World History Movie List

Basically I have to watch a movie, related to history ( example will be at the end of the post ) that I can write my report on. It has to be pre-1900's, and has to have history in it, the history cannot relate only to the US.

Movies that I know are already taken:
Troy
The Patriot
300
Titanic
Dances with Wolves
Last of The Mohicans


I do enjoy war movies, so anything related to war would probably be ideal, though I can deal with other things. The subject in the movie must be before the 1900's, the mpvie could have been produced whenever.

 

Are you looking for a film filmed in the last decade or do you have no preference in regards to the quality of it?

Braveheart - Scottish wars of independence, very good film. Outstandingly inspiring.
Spartacus - About the gladiator.
Gandhi (1982)
The Last Emporer (1987)

These films bar Braveheart were produced quite a while a go but are a history lesson in themselves. Hope it helps, although you couldn't pay me to watch a few of them!

 

The greatest game ever played (1913, close enough?)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0388980/

Gladiator
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0172495/

Ip Man
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1220719/

 

I looked up Braveheart, having seen it before knowing it was good, however nearly all reviews said it was wildy inaccurate as far as history goes.

Edit: After looking up all the movies blind posted as well, they all seem to be VERY loosely based on true history, however It looks like I will have to choose one of them.

Good suggestions so far, more suggestions are always great though!

Much appreicated

 

One thing about William Wallace that you need to remember is that most things are very innacurate about them as just about everything we know about Wallace today are taken from Blind Harry's tales which were written quite a while after his death so i wouldn't worry too much about it, the main battles are in there ie. Stirling Bridge.

 

Barry Lyndon (1975) - Stanley Kubricks greatest achievement, in my opinion. The director had originally intended on doing a bio-pic covering Napoleons conquest, but in the end decided to go with something more original.

The film is predominantly a character study, following in a young man's tracks during 18th century aristocracy. Every still-image is like a painting as it is masterfully photographed, and accompanied (as with all Kubrick film) with a sustained soundtrack to accentuate on-screen emotions. The film deals with many periodic subjects including Prussian espionage, the seven year's war, and 17th-18th century royalty. A personal favorite- this is the definitive historical piece on the aristocratic era.



Andrei Rublev (1966) - Directed by russian auteur Andrei Tarkovsky, the film recounts the life of iconic painter Rublev through 15th century Russia.

This is a very dark film, like all of Tarkovsky's work. It deals with religious tension and superstition, and the cruelties that ignite because of primal faith. If you decide to watch this film, make sure you find the original 205 minute cut. You may find it very slow-paced, but i believe that it is necessarily slow to cover its subject matter.



The Seventh Seal (1957) - My all-time favorite film, written and directed by the great Ingmar Bergman. A knight, disgruntled and sour after a ten year crusade questions his faith, and the meaning of life during the black plague era. This is the most poetic commentary on life, death, and religion ever made in my opinion.

 

Well, after going for braveheart, only to find that it was taken, still looking for suggestions! Anything modern is preferred :3

 

So... Pre-1900's plotline, post-1990s film? You'll find yourself very limited then.



The Messenger: Joan Of Arc (1999) - Luc Besson's first historical piece, which is interesting because he is most renown for his whimsical/stylish action flicks.

The film covers the life of Joan of Arc, and the victories she achieved leading the french army during the 100 years war. The film plays out like a very dark comedy with its frenetic violence and irony.

For more information on Joan of Arc; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_of_Arc



Marie Antoinette (2006) - Sofia Coppola (Daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, director of The Godfather) directs this lavish film set during the aristocratic period , following in the young queens footsteps as she rules over Austria, and soon thereafter France until her subsequent execution. The movie is rather light in tone, more of a hip, non-cynical perspective on a misguided young girl with inherited power she does not know how to harness.

You'll find that these two films juxtapose one another in mood and thematic material quite vividly. Messenger is dark, Marie Antoinette is light.