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It’s in our nature to show interest in prominent figures who have shaped the world we live in today. Whether those people are world leaders, musical prodigies, boxers, or activists, they have influenced and shaped our world in some way, shape, or form.
Over the years, filmmakers have taken a particular interest in retelling the stories of widely-known public figures to those who might not have known about their incredible impact and the stories that lie behind these legends or simply as a tribute to honor them.
‘Amadeus’ (1984) — 8.4/10
Released in 1984, Amadeus is a biographical film loosely based on the life of the Austrian musical prodigy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The film focuses on the personal struggles Mozart (Tom Hulce) faced in alcoholism, and his marriage, while simultaneously dealing with an envious rival, Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), who wants to destroy him at all costs.
Though there were many dramatized and fictionalized aspects of the film, the rivalry between Mozart and Salieri is loosely based on rumors dating back to the 1770s. Throughout the years, however, many published works suggest that historians have not been able to find any evidence of any signs of rivalry. The film was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, of which it won eight, including the highly regarded Best Picture. It also won an additional 32 awards from other associations.
‘Gandhi’ (1982) — 8.1/10
Gandhi is a biographical film based on the events that occurred in the life of the adored Indian leader, Mohandas Gandhi (more commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi). After spending most of his life experiencing India under British rule, Gandhi (Ben Kingsley) tries to stand up for his country. Owing to his extensive accomplishments for India and the world, it’s no wonder the film has a longer than average running time of 191 minutes (3 hours and 11 minutes).
His non-violent approach through civil disobedience and efforts against the British eventually led to India’s long-awaited independence and earned him an international reputation as one of the most beloved world leaders today. The film was nominated for numerous awards and won many, including eight wins from the Academy Awards.
‘Lawrence of Arabia’ (1962) — 8.3/10
Lawrence of Arabia tells the story of a British Lieutenant T. E. Lawrence (Peter O’Toole), who, with extensive knowledge of Bedouin tribes (nomadic Arab tribes), is sent to Arabia to serve as the link between the Arabs and the British in their battle against the Turks. Against the order of his superior officer, Lawrence, along with Sherif Ali (Omar Sharif), commences on a long desert journey with the plan of attacking a Turkish port.
With a running time of nearly four hours (3 hours 42 minutes to be exact), most of the general audience would likely not want to commit to watching the film, but the film’s commercial success has that proven wrong. Renowned film critic Roger Ebert noted that despite the lengthy running time, Lawrence of Arabia “is not dense with plot details. It is a spare movie in clean, uncluttered lines, and there is never a moment when we doubt the logistical details of the various campaigns.” The film won many accolades, including seven Academy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, three British Academy Film Awards, and more.
‘Schindler’s List’ (1993) — 9.0/10
Steven Spielberg’s epic historical drama Schindler’s List is set in the Polish city of Kraków during World War II. The film is based on the heroic acts of a German industrialist, Oskar Schindler (Liam Neeson), and his vigorous attempts to save more than a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees from the Holocaust. When he sees how many refugees are ruthlessly killed by the heartless SS Amon Göth (Ralph Fiennes) in Kraków, Schindler begins to employ the Polish-Jewish refugees to work in his factories.
In 2018, The Los Angeles Times published an article titled “Why ‘Schindler’s List’ remains brilliant and troubling 25 years after its release”, noting that despite its brilliance, some were concerned about “whether it’s morally defensible to dramatize unspeakable horror and trauma via the language of mass entertainment.” Many stories, however, are asked to be told in a dramatized way movies are a more approachable and exciting medium for the general population to learn about history.
‘Malcolm X’ (1992) — 7.7/10
Spike Lee’s self-titled biographical film, Malcolm X, is a tribute to the African-American activist Malcolm X (or Malcolm Little). The film explores X’s (Denzel Washington) whole life, from growing up in a poor household in rural Michigan to being arrested for performing robberies alongside his friend Shorty (Spike Lee) and a woman named Peg (Debi Mazar). While imprisoned, he meets another convict Baines (Albert Hall), who becomes a mentor to him and eventually converts him to Islam and consequentially as a member of the religious and political organization, the Nation of Islam.
Malcolm becomes highly invested in the group and idolizes its lifestyle teachings, such as resenting White people for mistreating his race. After being paroled from prison, Malcolm begins preaching and, years later, becomes the spokesperson of the Nation of Islam. However, after speaking out controversial statements and finding out that the group leader Elijah Muhammad (Al Freeman Jr.) is somewhat a hypocrite and has numerous children out of wedlock, he announces his loss of faith in Islam. Malcolm becomes the founder of the Organization of Afro-American Unity, which is an organization that focuses on tolerance instead of racial separation.
‘Raging Bull’ (1980) — 8.2/10
The Hollywood biographical classic Raging Bull follows the story of an Italian-American middleweight boxer, Jake LaMotta (Robert De Niro). LaMotta’s struggles were reflected in his career as a middleweight boxer. At age nineteen in 1941, he fell in love with a fifteen-year-old girl named Vickie (Cathy Moriarty), whom he married four years later in 1945.
LaMotta was always worried that Vickie was sleeping with other men, and this anxiety sent him into a downward spiral because that was the start of his uncontrollable rage. Ultimately, his life crumbles, leaving him with nothing but despair. Raging Bull has often been described as one of director Martin Scorsese’s best directorial works, and the same goes for Robert DeNiro — one of his best performances as an actor.
‘The King’s Speech’ (2010) — 8.0/10
The King’s Speech is a historical drama film about Prince Albert and his journey to becoming King George VI (Colin Firth), who wanted to improve his speech impediment, a stammer. His wife, Queen Elizabeth I (Helena Bonham Carter), resorts to an Australian speech and language therapist, Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), who she believed was the best person to help her husband.
Throughout the process, many doubted whether anyone would take his throne seriously, but with persistence and trust from the future King and Logue, they defied all odds. The future King finally gave his first radio wartime broadcast speech flawlessly. A first-class script, followed by the strong performances by Firth and Rush, led The King’s Speech to win 70 out of a staggering 185 nominations, including four Academy Awards, seven BAFTAs, and a Golden Globe Award.
‘GoodFellas’ (1990) — 8.7/10
GoodFellas follows the story of a mob associate named Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), who, having grown up in an environment amongst the mobs, becomes one himself. He begins working for a member of the Mafia, Paul Cicero (Paul Sorvino), along with his associates, Jimmy “the Gent” Conway (Robert DeNiro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci). Hill’s upbringing and those around him perhaps blur his moral values, and despite being a man who enjoys his money and the luxuries that come with it, he chooses to ignore the affliction he has caused others.
His morality worsens after struggling with drug addiction, and his carelessness causes him to lose everything he ever knew and had; money, luxury, self-respect, identity, and family. Master filmmaker Martin Scorsese’s GoodFellas has stood the test of time and earned the reputation of being one of the best gangster films ever made.
‘Braveheart’ (1995) — 8.4/10
The 1995 biographical film, Braveheart, is based on the history behind the late 13th-century Scottish warrior Sir William Wallace (Mel Gibson), who led his fellow Scots in the First War of Scottish Independence against England’s King Edward I (Patrick McGoohan). Wallace’s motivation started from a young age when King Edward I conquered Scotland and treated the Scottish disrespectfully. The English King later also executed Wallace’s newly-married wife, Murron MacClannough (Catherine McCormack), after threatening to expose his soldiers who raped her.
Wallace’s long-pursued battle for Scottish independence led him to become the historic legend he is today. Braveheart went on to win many prestigious awards, including four Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.
‘Patton’ (1970) — 7.9/10
Patton focuses on the life of the controversial American General, George S. Patton (George C. Scott). The film explores his accomplishments, starting from his first glory in the Battle of El Guettar in Tunisia and subsequently gaining the respect of the army officials and generals. It was his outspokenness and the controversial statements he made, however, which determined the consequential end to his career. He was removed from command for criticizing the US post-war military strategy and further comparing American politics to Nazism.
The epic historical drama became a cinema classic and was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in the United States and the Academy Film Archive. Patton was nominated for ten Academy Awards, of which it won an impressive seven, and many more awards from other respected accolade associations.
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