Movies about Usa history
I can see it now—the middle school history teacher wheels in the big, clunky TV-on-a-cart, turns the lights off and starts a film about the Civil War. Because this time, we’re not reading about the Battle of Gettysburg, the Emancipation Proclamation or Abraham Lincoln; we’re watching history unfold on the screen.
Granted, a history book will probably give you a more accurate depiction of American history. But sometimes, a movie can be a fun way to give ourselves a visual understanding of the events that shaped this country. And let’s be honest: History books aren’t always the most podmanivý of storytellers.
At the very least, it seems our society still has a fascination with history—provided the subject matter can be broken down into a movie that’s less than three hours long and embellishes the facts just enough to keep the plot engaging. We’d rather watch Alexander Hamilton sing about his extensive writings than read them (to be fair, some of ty documents might take longer to read than it takes to watch the musical). We’d rather our movies be “based on a true story” than follow the story exactly, since real life usually doesn’t have such bow-tied conclusions.
Movies take what feels like distant history and present it in an easy-to-understand way. So, even though they can’t present events perfectly, such films may be interesting enough to convince the viewer to look up the actual history behind them. And given that the Fourth of July is around the corner, many of us are thinking about our nation’s place in history a little more deeply right about now.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled eight films that just may spark an interest in further learning and studying about some important (both good a bad) moments in American history.
Of course, covering every important event would leave us with a list of films longer than the entire Federalist Papers collection, so this list is by no means exhaustive. And because history itself can be violent and bloody and downright disturbing, some movies that land on the list are not what you’d call přátelské k rodině. Co jsme mít done is made sure that Zapojen has reviewed each movie on this list, so make sure to check out our reviews on these films to make sure they’re right for your family.
And when you’re done, let us know what your favorite era of United States history is! What historically based movies would you recommend for others to watch?
The Revolutionary War – Patriot – R, 2000
All right, we recognize that Patriot falls far deeper into historical fiction than fact. It’s also got quite a bit of blood and gore, so we also have to warn against that. But if we’re being honest, the options for Revolutionary War films are slim, so we don’t have many films to choose from that dive into the Revolutionary period. But we cannot ignore this time period when talking about American history, as it ushered in not only formative ideas for our new country but také inspired change and ideas in other parts of the world, too—ideas that still impact our world today.
In Patriot, Benjamin Martin, a veteran of the French and Indian War, longs for a peaceful life as a farmer. But when the tumultuous relationship between the colonies and the British begins to affect his family, he decides to take up arms with the Continental Army hoping to protect all those he cares for.
(Patriot may be streamed on Tubi for free or rented from a variety of outlets.)
Slavery in America – 12 let Slave – R, 2013
It’s easy to see the central justification the 13 colonies used when Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence: They felt that their God-given rights had been abused and ignored by England.
«We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Earlier, it was expressed that the people of the colonies desired to “assume…the separate and equal station to which…God entitle[s] them.«
It is a tragedy that such a monumentous document about the inherent rights of men did not also immediately eradicate slavery in the United States forever. As such, that horrific irony remains a painful reminder of our past, a red-stained hypocrisy against a nation that so deeply valued God’s inherent value in men.
And few films show that stain in as poignant a manner as 12 let Slave. It’s the most difficult watch on this list, bar none. It tells the story of Solomon Northup, a Black man who, in 1841, is kidnapped and sold into slavery for 12 years. And as Solomon experiences the worst of humanity, the camera doesn’t look away, showing viewers the total depravity of man. This is a film you should approach with the upmost caution: What you see on screen is brutal. But it just might cause the viewer to mourn that such atrocities are on the screen protože they were first in the United States.
(12 let Slave is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video with a subscription.)
Občanská válka — Lincoln – PG-13, 2012
It was perhaps inevitable that the Civil War would break out in the United States. The issue of slavery had been the country’s biggest moral debate since its inception. Many in the South, given that its economy was heavily dependent on slavery, were willing to fight to the death for it. And when Abraham Lincoln, whom South Carolina perceived as a threat to the institution, was elected president, it was the straw that broke the now-Confederate States’ back.
By the time we get to 1865, the year Lincoln is set, the deadliest American war still rages. Abraham Lincoln is at an impasse, because he desperately wants the Civil War to end—something that a weary South wants, too. The only stipulation the South has is that slavery remains legal, and that’s something that Lincoln, who’s looking to pass the 13 th Amendment to officially do away with the horrible practice forever, cannot abide.
“It’s either the Amendment or this Confederate peace,” William Seward, Lincoln’s secretary of state, tells him. “You cannot have both.” Lincoln, for which star Daniel Day-Lewis won an Oscar, is a moving depiction of arguably America’s greatest president at the nation’s greatest crossroads.
(Lincoln can be viewed on Hulu.)
The Great Depression – Cinderella Man – PG-13, 2005
And now, let’s take a sizable jump from the 1860s to the 1930s. We’ve just passed 1918 and what was then called the Great War (let’s hope there’s not another!), a war whose movies are mostly told from the perspective of the British or the Germans. We’ve soared past the Roaring 20s and straight into the Dirty 30s—where economic depression and the Dust Bowl ravaged the country.
One such man who is struggling is Cinderella Man’s Jim Braddock, a man who lived the good life as a boxer in the 1920s before being forced into retirement due to an injury near the start of the country’s worst economic disaster. Now, he and countless other Americans are struggling to afford even the basic necessities. And that’s when Jim gets a lucky break that just might reignite his boxing career—so long as he can get his wife, Mae, behind it too.
Jim and Mae remain steadfast parents who teach their children that right and wrong don’t change just because times get tougher. The film’s tough times, however, do include some violence and quite a bit of swearing, so families will want to consider those issues before looking into this one.
(Cinderella Man may be rented or purchased from a variety of different outlets.)
Druhá světová válka — Chrt – PG-13, 2020
It took just over two decades for the world to descend back into yet another worldwide conflict following Adolf Hitler’s rise to power in Germany. But it wasn’t until Dec. 7, 1941, that the United States joined the war following Japan’s surprise bombing of Pearl Harbor. That sets the stage for Chrt, the decidedly less violent World War II film to the obvious choices of Zachraňte vojína Ryana or Píseň hřebenu.
In 1942, Captain Ernest Krause leads a small pack of destroyers across the Atlantic Ocean, looking to deliver supplies to the Allies in the European conflict. Standing (or rather, floating) in his way are a pack of deadly German U-Boats—submarines hoping to sink any ship that even thinks about assisting the Allies. And though each U-Boat sunk might just be a boon to the Allies, to the God-fearing Ernest, it’s also a somber understanding of the many men on that U-Boat who may be dying in their sins.
Chrt may not be the first World War II film that pops into your head. It’s certainly violent, as viewers should expect žádný war movie to be. But its positive themes and emphasis on Christianity might just make it worth a watch.
(Chrt can be viewed on Apple TV+.)
The Civil Rights Movement – Selma – PG-13, 2014
Jistě, Lincoln may have depicted the passage of the 13 th Amendment, officially making slavery illegal in the United States. But just because the physical chains were broken doesn’t mean that the societal ones were. In the 1960s, racial segregation and discrimination remains—because apparently, people still can’t understand that whole “made in the image of God” thing. And so though African Americans may have the přesně to vote, they’ll have a tough time convincing racists to not exploit loopholes that’ll deny them the schopnost udělat to tak.
A case study of this lands us in Dallas County, Alabama, where less than 1% of its Black citizens are registered to vote despite making up 57% of the county. And in the town of Selma, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. arrives with his organization, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, hoping to spark the change to which the county’s been so resistant. They’ll march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama’s capital—no matter how violent the resistance gets—in what will later become known as one of the most pivotal moments in the Civil Rights movement.
(Selma is available on Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+ and the Roku Channel.)
The Cold War – Bridge of Spies – PG-13, 2015
Sure, the Soviet Union and the United States may have fought against Germany together in World War II, but that doesn’t mean they thought the same. In fact, their respective ideologies were so different that the defeat of the Axis powers only opened the door for the two countries to enter into the Cold War, a period of tension in which many felt it was only a matter of time before the war turned hot—and potentially nuclear.
The thick tension is deeply felt in Bridge of Spies. In it, the lawyer James Donovan is tapped to represent Rudolf Abel, a man who stands trial for being a Soviet spy. And though James doesn’t particularly think himself appropriate for the case, he’s also of the mindset that everyone deserves a fair trial and a defense. It’s difficult for James. It’s awkward, and it’ll get him threats from those who suspect his fair defense of the man to be evidence of his vlastní political leanings. Despite its profane moments, that’s what makes Bridge of Spies a strong pick to represent this era.
(Bridge of Spies may be watched on Hulu or Paramount+ with the Showtime addition.)
The Moon Landing – První muž – PG-13, 2018
But let’s back up in history a bit, since we’ll need some context to understand our 1969 moon landing. After World War II and throughout the Cold War, the United States was likewise engaged in a “space race” with the Soviet Union, each hoping to outdo the other as the countries began to explore the final frontier. It was ultimately the United States, however, that first succeeded at putting a man on the moon—Neil Armstrong, who gave his famous quote “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
In První muž, we’ll see all that led up to Armstrong’s lunar expedition; the successes, the failures, the fatalities. The whole venture is such a crazy prospect that it may not even be possible—after all, the Wright brothers only figured out the airplane just over half a century earlier, and now we’re trying to shoot for the moon? Well, history shows that such a leap and a bound byl possible—and Armstrong’s footprints are still there to prove it.
(První muž is available to stream on Hulu.)
10 Not-Boring Ways to Learn American History Through Movies and Shows
If you’re looking to take a break from high temps or stay home and cocoon with your fireworks-fearing pup, you can celebrate the nation’s independence, be entertained, and maybe even learn something at the same time. Check out these 10 movies and shows streaming now that will have you mastering U.S. history in no time.
Founding Fathers: “Drunk History”
Season 2, Episode 8: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams Had Beef
The premise behind “Drunk History” is simple: What if your history teacher preached the most interesting aspects of history, but did it after finishing off too many IPAs before class started? By far one of the best segments happens during the second episode of Season 2, where Patrick Walsh struggles and slurs his way through the story of how lifelong friends and founding fathers Thomas Jefferson and John Adams became bitter enemies over the course of the 1800 presidential election. In only the way “Drunk History” can, the show hilariously shows how the campaign devolved into a schoolyard war of words, with the two men (who would both end up on U.S. currency) calling each other names and telling crowds lies about their devious sexual desires. — Ellis Clopton
Pre-World War II: “Hyde Park on Hudson”
This British comedy features Bill Murray portraying the final years of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s life and the complex web of mistresses he spun, especially with his distant cousin Margaret “Daisy” Suckley, played by Laura Linney. The film also riffs on King George VI’s anxiety about eating a hot dog in public, which is far funnier than it sounds. — EC
“There’s no crying in baseball!” What’s more American than a World War II dramedy about baseball starring Tom Hanks and Geena Davis? The comical 1990s classic tells the story of the female athletes who took over Major League Baseball while men were away at war, featuring a ragtag ensemble cast of influential women, from Rosie O’Donnell to Madonna. — Christi Carras
The Korean War: “M*A*S*H”
Newly streaming on Hulu , the acclaimed sitcom that ran from 1972 until 1983 was nominated for 100 Emmy Awards during its 11-season run, winning 14. The series, which was adapted from Robert Altman’s hit 1970 film , followed Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce (played by Alan Alda) and his tag team of doctors, nurses, and support staff as they endeavored to remedy their boredom in between “meatball surgeries” while stationed at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in Uijeongbu, South Korea, during the Korean War. — Tara Bitran
The Cold War: “Hidden Figures”
The 2017 historical hit about three African American women who played integral roles in sending American astronauts into space during the Cold War snuck up on the 2017 Oscar race, ultimately landing three nominations. The cast — almost as star-studded as space — includes Octavia Spencer, Taraji P. Henson, and Janelle Monae, who bring power and humor as pioneers for both NASA and the Civil Rights Movement. — CC
The Vietnam War: “Good Morning Vietnam”
The late Robin Williams stars as Adrian Cronauer in “Good Morning Vietnam,” a comedy about a radio DJ’s attempts to turn the Armed Forces Radio Service into a station where Vietnam War G.I.s can find solace. Featuring a screenplay by a former “M*A*S*H” writer and fully improvised radio broadcast bits, “Good Morning Vietnam” received high praise from critics when it premiered, earning Williams a Golden Globe for best actor in a musical or comedy film for his performance. — EC
On the surface, the Denzel Washington-starrer may seem like just another underdog sports success story. But “Remember the Titans” is about much more than a high school football drama, telling the true story of complex race relations in the years after the Civil Rights Movement between its star athletes who slowly begin to change the divided minds of their town through teamwork and compassion. Washington takes on the role of real-life coach Herman Boone, with Will Patton, Wood Harris, and Ryan Hurst in the supporting cast. — CC
Watergate: “Dick”
This revisionist comedy features Michelle Williams and Kirsten Dunst as Betsy and Arlene, the true whistleblowers behind the Watergate scandal. Never heard of them? Doesn ’ t sound like the Deep Throat from the history books? Then check out “ Dick, ” a 1999 comedy revolving around two harebrained teenagers who fumble their way into influencing the Vietnam War peace proceedings by giving Richard “ Tricky Dick ” Nixon pot cookies and accidentally uncovering the Watergate conspiracy. Just don ’ t try to convince your friends it actually happened. — EC
The Reagan Doctrine: “Charlie Wilson’s War”
The United States’ involvement in the Middle East in the 1980s and its effects going into the 21st century is a complex and confusing topic for any screenwriter to tackle. However, Mike Nichols’ “Charlie Wilson’s War” manages to not only capture the Reagan-era policies in a way anyone can understand, but somehow succeeds in making it funny at the same time. Featuring a seasoned cast that includes Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Philip Seymour Hoffman and Aaron Sorkin’s tight dialogue, “Charlie Wilson’s War” captures how the American government armed the mujahideen groups in Afghanistan to fight off the Russian occupation. — EC
The Iraq War: “The Men Who Stare at Goats”
Acting as a fictionalized parody of Jon Ronson’s non-fiction book, “The Men Who Stare at Goats” focuses on the U.S. Army’s investigations and attempts to exploit paranormal phenomena for military advantage. Satirizing the oddball research projects the military conducted, the movie’s all-star cast includes George Clooney, Jeff Bridges, Ewan McGregor, and Kevin Spacey. — EC
Operation Enduring Freedom: “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot“
“Whiskey Tango Foxtrot” stands for WTF in the NATO alphabet code, and highlights the comedic tone for the film, which sets Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in its sights. Starring Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, and Martin Freeman, the movie follows war correspondent Kim Baker as she documents the disillusioned American combatants and works to overcome her disadvantage as a woman working in Islamic society. — EC
6 nejlepších filmů, které se dozvíte o americké historii
V hlavních rolích Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Kenneth Williams a Michael Fassbender sleduje tento film skutečný příběh hlavní postavy Solomona Northrupa, zotročeného černocha v době před občanskou válkou v USA. Před zotročením žil volně v New Yorku se svou milovanou ženou a dětmi. Později byl unesen a nucen do otroctví v roce 1841 v Louisianě. Strávil 12 let prací na plantážích, dokud nepotkal kanadského abolicionistu a byl schopen najít svobodu a znovu se sejít se svou rodinou.
Historický kontext: USA měly historii otroctví sahající 400 let zpět, ještě předtím, než byly ustaveny jako nezávislá země. V roce 1761 dosáhlo otroctví nejvyšší úrovně. Roky před občanskou válkou byly jedny z nejbouřlivějších období v historii země. USA byly rozděleny mezi Sever (proti otroctví) a Jih (pro-otroctví), přičemž tyto černobílé názory jsou jasně zobrazeny v 12 let Slave. Rostoucí abolicionistický sentiment dosáhl svého vrcholu zvolením Abrahama Lincolna v roce 1860 a během pouhých tří měsíců vystřídalo 7 jižních států po USA. To vedlo k vypuknutí občanské války, která trvala od roku 1861 do roku 1863.
2. Patriot
Hlavní herci Mel Gibson a Heath Ledger hrají Patriot, příběh odehrávající se v koloniální Jižní Karolíně v roce 1776 uprostřed revoluční války. Hlavní hrdina Benjamin Martin, bývalý válečný hrdina, ignoroval rostoucí napětí mezi koloniálními USA a Velkou Británií, dokud se neobjevilo na prahu jeho plantáže. Poté, co britští vojáci vypálili jeho dům, dostane motivaci připojit se k povstání proti Anglii a bohužel při tom ztratí svého syna.
Historický kontext: Zatímco USA začínaly jako 13 britských kolonií, to bylo ukončeno Revoluční válka se zrodem nového národa známého jako Spojené státy americké. Američtí kolonisté byli stále více unavení ze stále vyšších plateb daní od Britů (známých jako červenokabátníci) a jejich krutých trestů, když tyto daně nebylo možné platit. Revoluční válka oficiálně začala v roce 1775 malými bitvami v Lexingtonu a Concordu, z nichž tito rebelové zahájili rozsáhlou válku za nezávislost, která trvala až do roku 1783.
3. Jejich vlastní liga
Ve filmu hrají hlavní herci Tom Hanks a Geena Davis League of Their Own. Nová skupina žen, která se odehrává na severozápadě USA během druhé světové války, se rozhodla vzít věci do vlastních rukou, aby udržela hlavní ligový baseball naživu, zatímco většina mužů je ve válce. Je tu však jen jeden problém: ženám není dovoleno hrát Major League Baseball a snaží se to změnit.
Historický kontext: Práva žen byla stále v procesu ve 1940. a 1950. letech XNUMX. století v USA. Uprostřed druhé světové války se Major League Baseball v podstatě zastavil. Ale pár odvážných žen se rozhodlo, že to vychytají. Zpočátku to bylo hodně odsuzováno, protože ženy byly na takový sport považovány za příliš křehké. Také byli nuceni hrát v sukni místo vhodnějšího sportovního oblečení. Většina žen v těchto týmech pocházela z farmářských domů a některé byly dokonce negramotné. Poté, co liga dosáhla obrovských úspěchů, si společnost uvědomila, že ženy jsou dokonale schopné hrát profesionální sporty. Byl to obrovský krok kupředu v tom, že byly ženy vpuštěny do tradičně mužských rolí.
Začněte svou cestu k dosažení plynulosti
4. Skryté postavy
Ve vesmírném závodě na Měsíc v 1960. letech hraje Taraji P. Henson Katherine Johnsonovou, vysoce kvalifikovanou afroamerickou matematičku pracující v NASA. Zatímco pracovala jako „lidský počítač“, vydláždila cestu všem ženám, aby byly uznány za svou zásadní roli při vyslání Neila Armstronga na Měsíc spolu s vytvářením nových příležitostí pro afroamerické ženy v kariéře STEM.
Historický kontext: Nejen, že ženy obecně měly těžké časy získat své zasloužené pozice ve STEM, ale obzvláště obtížné to bylo pro afroamerické ženy. Od roku 1919 do 1960. let přineslo Hnutí za občanská práva světlo do boje a nerovnosti, které čelilo mnoho Afroameričanů navzdory Proklamaci emancipace, kterou Lincoln implementoval k ukončení občanské války. Kromě Katherine Johnsonové byli dalšími slavnými postavami, které pracovaly na nalezení rasové rovnosti v USA, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. a Nellie Hunt.
5. Dobré ráno Vietname
Film, který musí vidět každý, kdo se zajímá o americká studia: V hlavní roli s milovaným komikem Robinem Williamsem hraje DJ známý jako Adrian Cronauer, který moderuje rozhlasovou show během války ve Vietnamu v 1970. letech. Krátce poté je poslán do Vietnamu, aby zde zvýšil morálku amerických vojáků. Mezi vojáky se stává velmi oblíbeným, ale střetává se se středním managementem. Ve svém každodenním životě také zažívá novou stránku vietnamské války, která se ve zprávách neukazuje.
Historický kontext: Vietnamská válka byla jednou z nejvíce nepopulárních válek mezi občany v historii USA. Ačkoli problémy začaly o deset let dříve, americký prezident Dwight D. Eisenhower přislíbil podporu Jižnímu Vietnamu, aby zastavil jejich invazní sousedy ze Severního Vietnamu. V roce 1960 bylo ve Vietnamu umístěno přes 9000 1967 amerických vojáků podporovaných myšlenkou, že pokud Vietnam padne komunismu, padne i celá Asie. V roce 500,000 toto číslo vyletělo na 1982 60,000 a po celých USA vypukly protesty. Ve snaze umlčet masové množství úmrtí a děsivých situací vláda zakryla většinu zpráv o Vietnamu. Teprve v roce XNUMX po skončení války bylo zveřejněno uznání XNUMX XNUMX amerických vojáků, kteří zemřeli a statisíce dalších byly zraněny.
6. Tanec s vlky
Hraje Kevin Costner, film Tance s vlky sleduje příběh poručíka Johna Dunbara, když on a jeho vojáci hledají velení přes západní hranici. Seznámí se s indiánským kmenem a zamiluje se tam do bílé ženy, kterou vychovali. Brzy si uvědomí obrovskou překážku, které domorodí Američané čelí, když jsou nuceni opustit své domovy a přestěhovat se do rezervací nebo jednoduše vyhlazeni. Nakonec svou vojenskou pozici natrvalo opouští.
Historický kontext: Ačkoli cílem poutníků, kteří přišli z Evropy, bylo usadit „Nový svět“ (USA), tato země byla již obsazena původními Američany. Když se osadníci začali přesouvat dále na Západ, vzniklo mezi armádou a původními Američany větší napětí v boji o to, co komu patřilo. Domorodí Američané neměli špičkovou vojenskou technologii vlády, takže byli nuceni přesídlit do rezervací, opustit svou kulturu a tradice nebo být úplně vyhlazeni.
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