 30 May 2023.

Whitehurst, Katie. “Civil War and Reconstruction.” Texas Our Texas. https://texasourtexas.texaspbs.org/the-eras-of-texas/civil-war-reconstruction/. Accessed 30 May 2023.

Winkler, Ernest. “The Cherokee Indians in Texas.” The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association. Vol. 7, No. 2. p.p. 96. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27784955. Accessed 4 July 2023.

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Seth Farris is a 2024 graduate of Belmont Abbey College who majored in history and minored in public history. He enjoys learning history, practicing martial arts, and serving in his local church.

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