With 300 coming out this week, and me just seeing Zodiac last weekend, it got me thinking about historically based movies. By this I mean movies where the story is based around actual events in history. The whole thing may not be 100 percent fact, but the main plot is around a historical event(like JFK, Glory, or Apollo 13)
I thnk my favorite is "Elizabeth" with Cate Blanchet. I thought this was an amazing movie, and wished it got a little more recognition. I also really enjoyed "A Beautiful Mind". I found that movie was facinating.
What is your favorite historically based movie?
[question posted by twilight021]
responses and comments:
To be honest, history kinda movies aren't my genre - unless Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter counts. :P But I do remember falling asleep while I was watching "Thin Red Line". Does that count? I have only fallen asleep 3 times in my entire history of watching movies. "Thin Red Line" is one. "Romeo and Juliet" is another. And the last is some Japanese war flick (with subtitles of course :P). [lordwarwizard]
I didn't like "Thin Red Line" at first, but like "Pulp Fiction", I had to watch it a couple/few times to appreciate it. I think for me these movies were sleepers at first because of their odd flows and story formats. Now I like them. Oh and yes, Lord of the Rings counts. Gandolf ran for Secretary of State back in the 50's. He didn't win though. ...just a joke people, no need to break out the Google. [limitup]
Though this film is pretty much all fiction, I think I would have to say that Amadeus is my favorite. Everytime I watch it, I am just amazed by how powerful it is. Seriously, the music, the costumes, the story, everything about it is amazing. [krebstar5]
You know, I can't remember if there were fops in it. Looks like you just gave me an excuse to watch it again! [krebstar5]
the gladiator is fantastic! and russel crowe a wonderful actor! [marina1981]
I was just talking about Gladiator with someone. One of my favotie lines from that movie (and one I quote often) is: "It vexes me. I'm terribly vexed." [twilight021]
I agree that Elizabeth is one of the most beautiful historical films. They're all pretty much fictionalized, but taken with a big pinch of salt, they're still good for background on various periods. My current favorite historical film is Kingdom of Heaven. [unusualsuspect]
Exactly. It's not really history...just based in Hostory. I always though it was such a shame that Shakesphere in Love kinda over shadowed Elizabeth....which I thought was a superior movie. [twilight021]
My favorite..hmm...with so many movies seen it would be hard to compile and list so quick..but off the top of my head: CAPOTE was very rich in character and atmosphere. [ArsonCuff]
I have to rewatch Capote. I had reneted it, but my mind was on a family medical issues while I watched it, so I didn't really pay too close attention. [twilight021]
I just love civil war movies. Gettysburg, Gods and Generals and Glory are ones that I have watched repeatedly. I'm not sure what attracts me to them so much. Perhaps it is that time period in and of itself that I'm in love with. Others that I enjoy are in an older time period also. Schindler's List although depressing was a great movie as was Hotel Rwanda. I have a hard time saying that such depressing movies are on my list of favourites. I guess I get enough present day drama in TV that I don't enjoy the present day historical ones as much. I too loved Elizabeth. I love watching a movie that has magnificent costumes and set design. [ycswid]
Hello, I was in Gods and Generals. I was an extra in it. Compare the picture currently in my blog to the scene where there is a close-up of Chamberlain listening to the battle casualties of Fredericksburg..."relatively...low." I am right behind him and I look like I'm half asleep/half pi**ed off. If you blink, though, you'll miss it. Ha ha. I gotta say though, I've never heard anyone say it was one of their favorite movies. I thought it was terrible, and I love history. It is pretty accurate though. Anyway, yes, Gettysburg and Glory were good movies, Schindler's list was great too. Haven't seen Hotel Rwanda. [limitup]
Gettysburg would have to be my favorite. Not just because of the story but also the acting, sound track and cinematography. Makes great movies. But I would like to add to that list Titanic and Tombstone. They just make great entertaining stories around events that happened. Even if most of it is poetic liscense. [nicolec]
Yes, that movie had some of the best lines in it. Really took you to that time period. Really tried to make you understand the different sides of people who lived then. [nicolec]
Oh there are several good ones out there. I would have to say my favorite would be a toss up between two movies. One is "Braveheart". It's a fantastic version of the story of William Wallace. It was well done and very enjoyable. The other would be "The Untouchables"; the story of Agent Ness and how he got Capone. It was a more realistic version of the facts then the tv show ever was. Neither might not be 100 percent accurate but I don't think anything in Hollywood ever really is. Just how the business is set up. I did think of one other movie "The Miracle Worker", the story of Helen Keller. That one is pretty accurate to the book she wrote on it. [emeraldisle]
I love brave heart too!The music is amzing!I love the music so much! [thomasxml]
There are so many good historical movies. Here are just a few, some of them already mentioned, some very loosely based on fact/real characters: Lord of War A Few Good Men Apollo 13 Spirit of St. Louis A Beautiful Mind October Sky JFK Gettysburg Horse Soldiers Thin Red Line Glory Braveheart Patriot Memphis Belle Rocky Gangs of New York A Midnight Clear Tombstone ...many many more. [limitup]
I can respect that review of "Walk the Line". I guess I liked Joaquin Phoenix's and Reese Witherspoon's acting in it and even though I'm not big on 'overcoming drug addiction' story plots because of their depressing nature, I still liked the movie. I forever missed the opportunity of going to a live Johnny Cash event. My grandmother says she has a picture of him and her while he was much younger. He was singing in just a small regular bar in New Jersey. Anyway I love listening to his music. June Carter I've never heard sing at all. "Last of the Mohicans" is just awesome. The cinematography and battle sequences are very sharp. This is one of my favorite scenes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbsbifPvQ4c The background music is unforgettable. [limitup]
I'm a sucker for underdog sports movies, and the two that immediately rise to mind are "Rudy" and "Invincible." Both of these stories are truly remarkable, and will make any and all that choose to see them feel good by the movie's end. I literally clapped in the theatre at the end of each film. GREAT MOVIES! [ColonelConclusive]
Those are both very good choices too. They didn't even cross my mind. I would recommend both of these movies very highly. Thanks for the reminder. [ycswid]
And would you recommend seeing Zodiac? Does it compare to other serial killer thrillers? And, was it gory? [ColonelConclusive]
Zodiac was not that gory at all, you only see a few killings. Largely it focuses on the cops, and on the cartoonist who try to figure out who The Zodiac are. It's more about the solving of the crimes, than the crimes themselves. [twilight021]
yes it was brave heart, I think you know this movie, it is talking about an australian warrior hero who search for freedom. [ammar55555]
For me there is only one, it is the magnificent Braveheart staring mel Gibson. Im not worried that it isnt historically accurate it is an amazing film blessed be [ESKARENA1]
I like "Braveheart" a lot..Mel Gibson is awesome in that movie. [serenidity]
My favorite historically based movie is "Black Hawk Down". I thought it was so well done and broke my heart to think that our guys actually went through that hell. Some others I enjoyed was "The Diary of Miss Jane Pittman","To Hell and Back".and "Sgt.York" [66jerseygirl]
Since this is the new year, most of these big movies don't come out until the summer, and the Transformers films will be the biggest ones of '07!!! I chose Transformers since it's been awhile since we've seen a live action robots vs. humans movie (e.g., I Robot in '04). As for Spidey, part three will improve with the debut of a new villian besides the sandman, Venom!!! As for Shrek, Harry Potter, and any big sequel and remake, they'll make some dough, but not enough as my three top films of '07: Transformers ($430 million), Simpsons ($255 million), and that rat movie set in france ($230 million) [binong]
well i loved "troy" epic fight scenes.. well written script good editing and cinematography amazing production design nice costumes and good acting looking forward to watching frank miller's 300... the reviews are good [sydz21]
The movie that fascinated me the most is the Schindler's List. The setting was during World War II. It is about what is in the heart of a man, when he sees people who are being killed just because of their belief. Its a great movie! [evangelinescicluna]
I like the old movies Camelot, Robin Hood, Joan Of Arch.My favorite Historically: Born Free, Sound Of Music, Fiddler on Roof, Weathering Heights, Wheeping camel [pearl23]
I totally forgot about the Sound of Music! Which is weird since one of my officemate's family is friends withthe Vonn Traps. They live in Vermont now apparently. [twilight021]
My favourite historically-based movie is The Desert Fox. It was made in the 1950s and was based on a 1950 book of the same name by Brigadier Desmond Young. If my memory serves me correctly it stars James Mason and Jessica Tandy. The movie is about the life of World War II German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, who is best known for his legendary campaign in North Africa, where he earned the respect of his opponents and the nickname "The Desert Fox". Unlike most World War II campaigns the North African campaign was renowned for the level of chivalry and gentlemanly conduct. Desmond Young actually fought against Rommel in North Africa and after the war he worked with Rommel's family and colleagues to produce the book (Rommel was forced to commit suicide in 1944 when he was implicated in the plot to kill Hitler). The book and movie are credited with having the most influence in creating the Rommel legend. [manifestabundance]
The best historical movie I had watched was when I was in my teens. It is "World War 2" It was a 3 hour film and I did watched it at least 10 times. Till today, this film is my favourite historically based movie. I wouldn't mind owning a dvd version for my personal collection. [jeanpri]
My favorite history based movie would be Lawrence of Arabia. It's simply the best...Peter O'Toole was awesome. I also enjoy Beautiful Mind, it's great too. [jhartana]
Am the one who love historical movies. I have watched The soldiers, Saving private ryan, a beautiful mind also, Pearl Harbor, Boybands, My left foot, etc and my favorite is PEARL HARBOUR! [vivivirtue]
my all time favorite is Schindler's List.. though it is not meant for the weak-hearted, its an absolute masterpiece. i wasnt aware of almost 90% of the facts shown in the movie and it was a true eye-opener. my other favorites include gladiator, braveheart! [pix_trix]
One of my favorites is 'Bravehart'. It was, in my opinion, a very courageous as well as a romantic movie. The idea of one man motivating so many to fight for their country was just awesome. And mel Gibson's performance was flawless. [bindishah]
I, myself, am not into historically based movies. Most of them are too long and makes me fall asleep. Though some are both educational and entertaining. I guess you have to put yourself into the movie when watching them to better understand and enjoy them. I like Braveheart, Schindler's List and Pearl Harbor though. I'll think of some more of these films that I enjoyed watching and post them here later. [crazy4mc]
One that I could watch over again is "Zulu" with Michael Caine. not only for the dramatic battle scenes, but for the sympathetic way it treated the Zulus themselves. The film was shot in South Africa and the extras making up the Zulu army where in fact Zulus. Incidentally, "Gladiator" was a remake of an earlier film, "The Fall of the Roman Empire" another example of Hollywood recycling of film ideas! [jwfarrimond]
The legend of bhagat singh.It is a indian movie...I am from India [akshayjain_2020]
I have two favorite historical movies and since I can't choose one, I'll name both. :-) I like both the old and new versions of The Lion in Winter. The setting is late 12th century with King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. In the early version, the actors are Katherine Hepburn and Peter O'Toole (with Anthony Hopkins!) and the recent version is Glenn Close and Patrick Stewart. Love that movie and I have many parts memorized. The other movie I adore is Gettysburg. I go to the battlefield there a few times a year and I was even there during parts of the filming. It's a great place! [katiedoubleu]
I've been at the battlefield several times myself. My father is part of the "friends of the battlefield". it must have been quite an experience to be there during the filming. [nicolec]
I always loved historical movies and its very difficult for me to pick one of them and labeled it as My Favourite.Lots of people have mentioned verious movies and I guess largely they all are very good movies but here I have seen some omissions, which I would like to mention here as I love them. Sir Richard Attenborough's "Gandhi" was a very powerfull movie and its my one of the favourites, apart from it David Lean's "Lawrance Of Arabia" and "The Bridge Over River Kiwai", Bernardo Betrolucci's "The Last Emperor", Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan", Alan Parker's "Midnight Express" [aryangentleman]
My favorite movie based on historical facts is "Schindler's List." I am fascinated by much of American history, and even more so with all the world's aspects of World War II. [princess07031980]
I too love to watch historic movies.They are really a treat to watch.I love to see Troy and Gladiator.They are really mind blogging movies.The actors are great in action and the versus they speak are inspiring... [devildinesh]
Elizabeth is one of faves historically based movie also.I think Cate Blanchet desreved ab OScar fot that Performance,she was simply amazing.I also loved BraveHeart. [sweetrala]
my favorite historical movie is Roots I am very interesting in life and trhe way it was back then [sweetaspie52]
behind enemy line is a historical based movie which i like [ihmasabdulsalam]
I loved Michael Collins and Braveheart..:) [emisle]
Hm I'm waiting too for 300 I think this movie can get few Oscars, also I like Apollo 13 and A Beutiful Mind - this is great history about very inteligent but sick man it's sad movie becouse when he's using drugs he's not able to do what he loves. [avatarek]
"Chariots of Fire" was my favorite movie based in history. So inspiring and relevant with the extreme amount of racsim he experienced for being Jewish. And who hasn't heard that theme music? [AmbiePam]
i love capote... it's a great movie.. but i won't forget schindler's list it's one of my favorite movies. it's historic about love for the country. it was fascinating. [queenie_sum]
Gettysburg is my favorite historically-based movie, but Glory was also very enjoyable. I haven't seen Schindler's List yet but hope to see it in the near future. The only regret I have about Gettysburg is that the movie focused more on the generals and their orders than on the common soldier. Still, it was very well done. [ancient_whispers]