History backdrop

History movies

Period pieces that transport you back in time, recreating the events and figures that shaped our past.

Subgenres include: Historical Event, Biographical History, Political History.

Shattered Glass

521. Shattered Glass

Drama History Professional Drama Biographical History
7.1

20031h 34min

Canada, United States

Director: Billy Ray

The true story of fraudulent Washington, D.C. journalist Stephen Glass, who rose to meteoric heights as a young writer in his 20s, becoming a staff writer at The New Republic for three years. Looking for a short cut to fame, Glass concocted sources, quotes and even entire stories, but his deception did not go unnoticed forever, and eventually, his world came crumbling down.

Themes

Deception under pressure, Credibility under scrutiny, Verification failures, Professional accountability, Popularity vs integrity, Media ethics tensions

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Luther

522. Luther

Drama History Historical Drama Biographical History
6.6

20032h 3min

Germany, United States

Director: Eric Till

During the early 16th century, idealistic German monk Martin Luther, disgusted by the materialism in the church, begins the dialogue that will lead to the Protestant Reformation.

Themes

Vernacular bible emergence, Translation as accessibility, Religious reform vs tradition, Institutional power vs dissent, Leadership protection vs exile, Public debate over indulgences

Available on

Amazon Video
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Saints and Soldiers

523. Saints and Soldiers

War Drama Action Adventure History
6.6

20031h 30min

United States

Director: Ryan Little

Five American soldiers fighting in Europe during World War II struggle to return to Allied territory after being separated from U.S. forces during the historic Malmedy Massacre.

Themes

Loyalty under strain, Duty under fire, Faith under pressure, Trust under stress, Survival under duress, Teamwork amid danger

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Good Morning, Night

524. Good Morning, Night

Drama History
7.1

20031h 46min

Italy

Director: Marco Bellocchio

The 1978 kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro, president of the most important political party in Italy at the time, Democrazia Cristiana, as seen from the perspective of one of his assailants -- a conflicted young woman in the ranks of the Red Brigade.


Seabiscuit

525. Seabiscuit

Drama History Historical Drama
7.3

20032h 21min

United States

Director: Gary Ross

True story of the undersized Depression-era racehorse whose victories lifted not only the spirits of the team behind it but also those of their nation.

Themes

Mentorship and collaboration, Regional rival competition, Depression era resilience, Underdog ascent, Public spectacle and media reach, Injury and rehabilitation

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
fuboTV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Best of Youth

526. The Best of Youth

Drama History Romance Historical Drama Historical Event
8.5

20036h 7min

Italy

Director: Marco Tullio Giordana

After a fateful encounter in the summer of 1966, the lifepaths of two brothers from a middle-class Roman family diverge, intersecting with some of the most significant events of postwar Italian history in the following decades.

Themes

Intergenerational conflict, Political upheaval and reform, Family saga and legacy, Mafia influence and corruption

Available on

Amazon Video
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Other Boleyn Girl

527. The Other Boleyn Girl

TV Movie Drama History Romance
6.1

20031h 30min

Director: Philippa Lowthorpe

Based on the controversial novel by Philippa Gregory, "The Other Boleyn Girl" is a fictionalised account of the life of Lady Mary Boleyn who becomes mistress to England's king, Henry VIII, before being ousted by her younger sister, Anne. Mary leaves the Court to marry a commoner, but returns when Anne embarks on a reckless policy to save herself from ruin.


Ned Kelly

528. Ned Kelly

Action Adventure Drama History Biographical History
6.4

20031h 50min

Australia, France

Director: Gregor Jordan

After getting threatened by Kelly's friends and family, Constable Fitzpatrick places the blame on Ned Kelly and exaggerates what happened. With the biggest ever award available, Kelly and his gang set into the wild, to remain hidden from everyone who seeks them. Even if it means having his family arrested, the members of the Kelly Gang stay hidden and plan a way to get their names cleared.

Themes

Betrayal and loyalty, Folk hero paradox, Colonial authority vs populace, Wealth redistribution, State violence and legitimacy, Media portrayal vs public perception

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Gods and Generals

529. Gods and Generals

Drama History War Biographical History 19th Century Wars
6.2

20033h 39min

United States

Director: Ronald F. Maxwell

The film centers mostly around the personal and professional life of Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, a brilliant if eccentric Confederate general, from the outbreak of the American Civil War until its halfway point.

Themes

Battle driven leadership, Secession era loyalty, Death toll resilience, Plantation impact homefront, Union confederate duty, War's personal costs

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Song for a Raggy Boy

530. Song for a Raggy Boy

Drama History
7.5

20031h 34min

Ireland, United Kingdom

Director: Aisling Walsh

William Franklin is a teacher who was born in Ireland and moved to the United States only to repatriate in 1939 after his leftist political views cause him to lose his job. Franklin becomes the first non-cleric instructor at St. Jude's, a school for wayward boys run by Brother John, who is a firm believer in strong discipline.