Five Great Historical Dramas

Many people aren’t fans, but I personally am a giant nerd when it comes to movies set within an historical context. Whether they’re just toeing the line of reality or whether they seek to accurately recreate the nuances of a particular event, they’re all fair game to me. Luckily, there are plenty of amazing film out there that take advantage of different time periods to tell their tales. And even better, the people that make these films are usually serious about producing a film that is quality. Some of the world’s best films have been historical in nature, a tradition that continues to this very day with movies such as 12 Years a Slave (a movie I have, unfortunately, not had the pleasure to watch yet).

Today, I have settled in on five films that are some of my favorite historic movies of all time. Most of these are Academy Award-winners and all of them have received critical acclaim in one form or another. And while there’s no way for me to go into detail about every brilliant history flick ever made, hopefully this small sample will inspire someone to take a look at these film classics. Enjoy.

Cleopatra (1963) -

I ended up watching this on one a whim. It does, after all, measure in at just over four hours in length, so it’s quite the commitment. But the end result is an amazing film that walks us through the relationship between Rome and Egypt and the legendary tale of the love between Cleopatra and Mark Antony. This movie also has a brilliant cast, featuring the likes of Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Roddy McDowall, Rex Harrison and plenty more. If you enjoy historical films that present epic tales and don’t mind your butt getting soar during a watch, this is one to put on your list.

Spartacus (1960) -

This is another film that I viewed almost randomly. Even though I am a huge fan of Stanley Kubrick, I had no idea at the time that he was responsible for directing Spartacus. And with a cast stocked with talented actors such as Kirk Douglas, Laurence Olivier and more, this movie couldn’t go wrong. It follows the tale of the legendary gladiator as he turns from slave to revolutionary war leader, fighting the good fight against Rome in defense of those doomed to slavery. Of course, this is not one of those movies with a storybook ending, and if you’ve seen the flick you know that Spartacus doesn’t end up living happily ever after. Coming in at just over three hours, it’s well-worth the time you put into it.

Downfall (2004) -

Strangely enough, this one was recommended to me by my then-17-year-old son. He had, though the magic of the Internet, heard good things about it so I decided to pick it up. Downfall brings to life the final hours of Adolf Hitler’s life as he and the closest members of his circle hide away in a bunker beneath Berlin, waiting for the allies to come storming in. This tense film details all the final events of World War II in an historically accurate manner, but the true story lies in the mental breakdown of Hitler as well as the deterioration of those around him. This movie also happens to be the source of the hundreds-upon-hundreds of “Hitler reacts to…” videos that you can find all across YouTube. If you’re looking for a dark character study, check this one out.

Schindler’s List (1993) -

Yet another tale of World War II, Schindler’s List tells the story of one man who, while starting out during the war as a profiteer, ends up becoming the salvation for hundreds of Jews. Shot in black and white to give it a more historic feel, Steven Spielberg’s creation became an instant classic of the genre. A wealth of talented actors come together to give gravity to this important tale and if you’re not shedding at least one tear by the end of this movie I would wager that you’re not properly human. This is a much watch movie for all history buffs as well as those that enjoy quality filmmaking in general.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962) -

I am ashamed to admit it, but before I saw Lawrence of Arabia I had no idea that Alec Guinness was anyone other than Obi Wan Kenobi. But alongside Peter O’Toole and a host of other great actors, he helps bring this historic tale to life. It tells the tale of T. E. Lawrence and his adventures in the divided lands of the Middle East. One of the most impressive things about the movie is the way it addresses the subject, looking into the world of the Middle East as an (almost) impartial observer, something that many modern films fail to accomplish. Measuring in at nearly four hours, this is another of those films that will require more than one bathroom break, so be prepared. With a 98/93% at Rotten Tomatoes, it’s no wonder Lawrence of Arabia is considered one of the best films of all time.

As I’ve already stated, these are just a few of a much larger world of excellent historic films. For a big, fat list of movies that also fall into the genre (some of them good, some not as much), head to this site.

Photo Credits -

Cleopatra courtesy of fanpop.com

Spartacus courtesy of thedistractedglobe.com

Downfall courtesy of cookiescreen.net

Schindler’s List courtesy of parade.com

Lawrence of Arabia courtesy of studiosystemnews.com