I recently discovered that I have very ambivalent feelings towards historical films. Some of them are really exciting and heartfelt while keeping their historical integrity, while others have good stories but the historical accuracy is definitely lacking. I am often critical of historical movies that come from Hollywood, but there are a few I've really enjoyed. Here are my top ten favorite historical films and links to their trailers:
- Gettysburg - This movie tops my list! I first saw this movie in junior high, and it made me want to learn more about the Civil War and U.S. history. Seeing that I still have a strong passion for U.S. history, this movie had a crucial impact on me. Based on Michael Shaara's book "The Killer Angels," it is the story of the Battle of Gettysburg shown from different perspectives. It is quite a long movie to sit through, but it does a good job of the showing the heroism and tragedy during the Civil War for the Union and the Confederates alike. It is on the top of m my list because of it is a war movie with a deeply personal feel.
- Saving Private Ryan - This is probably the most graphic war movie I have ever watched! The first time viewing this film I remember feeling sick to my stomach in the first 30 minutes. The movie does a great job showing the horrors of war and the effects it has on the men in the front lines. Based on D-Day and its aftermath in World War II, the movie follows a platoon of soldiers on a special mission. Despite the violence, it is one of my favorites because it always makes me think about the impacts of war on the soldiers in combat.
- Glory - This movie is another favorite one set in the Civil War. The movie tells the story of the first all-black volunteer regiment in the North, the 54th Massachusetts. The movie explores some interesting issues having to do with Civil War, from how African Americans were treated in Northern units and to why the war was fought. Despite how they were treated, the movie shows how these soldiers displayed uncommon courage and heroism during their assault on Fort Wagner.
- Downfall - This movie is a really good movie for those interested in World War II, and takes a unique look at the end of the war. The movie is told from a very different perspective, showing the final days of Adolf Hitler and the fall of Berlin to the Soviets. It shows what decisions Nazi officials were forced to make, whether to retreat or continue to fight, and how Hitler responded in those last days. In my opinion, both the story and the acting is superb!
- The Pianist -This movie follows one main character Jewish musician Wladyslaw Szpilman, played by Adrien Brody and how he survived in Poland during World War II. The film tells the story of his survival amidst the Holocaust and the Warsaw Uprising towards the end of the war. The film is based upon a book written by Szpilman, and adapted by Polish film director, Roman Polanski. Polanski drew from his own personal experiences, growing up in the Krakow Ghetto during the war. It is one of the best movies I've seen about the Holocaust in a long time.
- John Adams HBO Miniseries - Although this is technically a miniseries from HBO and not a film, John Adams is a superb historical drama. The series revolves around John and Abigail Adams, played by Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney, and it is based on the book John Adams by David McCullough. It follows Adams and his role in the American Revolution, and leadership in early American politics as first vice president then president. The series is well-acted, realistic, and interesting!
- Valkyrie - Despite the main character being played by Tom Cruise, this is a great film about a story that needed to be told. Cruise plays German officer Claus von Staffenberg, who attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler on July 20, 1944. The plot ultimately failed but I found this story about the courage of these German officers inspiring. These men knew that what Hilter was doing in WWII was wrong and decided to do something about it, despite risking their lives.
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - Another movie from World War II about the Holocaust takes the unique perspective of a child. Bruno is the son of a Nazi officer and commandant of a concentration camp. He and his family are transferred from Berlin to out in the country. There, Bruno discovers a nearby "farm" and meets a young Jewish prisoner, who he forms an unlikely friendship with. The power of this story is that we see the Holocaust through the eyes of a young, innocent child, and it is extremely moving.
- We Were Soldiers -This movie takes a look at a different era in American history, that of the war in Vietnam. It follows a cavalry unit, commanded by actor Mel Gibson, that fought in the first major battle of the American phrase of the Vietnam in the Ia Drang valley. This movie is based on a book about the battle, and shows how the soldiers that fought in Vietnam were husbands and fathers. I think this movie does a great service to those who fought in Vietnam, even though they were fighting in an unpopular war and criticized by their fellow countrymen during the war.
- Letters from Iwo Jima - Ken Watanabe stars as the Japanese officer charged with the defense of the island of Iwo Jima in this WWII movie from Clint Eastwood. The movie takes the unique perspective of the Japanese soldiers showing how they fought against the American invasion, holding out to the last man with no reinforcements or supplies. It also gives a really good idea of the mindset of the Japanese soldiers, who ultimately preferred suicide over surrender, loyalty to their emperor rather than defeat. This movie is a companion to Flags of our Fathers, which shows the battle from the American perspective.
