10 Best Movies About Historic Events

Mankind has so much great history that it only makes sense that it has been retold on the big screen in these 10 best movies about historic events. From the sinking of the Titanic to the conflicts and tragedies of World War II to the terrorist attacks of September 11th, take a trip back in time and relive these classical retellings of our society's history.

1. The Great Escape. Based on a true story, "The Great Escape" is a highly entertaining thrill-ride starring Steve McQueen, who teams up with a batch of Allied prisoners in an attempt to escape the inescapable German POW prison camp during the second World War. There's nothing better than a war film that makes you root for likable characters.
2. Glory. Denzel Washington stars in this epic Civil War flick about the first all-black Union regiment known as the 54th Massachusetts Volunteers. This fine depiction of the Civil War contains brilliant performances by Morgan Freeman, Matthew Broderick, and of course, Denzel Washington who won an Oscar for his role.
3. Apollo 13. This is one of the most believable and entertaining historic event films about the space disaster known as 'Apollo 13', an event in which an explosion left three astronauts dangerously close to being stranded out in space. Tom Hanks delivers a fantastic performance under the great direction of Ron Howard.
4. World Trade Center. Directed by Oliver Stone, "World Trade Center" is one of two movies about the terrorist attacks on the twin towers in New York City on September 11th, 2001. In this film, two Port authority police officers end up trapped beneath the rubble and wreckage of the twin towers after the terrorist attacks. The film does a wondrous job of retelling the horrific event without showing too much of the destruction.
5. United 93. This Paul Greengrass directed depiction of the September 11th terrorist attacks is one of the greatest and most memorable historic event films ever made. "United 93" tells the tale of the passengers who took a stand against their captors aboard the fourth airplane that never made it to its designated target. 'United 93' is riveting and nerve-racking with bolts of realism.
6. Saving Private Ryan. The best American war movie ever conceived. Armed with the incredible directing of Steven Spielberg and the acting of Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, and an entire all-star cast, "Saving Private Ryan" manages to successfully dramatize the sacrifices made by the American army and their allies during the conflict of World War II in the most realistic fashion possible.
7. Schindler's List. Set amidst the Nazi Holocaust of World War II, the film focuses on a man named Oskar Schindler who sets out to risk everything in order to save a group of Jews from the clutches of the Nazis. Mr. Spielberg once again succeeds in presenting a genuine and insightful venture into Nazi brutality.
8. The Passion of the Christ. Based upon the accounts of the trial, torture, crucifixion, and resurrection of the beloved Jesus Christ from the New Testament, Mel Gibson's classic graphical depiction of this tale is the highest grossing subtitled film as well as R-rated film to date. Despite the gory and violent nature of the film, it is the most realistic and heartfelt movie about Jesus Christ, earning it a well deserved spot on the 10 best movies about historic events list.
9. Pearl Harbor. Michael Bay directs this World War II tale based upon the Pearl Harbor attacks. Ben Affleck andJosh Hartnett star as soldiers along with an ensemble of other stars ranging from Kate Beckinsale, Alec Baldwin, Tom Sizemore, Cuba Gooding, Jr. and Dan Aykroyd to name a few. "Pearl Harbor" presents a highly dramatic and entertaining re-imaging of the Japanese attack on America.
10. Titanic. James Cameron's epic award-winning masterpiece that retells the tragic sinking of the most unsinkable ship on Earth on April 14th, 1912. Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet star as two lovers from two different social classes who fall in love and struggle to survive aboard the sinking ship. James Cameron's "Titanic" is the ultimate version of the story to date, completely rich with realism and tragedy.