Smart Cleaning Solutions is one of Australia’s best cleaning companies with branches all around Australia providing reliable cleaning services all over the country with top notch workers and cleaners around. Our Services vary from cleaning Hotels, Pubs, RSL Clubs, Gyms, Schools, Childcare, Aged Care, Medical Centres, & Hospitals.

60+ Incredible Movies Based on True Stories

When someone says, “that movie came from a true story” you know that sometimes there’s a possibility that the producers twisted the story for the plot.

Yet, some stories have retained their original flow and were even liked more. So, want to know what movies are inspired by true stories?

Here are the list:

1. The Conjuring (2013)

Genre: Horror, exorcism

Starring: Vera Faminga, Patrick Wilson

Watching this one will make you scream with its realistic themed demonic scenes. The scenes are not too cliched and are so wild that everyone was asking where Director James Wan got this idea? But it’s scarier when the truth finally unfolds. The Conjuring is actually a true case from 1970 Ed and Lorraine Warren Case and their old photos were shown in the credits scene of the movie. Annabelle is actually a normal doll and not really that scary when you look at the original photo. However, stories of its demonic possession were said to be true. The original house of the Perron family is still standing on Rhode Island and according to History vs Hollywood, eight generations of one extended family died and never left the house before the family’s arrival. Woah! That’s even more than scary than the movie.

Valak, on the other hand, is not really a nun but a demon. The Director wasn’t sure what character design he’d put Valak into, so eventually decided to make Valak a nun.

According to allthatsinteresting, Ed Warren is a war veteran and studied demonologist on his own. While Lorraine is a clairvoyant who claimed to have communicated with the demons. The couple started in the 1950s and became notorious demon hunters.

2. Captain Phillips

Genre: Thriller/Drama

 

Starring: Tom Hanks

Directed by Paul Greengrass, Captain Philips is based on the MAERSK Alabama hijacking on April 8, 2008. The cargo ship was hijacked by pirates in the Indiana Ocean with 21 American men including Captain Philips.

There was an exchange of gunfire with the Navy Seal as portrayed in the movie. On April 12, the sole survivor, Abduwali Muse surrendered to the Navy Seal. He was then sentenced for 33 years of imprisonment in 2011.

Movie Trivia: Tom Hanks claimed that all the interior lifeboat scenes were filmed inside a scale model that was actually on water at all times, resulting in him being vomited on by crew members in the cramped space. Nice.

3. Erin Brockovich (2000)

Genre: Law

Starring: Julia Roberts

Erin Brockovich is a single mother who was broke and found a job as a legal assistant in a law firm. Her investigation to Pacific Gas and Electric Company was what this film is all about. It’s like a detective movie but in a real life. What’s more astonishing is that she can memorise 634 plaintiffs in their readings! This is not a lie, Erin Brockovich has dyslexia and when you have dyslexia, you have trouble reading.

To make up for it, Erin Brockovich learned everything just by memorising it.

4. Into the Wild (2007)

Genre: Survival

 

Starring: Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, William Hurt, Kristen Stewart

Life in the modern world can get so hard sometimes that you just want to go out into the wilderness and forget everything! Well, at least this is what this film is all about. Into the Wild features a young university graduate with high honours seeking to change his life. He destroyed all his ID and donated all his money. At first, it was a thrill for him and the adventure brought to him with nature was something he is really proud of.

But not for long.

 

Movie Trivia:  The watch Emile Hirsch wears in the movie is Christopher McCandless’ real life watch, given to him as a present.

 

5. 127 Hours (2010)

Genre: Survival

 

Starring: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara

Starring James Franco as Aron Ralston, this story about surviving for 127 hours trapped in a Blue John Canyon. Aron’s hand was stuck in a rock there, and the story is a record of how he survived. He rations his food and when his water went empty, he drank his own urine.

Movie Trivia: The camcorder used by James Franco in the film was the actual one Aron Ralston used when he was trapped in Blue John Canyon.

6. Girl, Interrupted (1999)

Genre: Psychological Drama Film

 

Starring: Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie

Girl, Interrupted shows us the world inside a mental institution, and people with different psychological disorders. It was based on Susanna Kaysen’s memoir Girl, Interrupted. Susanna went to Claymore psychiatric institution after a nervous breakdown and drug overdose. She befriends Lisa, Daisy, Georgina and Polly. When Daisy is released, Lisa and Susanna escape and go to Daisy’s home. Things then get a whole lot crazier!

7. The Wolf of Wall Street

Genre: Finance, Comedy

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio,

This movie based on the memoir of the same name is all about Jordan Belfort and his stock firm, Stratton Oakmont. It tells about how money can make you crazy, even breaking laws just to get rich. Indeed, Jordan’s life is good at the start but then he goes on a drug influenced spiral downwards and in the end shares some powerful lessons.

8. 8 Mile (2002)

Genre: Drama, Music

Starring: Eminem, Brittany Murphy. Mekhi Phifer

8 Mile is about the famous rapper, Eminem and how he got into stardom. He grew up with a very harsh life, a blue-collar worker from a poor family. And then he met a lot of people, engaged in many fights using rap and won the rap battle which was to get revenge against his enemies.

Movie Trivia: The movie name 8 Mile was after a street in Detroit, Michigan, Michigan Highway M-102, specifically a portion that follows the locally named “8 Mile Road”.

9. Philomena (2013)

Genre: Drama, History

Starring: Judi Dench, Steve Coogan

Get ready to be soaked in tears because this movie will take you to a thrilling search of Philomena’s lost son. Based on the book, The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith, the movie set a gross box office hit of $100.1 million and nominated to many awards! It starts with Martin and Philomena’s search for his son Anthony which she had when she was 18 and was taken away from her by the nuns. Turns out, Anthony became Michael A. Hess which Martin met a few years ago and was already dead. In the end, they learned that Michael inquired about his mother before he was dying but the nun lied to him that his mother left him. That was really harsh but the nun said that it was Philomena’s penance for having a child out of wedlock. Martin demanded an apology but Philomena forgive her instead which was the most touching part of the story!

10. Boogie Nights (1997)

Genre: Drama, Movies, Sex

Starring: Mark Wahlberg,

I have always wondered what porn actors and actresses’ life were and it is shown in this movie. Boogie Nights is about a legendary porn star actor John Holmes which is Dirk Diggler in the movie. Just like Mile 8, it was shown how Dirk started and rose to stardom. But the difference is that Dirk went to wrong directions, went into constant drug abuse that leads problems to his erection and his attitude that got him fired.  He went to a lot of trouble maintaining his rich life and status. In the end, he realized some things and start his life again

 

11. Monster (2003)

Genre: True Crime

Starring: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci

Aileen Wuornos is a former prostitute who became a serial killer in thoughts of defending herself. However, as successful as this movie might seem, it met a lot of critics especially the families of Aileen’s victims. The families claimed that Aileen was portrayed as a victim and said it was self-defense. During the hearing of Aileen, she said that it wasn’t a self defense and she’d loved to kill again. She said that as cold as ice. Weeew. That sends shivers down my spine.

12. American Hustle (2103)

Genre: Comedy, Crime

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence

American Hustle is based on the FBI ABSCAM operation which enlists two conman artist Mel Weinberg named as Irving Rosenfeld in the movie and Evelyn Knight (Sydney Prosse in the movie). Abscam or Abdul Scam was used to expose corrupt politicians in the late 1970s to 1980s. Although it is based on the real investigation, some of the scenes are made up. Like the love triangle between Rosenfield, his mistress and the FBI Agent or the time when Irving made a deal with FBI to reduced his friend’s sentence.

Fun Fact: Although, the politicians was exposed, they were not sentenced to jail but the investigation ended their careers.

13. Tracks (2013)

Genre: Travel

Starring: Mia Wasikowska

Tracks is about the story of Robyn Robinson who traveled 1700 miles in the Australian Desert. The movie was based on the book Tracks: A Woman Solo Trek of 1700 Miles of Australian Desert. The story features her internal and physical struggles from the start of her journey where she had to learn how to walk with camels, leading an aborigine life, the harsh environment she experienced, and finally the loss of her dog. At the end of her journey, reporters came in but she wasn’t ready to face people again. Luckily, Rick Smolan drove them away. Then, she said at the end of the movie that she wanted to do it again.

 

14. The Blind Side (2009)

Genre: Sports

Starring: Sandra Bullock,

To whom are you fighting for? is the core message of this movie. Blind Side is based on the life of Michael Oher a famous American Offensive tackle. Just like 8 Mile, Michael started a low life. He had no home to live, no family to take care of him and he has really low grades. One rainy night, Leigh Ann Touhy took him in her home and that started everything. He slowly changed, from his grades to his outlook in life. On his football career, Leigh Ann was the person who encouraged him to play, moreover his life. This movie shows us that an act of kindness changes a person and that you can never tell a person’s worth.

15. Alive (1993)

Genre: Food & Beverage, Paleo, Survival

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Vincent Spano, Josh Hamilton

Alive is a survival story based on the book  Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors. In October 13, 1972, Uruguay Air Force Flight 571 Crashed into the Andes Mountains. There are many injured and some people didn’t make it. In order to survive, the people resorted to eating the flesh of those who are dead and tried many times picked radio waves. In the end there were only 16 survivors, and 29 were counted dead.

16. Braveheart (1995)

Genre: Historical Drama, Freedom

Starring: Mel Gibson, Sophie Marceau, Patrick McGoohan, Catherine McCormack

The story is based on William Wallace, a Scottish Knight who lead the army to fight for the First War for Scottish Independence. Throughout the whole movie, Wallace fought for freedom even in his execution, but Robert Bruce, his comrade continued to fight for the next war.

Movie Trivia: The film is inspired by 12,000 line epic poem about Wallace by Harry the Minstrel.

17. A Beautiful Mind (2001)

Genre: Mental Health

Starring: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jenniffer Connelly

“Perhaps it is good to have a beautiful mind, but in even a greater gift is to discover a beautiful heart”

A Beautiful Mind is one of the many films I really recommend. Watch how John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics and famous mathematician for the game theory, overcome his paranoid schizophrenia. According to psychiatrists, only 30% of the schizophrenic patients recovered and it was known that Nash slowly recovered. This is done with the support of his wife, his family, his friends and his co-workers. But even with his struggles, he came up with his theories and got a work which not all schizophrenic patients can do.

Movie Trivia: A Beautiful Mind is based on the 1998 Pulitzer prize book of the same name by Sylvia Nasar,. It tells the story of John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics. The film was a success, reaching a gross of $31.3 million worldwide and received notable awards.

18. Pay it Forward (2000)

Genre: Drama, goodness

Starring: Helen Hunt, Kevin Spacey, Haley Joel Osment

If you want to change the world, how would you do it? Pay it forward tells a story about a young boy named Trevor who initiated a movement called “Pay it Forward”. Pay it Forward movement is about repaying good deeds to three people and the cycle goes on. It became a popular movement that caught the attention of TV news. However, Trevor in repaying a person was stabbed to death. Still, the cycle continues.

The movie is based on the book of the same name by Catherine Ryan Hyde

19. The Crucible (1996)

Genre: Historical, Colonial America

 

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, & Paul Scofield

The Crucible is based on the Salem Witchcraft trials which happened in the 17th century Colonial Massachusetts. It features a series of trials, and characters especially the witches divert the court by telling lies and accused those who are innocent.

Movie Trivia: Arthur Miller, the writer of the the Crucible adapted this film from a play of the same name.

20. The Revenant (2015)

Genre: Historical Drama

 

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, Domhnall Gleeson

Although The Revenant is only a semi-biographical film, it received numerous praises and positive reviews. The film was inspired by a novel of the same name by Michale Punke, which in turn was based on the 1915 poem The Song of Hugh Glass which describes Hugh Glass’s experience in 1823. However, many claimed that the movie was soft and the real Hugh Glass experience was more scarier and bloodier. But it the later turn of events does tells a story that Glass survived amidst all those wounds in the harsh and cold climate

Fun fact: Hugh Glass was originally a pirate and has no son or a Native American Wife

21. Lion (2016)

Genre: Travel

 

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Dev Patel, Rooney Mara

Another touching story of return is shown in The Lion. It tells a story of Saroo who was separated from his brother Guddu when he was five years old. He lost his way home and was later adopted by an Australian family: Sue and John Brierley. 20 years later, he remembers his childhood and began his search for his home. He experienced struggles, but in the end, he was reunited with his family. They never moved their home in hopes of Saroo retuning. He also learned that his brother Guddu died on the same night they were separated.

It was shown in the post-credits scene the return of Saroo in 2012, with pictures of Sue and John.

Movie Trivia: Saroo wrote a non-fiction novel a Long Way Home which the movie was based from.

22. The Pursuit of Happiness (2006)

Genre: Finance

 

Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandle Newton

This movie shows that hard work really pays off and experiencing a low life are the stepping stones of your success. The Pursuit of Hapyness is all about the one year struggle of Chris Gardner on his way to the stock firm world. At the start of the movie, he was selling scanners but then became broke. His wife left their house to find a new job and Gardner was left with his toddler son. They then become homeless, sleeping on a homeless shelter, in BART or in a hotel if he manages to have some cash. All of this while being on an unpaid internship in a stock firm. He worked hard by exceeding the number of calls per day and etc. His superiors were impressed by his work and he was granted a position in the company which brought him to tears

Movie Trivia: The real Christ Gardner made an appearance in the end of the movie as a passerby.

23. The World’s Fastest Indian (2005)

Genre: Transport

Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Diane Ladd, Jessica Cauffiel, Christopher Lawford

This movie is about the famous Burt Munro who achieved the 1000 cc record with his customized 1920 Indian Bike. The story shows his journey to Utah, from struggles from the people he met and finally achieving his dream. At the end of the demonstration, he burned his leg by the exhaust and falls down the skid, but it was overcome with the record he brought back home.

24. Moneyball (2011)

Genre: Sport

 

Starring: Brad Pitt, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jonah Hill

Changing the tides to obtain a more positive result is not as easy as it seems as demonstrated in the movie Moneyball. The story is about Billy Beane’s effort in forming a competitive based on a new model Sabermatics which he and Brand devised. Like other stories, they experienced hardships as Beane’s superiors still prefer the traditional method. They convinced their superior and slowly improved to the point of winning 19 consecutive games.

Moneyball is based on a 2003 non-fiction book of the same name by Michael Lewis.

25. Open Water (2004)

Genre: Horror/Thriller

Image Source: tvovermind

Starring: Blanchard Ryan and Daniel Travis

Open Water is about a couple Tom and Eileen’s last moments before they disappearing in the Great Barrier Reef after the diving company accidentally left them out. It was filmed for only 130,000 USD budget but grossed to a box office hit of $55.5 million. The movie was inspired by the case of a couple who disappeared in 1998. The film shows that the couple was eaten by sharks but further investigations during that time tell that the couple was probably dehydrated or not really eaten by sharks. In a report by the guardian, their belongings washed ashore in beaches in North Queensland and etc. The diving company was not charged though as court ruling finds them not guilty but the business went down.

26. Coach Carter (2005)

Genre: Sport

Starring: Samuel L Jackson

Students with extra-curricular activities like sports and etc. tend to have low performance on their academics, and clubs often require that you commit to them. But that’s not always the case with Coach Carter, as he believed that getting education must come first before playing basketball games. He was first criticised by his team players and then the board of the school. In the end, the parents and the team players understand his decisions. His team might have lost the game in the end but he was not mad or anything. But proud of them for their developments.

Fun fact: According to Esquirre, the first time the producers called him on the phone, he thought it was just a prank or something

27. 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Genre: History

 

 

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano

Living as an African American before the abolishment of slavery was really, really cruel. They get beaten up to death or forced to do harsh labour. This is illustrated in the 12 years of a slave which is based on the 1853 slave memoir by Solomon Northup, a New York State free African-American. The film starts with Solomon’s kidnapping and being sold into slavery. He fights back and claims that he is a free man but was told to shut up or the people don’t have the courage to speak. Sometimes he gets betrayed. In the end, he finally regained his freedom and was reunited with his family.

Movie Trivia: The details of Northup’s death remains a mystery and sparked theories that he was killed or kidnapped again.

28. The Theory of Everything (2014)

Genre: Science

Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones

The late Professor Stephen Hawking’s life and especially his marriage with Jane Hawking is portrayed in this movie. Professor Hawking might be living his life in excellence from the pursuit of his Cosmological Physics Research but not too bright with his life. The film shows us his struggles at the beginning with his disease and was given a time limit. It was during this time that his wife, Jane, an English Literature major, lift him up and he moved forward. But, yeah, the sad thing is, it’s just happy at first.

Come on, we ladies wanted to be taken care of our husband don’t you think? and live a life with them by our side while teaching our children at the same time. But not for Jane. They both have their own struggles and in the end, found solace in other’s company. They broke up, but in the last scene when Hawking was awarded a medal by Queen Elizabeth, it was Jane who went with him! and I thought they’d go back together! but no, Hawking just said, “Look at what we made” and then watched their children play. What a cliffhanger.

29. The Imitation Game (2014)

Genre: Science, Historical

 

Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley

Now, who’s a fan of Marvel Character Doctor Strange?  This movie will let you see another character portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing! It will take you a journey full of fear and discovery as they build the world’s first computer. Unlike other scientist and mathematicians who don’t have obstructions during their work, Turing and his group had one. There was a pressure to decode the messages to win the war against the Soviet Union. Halfway to the story, Turing discovers that there was a Soviet spy and their work was soon destroyed. The sad part is, Turing has to experience chemical castration to continue his work. In the end, he was physically and mentally deteriorating but his former lover tells him that he saved a million lives.

Moive Fun Fact: Leonardo DiCaprio was supposed to be the one playing Turing but he did not come on board.

30. Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

Genre: Medicine

 

Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner

If you have a few more days left, what would you do? Ron Woodroof was diagnosed with AID in 1985 and was given 30 days to live. He got fired for his job, judged by many people who thought that he had sex with a transwoman. In attempts to make his life longer, he acquired a drug called AZT but found it to be destructive. He was then told by another Doctor in Mexico that the drug kills every cell of the body and prescribe a set of drugs. In the next three months, his health starts to look good and makes business by sharing the drugs to the other AIDS patients through the Dallas Buyers Club. Unfortunately, the FDA won’t allow his drug and fought his way to prove that the drug is indeed effective. Throughout the end of the movie, Woodroof changed and focused on the health of his LGBT friends. He died seven years later, which was longer than the time span his first doctors told him

Fun fact: The movie was planned in 1996 but discontinued due to financial issues.

31. Marley & Me

Genre: Pets

 

Starring: Jennifer Aniston, Owen Wilson

Eve had a mischievous dog who’s giving you headaches all the time? Well, you can relate to this one! Marley and Me is about the life of the couple and their yellow labrador dog for 14 years until it died. The couple adopted Marley when they still don’t any kids and you can see how Marley destroys and interrupt everything!

Fun Fact: The movie used 22 labrador dogs to portray Marley for 14 years

32. Freedom Writers (2007)

Genre:

 

Starring: Hillary Swank, Scott Glenn, Imelda Staunton, Patrick Dempsey, Mario

Teachers are heroes, and this is shown in Freedom Writers. Just like Coach Carter Movie, Freedom Writer features a story of a teacher named Erin Gruwell who helped her students changed and focused on education. She devises many tools for this change and even invited the Miep Geis to the United States to hear her talk and experience when she helps Anne Frank and her family to escape from the Nazis.

33. The Social Network (2010)

Genre: Technology, Facebook

 

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella

Ever wonder how Facebook started? This movie will tell you about the founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg and how Facebook has come to its success. However, the movie’s portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg and how he started Facebook got it all wrong. According to an article in The Guardian, the only thing that movie got it right was his shirts. Also, Erica Albright is a fictional character although Zuckerberg was dumped many many times. He said that he was already with his current wife, Dr Priscilla Chan before the creation of Facebook.

34. The Help (2011)

Genre: History

 

 

Starring: Jessica Chastain, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Octavia Spencer, Emma Stone

The Help is about the stories of African American Maids who was bullied and abused by many of their employers. While most of the stoies are true, the author said that it was a work of fiction.

Movie Trivia: The Author was sued for using and basing the character of Aibeline to one of her maids, Ablene.

35. Mao’s Last Dancer (2009)

Genre: Dance

 

Starring: Bruce Greenwood, Kyle MacLachlan, Joan Chen, Amanda Schull, Chi Cao

Mao’s last dancer is about Li Cunxin’s career as a ballet dancer. The story started in his homeland China, how he got the training and then went to America where he met his first wife. He was then disowned by the Chinese Government for continuing his life in America and was banished from his home country. As his career grew, his relationship with his first wife shattered and they divorced. Five years later, the government of China finally allowed his parents to visit and watch his show in the US. After that, he was able to go back to his hometown together with his new wife, Mary McKendry, an Australian Ballerina.

36. I Know My First Name is Steven (1989)

Genre: True Crime

 

 

Starring: Corin Nemec, Luke Edwards, Arliss Howard, Cindy Pickett, John Ashton

Being kidnapped is one of the most traumatic experience any person could have, how much more for a span of seven years? This movie is about the story of Steven Stayner who was kidnapped at the age of 7 and escaped with a newly kidnapped five-year-old Timothy when he was 14 years old. Unlike other true to life movies, most of the film’s places were very similar to the structures in the story of Steven. However, there’s always a cause and effect reaction in every relationship. Because Steven’s parents were busy looking for him, they let their other son unattended. Steven’s brother was acquitted with the murder of four women in 1999.

Trivia: Steven died at age of 24 in a traffic collision, few months after the I know my name is Steven aired.

37. The Duchess (2008)

Genre: Historical Drama

 

 

Starring:  Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes, Charlotte Rampling, Dominic Cooper, Hayley Atwell

Living in the life of royalty, especially when you’ve just married a Duke means pressure. Pressure to become royal and to produce a male heir, which is one of the few things Duchess Georgina Cavendish experienced. This movie features the life of the Duchess in the 18th Century, the affair of his husband and hers, how it publicly became known and the birth of her children.

38. Schindler’s List (1993)

Genre: History, War

Starring: Liam Neeson, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Caroline Goodall, Jonathan Sagalle, Embeth Davidtz

There’s no escape for the Jews during the Holocaust, however, one man named Oskar Schindler saved the lives of more than one thousand Polish Jewish people from persecution. He does this by employing them in his factories during World War II. The movie was based on the novel Schindler’s Ark by an Australian Novelist Thomas Keneally.

Trivia: Before the Schindler’s List’s release, the Holocaust was debunked by many as only a myth. The movie opened the walls to these Jewish survivors according to an article in time

39. The Last King of Scotland (2006)

Genre: History, War

 

Starring:  Forest Whitaker, James McAvoy, Kerry Washington, Simon McBurney, Gillian Anderson

Contrary to its title, this story is not about the last king of Scotland or Scotland itself. It’s about the Ugandan dictator Idi Amin during his reign since 1971-1979. It was named The Last King of Scotland because Amin named himself as the Last King of Scotland and he shifted western ruling. I don’t know much about him, but the Wikipedia says that the cases for human abuse, political repression, ethnic persecution, extrajudicial killings, nepotism, corruption, and gross economic mismanagement during his term was very rampant.

Fact: The character of Dr. Nicholas Garrigan is only a fiction

40. Defiance (2008)

Genre: War

 

Starring: Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, Jamie Bell, George MacKay

We all know that the Jews underwent the worst torture and persecution in history under the Nazi Rule. Many resisted but still arrested and many were saved by good people. Yet, there are some who went into an underground operation as the Bielski brothers. This movie tells the story about them rescuing other Jews from the German persecution in Byelorussia or now known as Belarus.

However, even though they were deemed as Heroes, it seems that the Poland people don’t like the way the movie portrays them. According to a report in the Guardian, the Polish reporters heavily criticised the film as they believed that the Bielski partisans were behind some of the crimes in Poland during that period.

41. Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Genre: War

Starring: Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore

The movie is inspired by the Niland Brothers namely Edward, Preston, Robert & Frederick, who was separated in the army due to the Sullivan case. The movie was all made up except the part that Captain Miller rescues the last survivor of the Niland Brothers that is Frederick.

42. The Queen (2006)

Genre: Royalty

 

Starring: Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwell, Helen McCrory, Alex Jennings, Roger Allam, Sylvia Syms

What if people expect so much, would you rather be human?

This story is about the life of Queen Elizabeth II after the death of Princess Diana of Wales in 1997. At this time, Diana was no longer connected to the royalty after her divorce with Queen Elizabeth’s son, Prince Charles of Wales. Before this, her relationship with Diana was already broken after the publication of Diana’s biographies which depicts the Queen as less sympathetic. During the funeral, the people were seeking for the Queen’s sympathy in some kind of speech but she didn’t. This results to the people calling her cruel and heartless. But what she really did was to comfort and accompany Diana’s children before going to the funeral.

Movie Trivia: The actress playing Queen Elizabeth won numerous awards for this portrayal and was even invited to the palace by the Queen herself

43. I Love You Phillip Morris (2010)

Genre: Addictions, Romantic Comedy

Starring: Jim Carrey, Ewan McGregor, Rodrigo Santoro, Antoni Corone, Leslie Mann

Now, what would you do in the name of love? Travel a hundred miles, lie a hundred times, break the law or break your prison cell? Because this movie will tell you that nothing is impossible in the name of love! The story was inspired by Steven Russel, a conman who made a series of jailbreaks just to be with his lover Phillip Morris. How he escapes his cell was astonishing that today, he was guarded with high security to make sure that he won’t escape.

Trivia: Russell is serving 144 years in prison (99 years for escape and 45 years for scam). Despite this, Russel still loves Morris today

44. Jarhead (2005)

Genre: War

 

Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Chris Cooper, Lucas Black, Jamie Foxx

There is an ongoing controversy on this movie. According to an article on New York Times, Joel Turnipseed a former marine and an author of Baghdad Express said that some of the scenes are from his book. But the author of the book which this movie was based from said that they are all marine stories and everyone who went to marines experience the same.

45. The Hurt Locker (2008)

Genre: War

Starring: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Brian Geraghty, Evangeline Lilly, Ralph Fiennes, David Morse, Guy Pearce

The Hurt Locker is based on the life of real bomb expert Army Sargent Jeffrey Sarver in Iraq. But it seems that Sarver was not pleased about this and even sued the producers for $187,000 for defamation. In an article in the New York Times, he said that the hurt locker hurt his career as he was portrayed as a careless army.

46. Milk (2008)

Genre: Politics

Starring: Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin, Diego Luna

If you’re given the chance to stand up for your life accompanied by risks, would you do it? Because this movie will tell you about the story of Harvey Milk, a homosexual political activist who stood up for gay rights. His courage has changed the world, how gays are viewed and lessened discrimination. Unfortunately, Harvey Milk was killed together with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone by Dan White.

47. The Impossible (2012)

Genre: Natural Disasters

Starring:  Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, Tom Holland

If you’re a big fan of the Avenger’s Spider-Man Actor who just can’t keep secrets,  this movie will let you show Tom’s young and innocent years! He played the role of Lucas who got separated together with his mother from his family in a tsunami. The movie was based on Maria Belon and his family’s survival in Thailand after the 2004 Indian Tsunami.

48. American Sniper (2014)

Genre: War

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller

In every success comes great responsibility, at least that’s what this movie tells us. It’s about the life of Chris Kyle, dubbed as the most lethal sniper in US Military History. He has 4 tours for 10 years in 1999 to 2009. He may be successful but that always comes with a price. That is the relationship with his wife and his family. In the end, when he was discharged he started having hallucinations and anxiety brought to him by the war and the lives he couldn’t save. He slowly recovered but was killed by Eddie Ray Routh in 2013. Routh is a war veteran who claimed to have Post Traumatic Disorder but found to have used drugs.

Trivia: Routh was found guilty and was imprisoned in Texas with no chance of parole

49. The Sound of Music (1965)

Genre: Musical

 

Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer

Last year, I’ve seen many Sound of Music Meme trolling on the internet and even Lin Manuel Miranda’s family made their short movie version! But don’t you know that the Hollywood film in 1965 came from the Broadway version which came from the book that Marie von Trapp wrote? I recently learned that today too! They really are a family of singers but you know Hollywood, when it comes to film adaptations, there are always some changes and differences in the movie and the story.This was confirmed by Johannes Von Trapp, the youngest member of the family in a report by BBC. This changes like the members of the family, the supposedly eldest was actually a boy!

50. The Emerald Forest (1985)

Genre: Drama

Starring: Powers Boothe, Meg Foster, Charley Boorman

This movie is like a Tarzan storyline but instead of apes, they are Native Americans. It was inspired by an October 8, 1972 News Story in Los Angeles Times entitled: Long Hunt for Son Ends in Success but— by Leonard Greenwood. There are major differences in the original story and the film. One of which is that the boy was lost for 11 years and the father was a lumberman and not an engineer.

51. Walk the Line

Genre: Music

Paragraph: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Robert Patrick, Dallas Roberts

Who’s a fan of Reese Witherspoon? cause’ we’d be hitting the 80s with this movie! It’s about the life of Johnny Cash, a famous singer-songwriter from his childhood, his marriage to June Carter, and his stardom. It was based on the two autobiographies of Johnny Cash. Again, Hollywood has a habit of twisting the story than the original. And to this movie, it’s probably the worst. Imagine you are Johnny’s father and you are portrayed as abusive? or the horror, you’re Johnny’s brother and in the movie, you died, what would people say? That you’ve risen from the dead?

52. Tombstone

Genre: Western

 

Starring: Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Michael Biehn, Powers Boothe, Robert Burke

When you say guns and wars and it’s a true story, you’d probably think its from the army. But this one is different. Tombstone is about two continuous incidents set in the late 19th century: Gunfight at the OK Coral and the Earp Vendetta Ride.

53. Cool Runnings

Genre: Sport

Starring: Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba, John Candy

Cool Runnings is based on Jamaica national bobsleigh team debut in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Canada.

54. Lincoln

Genre: Politics, History

 

Starring: Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook

This movie is based on the biography of Abraham Lincoln:  Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, and the final four months of his life, his efforts to the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution.

55. Cinderella Man

Genre: Sports

 

Starring: Russell Crowe, Renée Zellweger, Paul Giamatti, Craig Bierko, Paddy Considine, Bruce McGill, Ron Canada

If you have so much money, what would you do about it? This story tells you about the American boxer James Braddock, how he suffered during the great depression when he loses his chance to fight due to his broken right hand. But he returned later and became the champion using his left hand. He donated part of his money to the American government in return for his employment when he was broke. He may have lost to another boxer in the end, but in his life especially handling his finances, he is always the winner.

56. Jobs

Genre: Technology

 

Starring: Ashton Kutcher

There are two movies about Steve Jobs, this one and the Steve Jobs in 2013. I haven’t seen the other one but a lot of commenter on youtube said that the second one portrays the exact opposite of Steve Jobs while the first one is perfectly accurate. True, I’ve watched the trailer only (lol) and I could say that Kutcher does a pretty good job on portraying this role

Trivia: During the 10 years that Steve wasn’t the CEO, the movie says that Apple’s revenues is going down but the truth is it wasn’t. It’s just that John Sculley has overseen their competitors but not going down.

57. The King’s Speech

Genre: Royalty

 

Starring: Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce

If you have physical condition you want to change and is stuck is worst circumstances, would you give up? This story is about King George VI’s journey to overcome his stammer in speech amidst pressure.

58. Argo

Genre: Politics

 

Starring: Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Alan Arkin, John Goodman

To save people, to what length would you go? this story is about the CIA’s move to rescue six US diplomats from Tehran, Iran under the disguise of a sci-fi filming set in 1971-1981.

59. Hidden Figures

Genre: Technology

 

Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monáe, Kevin Costner, Kirsten Dunst

Here goes the movie for you ladies! Set in the 1960s where there’s still a gender and color stereotype, these black women with brilliant minds will inspire you in their journey. These women find their way to be acknowledged with equal brilliance as men who work in NASA.

And oh! you’d be laughing from the interview scene where the interviewer asked: “If you were a white maid, do you wish to be an engineer?” She simply replied: “I wouldn’t have to, I’d already be one” lol

60. The Perfect Storm

Genre: Outdoor Adventures

 

Starring: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, Diane Lane, William Fichtner, Karen Allen, Michael Ironside, Bob Gunton, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, John C. Reilly

This movie is based on the story of the fishing vessel Andrea Gail which disappeared in the Perfect Storm of 1991. No one survived this event.

Trivia: The only fictional character is Irene Johnson

61. Everest

Genre: Sports

62. World Trade Centre

Genre: Conspiracy Drama

 

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Michael Peña, Maria Bello, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Stephen Dorff

This movie is based on the 9/11 attack on the world trade centre. The stories came from personal testimonies and unlike other movies, the producers were very careful not to tell fiction on this one.

63. Unstoppable

Genre: Crime

 

Starring: Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson

This movie is like the fast and furious 7 bus but on a train. It was based on the CSX 8888 or Crazy Eights incidents in 2001.

64. The Danish Girl

Genre: Sexual

Image Source: independent.co.uk

The star of JK Rowling’s film: Fantastic Beast and Where to find them and the Theory of Everything will surprise you with a stunning portrayal of a transgender role! Eddie Redmayne plays as Lili Elbe, the first transgender to receive a sexual transplant but then died due to complications. Lili Elbe’s original name is Einar Wegener and was the husband of Gerda Wegener. Gerda asked Einar to play as a woman for her portraits but it made Einar changed to his life-long identification as a woman. It’s like a Bruce and Kris Jenner story but without kids.

Which movie would you recommend?



from Stay at Home Mum https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-lifestyle/50-incredible-movies-based-on-true-stories/

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Milk Jug Hack: How to Make a Simple Scoop

10 Classy Hairstyles for Women Over 40

30 Things That Look Like A Vagina — But Aren’t!