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.

181. Coven

Coven
Drama History Historical Event Historical Drama
6.4
20201h 32minArgentina, Spain
Director: Pablo Agüero

Overview

French Basque Country, year 1609. The men of a small fishing village have gone to sea. Judge Rostegui, who has been charged by the king with ridding the country of the devil's wiles, arrests Ana and her friends and accuses them of witchcraft.

Themes

Witchcraft accusation pressure, Religious persecution by inquisition, Witch hunt dynamics on women, Akelarre fear dynamics, Female friendship under duress

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

182. Josep

Josep
Animation Drama History
7.4
20201h 14minBelgium, France
Director: Aurel

Overview

February 1939. Overwhelmed by the flood of Republicans fleeing Franco's dictatorship, the French government's solution consists in confining the Spanish refugees in concentration camps where they have no other choice than to build their own shelters, feed off the horses which have carried them out of their country, and die by the hundred for lack of hygiene and water... In one of these camps, two men, separated by barbwire, will become friends. One is a guard the other is Josep Bartoli (Barcelona 1910 - New York 1995), a cartoonist who fights against the Franco regime.


183. The Trial of the Chicago 7

The Trial of the Chicago 7
Drama History Legal Drama
7.7
20202h 10minUnited States
Director: Aaron Sorkin

Overview

What was supposed to be a peaceful protest turned into a violent clash with the police. What followed was one of the most notorious trials in history.

Themes

Political activism under scrutiny, State power and dissent, Legal drama and justice, Collective action consequences, Public order vs rights, Protest to riot dynamics

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

184. The Swordsman

The Swordsman
Action Drama History Martial Arts Action Historical Drama
6.8
20201h 41minSouth Korea
Director: Choi Jae-hoon

Overview

After being blinded in a coup against the king, Joseon's greatest swordsman goes into hiding, far removed from his city's anguish. But when traffickers kidnap his daughter, he has no choice but to unsheathe his sword once more.

Themes

Kidnapping as leverage, Foreign domination via tribute, Loyalty under political pressure, Court corruption and resistance, Adoption as political tool, Martial code under siege

Available on

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

185. The Secrets We Keep

The Secrets We Keep
Thriller History Drama Kidnapping & Captivity Thriller
5.9
20201h 37minUnited States
Director: Yuval Adler

Overview

In post-World War II America, a woman, rebuilding her life in the suburbs with her husband, kidnaps her neighbor and seeks vengeance for the heinous war crimes she believes he committed against her.

Themes

"movie: the secrets we keep. genres: thriller, History, Drama, Thriller, History, Drama main themes: post world war ii, Vengeance, Post world war ii, Vengeance full keywords list: post world war ii, Vengeance. concept analysis: the film explores the complexities of trauma and the quest for vengeance, Questioning the morality of retribution in the face of past atrocities. it delves into the psychological scars left by war and the lengths to which individuals will go to confront their demons."

Available on

Kanopy
Hoopla
Fandango At Home
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

186. Emperor

Emperor
History War Drama
6.0
20201h 39min
Director: Mark Amin

Overview

An escaped slave travels north and has chance encounters with Frederick Douglass and John Brown. Based on the life story of Shields Green.


187. The Eight Hundred

The Eight Hundred
War History Drama Action
6.7
20202h 27minChina
Director: Guan Hu

Overview

In 1937, eight hundred Chinese soldiers fight under siege from a warehouse in the middle of the Shanghai battlefield, completely surrounded by the Japanese army.


188. Tesla

Tesla
History Drama Biographical History Historical Drama
5.1
20201h 42minUnited States
Director: Michael Almereyda

Overview

The story of the Promethean struggles of Nikola Tesla, as he attempts to transcend entrenched technology—including his own previous work—by pioneering a system of wireless energy that would change the world.

Themes

"movie: tesla. genres: history, Drama, History, Drama main themes: inventor, Biography, Based on true story, Inventor, Biography, Based on true story full keywords list: inventor, Biography, Based on true story, Nikola tesla, Tesla coil. concept analysis: the film 'tesla' explores the profound loneliness and isolation that often accompany genius, Illustrating how groundbreaking innovation can lead to personal sacrifice and misunderstanding. it also critiques the competitive nature of technological advancement, Highlighting the ethical dilemmas faced by inventors in a rapidly evolving world."

Available on

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

189. Louis van Beethoven

Louis van Beethoven
Drama History
6.3
20202hGermany, Austria
Director: Niki Stein

Overview

1779. Eight-year-old Ludwig van Beethoven, called "Louis", is already known as a musical prodigy. He learns to go his own way - much to the dismay of the people around him. Some years later, he meets Mozart during times of political upheaval. The unconventional genius and French Revolution are sparking a fire in Louis' heart; he doesn't want to serve a master - only the arts. Facing times of family tragedies and unrequited love, he almost gives up. However, Louis makes it to Vienna to study under Haydn in 1792, and the rest is history. Who was this man, whose music has since touched countless hearts and minds? At the end of his life, the master is isolated by loss of loved ones and hearing. Surely though, he was way ahead of his times.


190. The Outpost

The Outpost
War Drama History Action Modern Conflicts
6.8
20202h 3minUnited States
Director: Rod Lurie

Overview

A small unit of U.S. soldiers, alone at the remote Combat Outpost Keating, located deep in the valley of three mountains in Afghanistan, battles to defend against an overwhelming force of Taliban fighters in a coordinated attack. The Battle of Kamdesh, as it was known, was the bloodiest American engagement of the Afghan War in 2009 and Bravo Troop 3-61 CAV became one of the most decorated units of the 19-year conflict.

Themes

Leadership under fire, Duty under pressure, Morale under siege, Rules of engagement tension, Bribery and leverage, Endurance under attrition

Available on

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