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I’ve been tasked with doing an analysis of any film based around an era or event of American history. There Will Be Blood is one of my favorite films of all time, and although the story isn’t based around any factual happenings, I figured it ties in well to a lot of important issues and themes of that area in that era. However this has got me thinking; I consider myself a film buff, but I really can’t think of many movies that deal with American History that I consider to great films. Does anyone have any suggestions?
![r/Music - Lesley Gore - You Don't Own Me (Live on the T.A.M.I show 1964)[Warning: Exceptionally badass]](https://b.thumbs.redditmedia.com/q351jsSCDEd1RHNyfL8vhtjIw2X4jLoBJfjERRakLlQ.jpg)
![r/Music - The Avalanches - Since I Left You [Sample Pop] While the song may not be nearly as well-known, I've always thought this video is on par with Weapon of Choice.](https://a.thumbs.redditmedia.com/J_nQU6pMFvcbCOJWUqXYsP_fuTOhdd4n5C0cwAA9cr4.jpg)
![r/Music - Springsteen - I'm on Fire [soft rock]](https://b.thumbs.redditmedia.com/tlRS9AX4B_0W5d8cMpwKxdVVf89aWmq6b-NTD5dFgJk.jpg)
Gangs of New York
Nice choice!
There will be blood is so good.
idrinkyourmilkshake
I like full metal jacket if that counts. Remember the titans is good but again i dunno if it counts. I know the patriot has its problems but i like that film too.
Glory, and Gods and Generals are both fantastic.
Gettysburg...you forgot Gettysburg.
I didn’t. It’s also good. It has an amazing cast.
I saw Gods & Generals and, while I like it, it’s no Gettysburg.
If you’ve never been to the battlefield but have seen the film, it brings everything together.
Walking the path of Pickett’s Charge you simply cannot believe how those men walked into Hell on July 3, 1863. The whole plan was doomed from the start.
I like Gettysburg. Just not as much. And I’m not sure why. They’re all great. But if I had to pick two, it would be G&G and Glory. But you can’t go wrong with Gettysburg too.
Glory was my pick too...that ending with that score destroys me EVERY time.
Platoon
Nixon
Saving Private Ryan
Gone With The Wind
Glory
Hidden Figures
Milk
Amistad
Flags of Our Fathers
The New World
The Last of the Mohicans
Malcolm X
All the Presidents Men
The Post
Patton
Tora tora tora
The Right Stuff
Apollo 13
First Man
Iron Jawed Angels
The Grapes of Wrath
Last of the Mohicans
There's my answer! Knew somebody had to have said it.
Gettysburg let the reenactors run things and have the actors for the speaking parts.
Gettysburg is phenomenal.
THE BEST! Love it!
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
I love how relatable and modern the characters felt while still speaking in antiquated vernacular. The actors really brought them to life.
The first scene with Ford really sells this, with Frank giving him a dressing down for how weird he is before being interrupted by the call to dinner.
Encino man
Take your up vote man. LOL
12 Years a Slave
Thin Red Line
All The President's Men
The New World
Gangs of New York (based on real characters, liberties were taken though)
Lincoln
Argo
Milk
Apollo 13
Glory
Amistad
Black Hawk Down
Flags of Our Fathers
Patton
The Right Stuff
Lincoln is my favorite. I find for the most part TV movies do a better job though. Band of Brothers, From the Earth to the Moon and John Adams.
Norma Rae, The Untouchables, Silkwood
3 of my very favorites. How’d you know? 😉
Gettysburg and Glory
Thirteen Days was a hugely under-rated movie about the Cuban Missile Crisis. I don’t like any of the actors in that movie but they won me over with their performances. Steven Culp was particularly good as RFK, as was Dylan Baker as Robert McNamara.
National Treasure
Both Band of Brothers and The Pacific. Schindler's List, and any factual WWII related moves. Also Munich.
How is Munich about American history?
The main character was an American based Mousad agent. It's a stretch, but I got carried away and remembered how badass that movie is.
Inglorious Basterds and When Trumpets Fade
Really wanted to say Saving Private Ryan, but the plot is 100% fiction despite taking place around real events and places.
Apollo 13 is probably my answer.
It is based on a real war and real events, despite having fictional characters. I think it counts
Selma
Tombstone - gets better with age
A lesser known choice but I absolutely adored Frost / Nixon. The interplay between the two men and the performances by Sheen and Langella were just so compelling.
Lawless
Glory. Without a shadow of a doubt.
Goodfellas
The Patriot
Apocalypse Now
Platoon
12 Years a Slave, and recently BlacKkKlansman
does “home alone” count (the history of the pre-internet suburbs)?
Spotlight
Apocalypse Now
Saving Private Ryan
Zero Dark Thirty
The Big Short
American History X... wait what were you asking?
The Truman Show - The world we now live in.