My Favourite Historical Films

Few film genres have built a legacy as strong as the historical epic. Since the 1960’s, the genre has produced unforgettable movies. Whether it’s gladiators, political leaders or star-crossed lovers, the genre has produced several strong characters. Given the sheer number of movies in the genre, making a top 10 list isn’t easy. Nevertheless, listed below are my picks for the best movies in a genre that deserves to be celebrated.

1. Gandhi

Gandhi is a great historical figure that shaped my grandfather’s identity. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that was a huge fan of a political leader with courage. I recall with nostalgia memories of a grandfather often spoking fondly about a great political leader in India. He believed that 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 bold movie has stood the test of time as the greatest historical film ever made. 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 bold spirit of a great 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 historical events 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 Cinema.

2. Schindler’s List

The Holocaust is a sensitive subject matter that always fascinated my teacher. At an early age, I was taught about the Holocaust by a professor that often had knowledge about genocide damage. He would take pride in teaching students about a gruesome genocide in which his people died. As someone treasuring a teacher that loved to list facts about the Holocaust, I adored “Schindler’s List”. Released in 1993, Steven Spielberg’s movie offered a powerful portrait of leadership during the Holocaust. Spielberg has always had an aptitude for making movies about historical events putting lives in danger, and “Schindler’s List” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. One of the most common techniques that Spielberg uses in his movies is symbolism. Throughout “Schindler’s List”, the girl in the red coat symbolizes hope amidst the gruesome genocide. For instance, the scene in which Schindler reacts with horror seeing the girl in the red coat being slaughtered causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is Liam Neeson, who portrayed a leader that witnessed genocide destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Schindler’s List” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about genocide which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after a gruesome mass genocide in which civilians died, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has produced movies which have always left audiences tremendously satisfied.

3. The Pianist

Individuals with a strong drive to survive disaster have inspired me. At an early age, my family faced bombings in Saudi Arabia causing damage. Truth be told, I was five years old. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured individuals with strong drive to survive disasters that are missed as powerfully as “The Pianist”. Released in 2002, Roman Polanski’s movie captured hardships that a Jewish pianist in WWII went through. Unlike most movies in the historical genre, what makes “The Pianist” shine is its humanity. Polanski has always excelled at using point-of-view shots in his movies, and his strengths are evident in “The Pianist”. For instance, the scene in which Szpilman breaks down in tears after he is separated from his parents is one of the the greatest moments of the genre. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Adrien Brody, who embodies a downtrodden pianist that survived catastrophe. Ultimately, what makes “The Pianist” a historical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about survival which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 90 years after Wladyslaw Szpilman managed to survive ghettos in WWII, it’s a commemorated reminder of a genre that has made timeless films which audiences commonly value.

4. Gladiator

Gladiators are grand historical figures that my grandfather loved dearly. At an early age, I bonded with a grandfather having knowledge about gladiators with courage. As courageous as Maximus, he always spoke fondly about gladiators he considered precious. As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather appreciating ancient gladiators, I adored “Gladiator”. Released in 2000, Ridley Scott’s movie captured gladiators that fought in the ancient Roman era. Scott has always had an aptitude for capturing historical events in his movies, and “Gladiator” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. Scott effectively recreated the time period of ancient Rome through production-design. For instance, the iconic scene in which Maximus asks the crowd of spectators in the Colosseum whether they are entertained is one of the greatest moments of the historical genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Russell Crowe, who embodies a brave gladiator that fought in ancient Rome centuries ago. Ultimately, what makes “Gladiator” Ridley Scott’s greatest movie is its message. The film delivers a profound message about vengeance which would resonate with everyone. A grand depiction of gladiators that fought in the Colosseum, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a great genre that has made memorable movies achieving tremendous stardom.

5. 12 Years a Slave

Slavery is a sensitive subject that shaped my friend’s identity. Several years ago, I formed bonds with a friend that took great interest in slavery. I remember he grew up to treasure slavery as an important subject matter. He sought to educate people in my school about a time in history he came to celebrate. Few films I’ve seen have captured grave slavery in American history as powerfully as “12 Years a Slave”‘. Released in 2013, Steve McQueen’s movie offered a powerful portrait of slavery in American history. McQueen bravely tackled the subject of slavery through stunning visuals capturing atrocities. For instance, the scene in which Solomon is forced by Epps to whip Patsy in public causing trauma is one of the greatest moments of the historical genre. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Chiwetel Ejiofor, who embodies a real-life slave that survived atrocities centuries ago. Ultimately, what makes “12 Years a Slave” a commemorated historical masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about slavery which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of slavery that caused lives of African-American communities to deteriorate, it’s a strong reminder of a genre that audiences appreciate.

6. Oppenheimer

When it comes to iconic inventors that changed the world forever, it’s worth discussing Oppenheimer. A physicist with lasting legacy, Oppenheimer designed an atomic bomb causing catastrophe. Oppenheimer’s bomb invention made him a controversial figure in history. In 2023, Christopher Nolan honoured the iconic inventor in his Oscar-winning movie “Oppenheimer”. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Oppenheimer” stand out is its complex storytelling. Nolan deviates from the traditional three act structure of biopics telling the story in a unique non-linear style. Assisted by Cillian Murphy who is extraordinary in the lead role, Nolan honoured Oppenheimer’s legacy. 90 years after Oppenheimer designed an atomic bomb that was tragic, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre building a legacy which is undeniably iconic.

7. Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln is a powerful president that gave America greater direction. A president with larger-than-life personality, Lincoln guided the country during slavery. With bold presence, wisdom and charisma, Lincoln guided America. In 2012, Steven Spielberg honoured the legendary president in his movie “Lincoln”. Unlike most movies in the historical genre, what makes “Lincoln” stand out is its strong attention to detail. Spielberg used gorgeous production to recreate the era when Lincoln guided the nation. At the centre of it all is a phenomenal performance by Daniel Day-Lewis, who embodied the American president. Centuries after Abraham Lincoln become a powerful American president guiding his nation, its a breathtaking reminder of a genre that produced memorable movies which deserve tremendous celebration.

8. Inglorious Basterds

One of the criticisms levelled against the historical genre is its predictability. The genre has often followed a safe formula recreating events from a past era. This has left little room for surprises. In a genre that has become inglorious, it’s worth praising “Inglorious Basterds”. Released in 2009, Quentin Tarantino’s movie offered a humorous take on the Holocaust. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “Inglorious Basterds” stand out is its bravery. Tarantino takes a risky approach of reimagining serious historical events with comedy but it pays off tremendously. Assisted by Christoph Waltz who is spectacular, Tarantino captured genocide disaster. A glorious depiction of a mass genocide with consequences which were dangerous, it’s a grand reminder of a genre that has produced memorable movies audiences consider extremely precious.

9. The Brutalist

Stories of Jews are rarely told in historical movies. Hollywood has often ignored the plight of Jews that survived the Holocaust whose lives are misunderstood. In a genre where the stories of Jews are often dismissed, it’s worth praising “The Brutalist”. Released in 2024, Brady Corbet’s Oscar-winning movie depicted a Jewish architect surviving WWII. Unlike most movies in the genre, what makes “The Brutalist” stand out is its depiction of Jewish survivors. Corbet uses captivating non-linear storytelling capturing hardships that a Jewish architect in post WWII America is facing. Assisted by Adrien Brody who is extraordinary in the lead role, Corbet honoured Jews in history. A powerful portrait of Jews that survived WWII with issues, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has manufactured timeless movies earning rave worldwide reviews.

10. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas

Few movies ever made about dilemmas people faced in the Holocaust are as beloved as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. Since its release in 2008, Mark Sherman’s movie has become a classic. Sherman uses captivating visuals to capture the impact of mass genocide on children. Assisted by Asa Butterfield who is amazing in the lead role, Sherman created a portrait of genocide that’s compelling. However, the film’s has aged poorly. The film’s negative depiction of children as victims of mass genocides in history has tarnished its legacy. Nevertheless, it’s a strong addition to the genre. Nearly 90 years after a mass genocide that caused tragedy, it’s a riveting reminder of a genre that has made great movies educating audiences about history that I will forever treasure for inspiring me to turn dreams of film criticism into reality.