Historical Event backdrop

Historical Event movies

Stories centered on a specific real-world event or crisis, tracking cause, consequence, and human cost.

Carlos

1. Carlos

Crime Drama Thriller History Historical Event
7.6
20105h 39min

Overview

The story of Venezuelan revolutionary, Ilich Ramirez Sanchez, who founded a worldwide terrorist organization and raided the OPEC headquarters in 1975 before being caught by the French police.

Themes

Ideological extremism, Shifting alliances, Backer dependence, Arms trafficking, Mercenary politics, State security dynamics

Available on

AMC+ Amazon Channel
Criterion Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Robin Hood

2. Robin Hood

Action Adventure History Epic Action Adventure Epic
6.6
20102h 20min

Overview

When soldier Robin happens upon the dying Robert of Loxley, he promises to return the man's sword to his family in Nottingham. There, he assumes Robert's identity; romances his widow, Marion; and draws the ire of the town's sheriff and King John's henchman, Godfrey.

Themes

Deception as strategy, Charter rights leverage, Taxation and legitimacy, Unity against invasion, Equality in the greenwood, Loyalty and obligation

Available on

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

The Round Up

3. The Round Up

Drama History War Historical Drama Historical Event
7.0
20101h 55min

Overview

A faithful retelling of the 1942 "Vel' d'Hiv Roundup" and the events surrounding it.

Themes

Deportation and transit hardship, Oppression under occupation, Civilian resilience and care, Moral ambiguity under regime, Escape and survival, Aid networks and solidarity

Available on

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

Agora

4. Agora

Adventure Drama History Historical Drama Historical Event
7.1
20092h 7min

Overview

A historical drama set in Roman Egypt, concerning philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria and her relationship with her slave Davus, who is torn between his love for her and the possibility of gaining his freedom by joining the rising tide of Christianity.

Themes

Clashing belief systems, Power dynamics within empire, Intellectual defiance under oppression, Master-servant tension, Misogyny under persecution, Intellectual inquiry restricted

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
The Roku Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

City of Life and Death

5. City of Life and Death

Drama History War Historical Drama Historical Event
7.7
20092h 12min

Overview

In 1937, during the height of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the Imperial Japanese Army has just captured Nanjing, then-capital of the Republic of China. What followed was known as the Nanking Massacre, or the Rape of Nanking, a six week period wherein tens of thousands of Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed.

Themes

Survival under occupation, Duty versus humanity, Safety zones under pressure, War crimes against civilians, Gendered vulnerability in war, Moral ambiguity in soldiers

Available on

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

Hunger

6. Hunger

Drama History Historical Drama Historical Event
7.5
20081h 36min

Overview

The story of Bobby Sands, the IRA member who led the 1981 hunger strike during The Troubles in which Irish Republican prisoners tried to win political status.

Themes

Police brutality, Political imprisonment, Prisoner protest, Solidarity under pressure, Moral ambiguity of resistance, Dehumanization in custody

Available on

AMC+ Amazon Channel
Criterion Channel
Philo
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Flame & Citron

7. Flame & Citron

Drama History War Historical Event World War II
7.2
20082h 10min

Overview

Gunman Flame and his partner Citron assassinate Nazi collaborators for the Danish resistance. Assigned targets by their Allies-connected leader, Aksel Winther, they relish the opportunity to begin targeting the Nazis themselves. When they begin to doubt the validity of their assignments, their morally complicated task becomes even more labyrinthine.

Themes

Trust under pressure, Duty vs loyalty, Betrayal dynamics, Moral conflict, Covert intelligence networks, Consequences of violence

Available on

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

Female Agents

8. Female Agents

War History Historical Event World War II
6.7
20081h 57min

Overview

May 1944, a group of French servicewomen and resistance fighters are enlisted into the British Special Operations Executive commando group under the command of Louise Desfontaines and her brother Pierre. Their mission, to rescue a British army geologist caught reconnoitering the beaches at Normandy.

Themes

Duty amid danger, Resistance under occupation, Women in covert warfare, Collaboration under pressure, Deception under orders, Risk and sacrifice

Available on

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

The Warlords

9. The Warlords

Action Drama History Epic Action Historical Drama
7.0
20072h 6min

Overview

The civil war in China has ruined many lives including General Pang's. A wounded General Pang is saved by a beautiful young woman along with two other men. Together they vow to eradicate the rebels.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Leadership legitimacy and rival claims, Betrayal and trust erosion, Collective oath and unity, Resource scarcity and control, Civilian impact of war

Available on

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

Sword of the Stranger

10. Sword of the Stranger

Action Animation History Martial Arts Action Anime
7.7
20071h 43min

Overview

Pursued by formidable Chinese assassins, young Kotaro and his dog run into No Name, a mysterious stranger who gets pulled into the chase. The unlikely companions form a bond over saving the dog from a poison attack, but chaos erupts when the assassins find Kotaro, and No Name must face his past before a horrible fate is met again.

Themes

Loyalty under pressure, Identity through disguise, Betrayal and survival, Duty vs personal cost

Available on

Crunchyroll
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.