Historical Event backdrop

Historical Event movies

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

The Great Raid

1. The Great Raid

Action History War Military Action World War II
6.6
20052h 12min

Overview

As World War II rages, the elite Sixth Ranger Battalion is given a mission of heroic proportions: push 30 miles behind enemy lines and liberate over 500 American prisoners of war.

Themes

Wartime resilience, Behind enemy lines planning, Prisoner welfare under duress, Local guerilla collaboration, Frontline improvisation under pressure, Military operation coordination, Awards and recognition

Available on

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

Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

2. Sophie Scholl: The Final Days

Drama History Historical Drama Historical Event
7.6
20051h 57min

Overview

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.

Hotel Rwanda

3. Hotel Rwanda

Drama History War Historical Event Historical Drama
8.1
20042h 2min

Overview

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.

Downfall

4. Downfall

Drama History War Historical Drama Historical Event
8.2
20042h 35min

Overview

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.

Troy

5. Troy

War Action History Historical Event Epic Action
7.3
20042h 43min

Overview

In year 1250 B.C. during the late Bronze age, two emerging nations begin to clash. Paris, the Trojan prince, convinces Helen, Queen of Sparta, to leave her husband Menelaus, and sail with him back to Troy. After Menelaus finds out that his wife was taken by the Trojans, he asks his brother Agamemnon to help him get her back. Agamemnon sees this as an opportunity for power. They set off with 1,000 ships holding 50,000 Greeks to Troy.

Themes

Loyalty and betrayal, Glory versus restraint, Power through conquest, Fate versus choice, Romance amid war, Deception and strategy

Available on

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

The Alamo

6. The Alamo

History War Drama Historical Event 19th Century Wars
6.1
20042h 17min

Overview

Based on the 1836 standoff between a group of Texan and Tejano men, led by Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie, and Mexican dictator Santa Anna's forces at the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas.

Themes

Leadership in crisis, Defense under siege, Retreat and pursuit, Legitimacy under pressure, Resource constraints, Sacrifice and endurance

Available on

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

The Best of Youth

7. The Best of Youth

Drama History Romance Historical Drama Historical Event
8.5
20036h 7min

Overview

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.

Hero

8. Hero

Drama Adventure Action History Historical Event
7.9
20021h 39min

Overview

During China's Warring States period, a district prefect arrives at the palace of Qin Shi Huang, claiming to have killed the three assassins who had made an attempt on the king's life three years ago.

Themes

Duty vs desire, Loyalty under manipulation, Legitimacy through violence, Patriotism vs personal loyalty, Public spectacle of power

Available on

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

We Were Soldiers

9. We Were Soldiers

Action History War Vietnam War Military Action
7.2
20022h 18min

Overview

The story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War and the soldiers on both sides that fought it.

Themes

Duty on battlefield, Death toll awareness, Comradeship amid combat, Carpet bombing impact, Epic battle endurance, Military discipline under threat

Available on

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

Rabbit-Proof Fence

10. Rabbit-Proof Fence

Adventure Drama History Exploration Adventure Historical Drama
7.4
20021h 34min

Overview

In 1931, three Aboriginal girls escape after being plucked from their homes to be trained as domestic staff, and set off on a trek across the Outback.

Themes

Colonial control, Family separation, Forced removal, Survival under oppression, Resilience and endurance, Betrayal and coercion

Available on

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