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*Hidden Figures* (2016) has garnered widespread acclaim for its portrayal of three brilliant African American women—Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson—who made monumental contributions to NASA’s success during the space race of the 1960s. The film, based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s nonfiction book *Hidden Figures*, shines a spotlight on the incredible, yet often overlooked, work of these women who helped launch John Glenn into orbit and were crucial to many key projects in early NASA history.
However, like many historical dramas, the film takes some creative liberties with the facts. While the core themes of perseverance, intellectual brilliance, and breaking racial and gender barriers remain true, *Hidden Figures* introduces a blend of fact and fiction that sparks debate about the accuracy of its portrayal.
How Accurate Is Hidden Figures?
When assessing the accuracy of *Hidden Figures*, it’s essential to distinguish between what was dramatized for cinematic effect and what is rooted in historical fact. Overall, the film is a mix of truth, exaggerated events, and some outright fictionalized moments. Nonetheless, the essence of the story is based on real events, and the film succeeds in highlighting the significant role these women played in shaping history.
# 1. Katherine Johnson: A Brilliant Mathematician
The central figure of the movie, Katherine Johnson, is portrayed as a brilliant mathematician who made groundbreaking contributions to space flight. In real life, Johnson was instrumental in calculating flight trajectories for several space missions, including John Glenn’s orbital flight in 1962. The film accurately depicts her work on Glenn’s flight, where he specifically requested Johnson’s calculations for his historic mission.
However, the movie simplifies and condenses some of the key moments of her career. For instance, while the film suggests that Johnson had to walk across a segregated campus to present her work to white male engineers, this was likely a dramatization for effect. The real Katherine Johnson was already highly respected at NASA, and there was no instance where she was explicitly denied access to a specific building or location on campus.
# 2. Dorothy Vaughan: The Computer Scientist and Programmer
Dorothy Vaughan, portrayed by Octavia Spencer in the film, was a mathematician and computer programmer who led NASA’s first all-Black female group of mathematicians. The movie accurately portrays her role in helping NASA transition to electronic computers, particularly when she learns and teaches her team how to program the IBM computers used for complex calculations.
The film slightly embellishes Vaughan's interaction with the IBM machine. While Vaughan did indeed teach herself and her colleagues how to use the IBM computer, the portrayal of her teaching and managing the computer department was dramatized. In reality, Vaughan’s transition to computer programming wasn’t quite as adversarial or immediate as shown in the film.
# 3. Mary Jackson: Breaking Barriers in Engineering
Mary Jackson, portrayed by Janelle Monáe, is shown in the film overcoming institutional obstacles to become NASA’s first Black female engineer. The movie does a commendable job of highlighting Jackson’s tenacity, but the actual process of her becoming an engineer was more gradual than depicted in the film.
The film suggests that Jackson fought for and earned her promotion after taking engineering courses at night school. In reality, Jackson did have to petition the courts for permission to take courses at an all-white school, but she was not the lone activist in this area. Many others in Jackson's cohort also sought similar opportunities, and her victory was not as solitary as the movie suggests.
Hidden Figures Movie vs. the True Story of Katherine Johnson
While *Hidden Figures* brings Katherine Johnson’s remarkable story to the forefront, it does take some creative liberties. In particular, the portrayal of her relationship with her colleagues and her personal struggles was adjusted for dramatic effect.
- The Role of Al Harrison: The movie introduces Al Harrison, a fictional composite of several white NASA engineers who supported Johnson’s work. While there were indeed white colleagues who respected and worked with Johnson, Harrison’s character is a fictionalized figure, invented to streamline the story.
- The Coffee Break Scene: The film features an iconic moment where Johnson has to leave her desk to use the "colored bathroom" located across campus. The real Katherine Johnson has stated that the narrative surrounding her using the bathroom facilities was exaggerated and doesn't represent the full reality of her experience.
Top 10 Things Hidden Figures Got Factually Right & Wrong
1. Right: Katherine Johnson’s Role in Glenn’s Flight
Johnson's calculations for Glenn’s flight were accurate and crucial for his success. This aspect of the film is spot-on.
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accuracy of hidden figures - How Accurate Is Hidden Figures?