Ten Of The Best Based On True Stories Movies

Overview

Taxonomy 1: Feature

Posted October 16, 2013 by FilmJuice

Feature

To celebrate the release of Captain Phillips at cinemas from October 18th FilmJuice are taking a look at some of the best films based on true events. From the heart warming to the unbelievable, history has provided cinema some of the best stories leading to some of the best films.

Titanic (1997)
We all know the tale of how so many lost their lives when the Titanic struck an iceberg in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. James Cameron brought this story to life in an epic film that combined the harrowing events with a fictional romantic story between Jack and Rose. Pass the tissues.

The Blind Side (2009)
This critically acclaimed film told the heart-warming story of Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family who took in troubled teenager, Michael Oher. He famously went on to become an American Football superstar and the story was brought to the big screen with Sandra Bullock receiving an Academy Award for her performance as Tuohy.

Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Frank Abagnale became one of the most renowned imposters in history when in the 1960s he impersonated an airline pilot, a teaching assistant, a lawyer and a doctor. This incredible story was given the Steven Spielberg treatment in 2002 with Leonardo DiCaprio in the lead role. Since his release from prison in the 1970s, Abagnale has worked as a security consultant advising companies and even the FBI on fraud prevention.

Into The Wild (2007)
Sean Penn directed this amazing true story of college graduate, Christopher McCandless, who decides to disconnect himself from family, friends and possessions to live life on the road. Emile Hirsch takes the lead as he travels across North America meeting various people and attempts to survive in the wilderness.

City of God (2002)
This intense, captivating Brazilian drama is set in the favelas of Rio De Janeiro and follows the lives of several boys. A fascinating insight into gang culture and crime, the films tells the story of how these boys become crime lords and the risks that come with it.

I Love You Phillip Morris (2009)
There are some films where you can’t believe what you’re watching is actually based on true events. I Love You Phillip Morris is another inconceivable story about a fraudster and dogged effort to keep escaping from prison. Without giving away any spoilers, this film will leave your mouth agape at the audacity and genius of Phillip Morris.

The Social Network (2010)
Fight Club director, David Fincher, was the man behind the camera with Jesse Eisenberg playing Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg. We all knew about Facebook but very few of us knew about its creation and the opposition from the Winklevoss twins. The film went onto to garner critical acclaim netting three Academy Awards and in typically Fincher fashion perfectly captures the online pitfalls of modern society.

The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Will Smith and son Jaden teamed up to star in this moving real life adaption set in 1980’s San Francisco. Smith plays father, Chris Gardener, who is determined to give his son the best life possible despite so many setbacks including homelessness. The real Chris Gardener went on to run his own multi-million dollar brokerage firm.

Argo (2012)
Set during the 1979 Iranian Revolution Argo tells the true story of CIA agent Tony Mendez who flew into Iran pretending to be a Canadian film producer in order to extract six American Embassy workers who were hiding in the Canadian Ambassadors House. The staggering true story saw Mendez, as played with subtle brilliance by director Ben Affleck, prep the embassy workers in convincing airport security that they were all members of a production team making a sci-fi adventure film called Argo. The film would go on to win 3 Oscars in 2013 for Best Film and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Lawrence Of Arabia (1962)
One of the greatest films ever made, director David Lean cast the enigmatic Peter O’Toole as T.E. Lawrence as he became embroiled in the Arab revolt against the Turks during World War I. While Lean delivers spectacular visuals, O’Toole’s performance is never anything less than mesmerising, giving Lawrence a complex and often conflicted persona.