Movies That Will Make You Relive Some Amazing Historical Incidents

Watching a gorgeously shot, imaginatively reinvented depiction of historical events is perhaps the best way to learn about history. From musicals that shed new light on old stories to lifting movies that give unsung heroes the credit they deserve, the best historical movies are both truthful retellings of significant historical instances and a new way of looking at the iconic figures and events we thought we knew. Historical dramas are difficult to make because filmmakers must strike a balance between compelling drama and historical authenticity. They’re also vulnerable to audience criticism if they don’t get the story correct. Sacrificing what actually happened for the sake of making the story work tends to enrage online elitists who are eager to point out a film’s factual inaccuracies. However, certain films — more than others — go to great lengths to ensure that even the most little historical data is represented while keeping a compelling story. It’s at this point that filmmakers strike gold: a satisfying balance of realism and entertainment value.

From intense historical thrillers to biographical dramas (with a side of romance), here are some of our favorite historical movies you will enjoy the next time you’re in the mood for both a dose of history and a new favorite flick.

Jodhaa Akbar

Epic romance, set in 16th-century India, is about the love story of Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar, the Mughal Emperor of Hindustan, and Rajput princess Jodhaa. In order to expand his empire, Akbar agrees to a marriage of alliance with the young and fiery Jodhaa, but he quickly learns that he must justify his choice of the bride as his courtiers object to their Muslim Emperor marrying a Hindu. The film also presents a dramatic characterization of political agendas between rulers and their subjects on how they conspired to acclaim power. 

All the President’s Men 

All the President’s Men is based on the 1974 non-fiction book of the same name and is often regarded as the most factually accurate film ever created. Two Washington Post journalists – Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, investigated the Watergate crisis and uncovered the government misdeeds that eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. And because of its great research and attention to detail, it is a realistic depiction of the events that forever transformed US politics and Americans’ belief in their government, as well as the value of press freedom.

Schindler’s List

This black and white film narrates the story of Oskar Schindler, a German industrialist who defies the Nazi regime and saves over 1,000 Jews during the Holocaust. The movie’s black-and-white presentation came to symbolize the Holocaust. The director felt that the Holocaust was a time when there was no light. Color is a symbol of life, so a Holocaust picture must be shot in black-and-white. Schindler’s List is a remarkable and moving memorial to the historical Holocaust.

Hidden Figures

Hidden Figures has some historical alterations that are mostly justified and result in an entertaining depiction of three women — Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson — who made significant contributions to the US space program during a time of racial and sexual discrimination. The movie’s general plot is based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s 2016 non-fiction book of the same name. The statement “based on true events” is accurate in this film. If Hamilton’s life story taught us anything, it’s that history often forgets the most essential and prolific people. The astronauts at NASA may have gotten the glory of going into space, but they wouldn’t have gotten there without the incredible labor of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughn, and Mary Jackson.

Spartacus

Almost all we know about Spartacus — a real historical figure who led a slave revolt in the first century BC — comes from Roman historians’ accounts. The movie starring did take liberties with history at times, trading authenticity for spectacle. Spartacus, for example, was not born a slave, he was a Roman soldier who fell out of favor with the Romans and was sold into slavery. In contrast to the film’s conclusion, history informs us that the real Spartacus died in battle. However, the film makes up for it in other aspects by accurately portraying what happened. Spartacus’ period at gladiator school, gathering and leading the slave revolt against Batiatus, and how he and the other gladiators escaped to Mount Vesuvius are all depicted accurately. This movie is an excellent depiction of possibly history’s most famous slave rebellion.

Apollo 13

This Hollywood drama is based on the events of the Apollo 13 lunar mission, astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert find everything going according to plan after leaving Earth’s orbit. However, when an oxygen tank explodes, the scheduled moon landing is called off. Subsequent tensions within the crew and numerous technical problems threaten both the astronauts’ survival and their safe return to Earth. The events of the real space disaster are portrayed in the film, which adheres to the timeline set out in Jim Lovell’s book, who was the commander of the Apollo 13 mission.

Selma

The dramatization of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.’s freedom marches, directed by Ava DuVernay, is regarded as one of the most historically accurate films ever made. The director used archival media photos, interviews, reports, and newspaper clippings to create a film that is rooted in reality and accurately depicts events like Bloody Sunday and King’s relationship with his wife. As a result, the movie hits the ideal mix between historical authenticity and an audience’s desire for escapism while also maintaining the truth. Selma vividly depicts the 1965 voting rights marches, which pitted Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. against Alabama Governor George Wallace’s policies. Voting restriction laws were finally repealed as a result of the powerful marches.

12 Years a Slave 

The life of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841, is chronicled in this biographical drama. Solomon fights not only to stay alive but also to maintain his dignity, as he is confronted with harshness and surprising kindnesses. Solomon’s unexpected meeting with a Canadian abolitionist in the twelfth year of his epic journey will forever change his life. But it is the film’s depiction of slavery that truly distinguishes it. Audiences and critics alike adored 12 Years a Slave. Not only was Steve McQueen’s direction outstanding, but the film was also poignant and realistic.

Saving Private Ryan

Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan consistently ranks as one of the greatest historical movies and is widely considered the best war movie. The story follows a group of U.S. World War II servicemen who land on Normandy beach and must then rescue Private Ryan, a paratrooper whose three brothers have already died in the war, causing authorities to mandate his return home. The sequence depicting the storming of Omaha beach was so authentic and violent that it stunned the world and took veterans right back to their own harrowing combat experiences. It’s not only the best battle scene ever, but in the running for the greatest scene in the history of cinema.

Mughal-E-Azam

Mughal-E-Azam is the love saga of Prince Salim and dancer Anarkali that is frowned upon by the emperor Akbar. The conflict of class tears them apart since he is the heir to the throne. As they wage a war against each other, Mughal-e-Azam becomes a tale of love and duty, and how sacrificing one over the other can topple the social structure. It is Akbar’s duty for his country over his love for his son that leads him to incarcerate Anarkali, and it is Salim’s love for her that leads him to commit treason against the throne. A work of art is the only phrase to describe this historical whose grand palaces and fountains look has an epic sweep and whose heart-wrenching core of romance has the tenderness of a feather’s touch. It is essential to point out that Mughal-e-Azam is, in fact, a fictional film set amid some real-life characters. But the legend and the popularity of Mughal-e-Azam have led many to believe it is history. Not surprisingly, Mughal-e-Azam has become a must-see classic, an ineluctable part of Hindi film lore. 

Many of the greatest historical movies have gone on to become major box office hits and/or critics’ favorites. These films, whether they feature real historical individuals and events or fictional storylines set against the backdrop of historical events, speak to audiences all around the world like none others. From wartime epics to period romances, any true history lover needs to add these historical movies to their watch list.

Happy Viewing!

Have something to share? If you want to write for BeStorified, read the submission guidelines.