20 biographical films that capture just as fictional stories

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Wonderful pictures about the life of scientists, musicians, military men and even racers are waiting for you.

20. Steve Jobs

• UK, USA, 2015.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 122 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

The film focuses on several major events in the career of the legendary Apple founder Steve Jobs. The action takes place alternately in 1984, 1988 and 1998.

Director Danny Boyle wanted to clearly divide the eras, not only with the help of the plot and makeup of the actors, but also visually. The first part of the film was shot with a 16mm camera, the second - with a 35mm camera, and the final - with a digital one. Therefore, each of them looks like one that came from its own era.

19. Munk

• USA, 2020.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 131 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 5.

After a car accident, the talented screenwriter Herman Mankevich goes to a remote ranch, where he works on the debut film of the young director Orson Welles, Citizen Kane.

David Fincher dreamed of making this film from the script of his father for about 30 years. And finally, the project was released, and even with Gary Oldman in the title role. Moreover, the film is visually stylized to resemble Citizen Kane himself.

18. Social network

• USA, 2010.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 120 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

One day, student Mark Zuckerberg, for fun, creates a site where you can select girls by attractiveness. It soon spreads to the social network Facebook. But colleagues are suing Zuckerberg, accusing him of stealing the idea.

Another film by David Fincher. The skill of the director made it possible to show the real story (albeit with some deviations) so exciting that the picture was often called one of the main works of the decade.

17. Cross the line

• USA, Germany, 2005.
• Biography, drama.
• Duration: 136 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 8.

The most realistic film tells about the youth and formation of the legend of country music Johnny Cash: a difficult relationship with his father, military service, first success and strong love.

The main role in this picture was played by the master of transformations Joaquin Phoenix. His candidacy was approved by Cash himself, who liked the actor's performance in Gladiator. Phoenix not only literally reincarnated as his prototype - he personally performed all the songs in the picture.

16. Bohemian Rhapsody

• USA, 2018.
• Drama, biography, musical.
• Duration: 134 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

Young Farrukh Bulsara, who has excellent vocal abilities, meets the musicians of the Smile group, from whom the singer has just left. They decide to play together. This is how the Queen collective and the legendary Freddie Mercury appear.

Initially, there were rumors that comedian Sasha Baron Cohen would be invited to the main role, since he looks very much like Mercury. But the development of the picture went on for years, and the actor was no longer suitable for age. Then Rami Malek was invited: he also has Egyptian roots, like the singer, and his growth practically coincides. There was a lot of debate about the production of the picture, but Malek's skill was noted with numerous prizes. And the final part with a performance at Live Aid was re-filmed literally frame by frame.

15. The imitation game

• USA, 2014.
• Historical drama.
• Duration: 114 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

British cryptographer and mathematician Alan Turing, along with a group of colleagues during the war, tries to decipher the messages of the Enigma machine used by the Nazis. Turing understands that only technique can defeat technique.

Benedict Cumberbatch has played in many biographical films: he appeared in the images of Stephen Hawking, Vincent Van Gogh, Thomas Edison and even Julian Assange. But the image of Turing is considered by many to be one of his strongest roles, based on a real prototype.

14. Dallas Buyers Club

• USA, 2013.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 117 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

In 1985, a simple American electrician Ron Woodroof was diagnosed with AIDS. Traditional medicine could not help him, but by taking experimental drugs, he was able to extend his life. And then he started selling drugs to other people with a similar diagnosis.

The picture is based on a real article from The Dallas Morning News. For this film, Matthew McConaughey received an Oscar, Golden Globe, Saturn and many other awards.

13. The King Speaks

• UK, USA, Australia, 2010.
• Drama, biography, historical.
• Duration: 118 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

Prince Albert will soon become the new king of Great Britain. But he cannot overcome the fear of publicity and strong stuttering in himself. To cope with the problems, the hero turns to speech therapist Lionel Logue, who is famous for non-standard methods of work.

In Tom Hooper's film, the future King George VI was played by the magnificent Colin Firth. Largely thanks to his talent, the film became a real hit at the box office and received 12 Oscar nominations, taking as a result 4 awards.

12. Ford vs. Ferrari

• USA, France, 2019.
• Biography, sports, drama.
• Duration: 152 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

American engineers dream of defeating the legendary Ferrari team in auto racing. Designer Carroll Shelby plans to create a new sports car for Ford, and talented racer Ken Miles with a rather sharp temper will join him.

The film, starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale, combines a true dramatic story with incredibly intense racing footage. So the picture looks brighter and more dynamic than most biographical stories.

11. For reasons of conscience

• USA, Australia, 2016.
• Drama.
• Duration: 139 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

Desmond Doss dreamed of becoming a doctor. And even when the Second World War began, he vowed not to take up arms. Desmond signs up for the front as a volunteer to save people.

Real-life Corporal Desmond Doss is the first conscientious objector to military service in history to receive the highest U. S. military honor, the Medal of Honor. And Andrew Garfield, who played this role in the film, received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations.

10.12 years of slavery

• USA, UK, 2013.
• Drama, biography, historical.
• Duration: 133 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

In 1841, the free black musician Solomon Northup, who lived with his wife and children in Saratoga Springs, was drunk and sold as an escaped slave. The hero ends up in New Orleans, where he works in captivity for 12 years.

Steve McQueen's painting is based on the autobiography of Solomon Northup. Initially, the director planned to simply make a film about the times of slavery, but after reading Northup's book, it became clear to him that it was better to tell a real story.

9. Into the wild

• USA, 2007.
• Drama, adventure, biography.
• Duration: 148 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

After graduation, excellent student Chris McCandless donates all his money to a charity and sets off on a journey through the wilderness. On the way, he meets unusual people and finds himself in very difficult situations.

To most reliably tell about McCandless's journey, the authors of the picture clearly followed his route. And since filming required appropriate weather conditions, they had to travel to Alaska four times.

8. Green Book

• USA, China, 2018.
• Comedy, drama, biography.
• Duration: 130 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

In the 60s USA, Tony, a bouncer from a nightclub, gets a job as a driver for the black pianist Don Shirley. The intelligent and respected musician embarks on a tour of the southern states. Tony must help him in all matters and at the same time be a bodyguard. Gradually, companions who dislike each other become friends.

It's amazing that comedy director Peter Farrelli directed the funny, but still very dramatic and serious picture. Viewers and critics loved this film, but Shirley's relatives were outraged and argued that the events in the film were shown inaccurately.

7. The Wolf of Wall Street

• USA, 2013.
• Drama, comedy, biography, crime.
• Duration: 180 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Due to the global crisis, Jordan Belfort loses his job. But soon he organized his own financial office and a few years later became a millionaire. But Belfort's earnings are not the most legitimate, and the FBI is already interested in him.

Martin Scorsese retells the true story of the former broker in a witty comedy. Moreover, he invited the audience's favorite Leonardo DiCaprio to the main role. By the way, the real Belfort appeared in the film in a cameo, which confirms his approval of the picture.

6. Bunker

• Germany, Austria, Italy, 2004.
• Drama, historical.
• Duration: 156 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

In the spring of 1945, the government of Adolf Hitler realizes that the war is lost - Soviet troops are already approaching Berlin. The highest German officials are hiding in the bunker of Hitler, who still firmly believes in a quick victory.

Director Oliver Hirschbiegel showed a very controversial story of the last days of the dictator. Part of the script is based on the memoirs of Traudl Junge, Hitler's secretary. It is also unusual that in this picture the author tried to present the dictator not only as a fanatical madman, but also as an ordinary person.

5. Mind games

• USA, 2001.
• Biography, drama.
• Duration: 135 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

John Nash is a true mathematics genius teaching at the university. Once a CIA agent turns to him with a request to help in finding encrypted messages in open sources. Suddenly, everything changes in the hero's life.

The picture exaggerated the oddities of John Nash, since it was required to visualize his feelings. Yet the basis of the story was conveyed correctly. And Russell Crowe was put on makeup every day for several hours to make him look more like a prototype.

4. Raging Bull

• USA, 1980.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 129 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

Boxer and trainer Jake Lamotte was once nicknamed Raging Bull for his cruelty. Moreover, his aggression was not limited only to the boxing ring - loved ones also suffered from Lamotte's actions. Already getting old, he remembers his path, full of tragedies and mistakes.

In this film by Martin Scorsese, the famous Robert De Niro played one of his most powerful roles. And the fact that the story is based on real events adds even more drama to what is happening.

3. Lawrence of Arabia

• Great Britain, 1962.
• Drama, historical, military.
• Duration: 216 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 3.

During World War I, a young and daring British officer, Thomas Edward Lawrence, gets into an argument with the general. As punishment, he is sent to Syria. There Lawrence leads the Arab guerrilla war against the Turks.

The epic film by David Lean tells about events such as the capture of Aqaba and the Arab uprising of 1916, in which Thomas Edward Lawrence, nicknamed the Arabian, really took part.

2. Pianist

• France, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, 2002.
• Historical drama.
• Duration: 149 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

Pianist and composer Wladyslaw Spielman witnesses how during the Second World War the territory of Poland was occupied by the Nazis. The invaders send all Jews to the Warsaw ghetto.

While preparing for the role, Adrian Brody really learned to play the piano and moved to Europe for a while. And to show the transformation of a free person into a prisoner, he also had to lose 15 kilograms.

1. Schindler's list

Schindler's List

• USA, 1993.
• Historical drama.
• Duration: 195 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 9.

Nazi Party member and successful industrialist Oskar Schindler invests heavily in rescuing Jews from concentration camps. As a result, Schindler is helping to save the lives of more than a thousand people.

Steven Spielberg wanted to convey the events as believably as possible. His team purchased wartime clothing in Poland, and the consultant was Mieczyslaw Pemper, the compiler of this Schindler's List. The director also refused the fee, opening the Shoah Foundation with the money received, which is responsible for the safety of documents about the Holocaust.

What biographical films do you like? Vivid stories of musicians or dramas about scientists and the military? Or maybe your favorite painting didn't make this list? Then tell us about it in the comments!