Hollywood Science

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Hollywood Science is a general term given to the phenomena of scientific princles being misinterpreted, ignored or abused by the Hollywood film industry.

The term has given rise to a number of television programmes which endeavor to expose whether phenomena seen in films can be replicated;

1 2001 / 2002 BBC Series
- 1.1 Episodes
  - 1.1.1 First Series
  - 1.1.2 Second Series
    - 1.1.2.1 Break Ins
    - 1.1.2.2 Escapes
2 2006 National Geographic Series
3 External links
4 See also

[edit] 2001 / 2002 BBC Series

Hollywood Science was an Open University TV programme produced for the BBC, which attempted to determine whether or not scenes in various films were scientifically credible.

In the show, presenter Robert Llewellyn, with the assistance of scientist Jonathan Hare, look at the science behind a scene in a film. They experiment or perform calculations, to see how the scene would work in real life. The scene is then given an accuracy rating.

The approach is similar to that of the Bad Astronomer, who also uses films as a vehicle to teach science.

The presence of Robert Llewellyn means the tone of the show is fairly light-hearted.

The show started in the BBC's Learning Zone, a section of education programming broadcast in the early morning, meant to be recorded and watched later. It was then given a higher profile programming slot on BBC2 in the early evening. The programme is currently repeated on UKTV Documentary.

[edit] Episodes

[edit] First Series

The first series of six ten minute episodes premiered in the Open University's Learning Zone on BBC2 at 12:30 from Thursday 10 May 2001.

Each of these episodes concentrated on the science of a single film.

[edit] Second Series

The second series consisted of four half-hour episodes.

This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

[edit] Break Ins

The Score (film) - If one fills a safe with water, will an explosion produce a more powerful door-busting effect?
Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves - Could a mediaeval trebuchet fire Robin Hood and Will Scarlet into a castle, and land them on target?
The Thomas Crown Affair - Would knocking out the air conditioning cause Infra-Red cameras to become useless?

[edit] Escapes

Chain Reaction - Could a hydrogen gas cylinder move a concrete slab?
Escape from Alcatraz - Can one braze together a spoon and some nail clippers using a US dime, and some matches?
Hollow Man - Would you be able to move a metal bolt using a hand made electromagnet?

[edit] 2006 National Geographic Series

In 2006 the National Geographic Channel began broadcasting an hour long series with similar premise to the BBC series.

Classified into episodes with various themes such as Spy Gadgets, Car Chases, Amazing Vehicles and the like, the episodes combine footage from the films and television series they analyse with footage of similar real-life objects and opinions from experts on the subjects covered. The screenwriters, producers and directors (among them James Cameron, Doug Liman and Frank Marshall (movie producer)) also offer their perspective on the realism showcased in their productions.

Unlike the BBC series, however, the shows do not feature specific tests of the scientific principles in the films or television programs, nor are they hosted (just narrated), but rather use the statements of experts as well as real life footage to prove their point. The series is also more serious than its BBC counterpart, but does have its light-hearted moments in the form of witty anecdotes from its guests.

The productions featured in the episodes include Dante's Peak, various James Bond films, Enemy of the State, The Conversation, Minority Report, I Robot, True Lies, 10.5, Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005 film) and 24 (TV Series), among many others . Security systems, tracking devices, futuristic vehicles and fictional disasters from these shows are examined.