Political History backdrop

Political History movies

Power-shift history: leaders, institutions, revolutions, and diplomacy grounded in real context.

Charlie Wilson's War

1. Charlie Wilson's War

Comedy Drama History Satire Historical Drama
7.0
20071h 42min

Overview

A Texas congressman sets a series of events in motion when he conspires with a CIA operative to aid Afghan mujahideen rebels fighting the Soviets.

Themes

Funding drives diplomacy, Secrecy vs accountability, External influence on policy, Blowback risk management, Elite influence in legislation, Humanitarian concern vs strategy

Available on

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

The Queen

2. The Queen

Drama History Historical Drama Political History
7.3
20061h 43min

Overview

The Queen is an intimate behind the scenes glimpse at the interaction between HM Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Tony Blair during their struggle, following the death of Diana, to reach a compromise between what was a private tragedy for the Royal family and the public's demand for an overt display of mourning.

Themes

Public spectacle vs private grief, Media scrutiny and intrusion, Modernisation versus tradition, Monarchy legitimacy under debate, Duty versus personal sentiment, Political influence on ceremony

Available on

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

Marie Antoinette

3. Marie Antoinette

Drama History Historical Drama Political History
6.5
20062h 3min

Overview

The retelling of France’s iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette - from her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at fifteen to her reign as queen at nineteen and ultimately the fall of Versailles.

Themes

Class inequality at court, Spectacle vs constraint, Extravagance amid crisis, Public image management, Social climbing and legitimacy, Motherhood and succession pressure

Available on

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

Overview

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.

No Man's Land

5. No Man's Land

Action History War Military Action World War I
7.9
20011h 38min

Overview

Two soldiers from opposite sides get stuck between the front lines in the same trench. The UN is asked to free them and both sides agree on a ceasefire, but will they stick to it?

Themes

Frontline ethics, Neutral aid dilemma, Mutual distrust under pressure, Ceasefire fragility, Deception in wartime, Human cost of siege

Available on

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

Thirteen Days

6. Thirteen Days

History Thriller Political History Political Thriller
7.3
20002h 25min

Overview

The story of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962—the nuclear standoff with the USSR sparked by the discovery by the Americans of missile bases established on the Soviet-allied island of Cuba.

Themes

Cold war brinkmanship, Cuban missile crisis tension, Atomic bomb deterrence, Usa president leverage, Diplomacy under pressure, Politics under threat

Available on

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

One Hundred Steps

7. One Hundred Steps

Drama History Historical Drama Political History
7.5
20001h 54min

Overview

Peppino Impastato is a quick-witted lad growing up in 1970s Sicily. Despite hailing from a family with Mafia ties and living just one hundred steps from the house of local boss Tano Badalamenti, Peppino decides to expose the Mafia by using a pirate radio station to broadcast his political pronouncements in the form of ironic humour.

Themes

Anti-mafia resistance, Political radicalization, Media exposure of crime, Family complicity with crime, Public protest and memory, Activism under threat

Available on

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