Even taking all of this into account, "The Woman King" was never destined for an easy welcome free of controversy.

And the king she serves, Ghezo (John Boyega), places her counsel on the same level as that of his male advisors – only one of the many ways the movie demonstrates Ghezo's enlightened view of governance.

Viola Davis and Thuso Mbedu star in "The Woman King" (Sony Pictures/Ilze Kitshoff).

If you're a student writing a term paper about the Dahomey, copying the plot of Dana Stevens' screenplay should net you a failing grade.

I could go on, but honestly, what's spelled out above is enough to make my point: If you're a student writing a term paper about the Dahomey, copying the plot of Dana Stevens' screenplay (written from a story by actor Maria Bello, who pitched the idea) should net you a failing grade.

Viola Davis and John Boyega star in "The Woman King" (Sony Pictures/Ilze Kitshoff)These are subplots that make "The Woman King" stand apart from most action brainlessness, drowned out in all the focus on the revamp of fact.

Now consider that "The Woman King" features dark-skinned Black women in the respected role of elite warriors, an image not seen onscreen en masse in.

Consider that "The Woman King" features dark-skinned Black women in the respected role of elite warriors, an image not seen onscreen en masse in.

And yet, the significance of "The Woman King" rewrite differs from that of other historic epics.