We can’t deny that Hollywood has given us a reasonable number of historical movies. While some historical dramas just didn’t get the facts right, some are right on point. Some of these amazing historical movies even got awards for their impressive depictions. In this article, we’ve scoped out five historical movies that are critical to watch to enhance your knowledge and appreciation for history.
Apollo 13 (1995)
This movie was adapted from the 1994 book “Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13” by Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger. It recounts the events of the famous Apollo mission to the Moon that went south. It starred Bill Paxton, Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and others.
While three astronauts (Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise) are still on the journey, an oxygen tank explodes. This unfavorable surprise forced NASA to cancel the mission to get the men home alive. Trust us, the movie will have you gripping the chair until the end.
Citizen Kane (1941)
“Citizen Kane” is a biographical film that portrays the life of Charles Foster Kane, a character based on newspaper publishers William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. The character was also inspired by American businessmen Harold McCormick and Samuel Insull.
The movie starred Ray Collins, Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, and Ruth Warrick. Several film critics regard “Citizen Kane” as one of the greatest films of all time. The movie was nominated for nine Academy Awards.
The Elephant Man (1980)
“The Elephant Man” was adapted from Frederick Treves’ book, “The Elephant Man and Other Reminiscences”, and Ashley Montagu’s work, “The Elephant Man: A Study in Human Dignity.” This American film gives life to the famous books.
The British-American movie is based on the life of Joseph Merrick, a severely deformed man who became well-known in the 19th century. After being used as a circus attraction, Merrick is allowed to live in peace and with dignity.
The Woman King (2022)
You were probably expecting this movie on the list. “The Woman King” tells the story of a powerful female leader in Dahomey. We love that this movie uses journals and deep research to tell the Dahomey people’s story instead of using the colonists’ view.
Nanisca, depicted by Viola Davis, is the leader of an all-female military regime called the Dahomey Amazons. She rises to the challenge when European imperialists try to take their land. Aside from Davis, it also stars famous actors like Thuso Mbedu and Lashana Lynch.
Tess (1979)
The movie was inspired by Thomas Hardy’s book, “Tess of the d’Urbervilles”, which examines the story of the real-life Tess. It centers on Tess Durbeyfield, who is sent to live with her rich relatives by her alcoholic father.
She got pregnant as a result of yielding to her cousin’s seduction, but she lost the child. However, Tess was lucky enough to find true love in a kind farmer. Starring Natassia Kinski, Leigh Lawson, and Peter Firth, the movie got Tess’ story right!
