My Favourite Films About Leadership of All-Time

Not many characters attract audiences to theatres like leaders. Since the 1980’s, leaders guiding countries have made for engaging movies. Whether it’s presidential figures, royal family members or bomb inventors, the genre has created several characters. Given the number of movies in the genre, making a list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my favourite films about leaders that deserve to be celebrated.

1. Gandhi

Gandhi is a great historical figure that shaped my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed relationships with a grandfather that was a huge fan of a political leader with courage. I recall with nostalgia that my grandfather often spoke fondly about a great political leader in India. He believed Gandhi was an inspirational leader who deserved to be celebrated for feats he achieved. In 1982, Richard Attenborough celebrated the legendary political figure in his movie “Gandhi”. Ever since its release in the 1980’s, Attenborough’s movie has stood the test of time as the greatest film ever made about leadership. With the greatest film of his career, Attenborough used innovative cinematic techniques to capture the life of an Indian political leader that guided his nation during a time of warfare. Attenborough has always had an aptitude for making great movies about leaders whose lives are in danger, and “Gandhi” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Attenborough effectively used real-life locations in India to capture the unbreakable spirit of a leader with charisma. For instance, the scene in which Gandhi delivers an inspirational speech towards a crowd of spectators during a political rally in India is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Ben Kingsley, who embodied the personality of a politician that changed Indian history. Ultimately, what makes “Gandhi’ my favourite film about leadership of all time is its universal appeal. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the history of India to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 40 years following the release of a classic film about a leader that changed India, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making memorable movies which always attract audiences to the modern-day Cinema.

2. Dead Poets Society

Teachers are inspiring leaders that shaped my identity. I remember forming a strong bond with a great English teacher that had inspired me to become a writer. A person with a larger-than-life presence, he always offered his students in my school bold guidance. I grew up to cherish an English teacher that made me believe that there was nothing in the world I couldn’t accomplish. His bold words of wisdom motivated me to pursue film criticism. As someone treasuring a teacher that shaped my identity, I adored “Dead Poets Society”. Released in 1989, Peter Weir’s movie captured leader teachers guiding teens in a boarding school. Weir used captivating montages capturing the strong bond between a poetry teacher and his students he grows to treasure. For instance, the “O Captain My Captain” scene in which Keating bids farewell to his students standing on chairs in a classroom is one of the best moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is Robin Williams, who proved how great of an actor he was before he passed away. Ultimately, what makes “Dead Poets Society” a classic is its message. The film delivers a bold message about leadership in schools that would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of teachers that play a role guiding teens to seize the day, it’s a bold reminder of a genre that deserves to be celebrated today.

3. Darkest Hour

Winston Churchill is a great historical figure that inspired my mother. At an early age, I bonded with a mother had knowledge about a historical figure with courage. Fascinated with WWII, she grew up to value a historic figure making her dreams come true. In 2017, Joe Wright honoured the iconic prime minister during his darkest hour in his movie “Darkest Hour”. Wright used captivating montages capturing a prime minister that sought to rescue England from wars that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Winston Churchill delivers a speech to encourage followers facing a dilemma during the WWII era is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Gary Oldman, who embodied a legendary British prime minister seeking recognition. Ultimately, what makes “Darkest Hour” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most historical biopics, it tackles themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with WWII history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after Winston Churchill became a prime minister changing history forever, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated genre that has manufactured unforgettable movies capturing inspirational leaders that audiences treasure.

4. Judas and the Black Messiah

Fred Hampton is a legendary African-American leader that earned my friend’s appreciation. I remember a close classmate that was fascinated with the black political leader. He would always speak fondly about a messiah that started rebellions during the segregation era. My friend always admired an African-American leader with wisdom that fought racism. In 2021, Shaka King honoured the iconic rebellious messiah in his movie “Judas and the Black Messiah”. King used captivating montages capturing a rebellious African-American leader fighting racism in his country that’s frightening. For instance, the scene in which Fred Hampton delivers a rebellious speech about injustice to his followers during a ceremony in America is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Daniel Kaluuya, who embodied a rebellious political leader that fought injustice in America. Ultimately, what makes “Judas and the Black Messiah” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about leadership which would resonate with everyone. A powerful tribute towards a rebellious black leader with charisma that fought racism, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made unforgettable movies that achieved stardom.

5. Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is a legendary American president that always gained my teacher’s appreciation. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a teacher that adored a political leader with courage. He would always praise Lincoln for his ability to guide the country in history. He always sought to educate my family about a president he had grown up to appreciate. In 2012, Steven Spielberg honoured the iconic president earning recognition in his movie “Lincoln”. Spielberg used captivating historical footage capturing a political leader guiding his country through wars that are frightening. For instance, the scene in which Lincoln has a tense argument with his political advisors about the future of America is one of the finest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, who embodied the larger-than-life personality of an iconic president in U.S. history. Ultimately, what makes “Lincoln” a historical masterpiece is its universal appeal. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with American history to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about politics which would resonate with everyone. An awe-inspiring tribute towards Abraham Lincoln, it’s an amazing reminder of a genre that has manufactured memorable movies about the lives of inspirational leaders which deserve immense appreciation.

6. Apollo 13

Leadership has often been a crucial part of NASA. NASA has often relied on leaders that face obstacles to ensure that astronauts are transported into space. Without leaders, space missions would not have been accomplished with doubt. The roles that leaders play in allowing astronauts to carry out their routine is beautifully depicted in the film “Apollo 13”. Released in 1995, Ron Howard’s movie captured leaders that ensured the Apollo 13 space mission. Howard used captivating cross-cutting editing to capture leaders ensuring that astronauts survived a disaster in space that’s frightening. Assisted by Tom Hanks who is amazing in the lead role, Howard honoured NASA’s leaders.  A powerful tribute to moon landings in space, it’s a soaring reminder of a commemorated genre that has made great movies about strong teams that audiences embrace.

7. The Devil Wears Prada

Bosses are powerful figures shaping employees’ futures. I remember working for a cruel manager that would often treat employees in a poor manner. She was a demanding person that would commonly humiliate employees which showed up late. As someone reminiscing memories of a devilish manager with nostalgia, I loved “The Devil Wears Prada”. Released in 2006, David Frankel’s movie captured a devilish manager running a fashion company. Frankel captures leaders guiding a fashion organization through costumes. Anchored by an amazing performance by Anne Hathaway, Frankel created a fantastic portrait of fashion leadership. A dazzling depiction of devilish managers in fashion-design, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a genre that has never lost abilities to shine by producing movies audiences consider to be commonly divine.

8. The King’s Speech

When it comes to the most beloved figures in the royal family, it’s worth discussing King George V. A troubled leader, George V suffered from severe speech impediments affecting his ability to guide the country. In 2010, Tom Hooper honoured the iconic political leader with speech disabilities in his movie “The King’s Speech”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The King’s Speech” stand out is its depiction of speech impediments. Hooper uses captivating montages capturing a royal figure that suffered from speech disabilities that are frightening. Assisted by Colin Firth who is amazing in the lead role, Hooper honoured the king’s legacy. As strong as King George V’s desire to overcome speech disabilities that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making memorable movies which are worth absolutely celebrating.

9. The Wolf of Wall Street

Jordan Belfort is a legendary stockbroker that built a lasting legacy. With his charisma, strong personality and powerful leadership, Belfort guided his company towards prosperity. In 2013, Martin Scorsese honoured the iconic stockbroker that ruled Wall Street in his movie “The Wolf of Wall Street”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Wolf of Wall Street” stand out is its depiction of stockbrokers. Scorsese uses captivating voice-over narration to capture the life of a charismatic stockbroker that led his organization. Assisted by Leonardo DiCaprio who is extraordinary in the lead role, Scorsese honoured a stockbroker that achieved fame years ago. Nearly 40 years after Jordan Belfort committed crimes on Wall Street, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has achieved a feat making timeless movies viewers consider treat.

10. Vice

Dick Cheney is a controversial leader in American history. While some supported his policies, others criticized Cheney’s involvement in the war against terrorism. In 2018, Adam McKay honoured the vice-president in his movie “Vice”. McKay used satire to honour a vice-president. Assisted by Christian Bale who is superb in the lead role, McKay captured a vice-president with detail. Although I admired the movie, it has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of a vice president abusing his authority as a leader has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. Nearly 30 years after Dick Cheney became a vice-president in American history, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre making movies about inspiring leaders which I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn my dreams of film criticism into reality.