"You'd have to have one hell of an imagination to completely make up a story, but historians are very anal about what they think should be portrayed on screen. Thankfully they don't make movies; we do"

Dougray Scott's quote shows the continuous tension in between historic accuracy and creative storytelling in the movie industry. The quote recommends that creating an engaging story typically requires a vibrant imagination, specifically when it's not straight pulling from historic accounts. This highlights the innovative liberties filmmakers require to adjust stories for the screen. These adjustments may prioritize entertainment value or thematic exploration over rigorous accurate precision.

Scott acknowledges the precise nature of historians, who are typically interested in maintaining historical fidelity in motion pictures. Historians normally focus on the preservation and accurate representation of realities, dates, and cultural contexts. They might work as critics when movies differ the traditional understanding of historical occasions. This scrutiny can include inconsistencies in settings, costumes, or character portrayals which may diminish the credibility and instructional worth that some audiences seek in historical films.

Nevertheless, Scott's remark also suggests a specific defensiveness about filmmakers' artistic rights. By stating, "fortunately they don't make films; we do", Scott draws a line between scholarly work and the cinematic art form. He suggests that filmmakers serve a different function: their objective is to craft engaging stories that resonate with audiences. This includes balancing factual material with elements of drama, character advancement, and thematic depth that might not exist in historical records but are essential for producing a captivating movie-going experience.

Scott appreciates the historians' commitment to accuracy however defends the movie's medium as one that is inherently interpretative and creative. Films, for that reason, become a synthesis of fact and fiction, inviting audiences to explore historic occasions through a lens that is as concerned with evoking emotional and intellectual reactions as with presenting actual fact. This reflects an understanding that while films can provide a window into the past, their main function is storytelling, not simply education.