The 2016 film Gods of Egypt was released when the historical epic genre was starting to fade. Director Alex Proyas aimed to keep the genre alive by shifting the focus from Rome to Ancient Egypt, similar to how films like Gladiator and 300 did for Rome. Historical epics often stretch the truth, and Gods of Egypt is no different.
In the film, the Egyptian god Set (Gerard Butler) overthrows his brother’s throne, causing widespread chaos. Although this myth is based on real legends, the film introduces mortal characters like Bek (Brenton Thwaites) and the falcon god Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), which are not part of the actual mythology.
Proyas has stated that Gods of Egypt was meant to be a fantasy film, not a historical recount. With this in mind, it’s clear that Gods of Egypt is not historically accurate. The differences are evident in its costumes, portrayal of Egyptian mythology, and casting choices.
Gods of Egypt is fundamentally a fantasy-adventure movie. It does not aim to depict historical events mixed with mythology. While it can appear extravagant, there is some effort to base the story on real Egyptian myths. Many gods in Ancient Egypt were shown as human-animal hybrids.
For example, Horus had the head of a falcon, Thoth had the head of an ibis, Set was depicted as a beast, and Hathor was sometimes shown as a cow. Many ancient societies connected their gods with animals. Gods of Egypt acknowledges this by giving its gods the power to transform into their symbolic animals, although it does not strictly follow the hybrid nature of these deities.
The film begins with the story of Osiris, the King of Egypt and ruler of The Underworld, who is killed and overthrown by his brother Set, leading to chaos and tyranny. This part is based on actual Egyptian myth, as is Horus’s eventual victory over Set and his rise to kingship.
However, characters like Bek and Zaya introduce more fantastical elements. The myth “The Contendings of Horus and Set,” which the film is loosely based on, describes the gods battling for the throne through a series of trials.
While such myths are not historical accounts, they reflect the values and beliefs of the culture that created them. For Gods of Egypt, adding and altering these myths creates a fantasy story rather than a historical retelling.
When examining the film’s costumes, it is clear that Gods of Egypt does not accurately represent Ancient Egyptian fashion. Modern clothing design focuses on style and comfort, but true Ancient Egyptian clothing was different.
The film features characters in dyed leather armor and elaborate dresses with jewels, which are not historically accurate. Ancient Egyptians typically wore pleated linen garments wrapped around the body for protection and comfort.
Even the costumes of the gods, like Set and Horus, and Hathor (Elodie Yung) and Thoth (Chadwick Boseman), resemble modern fashion more than historical Egyptian attire.
The film also faced criticism for its casting choices. While actors are meant to portray characters different from themselves, films based on historical settings often raise questions about accurate representation.
For example, in Night At The Museum, Egyptian-American actor Rami Malek plays the fictional pharaoh Ahkmenrah, reflecting modern Egyptians’ connection to their ancestors.
“God of Egypt” Examines Mythology from Ancient Egypt
However, Gods of Egypt was criticized for its predominantly white cast, with many feeling that non-white characters like Boseman’s Thoth were underrepresented despite their importance in Egyptian mythology.
The historical accuracy of Ancient Egyptian ethnicity is complex, with evidence suggesting that Ancient Egyptians had diverse ancestry. Yet, the film’s casting does not align with this diversity.
Gods of Egypt represents a blend of fantasy and creativity with a large budget, but it missed the mark on historical accuracy. The film’s mix of fiction and real myths shows that it is more a work of imagination than a historical account.
While the film includes actual mythology, its choices in costume design, timeline, and casting highlight that it is ultimately a fictional story rather than a historical depiction.
You can stream Gods of Egypt on Max in the U.S.
