Undoubtedly, Christopher Nolan’sOppenheimeris one of themost anticipated movies of 2023. It is definitely what everyone seems to be talking about these days, and with its arrival in theaters on July 21, it’s probably going to be a hot topic for some time. The reason everyone is so hyped up about it could be because it is directed by the talented Nolan, and because of its ensemble cast led by Cillian Murphy. The fact that it is based on a prominent historical figure, the theoretical physicist who played a key influence in the development of the atomic bomb, may also be a major reason why most people are eager to see it. It is based onJ. Robert Oppenheimer’s well-documented life, which unfolds in a three-hour runtime.
Films often try to recreate everyday life, highlight important social issues and historical events and icons as a means to keep history alive or open people’s eyes to a time or issues they know nothing about.Oppenheimerisn’t the only film to have depicted influential figures and their impact on the world. Films likeTheDarkest Hour,Lincoln,andHidden Figureshave also portrayed real and iconic heroes who played crucial roles in shaping the world we know today. If you are still excited aboutOppenheimer, here are more films to watch that explore the lives of remarkable individuals in the world’s history.
15The Darkest Hour (2017)
Directed by Joe Wright, this historical film depicts the early days of Winston Churchill’s tenure as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during a crucial moment in world history. Set in 1940s, it captures the intense war between the British government and the Nazi Army during World War II, highlighting the immense pressure and the tactical decisions Churchill must navigate to lead Britain to victory.
ThoughThe Darkest hourhas its imperfections, history enthusiasts and admirers of one of the world’s greatest politicians will find it an enjoyable watch. Gary Oldman’s exceptional performance is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the film, earning him high praise as an Oscar-worthy portrayal of Churchill. However, he isn’t the only one who delivers an exceptional performance in this intriguing historical film. The actors who portrayed King George VI, Chamberlain, Lord Halifax, Elizabeth Layton, and others have been praised for capturing the essence of these notable historical figures.
14A Beautiful Mind (2001)
A Beautiful Mindis a human drama that brings attention to the mental health struggles faced by the brilliant Mathematicians John Nash faced. Despite these challenges, Nash excels academically and in other aspects of his life. Set in the 1940s, it follows this brilliant mind as he succeeds over his peers as well as the psychological and emotional challenges he experiences.
With fantastic performances from Russel Crowe and Jennifer Connelly, a touching storyline and a message about love, loyalty and rocky relationships, Ron Howard’sA Beautiful Mindmanages to become a touching story. As it addresses the hardship and drama surrounding John Nash’s mental illness, it moves viewers to tears. However, while some consider it to be the best film of its year, others find it overly dramatic.
13Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Once again,Kathryn Bigelow’s skillful directionshines in this war thriller written by Mark Boal. With a runtime of 160 minutes,Zero Dark Thirtypresents a fictionalized account of the real-life decade-long manhunt for Osama bin Laden led by the determined CIA intelligence analyst, Maya Harris. While this film does take some creative liberty and may not be completely historically correct, it remains an intense and gripping experience, bolstered by compelling performances, particularly from the lead character Jessica Chastain.
Through the film, viewers catch a glimpse of the personal sacrifices, challenges, and obstacles faced by those in this gripping manhunt. Its dramatic and serious tone caters to those seeking well-crafted thrillers rooted in history. Despite receiving critical acclaim, some viewers feel it lacks comprehensive backstories of characters, which could have further engaged viewers.
Related:Oppenheimer: Can Christopher Nolan’s Movie Live Up to the Hype?
12The Social Network (2010)
The Social Networkoffers a captivating glimpse into the birth of one of the world’s most influential companies and the immense personal sacrifices that went into making it a reality. In this biographical drama directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, Mark Zuckerberg is presented as a complex character. As a brilliant visionary who revolutionized social media, Zuckerberg’s journey to success is riddled with legal battles and personal challenges.
Many often wonder how a film about the inception of Facebook could be as interesting as this one was. Well, it just shows the brilliance of the minds behind its creation and of course the outstanding performances, especially from Jesse Eisenberg who humanizes Mark, with such remarkable authenticity, it almost feels like he is the real Mark. The entire cast also contributes to the film’s excellence.
11Lincoln (2012)
Lincolnis a powerful and poignant portrayal of one of America’s greatest Leaders, Abraham Lincoln. Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Tony Kushner, the movie provides an intimate portrayal of the final months of President Abraham Lincoln’s life and the numerous challenges he faces in passing the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery.
From Daniel Day-Lewis’ exceptional portrayal of Abraham Lincoln to the film’s historical accuracy,Spielberg’s masterful direction, and its engaging plot, Lincoln received critical acclaim for being an outstanding depiction of one of America’s most revered presidents. In this bold and imaginative film, Spielberg further cements his reputation as one of the world’s greatest movie directors.Lincolnis imaginative, entertaining and touching as it presents a human side to a great man mostly found in history books and discussed in classes.
10Ali (2001)
In this gripping and captivating portrayal of Muhammad Ali’s life, Will Smith takes on the role of this legendary boxer. Directed by Michael Mann,Aligoes beyond Ali’s boxing career by capturing the essence of his persona, his tumultuous romantic relationships and marriages, friendships, religious beliefs as well as his impact on society. Even after many years of its release, it remains the most fitting tribute to the man behind the gloves and the poetry, one of the greatest athletes the world has seen.
Smith’s performance is one of the highlights of the film, deservedly garnering critical acclaim and earning him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. The boxing scenes are almost perfectly done, but there are those who feel the film could have been better. While Smith was commended for depicting Ali immensely well, there are those who feel Ali is one unique character quite difficult to recreate.
9The Aviator (2004)
Leondaro DiCaprio plays Howard Hughes in this intimate and compelling look into the life of this remarkable but troubled genius under the direction of Martin Scorsese.The Aviatorstands as one of the most powerful collaborations betweenScorsese and Dicaprio. The movie follows the life of Howard Hughes, an influential figure in aviation and the film industry and his successes, struggles with mental illness.
Scorsese manages to create a sad and different look into Hughe’s life by focusing on the psychological decline of the man, which is unlike the TV movie known asThe Amazing Howard Hughes. This distinct pathThe Aviatortakes is what makes it different and more powerful. While DiCaprio was nominated for Best Actor for this role, it was Cate Blanchett who eventually won an Academy Award for her portrayal of Katherine Hepburn.
8The Theory of Everything (2004)
Based on the memoir,Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, by Jane Wilde Hawking, the ex-wife of the famous physicist,The Theory of verythingfollows the extraordinary life of the renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) and his relationship with his first wife, Jane Wilde (Felicity Jones). It is a tale of the enduring love between these two despite the physical issues Stephen Hawking faces and the great effect his fame had on their marriage.
Jones and Redmayne almost feel like the real Stephen Hawking and Jane Wilde Hawking as their on-screen chemistry evoke both sadness and warm feelings of love. Redmayne deservedly won an Oscar for Best Actor for his amazing performance. While some have commended it for being a heartfelt love story about a prominent figure, others feel it fails to depict the hardships and reality faced by the real-life individuals.
7Hidden Figures (2016)
Set in the 1960 and based on the non-fiction book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly,Hidden Figureshighlights the remarkable contributions of three African-American women mathematicians, Katherine Goble Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who played pivotal roles at NASA during the early years of the Mercury program. Director Theodre Mefi manages to bring this inspiring true story of these women to life through a well-directed plot and powerful storyline with the support of superb performances from its cast.
Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Jamelle Monae deliver exceptional performances as they capture the essence of these women. Considered as a masterpiece, this movie serves as a worthy celebration of these unsung heroes who contributed to the success of the early spaceflight. Many may not know about these women and Hidden Figures offers them a valuable opportunity to learn about them.
6The Imitation Game (2014)
For historical enthusiasts who are fascinated by tales of individuals who played significant during world wars, this is one not to miss.The Imitation Gametells the compelling true story of Alan Turing, a British mathematician, logician, and computer scientist, who played a crucial role in breaking the German Enigma code during World War II. He is widely known as the father of theoretical computer science and Artificial Intelligence.
Benedict Cumberbatch plays this influential figure saddled with the responsibility to save countless lives by decoding the German messages. It does pretty well as realistic view at the spy game and an emotionally charged film that would leave some in tears by the end of the movie. While the film is a compelling and entertaining biopic, some viewers have criticized it of being historically sketchy in its representation of Turing.
