Hollywood Nailed It with These Historical Films

Hollywood doesn’t always get it right. There has always been a level of artistic liberty in the film industry, but over the years, some filmmakers and producers have recognized the value of presenting a more authentic representation of past events.

In 1998, Steven Spielberg directed his period masterpiece Saving Private Ryan. It is seen as one of the most accurate depictions of World War II, especially the chaos and bloodshed of the D-Day landings in the opening scene. 

This movie stands out from others on the list because its plot is primarily a work of fiction. Nonetheless, it deserves its place on this list due to its remarkable production quality. This was the first time such costume and ship design accuracy had graced the silver screen. 

The 2013 film The Wolf of Wall Street, directed by Martin Scorsese, is based on the memoirs of Jordan Belfort, a former stockbroker convicted of fraud and other financial crimes in the 1990s. The film captures the essence of the culture of greed and excess that permeated Wall Street in that era, but some critics have questioned its accuracy. 

The 1960 film Spartacus, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is a retelling of the story of a Roman enslaved person and gladiator who started a rebellion. The film is a largely accurate portrayal of the politics and social dynamics present in ancient Rome. 

True to life director Martin Scorsese set out to recreate the violent clashes between rival gangs in 19th century New York City in his 2002 film Gangs of New York. 

There’s always pressure for accuracy when recreating one of the most significant events in modern American political history. Luckily, the 1976 film All the President’s Men hit it out of the park. The film is based on the book recounting circumstances that led to the Watergate scandal and the resignation of President Richard Nixon, with journalists who broke the story, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, as the authors.

The 2013 film 12 Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen, is based on the true story of Solomon Northup, a free man captured and sold into slavery in pre-Civil War America. 

Ron Howard’s Apollo 13 is based on the events of the aborted Apollo 13 mission to the moon in 1970. The celebrated director waited for technological advancements to reach a level that allowed for an authentic representation of the Apollo 13 experience. 

The 2004 film Downfall, directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, chronicles the final days of Adolf Hitler’s life in his Berlin bunker in 1945. The film is considered very close to the truth since it is based on historical records and eyewitness accounts–though it is impossible to know what transpired in those final days.

The 2014 film Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay, dramatizes the events surrounding the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, helmed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights activists to obtain voting rights. The film is praised for its accurate portrayal of the events of the time, including the violent response of law enforcement to peaceful protests. 

Historians have long debated the story of China’s last emperor, as the period remains shrouded in mystery. And while the 1987 film, The Last Emperor cannot claim complete historical accuracy, director Bernardo Bertolucci and writer Mark Peploe did all they could to portray what is historically understood of the era. 

The 2015 film Suffragette, directed by Sarah Gavron, tells the story of the women’s suffrage movement in the United Kingdom in the early 20th century. The film is prominently based on historical events and real-life figures, including the leader of the movement, Emmeline Pankhurst.

The 1970 film Tora! Tora! Tora! conveys the events leading up to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It is considered one of the most historically accurate portrayals of the attack–much more than the modern hit Pearl Harbor starring Ben Affleck.

During World War II, the infamous Battle of Stalingrad was fought, and it remains one of the most gruesome and massive battles in history. Although many filmmakers have attempted to use this battle as a setting for other stories, the 1993 film Stalingrad was dedicated to portraying the actuality of the battle. 

The award-winning 2010 film The King’s Speech gives an intimate look into King George VI’s struggle to overcome his stutter and lead his country during the early years of World War II. The film changes some details of the king’s personal life and relationships. Still, it is generally regarded as historically accurate in portraying speech therapy and the challenges of assuming the throne. 

The 1993 film Schindler’s List, directed by Steven Spielberg, is a powerful retelling of the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who had a change of heart and saved the lives of over a thousand Jewish people during the Holocaust.

Green Book tells the true story of a road trip taken by African-American pianist Don Shirley and his Italian-American driver and bodyguard, Tony Lip, in the 1960s. While the film has been criticized for simplifying and sanitizing the complexities of the relationship between Shirley and Lip, it does well in depicting racism and segregation during this era. 

Black Robe is a 1991 film about a priest who journeys through 17th-century Canada to establish a mission among the indigenous Huron people. It provides a detailed account of the lives and customs of the indigenous people and is lauded for its respectful and faithful depiction. 

For those intrigued by one of the Civil War’s most pivotal battles, Gettysburg provides an answer. The intentionally measured pace of the film allows director Ronald F. Maxwell to showcase not just the two opposing fronts but also the happenings that occurred off the battlefield. 

Modern Medieval films aim to portray the hardships experienced by lower classes realistically, but earlier productions tended to focus more on glamor and idealized versions of the period. Although The Lion in Winter’s characters may appear polished and poised, it makes sense since the film is a story about royalty. 

Moneyball is a sports drama starring Brad Pitt and is based on the story of his character Billy Beane, the general manager of the Oakland Athletics baseball team. The film generally stays true to the core events and principles of Beane’s real-life efforts to revolutionize how baseball teams are built and the players’ evaluations. 

Fruitvale Station is based on the true story of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old African American fatally shot by a police officer on New Year’s Day in 2009 at Fruitvale BART station in Oakland, California. The film recounts the events leading up to Grant’s demise and subsequently shows the aftermath of the shooting for his family and community. 

The critically-acclaimed film Captain Phillips is based on the true story of Somali pirates’ 2009 hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama. The film’s director, Paul Greengrass, worked closely with Captain Richard Phillips, whose memoir the film pulls from, and with crew members of the ship and members of the U.S. Navy who were part of the rescue operation. 

The film delves into the final months of President Lincoln’s life as he pushes for the abolition of slavery in America. By portraying Lincoln in public and private life, the movie allows viewers to connect with the legendary leader beyond his political role. 

Born on the Fourth of July is based on the powerful autobiography of Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic. Though some events and characters were changed for dramatic storytelling purposes, the film is viewed as an accurate account of Kovic’s experiences and the anti-war movement of the 1960s and 70s. 

Das Boot provides an incredibly visceral experience of the realities of submarine warfare during WWII. It showcases the unique frustration and struggle of fighting while enclosed in a submarine. The film effectively portrays the paradox of feeling both protected and vulnerable simultaneously.

Andrew Dominik’s The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is undoubtedly a classic Western and encompasses many aspects of the genre. But, more importantly for this list, it is also rooted in reality. 

Acting legend Meryl Streep took on the role of the infamous Margaret Thatcher in the 2011 film The Iron Lady. Many believed only a legendary actress like Streep could successfully tackle the complex and enigmatic Thatcher. 

Adapted from the novel Cold Mountain, the film version narrates the story of a Confederate soldier who has deserted the army towards the end of the Civil War, embarking on a journey to reunite with his lost love. 

In Northern California during the 1960s, a notorious serial killer–the Zodiac Killer–terrorized the region. With numerous attempts to solve this mystery for decades, the suspected culprit was finally identified in 2021. Zodiac, the movie, depicts the actual events surrounding the pursuit of the criminal.