Historical Event Films can cover a variety of events throughout history. Events can be a major world event such as World War I to a smaller, local event that impacts a community or individuals (yet has become part of historical record). Historical Event Films are different than Historical Biopics in that the Event itself is usually central to the movie over the individual (in a Biopic). A good example of this differentiation are 2 films about Richard Nixon. Nixon (1995) is a portrayal of Nixon (Anthony Hopkins) from his childhood to his years in the political realm. On the flip side, Nixon/Frost (2008) focused more on a specific event – the first broadcast interviews of Nixon by Frost.
Historical Event Films have been a major film subgenre since the advent of film. Though there are many event-based films prior to 1960, for our Historical Events Film collection and lists of films you haven’t seen, we’re focusing on films released after 1960.
In the 1960’s, prominent Historical Event Films included quite a few World War II films such as The Longest Day (1962), Battle of the Bulge (1965) and Battle of Britain (1969). Other popular releases included Zulu (1964) and Khartoum (1966).
While the early 1970’s continued with event-based war films like Waterloo (1970), Midway (1976) and A Bridge Too Far (1977), there was a shift to Historical Event Films based on politics or local crime with All The President’s Men (1976) and Escape from Alcatraz (1979).
The 1980’s saw a turn to more epic drama based Historical Event Films with The Mission (1986) and Empire of the Sun (1987). Other notable event-based films from this decade include Missing (1982), The Untouchables (1987) and Eight Men Out (1988).
The 1990’s had some of the most popular Historical Event Films of all time that went on to win Academy Awards. Notable films include JFK (1991), Quiz Show (1991), Apollo 13 (1995), Titanic (1997), Amistad (1997) and Saving Private Ryan (1998).
Event-based War films again became popular in the 2000’s with a steady flow of popular releases including Pearl Harbor (2001), Black Hawk Down (2001), We Were Soldiers (2002), Hotel Rwanda (2004), The Alamo (2004), Flags of Our Fathers (2006), Letters from Iwo Jima (2006) and Valkyrie (2008). Other notable releases include Gangs of New York (2002), Seabiscuit (2003), Munich (2005), Zodiac (2007) and Invictus (2009).
The 2000’s had a stable release of War event-based films in the early part of the decade but there was a shift to a variety of films based on events involving sports, crime and politics. Popular event-based War films included Zero Dark Thirty (2012), 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016), Dunkirk (2017) and 1917 (2019). Films based on sporting events included 42 (2013), Battle of the Sexes (2017) and I, Tonya (2017). A variety of different crime subgenres based on historical events included The Big Short (2015) and All The Money in the World (2017). And finally political and racial event films rounded out the decade with Argo (2012), Fruitvale Station (2013), 12 Years a Slave (2013), Selma (2014), Spotlight (2015), Race (2016), Loving (2016), The Post (2017), Detroit (2017) and Dark Waters (2019).
Our list of Historical Event Films includes over 350+ films covering from a variety of historical events. For our Top Historical Event Films You Haven’t Seen list, we chose to focus on events specific to different genres (and not just war films which comprise a majority of historical event films). Not making our list (but highly recommended to check out) includes Scandal (1989), The Other Conquest (1999), Joyeux Noel (2005), The Hoax (2006), Battle in Seattle (2007), Sarajevo (2014), 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2016), Race (2016), and Patriots Day (2016).
Note: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Here’s the list of Top Historical Event Films You Haven’t Seen:
Plot: 2 FBI agents investigate murder in a segregated small town in 1960’s Mississippi.
Event: The murders of civil rights workers Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner.
KBZ’s Take: Another film that people over the age of 40 likely have seen, but younger generations might have missed. Nominated for 7 Academy Awards, this film peels back the layers of segregation in a southern town and its resistance to change. Also, worth watching for is the different investigative approaches from a local level (Hackman) vs. federal level (Dafoe).
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3RiW50n
Plot: Master criminal makes plans to steal a shipment of gold from a train.
Event: The Great Gold Robbery.
KBZ’s Take: Though it is loosely based on The Great Gold Robbery event, the film is recommended for a few reasons. First, it’s a Michael Crichton written and directed film that was the middle (and mostly forgotten) film in the middle of his other good-to-great directorial efforts – Westworld (1973), Coma (1978), Looker (1981) and Runaway (1984). Second, despite not being sci-fi like most of his films, this caper & heist film has surprisingly great, pre-CGI action sequences – especially aboard and on top of the speeding train in the film’s final 30 minutes. Finally, it stars Sean Connery and Donald Sutherland – enough said.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3jhd5Yw
#8
Emperor
Plot: Brigadier-General is tasked with the arrest of Japanese war criminals.
Event: Post-World War II surrender of Japan and arrest of Japan’s war criminals.
KBZ’s Take: This film tends to be a romantic drama with the events unfolding in the background. Though it’s been knocked for focusing on the romantic aspects of the plot, it’s one of 2 films that explore the post-Japanese surrender during World War II – The Sun (2005) being the other film. Great performances by both Matthew Fox and Tommy Lee Jones (as General McNamara).
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3JsDMnS
#7
Detroit
Plot: Rogue police officers respond to a complaint and interrogate black members of a R&B group.
Event: 1967 Detroit Riot
KBZ’s Take: Very depressing (yet engaging) film showing racial prejudice leading to tragedy in 1960’s era Detroit. Amazing performances in the film especially from Anthony Mackie, John Boyega and Will Poulter.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Ju9eSv
Plot: Prisoner plans escape from Alcatraz prison.
Event: 1962 Alcatraz Prison Escape
KBZ’s Take: Another film you likely have seen if you’re in an older age group, but a fantastic film for younger people to seek out. One of Clint Eastwood’s earlier efforts that shows a desperate man unwilling to be confined behind bars. Worth watching for the planning and execution of the prison break which plays out like some of the best Caper and Heist Films.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3XMEsbH
#5
War Party
Plot: Reenactment of a small-town Indian / US Army battle turns deadly.
Event: Battle of Milk Creek
KBZ’s Take: A great film from the 1980’s that is extremely hard to find. Film delves into small town rivalries that turn extreme during an anniversary celebration. War Party also turns into a great Crime Film About Fugitives as the reenactment participants are now on the run. Forgotten gem that is worth tracking down.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3HGO1mY
#4
Hotel Mumbai
Plot: Hotel guests and staff try to protect themselves during terrorist attack on the hotel.
Event: 2008 Mumbai Terrorist Attacks
KBZ’s Take: Word of warning: This film is very hard to watch as it chronicles the terrorist attack in extreme detail. You will feel the same sense of hopelessness that engulfs the hotel guests as the terrorists’ plans become more apparent. Moments of heroism and courage in the face of terrorism make this film worth seeing.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3Ya9Dxs
Plot: Westerner posing as a priest hides women in a church during Japanese invasion of Nanjing in 1937.
Event: Nanjing Massacre
KBZ’s Take: One of the best, but hardly seen, Christian Bale films. A Chinese produced film directed by Zhang Yimou, the film does lean on the nationalistic side in its representation of events. However, that doesn’t distract from the performances and suspense throughout the film. There is also a very tragic moment in the film that won’t leave a dry eye in the house. Note: It was the most expensive Chinese film at the time and the film features dialogue split between English, Chinese and Japanese.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/40bOpkP
#2
Fitzcarraldo
Plot: Man in Peru plans to build an opera house in a remote and unexplored region of the rainforest.
Event: Fitzcarrald’s disassembled ship and transport over a mountainous jungle land bridge
KBZ’s Take: There’s a thin line between madness and genius, and this film shows the malignant genius of the film’s main character, the insane plan to transport a ship over a mountain and the actual madness of the Director and production in filming this feat. With Klaus Kinski’s performance you’re not sure if he’s acting at times as his entire demeanor screams that he’s not all up there. Furthermore, the film shows the extreme lengths one will go to prove themselves right by transporting a ship over land. Finally, the production of the film was more surreal than the actual events portrayed in the film. Director Werner Herzog (often times the mad psychiatrist to Kinski’s mad patient), actually planned and filmed the transport of the entire assembled ship over a mountainous area when in actuality it was disassembled for transport. This portion of the film is worth seeing alone for the craziness of it. There’s even a documentary about the ill-fated Fitzcarraldo production and makes a great companion piece to the film.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/3JmQq7P
Plot: A family on vacation in Thailand is separated during a tsunami.
Event: 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
KBZ’s Take: We have seen tidal waves, earthquakes and other historical disasters on film, but never has a film shown the true dangers of a tsunami so effectively. The traumatic event is captured perfectly on film both with the tsunami and its effects and the family separated and searching for their loved ones. It’s one of the most powerful films you’ll ever see about ordinary people trying to rise above tragedy. One of KBZ’s highest recommended films to see.
Where to Stream / Buy: https://amzn.to/4044dGe
