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.

Sometimes in April

671. Sometimes in April

Drama History War
7.7

20052h 20min

Director: Raoul Peck

Two brothers are divided by marriage and fate during the 100 horrifying days of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.


Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

672. Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

Drama History Historical Drama Historical Event
7.6

20051h 57min

Germany

Director: Marc Rothemund

In 1943, as Hitler continues to wage war across Europe, a group of college students mount an underground resistance movement in Munich. Dedicated expressly to the downfall of the monolithic Third Reich war machine, they call themselves the White Rose. One of its few female members, Sophie Scholl is captured during a dangerous mission to distribute pamphlets on campus with her brother Hans. Unwavering in her convictions and loyalty to the White Rose, her cross-examination by the Gestapo quickly escalates into a searing test of wills as Scholl delivers a passionate call to freedom and personal responsibility.

Themes

Loyalty under threat, Collective resistance under repression, Moral courage under surveillance, Legal mechanisms under authoritarian rule, Cost of dissent, Propaganda versus truth

Available on

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

Why We Fight

673. Why We Fight

Documentary History Social & Political Documentary Political History
8.0

20051h 38min

Canada, Denmark

Director: Eugene Jarecki

Is American foreign policy dominated by the idea of military supremacy? Has the military become too important in American life? Jarecki's shrewd and intelligent polemic would seem to give an affirmative answer to each of these questions.

Themes

Public manipulation, Military-industrial complex, Perpetual wartime policy, Veterans and casualties, Economic incentives of war, Policy dominance and influence

Available on

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

Coach Carter

674. Coach Carter

Drama History Historical Drama
7.3

20052h 16min

Germany, United States

Director: Thomas Carter

Based on a true story, in which Richmond High School head basketball coach Ken Carter made headlines in 1999 for benching his undefeated team due to poor academic results.

Themes

Academic discipline under pressure, Authoritarian education, Youth mentorship under scrutiny, Athletic leadership accountability, Risk and achievement tension, Drug related violence consequences

Available on

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

Hotel Rwanda

675. Hotel Rwanda

Drama History War Historical Event Historical Drama
8.1

20042h 2min

United States, United Kingdom

Director: Terry George

Inspired by true events, this film takes place in Rwanda in the 1990s when more than a million Tutsis were killed in a genocide that went mostly unnoticed by the rest of the world. Hotel owner Paul Rusesabagina houses over a thousand refuges in his hotel in attempt to save their lives.

Themes

Shelter under siege, State violence, Refugee protection, Militia brutality, Survival under crisis, International inaction

Available on

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

The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing

676. The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing

Documentary History
7.7

20041h 38min

Japan, United Kingdom

Director: Wendy Apple

Documentary about the art of film editing. Clips are shown from many groundbreaking films with innovative editing styles.


Downfall

677. Downfall

Drama History War Historical Drama Historical Event
8.2

20042h 35min

Austria, Germany

Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel

In April of 1945, Germany stands at the brink of defeat with the Russian Army closing in from the east and the Allied Expeditionary Force attacking from the west. In Berlin, capital of the Third Reich, Adolf Hitler proclaims that Germany will still achieve victory and orders his generals and advisers to fight to the last man. When the end finally does come, and Hitler lies dead by his own hand, what is left of his military must find a way to end the killing that is the Battle of Berlin, and lay down their arms in surrender.

Themes

Ideology vs reality, Despair under bunker pressure, Dictator ideology vs reality, Morality under tyranny, Collapse of leadership

Available on

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

Olga

678. Olga

Drama History War
6.5

20042h 21min

Brazil

Director: Jayme Monjardim

Based upon the true story of Olga Benário, the German-born wife of Brazilian communist leader Luís Carlos Prestes. During the dictatorship of Getúlio Vargas (1930-1945) she was arrested and sent to Nazi Germany, where she was put to death in a concentration camp. After World War II began, Vargas decided to uphold the Allies.


R-Point

679. R-Point

Action History Horror Military Action Haunting Horror
6.2

20041h 47min

South Korea

Director: Kong Su-chang

On 07 January 1972, the South Korean base in Nha-Trang, Vietnam, receives a radio transmission from a missing platoon presumed dead.

Themes

Isolation and paranoia, Haunted battlefield, Loyalty under command, Misleading appearances under pressure, Memory and trauma under siege, Ghostly soldiers phenomenon

Available on

Kanopy
Hoopla
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

King Arthur

680. King Arthur

Adventure War History Action Drama
6.3

20042h 6min

Ireland, United Kingdom

Director: Antoine Fuqua

The story of the Arthurian legend, based on the 'Sarmatian hypothesis' which contends that the legend has a historical nucleus in the Sarmatian heavy cavalry troops stationed in Britain, and that the Roman-British military commander, Lucius Artorius Castus is the historical person behind the legend.

Themes

Empire vs homeland, Loyalty vs autonomy, Authority and betrayal, Duty over life, Liberation and oppression, Tradition vs change

Available on

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