Buzz
I'm a big fan of historical films – they have an incredible way of transporting us to different times, often offering insight into the lives of those who came before us. Though, I’ll admit, some are so poorly made they create myths instead of presenting reality. Thankfully, this list only includes films that get it right. To make the cut, each movie must be epic in scale (focusing on grand human drama) and either based on real events or people, or if fictional, must authentically reflect the period in which it is set. Every movie here is worth watching.
15. Kundun (1997)
Set in 1937, in a remote Tibetan village near the Chinese border, a two-year-old boy is revealed as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the compassionate Buddha. The child is then brought to Lhasa, where he trains both as a monk and as a political leader. As he grows older, the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950 forces him into a fragile coalition government. His journey continues with an encounter with Mao in China, and in 1959, as illness strikes and the situation worsens, he escapes to India. Throughout, he envisions the tragic fate of his people under Chinese control.
14. Becket (1964)
The film opens with King Henry II, ruler of England from 1154 to 1189, entering Canterbury Cathedral to perform penance at the tomb of his former friend, Thomas Becket. The king, stripped to the waist, kneels to receive a flogging from Saxon monks. As he reflects on their past, he recalls the carefree and indulgent days spent with Becket, once his closest companion in drinking and revelry. A deeply emotional story that explores the evolving relationship between two men – once bound by mutual pride and spirit, they are ultimately torn apart as they follow their distinct paths: one to kingship, the other to sainthood.
13. Hotel Rwanda (2004)
A decade ago, some of the most horrific atrocities in human history occurred in Rwanda. Despite the era of rapid communication and 24-hour news coverage, the events largely went unnoticed by the world. Within just three months, one million people were mercilessly killed. Amid these unimaginable acts, a man, driven by his deep love for his family, summons extraordinary bravery to protect the lives of over a thousand helpless refugees by offering them sanctuary in the hotel he oversees.
12. Judgement at Nuremberg 1961
Three years have passed since the primary Nazi leaders were put on trial. This trial, however, concerns four judges who utilized their positions to carry out Nazi sterilization and cleansing policies. Retired American Judge Dan Haywood faces a tremendous challenge, especially as the Cold War intensifies, and both Germany and its allies wish to leave the past behind. The tribunal now must grapple with the critical question: is it right to forget the past?
11. La Battaglia di Algeri 1966
A film commissioned by the Algerian government that presents the Algerian revolution from both perspectives. The French Foreign Legion, having suffered defeat in Vietnam, seeks redemption. The Algerians are striving for independence. Their opposing forces collide. The film contrasts the French use of torture with the Algerian strategy of bombing soda shops. It offers a harsh look at the brutal nature of war, illustrating how it destroys and tarnishes everyone involved.
10. The Great Escape 1963
Based on a true story, 'The Great Escape' follows the largest Allied escape attempt from a German POW camp during World War II. The first part of the film focuses on the prisoners’ efforts to secretly dig an escape tunnel. In the second half, the German Gestapo launches a massive operation to track down over 70 escaped prisoners scattered across the Third Reich, as they try to reach England and neutral countries.
9. Der Untergang 2004
In the final days of Adolf Hitler’s life, April 1945, Hitler’s personal secretary, Traudl Junge, finds herself trapped in the Fuhrer’s bunker. With defeat looming, Hitler's emotions swing from defiance to indecision – should he fight or flee, remain loyal or seek to save himself? Meanwhile, Eva Braun enjoys herself at a party, while Magda Goebbels takes the lives of her own children. The film explores Hitler and Eva’s last moments in the bunker.
8. Schindler’s List 1993
Oskar Schindler, a self-centered and greedy German businessman, unexpectedly transforms into a humanitarian during the brutal Nazi regime. Convinced by his conscience, he turns his factory into a sanctuary for Jews. This is the true story of Oskar Schindler, who managed to save around 1,100 Jews from being executed in the gas chambers at the Auschwitz concentration camp. A powerful testament to the inherent goodness in all of us.
7. The Last Emperor 1987
The story of Pu Yi, the last Emperor of China, is a dramatic journey from his exalted birth and brief reign in the Forbidden City, where he was worshipped by half a billion people, to his abdication. The film follows his fall from power, his decadent lifestyle, exploitation by the invading Japanese, and his final years as an ordinary peasant in the People’s Republic.
6. Das Boot 1981
Set in 1942, during the height of the 'Battle of the Atlantic', the German submarine fleet is locked in fierce conflict to disrupt English shipping. However, with better-equipped Destroyer Class escorts, the German U-Boats face devastating losses. 'Das Boot' follows the journey of one such U-Boat crew, exploring how they maintain their professionalism as soldiers, accomplish seemingly impossible missions, all while grappling with the government's ideology under which they serve.
5. Gandhi 1982
In 1983, Gandhi is ejected from a South African train for being an Indian traveling in a first-class compartment. This injustice opens his eyes to the systemic discrimination against Indians. He resolves to lead a peaceful protest campaign for the rights of all Indians in South Africa. His numerous arrests and the subsequent global attention force the government to grant rights to Indians, although the native blacks remain oppressed. With this victory, Gandhi returns to India, hailed as a national hero, and is urged to lead the charge for India’s independence from British rule. He embarks on a historic, non-violent non-cooperation campaign that rallies millions of Indians across the nation.
4. The Ten Commandments 1956
In an effort to escape the decree of Egypt’s Pharaoh, Rameses I, who has ordered the execution of all first-born Hebrew males, Moses is placed in a reed basket and sent down the Nile. He is rescued by Bithiah, the Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopts him and raises him in the royal court under her brother, Pharaoh Seti. Moses earns Seti’s admiration and the affection of Princess Nefertiri, but he also stirs the animosity of Seti’s son, Rameses. When Moses’ true Hebrew identity is discovered, he is exiled from Egypt. He journeys across the desert, marries, has a son, and is then commanded by God to return to Egypt to lead the Hebrews out of slavery.
3. Ben Hur
When Prince Judah Ben-Hur learns that his childhood friend, Messala, has been appointed commander of the Roman garrison in Jerusalem, he is overjoyed. However, he soon discovers that Messala has transformed into a ruthless conqueror, intoxicated by the power of Rome. When Judah refuses to betray fellow Jews opposing Roman rule, Messala seeks to make an example of him, condemning him to life as a galley slave. Through sheer determination and luck, Judah survives the grueling conditions of the galleys and returns to Jerusalem with hopes of finding his mother and sister, who have also been imprisoned, while seeking revenge against his former friend.
Notable Extras: Braveheart, Gladiator, The Passion of the Christ, The Message
Synopses courtesy of IMDB, the Internet Movie Database
2. Spartacus 1960
Spartacus, a Thracian slave, refuses to let Roman civilization strip him of his humanity. His love for Varinia, a fellow slave, and his disgust at the brutal treatment and ruthless killings of other slaves stir within him a fierce desire for freedom. They manage to escape, gathering more runaways along the way, eventually forming a massive army. In contrast to their impassioned plans for rebellion, the Roman leaders—Crassus, Grachus, and Batiatus—remain calm and calculating. To Rome, a poorly armed group of slaves poses little threat, dismissed as no more significant than the seasonal insect invasions. Yet, the slaves' pursuit of freedom and their challenge will soon turn into a diversion for the Roman authorities. In the end, Rome’s superior military strength overpowers the slaves’ revolt in a devastating battle.
1. Ivan The Terrible (films I and II) 1944, 1958
In 1547, Ivan IV (1530-1584), Grand Prince of Moscow, crowns himself Tsar of Russia and begins reclaiming lost Russian territories. His reign is marked by key events such as his coronation, marriage to Anastasia, his campaign against the Tartars in Kazan, his near-death illness and miraculous recovery, and subsequent military campaigns in the Baltic and Crimea. Despite his achievements, he faces threats from enemies among the boyars, including his ambitious aunt, who seeks to elevate her son, and Kurbsky, a powerful prince vying for both Anastasia's hand and greater influence. Ivan skillfully manipulates public opinion to secure his grip on power.
