Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, and there are many interesting films of this or last year which are based on true stories, including Mank, The Trial of the Chicago 7, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Tesla, Hillbilly Elegy, The Dig and The Mauritanian. Crime and war films are often inspired by real stories (Catch Me If You Can [2002], The Pianist [2002]) and I previously compiled a list of 25 “Must-See” Biographical Films (see also my related list of 5 Great Films About Adventurers Based on Real Stories). Below are five films which were based on, or inspired by, real stories which, in turn, are simply remarkable.
Tag: Biographical film
20 Fascinating Films about Visual Art
1. Andrei Rublev (1966) It will be a crime not to begin this list with Andrei Tarkovsky’s masterpiece Andrei Rublev. A paragraph will not be sufficient to do justice to this largely black-and-white film which lasts around three hours, and, in some way, is a difficult watch. Andrei Rublev was a 15th century icon painter…
“The Mercy” Review
The Mercy [2018] – ★★1/2 There is a method in his madness. This is the way some were able to characterise Donald Crowhurst’s insane desire and, ultimately, attempt to finish a single-handed, non-stop round-the world trip or the Golden Glove (Yacht) Race sponsored by Sunday Times in 1968. Completely amateur, Crowhurst, nevertheless, entered the race,…
“The Founder” Review
The Founder [2016] – ★★★★ “It’s not just the system, Dick. It’s the name. That glorious name, McDonald’s. It could be anything you want it to be…it’s limitless, it’s wide open…it sounds like…America” (Ray Kroc). The McDonald brothers’ success was to the 1950s what the social network’s success was to the 2000s. The story of…
“Hacksaw Ridge” Review
Hacksaw Ridge [2016] – ★★★★1/2 An inspiring story about an unconventional hero? A graphic tale of the brutality of a war? A touching and believable love story? Mel Gibson can do it all, and brilliantly. His latest film Hacksaw Ridge tells the true story of Desmond Doss (Andrew Garfield), a kind, deeply-religious young man who…
Spotlight on Film 