Liked it
More Incredible Than Fiction Films Based on True Stories
If you’re are looking for an inspiring film those that come from true stories are the best. Often more unbelievable than fiction, the events that people go through and how they respond to them is amazing to view.
Image by dbking via Flickr
Image via Wikipedia
Apollo 13
The mission to give the world its 3rd moon landing was seen as routine. Until these words were heard from across space “Houston we have a problem” one of greatest understatements in history. An explosion cripples the ship and leaves the astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swaggert and Fred Hayes thousands of miles from earth in an almost powerless spacecraft.
Director Ron Howard does a fantastic job in telling the story, seamlessly weaving the complex details of space flight with simple explanations for any viewer to understand. A nice touch on the DVD is a commentary by Jim Lovell and his wife describing how accurately the events are portrayed.
The film is visually stunning, maintaining excitement and drama throughout. This is a great testament to human determination and ingenuity in the face of impossible odds.
Image via Wikipedia
The Pursuit of Happiness
Will Smith manages to expand past his comic roles in portraying Chris Gardner as a man struggling to escape poverty. The film can be heavy handed at times and focuses too much on the idea of wealth being the source of happiness. However this is rescued by Will Smith’s relationship with his on and off screen son. It is a remarkable story which although hailed as the American dream, really shows us how big and difficult the poverty trap is.
Image source flicker
Mercy Mission Flight 747
Scott Bakula stars in a drama of the skies. Starring as a lone pilot lost pilot lost miles away over the ocean Bakula delivers on the emotions of the film. As a regular passenger jet goes in search of him we see some clever techniques and sheer determination to find the pilot before his fuel runs out.
Although not always stunning visually the film delivers in its acting and script.
Band of Brothers
Although this is a series each episode has the production quality of a feature film. Managing to tell a personal story whilst covering a large number of people it shows loyalty amongst the horrors of war. The series has been produced to be as real to the events as possible and it describes the fighting from variety of perspectives. Also as a nice touch they have interviews with the veterans in each episode.
Amazing Grace
Portraying the actions of William Wilberforce the film show the long struggle to abolish the slave trade in Britain. Particularly poignant with the current issues of fair trading today and the treatment of work forces.
The film shows how a few people can change history, with morality overcoming greed. It is complex story but keeps a viewers interest throughout and shows the origins of the great song Amazing Grace.
Image source Wikipedia
A Night to Remember
The film may look dated now but this is soon forgotten as you get engrossed in the story. Far more emotional and interesting than the overly sappy James Cameron version, 2nd officer Lightholler takes the centre stage. Detailing as accurately as possible, as far as they knew at the time, the events of the night the film is hard hitting in the lesson this monumental event in history taught us.
11 Comments
I love Apollo 13 and The Pursuit of Happyness, not heard much about the others but I will look them up. Enjoyable article.
I love Apollo 13 also, and there is quite a few movies out there that came from real life stories.
I haven’t seen any of these movies…..so maybe I should!
Love this post. I have seen and enjoyed most of these movies. The Pursuit of Happyness was my favorite, and I just saw Titanic, again, last weekend. Great job!
Hm.. . i think i would like to watch apollo 13 and band of brothers, or maybe all! =)
some great films mentioned – this is another corner of the Triond empire I didn’t know existed – thanks
Never a truer word – that’s why it is so often said “you just couldn’t write it” What happens is always far more obscure, interesting, humerous, unimaginable than anything anyone can write. Great titles listed – But what about Nuts, Shawshank Redemption and The Tina Turner Story to mention another few.
Nice!
Well done.
Thanks,
Clay
Good article. As a film lover I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! Well done Nathan!
true stories are far more powerful than fictional ones